Waseem visits prison: MQM-H chief refuses to leave country

KARACHI:

Harping on an old tune, the government once again asked Afaq Ahmed, the chief of Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) to either leave the country or at least Karachi, to gain freedom.

The proposal was rejected forthwith by Afaq Ahmed, incarcerated since April 2004, said sources.

Waseem Ahmed, the additional chief secretary home, visited the Karachi central prison on Monday and had a meeting with Afaq Ahmed in the office of the jail superintendent.

The meeting was in line with a written communication addressed to Afaq Ahmed on Saturday which said that in pursuance of the orders of Sindh High Court, Afaq is being approached. In this communication from home department Afaq was asked to clear his position viz a viz the allegations contained in MPO order detaining him for 30 days.

However, Afaq in his written reply conveyed to the authorities concerned that he would defend the allegations at any forum at any time.

This two-way communication was followed by a visit of Waseem Ahmed today, sources told The Express Tribune.  These sources said Afaq rejected both the proposals and said he could not think for a moment to leave his party men even if he has to remain behind bars for the rest of his life.

“I have strong belief in courts and hope that I will soon be a free man”, Afaq was quoted to have told Waseem Ahmed.

Afaq’s petitions will be heard by different benches of SHC on Dec 15 and 16. On Dec 16, a plea against his detention under MPO will be heard. On a previous hearing, the Court had ordered the Sindh government to decide within three days an application by the brother of Afaq Ahmed regarding his detention under MPO. Meanwhile, Sindh home minister called on Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad Khan to discuss these developments and the meeting was in progress till our going to press.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2011.