Nine-Zero raid: PTI asks political parties to distance themselves from mafias

Mazari questioned why criminals, against whom FIRs were registered, were hiding at Nine Zero in protection of MQM

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) on Wednesday expressed concerns over Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) move to put the port city of Karachi to a standstill following a raid by the Ranger’s at Nine Zero, the headquarters of MQM, and said all political parties must disassociate from militias and mafias.

PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari expressed concern over bringing life in Karachi to a halt, once again by the MQM, said a statement.

Read: LIVE: One dead, several injured as Rangers raid MQM headquarters

She said the PTI had been demanding that all armed militias must be disbanded, and political parties must disassociate from militias and mafias. On PTI's initiative, disarming of all private armed groups and militias was made part of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism, she added.

Earlier in the day, Rangers carried out a raid at Nine Zero with the party claiming that several leaders had been arrested. In a statement issued hours after the start of the operation, the MQM’s Rabita Committee said Rangers personnel had forcefully raided and ransacked the MQM’s head office.

Dr Mazari regretted the killing of an unarmed MQM worker during the operation, and demanded that “an investigation must take place as to determine who was behind the killing, as Rangers have stated he was killed by a TT pistol not a Rangers' weapon.”

Read: Profile: Waqas Ali Shah left home for Nine Zero, never to return

Mazari asked how stolen weapons, especially Nato weapons, were found at Nine Zero, and why wanted men were being sheltered there. It is criminal for a political party to have prohibited bore Nato arms at their office, she added.

Mazari further questioned why criminals, against whom FIRs were registered, were hiding at Nine Zero and in the protection of MQM. The statement quoted the Supreme Court as stating that all parties should disband their militant wings.

“It is clear MQM had a militant wing and criminals were being protected,”Mazari said.

Read: PTI Karachi president supports Rangers raid, lashes out at MQM

Mazari said it is time for all political parties and their leadership to realise that no one can be above the law. She said the innocent people of Karachi are being put to test again, adding that she was hopeful that they will remain peaceful.

PTI stands with the peaceful people of Karachi who have had their patience tested over and over again by mafias and armed political groups, the statement added.