Section 144 was imposed before the release orders of Ahmed were submitted.
Around 500-1,000 MQM-H supporters, who had gathered outside the Malir District Jail, expecting Ahmed's release started protesting and blocked the National Highway.
On Monday, Ahmed was granted bail on condition of submitting Rs1 million as a surety bond by the SHC in his last pending case - the murder of an activist of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in 2009.
He was expected to be released from the jail on Wednesday after seven years of his detention, from where he was supposed to visit his father's grave before going to his house in Landhi.
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.
COMMENTS (21)
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Mqm should show tolerance and leave Mr. Afaq alone. His detention is un justifed as long as he is not involved in violence. Mqm's politcal stature will be taller if they leave him alone
please stop jocking and give him real justice
Wields influence over urdu speaking community.... can you please tell me which section of the community is that....
Wow , Let's play with Karachi Now . Once upon a time in Karachi.
Karachi doesn't want waderana, jageerdarana system. So other parties should stay out as long as they don't bring middle class representatives among them. if you don't want MQM, no problem, just change your system, come live with the world. Bring the change, bring the rulers who live in Sukkur after getting elected from Sukker. Live in Sahiwal, serve sahiwal, not Islamabad. Bring your true representatives and prosper. Leave the bilawals and hamzas aside who have not drank once what you drink daily. Who don't know what loadshedding feels after spending whole lives in UK. Just bring your own people and think for yourself, just leave who's ideology it is, MQM or Imran Khan. Focus on the correct idealogy and Pakistan will prosper.
time has changed, world has changed, pakistan has changed but these ppp and mqm not accepting it, they can't make people fool any more. first his bail was draged and delayed for 8 years and now he is under house arrest. i think SC should give justice to Afaq ahmed.Target killers are free in karachi and people like Afaq ahmed are in prison and house arrest on different made up accusation.its pressure from MQM, he was kept in jail for 8 years on false cases and now when he is released he has been put under house arrest.It speaks that Government is under pressure of MQM therefore instead of clear verdict of court of Law he is still detained. Who is scared of Afaq Ahmed (Government of Sindh or ???)
Another CHARACTER in the GAME of politics .... Allah Karachi or Pakistan ke halat per raham Karey.
MQM wants to reach every corner of Pakistan but they donot welcome any opponent to operate in Karachi.This is completely insane and inhumane.Sindh govt was forced to make this decision on the behest of MQM's pressure to house arrest Mr.Ahmed.This is politics of vendetta and injustice.
This is ultimate hypocracy by the sindh government, whem Amir Khan was released he was never placed in detention under MPO but when Afaq Ahmed is released he is placed under MPO detention. That is not fair. I think Governor Sindh has something to do with this he pressured the Chief Minister SIndh to stop Afaq's release. Afaq Ahmed should be released immediately this is a violation of court orders and contempt of court as well.
And they have set everything up to push karachi in the darkness again..
"Ahmed still wields influence amongst a section of the Urdu- speaking community".................. give me a brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreak ....
Hmm, seems like democracy is also coming to Karachi .. !