MQM office ransacked as anger runs high in Orangi
Earlier, some people were accused of killing two men for not paying extortion money. However, it could not be verified if these men belonged to the MQM, whose office ultimately bore the brunt. On Wednesday night, 22-year-old trader Muhammad Shahid and Ikhlas Rasool, 13, were shot dead in a brawl between Shahid and some people, who had come to collect fitra. Another youngster, Danish Saleem, was injured in the clash.
While the men took the dead for burial Thursday afternoon, women and youngsters besieged the office, which had already been abandoned.
“Shahid was being pressured to pay Rs40,000 as fitra,” said an official of Pakistan Bazar police station. “When he refused to comply, a heated argument ensued and some gunshots were also fired.”
Shahid was a garments trader and used to set up stalls in different areas of the city. People of Orangi Town, especially Al-Mustafa Colony where the deceased lived, are known to support one political party. But after the incident, people took to the streets to voice their anger and started shouted slogans against the party.
“This incident probably tested the patience of the residents,” said an eyewitness. “When you kill an innocent person, political inclinations don’t matter. You can’t see a son or brother being killed and not do anything about it.”
A senior police official said this has happened before. “We have seen how people who support a particular political party can turn against it if the activists turn rogue. But the Orangi Town incident has amazed me as well.”
Extortion has become an everyday reality in Karachi. Police say rouge elements within political parties and Lyari gangsters extort money from traders and businessmen.
The funeral prayers of the victims were offered at Al-Habib Mosque where Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s MPAs Manzar Imam and Saifuddin Khalid were also present.
No case was registered until the filling of this report.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (14)
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@A Pakistani: Are you living in persdise or in Karachi? People talk so much negative about Amman committe, nice to know that so peaceful pocket is in Karachi. Love you all.
Aise kaamo mein tou aisa hota hee hai :P
it is my personal experience of each year in ramazan when mqm members esp the milk man literally force us to pay 'fitrah' this time however we re gonna man up and say no.
people trying to silence the lone voice of the Mauhajirs.........
Interestingly, "the office, which had already been abandoned" Interesting na ? If it was an MQM office why it was abandon, even when two of the area MPAs belonging to the same MQM were in the funeral procession?
People in my area are also planning to do the same, to burn the office of MQM because they are failed to protect us from criminals and gangsters of Lyarin they are just demanding PPP which is fruitless as not only PPP but PML-N, ANP, JI even PTI suport lyari gangsters to ruin Karachi
Looks like BQM will take seats from MQM this time. MQM has failed to provide any law and order to businesses, and any relief to common man while enjoying the perks of the government for 15 years.
It's a well known fact that the MQM collects "Fitra" every Ramzan, that too forcefully. If you don't give, you'll be shot dead. Police does nothing.
Finally oppressed Karachiites rose against the MQM's terror.. We all have been waiting for this to happen .. Let's end this 28 years old Bhatta culture :)
"The funeral prayers of the victims were offered at Al-Habib Mosque where Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s MPAs Manzar Imam and Saifuddin Khalid were also present."
To intimidate witnesses?
May the departed souls rest in peace and may Allah give courage to their families to cope with the loss of loved ones.
The funeral prayers of the victims were offered at Al-Habib Mosque where Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s MPAs Manzar Imam and Saifuddin Khalid were also present.
Why?
To shed crocodile tears... and maintain vote bank and continue the flow of "Fitra" and "Fitna"
To keep the aggrieved family from speaking to the media because the MPAs can do that better than the aggrieved. Thats MQM for you!
A lot of criminal elements have been falsely using MQM's name to collect bhatta to defame MQM. But I believe the public is aware of this negative propaganda & knows who is behind this. The business community & traders have already exposed the lyari gang criminals.
Eye opening for MQM, stretch to the level it is not broken. Your relation with people is getting weak,