During Monday’s hearing, Justice Muhammad Tasnim accepted the plea of Ahmed’s counsel and granted bail on condition of submitting Rs1 million as a surety bond.
The trial court has also been directed to dispose of the case within three months.
Earlier, the court heard arguments of the MQM-H chief’s counsel on a petition seeking bail and the quashment of murder charges against him.
According to the prosecution, in 2009, four men, claiming to be working for Ahmed, opened fire on MQM workers at a pan shop in PS Nabi Bux. As a result, a MQM activist, Atiqur Rahman, was killed.
During Monday’s hearing, the court said that according to the statement of Investigating Officer (IO) Inspector Nijabat, the police had failed to produce any incriminating evidence that could connect the accused to the alleged murder.
“From the perusal of records and the IOs’ statement, no material is available against the accused,” Justice Tasnim said in a short order.
The court also declined a request by advocates M Ilyas Khan and Muhammad Farooq to reduce the surety to Rs0.5 million stating that “freedom is priceless”.
This was the last case pending against Ahmed, who has been behind bars since April 2004. While speaking to the media, Ahmed’s counsel Ilyas Khan said that the case was ‘baseless’ and ‘like a fairy tale’.
“We prayed to the court that the case is not worth being tried for being baseless,” he said, adding that courts are independent and can make decisions without any fear or favour.
Who is Afaq Ahmed?
Ahmed, once close to the MQM chief Altaf Hussain, developed differences with him in the 1990s. Following an operation against the party in June 1992, Ahmed and Aaamir Khan led the breakaway faction later called Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi.
The MQM-H established its hold in Liaquatabad, Landhi, Korangi, and New Karachi with the Lines Area sector being their stronghold. These areas were later dubbed ‘no-go areas’ for members, associates or supporters of Altaf Hussain.
The rival factions have long accused each other of killing workers and supporters.
Ahmed emerged as a strong opponent in the late 1990s but in early 2000 was forced to go underground as government agencies launched a search operation against him.
In 2004, when the MQM came into power and Arbab Ghulam Rahim was the then Sindh chief minister, Ahmed was arrested and has been in prison ever since. His headquarters known as the ‘White House’ was razed to the ground, sending a strong signal to the MQM-Haqiqi.
Ahmed still wields influence amongst a section of the Urdu- speaking community. His release may be the beginning of a new friction in Sindh’s politics. (ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM NEWS DESK)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.
COMMENTS (6)
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i think time has come that we should start realizing that MQM whether ALTAF or AFAQ is not the solution of Karachi. Since both have the agenda of patronizing terrorism which further ignites the ethnic violence in Karachi.
I think we all either ethnic should sort out our own way to stand against all those that cripples the city and kills the innocent people at the behest of political parties.
more bloodsheed afaq vs altaf vs afaq enjoy the music
Why there are differences when both MQM parties represent Karachiites? Mr Afaaq should join MQM(Altaf) to strength the unity in Karachi and for the long-term peace. Plus without the support of MQM(A), Afaaq's party would never plant it's roots in Karachi. I urge MQM(A) to support Baloch people of Lyari as we are Karachiites as well and we already disowned PPP after they ditched the people of Lyari again and again w/operations etc.
Congratz Afaq bhai