Of intimidation and threats: JI accuses MQM activists of kidnapping rival candidates

JI Karachi Chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti alleged that two of its workers were kidnapped by MQM’s armed activists


Our Correspondent April 27, 2013
Sindh JI chief, Merajul Huda Siddiqui, said that it was clear what the MQM manifesto stood for, referring to the two strikes called in the last three days. PHOTO: FILE

KARACHI:


The alleged activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) have been accused of hurling threats, kidnapping and torturing the activists of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) during the election campaign in the city.


In an emergency press conference, the JI Karachi Chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti alleged that two of its workers, Aizaz Ahmed and Saad Ali Khan, were kidnapped by MQM’s armed activists under a police escort on Thursday night from Federal B Area Block 9. “They were taken to an MQM unit office near Taleemi Bagh and tortured. A police van, bearing the registration number PS-3191, escorted the kidnappers.”

He also mentioned another kidnapping on the same night while JI members were reportedly carrying out door-to-door campaign. He alleged that they were handed over to the police after being tortured. Mehanti said that their party flags and banners have also been removed from Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Federal B Area, North Karachi and North Nazimabad.



Muhammad Mustaqeem Qureshi Noorani, a leader of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan (JUP), said that their workers have also received life threats from the MQM activists in Shah Faisal Colony, where the party vice president, Shah Muhammad Owais Noorani, is contesting from NA-256.

The Sindh JI chief, Merajul Huda Siddiqui, said that it was clear what the MQM manifesto stood for, referring to the two strikes called in the last three days.

The Majlis-e-Wahdat-Muslimeen (MWM) has strongly criticised the threats to its candidates and activists by ‘self-proclaimed office bearers and members of the MQM’.

The party’s Karachi secretary-general, Allama Sadiq Raza Taqvi, demanded that the leadership of MQM take notice of people responsible for terrorism using its name in NA-252 and PS-127.

Taqvi also condemned terrorist attacks and blasts on Awami National Party, JI, MQM and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2013.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ