MQM chief Altaf Hussain. PHOTO: APP
Rejecting a statement from security forces denying any involvement in the extrajudicial killing and abduction of workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), party chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday said MQM had evidence that law enforcement agencies (LEAs) had tortured activists of the party.
“We will provide proof that LEAs have subjected MQM workers to third degree torture, hurled ethnic slurs at them and threatened to wipe out their race,” the MQM chief said in an official statement.
He demanded that security officials ‘stop lying’ about their involvement in the disappearance of MQM workers and ask for the party supporters’ ‘forgiveness’.
Other senior MQM leaders also held a news conference in Karachi earlier in the day, after a body of a party worker bearing marks of torture was discovered in the city’s Northern Bypass area. Relatives and associates of the MQM worker Arif alleged he was picked up by men in plain clothes claiming to be security officials on Thursday.
“Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar assured us there would be no extrajudicial killings [of our workers] but they are still happening… Has the prime minister lost his writ? Which law enforcement agencies are involved in these actions, against the government’s directions,” questioned Senator Babur Ghauri at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat.
MQM Rabita Committee member Haider Abbas Rizvi said the current operation was turning out to be similar to the 1992 operation in Karachi. “Why are we being targeted instead of insurgents,” he asked.
He mentioned a recent story by The Wall Street Journal on the ‘strong’ Taliban presence in Karachi, and said that it was alarmed that one-third of the city had been occupied by the group’s affiliates. “There is no writ of the state… the LEAs can’t function in areas where the insurgents are holed up. Instead, they target and arrest innocent MQM workers.”
Rizvi demanded the prime minister, interior minister and Sindh governor and chief minister take notice bring an end to the extra judicial killings.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Pakistan Rangers Sindh said they have not issued any statement regarding the arrest or disappearance of criminals. In a statement issued late Saturday night, the spokesperson said that criticising the force without any grounds was unfair. He said they targeted only criminals in their operation in the city.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2014.
COMMENTS (29)
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Supereme court had blamed PPP, MQM and ANP and other mafias for the law and order situation in Karachi, but apparently LEA are in action against one party MQM. No action against ANP and PPP workers although Karachites very well know that ANP, PPP and Lyari gangesters were also involved. So such one side action against urdu speakings is very much concerning. Perhaps one reason is also that in LEA and police representation of urdu speaking people is very small. So under such linguistic biased mindset who will protect the rights of urdu speaking sindhis in Sindh.
@Naive: Yes, besides stringent laws we need a Federally sponsored Army operation to weed out criminals from Karachi and from the rest of Pakistan. Thanks.
@Usman: Yes, let there be a witness protection law. But do you think, given ground realities, just a piece of law would be sufficient for protecting the witnesses? Can you suggest some really effective ways of combating terror and torture and off course of making extra-judicial killings impossible?
@Usman: Only witness protection law cannot protect. But let there be law, anyway.
@imran ali: Not by the Supreme Court, anyway.
Witness protection law, now.
@Naive...the present chief justice has taken 3 or 4 cases of suo moto...now a days justice is given on ethnic basis
@ali ahmed: No! But they are perhaps lenient only in sparing the adherents/criminals of the ruling Party of Sindh.
@imran ali: It is because sue motto by the former Chief Justice was made controversial by many.
@kala_bacha: Demeanor has already answered you. See comment: "Let everyone denounce those who have failed to denounce torture."
The Punjabi rangers personal are afraid to take action against talibans...they are targeting easy target.
why no suo moto by supreme court chief justice against extra -judicial killing? ..is it because they are urdu speaking
I challenge the same above mqm bashers to comments on the recent ET news over torture marks and death news of MQM workers by LEA but none can that. So keep your mouth shut and don't try suppress the long term atrocities of LEA.
And we also have proof of MQM atrocities
Altaf Bhai has guts to condemn the harassment and/or judicial killings of MQM workers. What about the criminal activities of MQM demanding [bhatta] monies from traders in Karachi? Did they take any action against such criminals? NO Altaf Bhai should also tell us where all these monies came from when Scotland Yard entered his flat? I congratulate the present Government for taking action against the criminals. They should arrest them and bring before the courts so that people should know who these criminals are?
"...extra judicial killings of civilians." Only???
Let everyone denounce those who have failed to denounce torture.
@Mirza: "To be honest everybody should condemn the extra judicial killings of civilians." Why just civilians? Why not personnel of law enforcement agencies also?
Readers/ Bloggers, Not that I am in favour of any type torture from governmental agencies, but people living in Karachi should remember the consistent torture they have been through in the last 28 years by one political party. Our government should introduce a witness protection programme and I am sure there will be many witness who will come forward. Please note that there is one political party that has been recognised internationally as a terrorist organisation. Allah humari Qaum ko Hidayat day!!!
@Mirza: Agreed. But do the PPP, MQM, the Rangers, the TTP, and other interested parties really believe in the due process of law? If not how can extra-judicial killings stop?
@Mirza: Spot on with the extra judicial killings,they should be condemned regardless of political affiliations,be it against the MQM or the Baloch Btw,Sir,which two forces have been ruling Sindh for almost 5.9 years now,are you waiting for a miracle to happen from the very 'stakeholders' of this "madness"?
@Mirza: So MQM is targeting the only law enforcement agency making a real difference in Karachi. We know your real face Altaf Hussain, don't you forget.
Extra-judicial killings are common since no one believes in the due process of law.
This is very serious allegation. No civilized society can tolerate extra judicial killings even of a big criminal. Law enforcement forces or any person are not above law. We should not follow law of jungle. Unfortunately ethnic and sectarian prejudices have grabbed big portion of our society. Solution is that we propogate to be pakistanis above all and we should give constitutional rights and justice to every sect of our society. Killings youngs is not a solution but later on it can further deteriorate unity of our nation as a true Pakistani.
To be honest everybody should condemn the extra judicial killings of civilians. It is time the two forces of Sindh (MQM and PPP) unite and stop this madness. If it is one party workers today then tomorrow would be the other party workers. It is time for Bilawal to go and meet his "uncle". These killings cannot and should not continue.
Whatever it is I 100% Agreed with this Statement While All Karachi is Surrounded by Taliban Rangers don't have the Courage to step in their Ground. “There is no writ of the state… the police and Rangers can’t function in areas where the insurgents are holed up.
Dont worry Mr Altaf...if u have proof of rangers atrocities...half of karachi is witness to Mqm atrocites!!