Qaim fails to reassure MQM over missing workers’ recovery

Party claims 172 workers missing since over two years

KARACHI: In an attempt to help trace its 'missing' workers, a delegation of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met the Sindh chief minister (CM) on Monday. However, party sources say the meeting was unproductive as the CM expressed helplessness on raising the issue with Rangers.

An eight-member MQM delegation met CM Qaim Ali Shah and senior minister Nisar Khuhro at CM House following a two-day protest for the release of missing workers.

MQM's Khawaja Izharul Hassan said they shared their grievances with the CM. "We have no issue with people being arrested if there is evidence against them. But they should be produced in court and their families be told of their whereabouts," he said.

In the 90-minute meeting, sources said the CM only gave half-hearted assurances, and seemed helpless on playing any role for getting in touch with the Rangers for producing the workers in court. He said he would raise the issue with the federal government, while matters pertaining to the police would be dealt by him, the sources added.

According to the MQM, some 172 workers have gone missing since the start of the Karachi operation [against criminals and militants] in September 2013. Since March 3, the day when MQM dissidents Mustafa Kamal and Anis Kaimkhani returned to Pakistan and announced the formation of their own party, around 71 workers have gone missing, the party claimed.

The MQM had organised a sit-in on Saturday and Sunday to highlight the issue of missing workers, following which protesters marched to CM House and were promised a meeting with the CM.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 26^th, 2016.