Crying foul: MQM wants due process followed in Karachi operation

Dr Farooq Sattar stresses need for checks and balances following party worker's ‘custodial’ death

KARACHI: Immediate action must be taken to address the blatant disregard for the Constitution and due process during the Karachi operation, demanded Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) senior deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar.

The MQM leader was addressing a press conference on Sunday at the party secretariat in Azizabad. He stated that it had been agreed through mutual consensus at an all parties' conference that during the Karachi operation, due process of law would be followed and the sanctity of the Constitution preserved but things had taken a turn for the worse.

He remarked that the Rangers and police had been given extra powers through a political and democratic mandate, however, their actions showed that they were not upholding the law and Constitution. Dr Sattar said the MQM had decided to call a press conference to condemn these actions as recently, another victim, MQM worker Riazul Haq, was allegedly killed in an extra judicial manner.



These clear violations of basic human rights and infringement upon the liberties of citizens raise many questions, he said. Dr Sattar called upon those in positions of powers to take immediate notice and provide answers.

They cannot shy away from answering us, whether they answer today or tomorrow, he said, questioning the authority of the Rangers and police to arrest citizens on the basis of mere suspicions and then subject them to torture.

Checks and balances

Dr Sattar urged the need for a grievance redressal committee and oversight committee to ensure that the Karachi operation does not deviate from its true path and that the due process is followed in all circumstances. He strongly urged other political parties to support the MQM's demand, as the party was 'solely and unlawfully targeted'.

He questioned the role of the 'third party', which was creating hurdles in the formation of the oversight committee and also laid the blame on the government for not being able to fulfill its promises. All those who go against the law and Constitution must be held answerable and be dealt with equally, whether in uniform or civilian attire, he said.

The MQM leader also called for an impartial investigation into the killing of Haq, allegedly while in Rangers' custody. He informed that Haq had been missing for a year and a habeas corpus petition had been filed regarding his enforced disappearance. He added that his body was found dumped in Surjani Town, with torture marks around 13 months after his disappearance.

Dr Sattar said the MQM is ready to defend its allegations regarding Riaz's death in the highest court of law, bearing that those convicted will have to face the consequences of their actions. He also stated that it was the responsibility of the Rangers and police to find Haq's murderers if he was not killed while in their custody.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2016.