MQM mourns activist’s death

Protesters demand exemplary punishment for culprits

KARACHI:

Protesters at Numaish Chowrangi called for exemplary punishment to those responsible for the torture and subsequent death of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker Aftab Ahmed, who died in the custody of Rangers on Tuesday.

"The Rangers should expose their black sheep. The culprits should be hanged publicly so no one else dares to get involved in such actions," said a protester, Naseer, while holding a placard calling for justice.



Ahmed, 42, an aide of Dr Farooq Sattar, died under custody on Tuesday. The party claims he was severely tortured by the law enforcement agency, which had detained him for 90 days under preventive custody, leading to his death.

Following his death, the MQM announced a day of mourning on Wednesday and decided to hold protests in different parts of the city, including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad and North Nazimabad.

Meanwhile at Numaish Chowrangi, a handful of men and women and children stood with banners and placards against the incident. "He had five children, and he was detained for 90 days. This is what they did on the first day," said another protester.

A coordinator of MQM leader Wasim Akhtar — the likely mayor of Karachi — said he and Ahmed had hung out several times and belonged to the Landhi sector. "I had known him for 12 years. He was a good person."



After seeing the widely-circulated pictures of Ahmed bearing brutal torture marks, the deceased's friend said, "No sane human can do this."

Akhtar, who stood with the protesters, termed the army chief's intervention and directive of an inquiry into the incident a pleasant gesture.

"Hopefully it [inquiry] will not just be confined to administrative action. Criminal investigation of this brutal murder should be conducted," he said.

He claimed that such brutal activities taint the work of the law enforcement agencies and they do not want such stains on their agencies.

Meanwhile, an FIR has yet to be registered, Akhtar said, adding that the party and family will decide when to lodge a criminal case.



"We are waiting for the [Rangers’] committee's decision to fix responsibility. We could have given a strong reaction but we don't want to fight. 170 people [of MQM] are still missing," he said.

Tales of horror

Protesters also spoke about incidents when their loved ones were picked up by law enforcement agencies. Ghazala, a councillor elected from Lines Areas, said her brother who was picked up before the local government elections in December last year and kept in custody for 15 days is unable to walk today. "He can't walk properly. He was given electric shocks. He doesn't go out anywhere," she claimed.

Mohammad Afzal from Jut Lines said his neighbour, Ameer Nizami, was picked up by men in plainclothes, and has been missing for the last nine months. "What is their fault? Why were they arrested?" he asked, knowing that an answer is not forthcoming.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 5^th, 2016.