MQM-H leader cleared of possessing illegal arms

KARACHI: A sessions court acquitted Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi (MQM-H) leader Afaq Ahmed in an illegal possession of arms case on Wednesday.

Ahmed is the chairperson of one of the two factions of the MQM-H. The acquittal was the result of a lack of evidence against the accused, said Additional District and Sessions judge Ubaid Hamza Khan. The hearing was held in Karachi Central Prison where Ahmed is imprisoned.

In June 2004, the police had claimed to have recovered several automatic weapons, bullets and grenades from Ahmed’s house in Landhi. The police had accused Ahmed of using these weapons in criminal acts in the city.

On April 7, the court had found Ahmed and Khan guilty of the murder of a Muttahida Qaumi Movement worker committed in 1996. They were both sentenced to life imprisonment. Maintaining their innocence, the two had vowed to challenge the verdict in the Sindh High Court.

While a large number of workers had gathered at the previous hearing, many hoping to escort their leaders home, nobody, not even the senior leaders of the Ahmed group, were present Wednesday. One reason for their absence could be that regardless of the verdict, given the previous conviction against him, Ahmed was to remain in custody.

Talking to Express News, Ahmed said that the party is confident of doing well in the local government elections and will decide which political party to make seat adjustments with.