‘Key suspect’: UC chairman held for ARY office attack

KARACHI: The Rangers claim to have arrested a key suspect involved in the attack on the ARY News office in Karachi.

Union Council (UC) 22 chairman Asif Siddiqui was arrested during a raid in the Ranchore Lines area. The accused has been handed over to the police for further investigation. “He was involved in the attack on ARY News on August 22,” said the Rangers spokesperson. “He has been handed over to the Artillery Maidan police.”

Suspects allegedly belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) attacked the ARY News office after an incendiary speech by MQM chief Altaf Hussain during the party’s hunger strike camp outside Karachi Press Club. Two cases were registered against the MQM chief, leaders and workers at the Artillery Maidan police station.

The halting of MQM’s political activities was also witnessed after authorities sealed the party’s headquarters and its offices throughout the country. Over half-a-dozen leaders were also detained and later released.

Late on Tuesday night, the Rangers summoned MQM leaders Sheeraz Waheed and Asif Hasnain to the Rangers wing and interrogated them about Altaf’s hate speech and the subsequent violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2016.