Farooq Sattar’s coordinator died in Rangers’ custody, claims MQM

However, Rangers spokesperson says Aftab Ahmed passed away due to heart failure at JPMC

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday claimed senior party leader Farooq Sattar’s coordinator Aftab Ahmed died while he was under a 90-day preventive detention by paramilitary Rangers in Karachi.

According to the MQM, the 42-year-old worker was picked up by Rangers on May 1 from his residence in Karachi's Federal B Area.

“On Tuesday morning, he was brought to the Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) in critical condition,” a party statement said. “He was tortured in custody."

Following the news of his death, MQM leadership and activists arrived at the hospital where his body is being kept for medico-legal formalities, and will later be handed over to his family.



The MQM activist, who has five children, was detained by law enforcement personnel in plainclothes in District Central on Sunday evening during a raid near Mukka Chowk in Federal B Area.

He was later shifted to an undisclosed location and was subsequently handed over to Rangers on a 90-day preventive detention.

Party sources said Ahmed had been working as a coordinator for Farooq Sattar since 2002.

Ahmed's death comes on the day his party has planned to hold a rally outside the Karachi Press Club in support of missing and arrested party workers.

Meanwhile, MQM lawmakers in Sindh Assembly protested over the arrest of their party workers.

“Our workers are being kidnapped and killed but government is taking a nap. The Constitution gives us the right to know the whereabouts of our workers,” MQM’s Muhammad Hussain said.



“I ask government to let us know about missing workers before budget session otherwise no one can pass the budget here."

Talking to media outside the assembly, MQM’s Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izharul Hasan demanded formation of a medical board to investigate the death.

“We demand complete investigation into the death of our party worker. A medical board must be formed for its probe. If a common citizen dies in custody his death must be investigated,” he said.

The party has also announced one-day mourning in the wake of Ahmed’s death.

Suspect died of heart failure, say Rangers

Meanwhile, Rangers spokesperson claimed Aftab complained of chest pain on Tuesday morning after which he was shifted to the hospital for medical treatment where he died of heart failure.

“Aftab had been detained on May 1 over his involvement in different crimes and an anti-terrorism court had remanded him into Rangers’ custody for 90 days,” a statement issued by the Rangers read.