SHC orders production of missing MQM-London workers

Court hears petition for safe return of three workers

HYDERABAD: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the police to produce three supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - London who have allegedly been subjected to enforced disappearance. The order came on Wednesday in separate petitions filed by the family members of Moeed Ahmed Khan, Mohsin Qureshi and Khalid Qureshi.

Moeed and Mohsin, who were booked in a 2012 FIR at City police station under Section 6/7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and imprisoned on judicial remand after their recent arrest, were released from jail on bail on June 21. However, petitioners Hameed Khan, the father, and Tehseen Qureshi, the brother, claimed that the two were whisked from outside the jail on the same day.

They expressed fear for the lives of Moeed and Mohsin and had petitioned the court for their safe recovery. In a similar petition, Saima Khalid complained that her husband Khalid Qureshi alias Khalid Makhan left home in Latifabad, Hyderabad, on May 23 and went to his office in Badin district. But Qureshi, an employee of the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company, did not return.



Four days later Saima said she gave birth to her child, explaining the delay in filing the petition. The SHC ordered the law enforcement agencies to produce the missing men on the next date of hearing on August 3.

The court also ordered the respondents, including the chief secretary, provincial inspector-general of police, director-general of the Sindh Rangers, Hyderabad sector commander of the Rangers, Hyderabad DIG, SSP and other officials to submit reply. Advocate Shakeel Zai was counsel in both the petitions.

Around eight persons reportedly belonging to MQM-London are missing, according to the party's sources.