Ransacking media outlets: Attack by MQM workers condemned

Two party leaders also resign from membership

ABBOTTABAD/SWAT: Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (ASWJ) filed an application to register a sedition case against MQM chief Altaf Hussain. The application was submitted at Abbottabad Cantonment police station on Tuesday.

The complainants, Haji Ayaz Khan and Haji Nawaz Khan, who belonged to ASWJ, requested the registration of a criminal case against Altaf Hussain under sections dealing with sedition.

The ASWJ also held a protest outside the Abbottabad Press Club, demanding capital punishment for the MQM chief.

They dubbed him an Indian agent who shouted anti-Pakistan slogans. In view of the situation, two MQM activists, GM Samsam, a former candidate for NA-17 (Abbottabad) and district leader Sarfraz Salar announced their resignations from the party after Altaf’s reportedly anti-Pakistan slogans. Journalists from Hazara also took out rallies to express solidarity with media houses that were attacked by workers of MQM. Speakers on the occasion condemned the attack on the offices of media outlets and the press club. They demanded security for the media.

Meanwhile, journalists in Swat also held a protest rally against the attacks. Journalists from Swat Press Club and Swat Union of Journalists shouted slogans against the MQM and condemned the attack.

On the occasion, they demanded the government ensure protection for journalists. They said the attack on media outlets was tantamount to an attack on the state.

The media personnel added the recent attack indicated that proper arrangements had not been made to secure the lives of journalists. They demanded the government put an end to MQM’s atrocities in the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 24^th, 2016.