MQM-London leaders sent to jail once again

Dr Hasan Arif, Amjadullah Khan were arrested for facilitating Altaf's speech

KARACHI: The anti-terrorism courts' administrative judge remanded on Wednesday two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - London leaders to jail in judicial custody in a case pertaining to a speech of their party chief against the military establishment.

Dr Hasan Zafar Arif and Amjadullah Khan were sent to prison till January 3 as the administrative judge sought the charge sheet against them from the police on the next hearing.

The pro-Altaf MQM leaders were arrested on Tuesday evening shortly after they were released from Central Jail, Karachi on completion of their 60-day detention under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance.

During the hearing, the investigation officer said that the suspects were absconding in a case registered at the Azizabad police station. Other MQM leaders such as Dr Farooq Sattar, Qamar Mansoor and Mehfooz Yar Khan are also nominated in this case.

According to the prosecution, MQM founder Altaf Hussain, in his July 29 speech, lambasted the then Rangers director-general and others for their role in the Karachi operation and incited his party workers to wage a civil war. He also asked for extortion from the business community of the city.

The other leaders of the party have been accused of applauding the contents of the said speech and facilitating its deliverance. Around 50 party leaders have been mentioned as suspects in the case lodged on the complaint of the Rangers.

The police sought custody of the suspects on physical remand. The judge, however, turned down the plea and sent the suspects to jail on judicial remand till January 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2016.