Hunger strike: Health of three MQM leaders deteriorates

Party is protesting against killings of workers and political victimisation

KARACHI: The health condition of three leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) deteriorated as the party’s hunger strike entered its fifth consecutive day on Sunday.

The MQM has been holding a ‘hunger strike till death’ since Wednesday against what it terms as injustices against the party, extrajudicial killings and arrests of its workers and political victimisation.

At least 17 people, including party leader Amir Khan, are on hunger strike at the camp outside Karachi Press Club. A team of doctors remain present all the time to assist those in need and keep a check on the health of the protesters.

On Sunday, MQM’s medical aid incharge, Dr Asif Raheel, said that the condition of three of its MPAs - Saifuddin Khalid, Faisal Rafiq, Yousaf Shahwani - was deteriorating due to the protest.

Khalid has been a patient of high blood pressure while Rafiq’s heartbeat has dropped, informed Raheel, adding that they need to be shifted to a hospital immediately.

Later in the evening, a Pakistan Peoples Party delegation, comprising ministers Nisar Khuhro, Saeed Ghani and Murtaza Wahab, visited the camp and held a meeting with the MQM leaders.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 22^nd,  2016.