Blame games: MQM accuses Haqiqi of ‘harassing’ party workers

Supporters being tortured since by-polls in April, say leaders

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has accused its long-time rival Muhajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) of employing harassment and torture tactics to victimise MQM workers.

In a press conference at party's Lines Area sector office, MQM parliamentarians, Ali Raza Abidi and Kamal Malik, alleged that their workers were being tortured since by-polls in April.

The MQM-H activists are attacking MQM offices, torturing workers in Lines Area, said Malik, adding that despite lodging complaints with police no action has yet been taken. The MQM-H workers involved in these activities roam freely, he said, commenting that they enjoyed patronage of the forces who seek to sideline the MQM.

The MQM workers in Landhi, Shah Faisal Colony, Korangi and Lines Area are being forced to switch their loyalties, added Malik.  Meanwhile, Abidi said that MQM-H was calling in 'masked men' from outside to harass and torture people. He urged Sindh IG AD Khawaja, to replace the SHO of the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2016.