Sathi Ishaq, Arif Haider released, claim party sources

The two are affiliated with MQM-London

KARACHI: A key leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) and an assistant registrar of the Karachi University (KU) were released, sources in the party confirmed on Monday.

MQM-L key leader Saathi Ishaq and KU assistant registrar Arif Haider were reportedly detained by Rangers during separate raids. Haider was arrested during a raid conducted at his office in the university on Thursday. Later, on Friday, Ishaq was also arrested during a raid in Saddar area when he was on the way to his house from work in his car.

Both of them were later shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning. However, law enforcement agencies particularly remained tight-lipped over the apprehensions of the party leader and worker.

Sources in the party told The Express Tribune that both Ishaq and Haider had been released.

Besides them, more than two dozen workers of the party were also apprehended during various raids allegedly conducted by Rangers in different parts of the metropolis. The move came after the Pakistan Qaumi Movement, in collaboration with MQM-L, announced to hold a public rally from Ayesha Manzil to Mazar-e-Quaid on January 21 where MQM founder Altaf Hussain’s address was also expected.

Meanwhile, on Monday, one more worker belonging to MQM-L, namely Adil, was also apprehended during a raid conducted by law enforcers in Landhi locality. The party worker was later shifted to an undisclosed location for further questioning. However, none of the law enforcement agencies disclosed his arrest.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17^th, 2017.