Rangers raid MQM workers' convention in Karachi, dozens of activists detained

KARACHI: Rangers on Wednesday evening raided a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) office on Abul Hassan Ispahani road and detained dozens of workers.

As many as 500 MQM workers were attending a general workers' convention at the MQM office in Scheme 33, on Abul Hassan Ispahani road, which also doubles as an MPA's office.

Workers were discussing reorganisation of the party when a large contingent of Rangers raided the office and started rounding up activists.

MQM MPA Faisal Sabzwari said that as many as 30 MQM workers were detained by Rangers and demanded that these activists should be released immediately. There were reports that some female activists were also injured in the Rangers' raid.

Rangers also reportedly seized records from the MQM office.

Following the raid, panic set in the area as hundreds of people including women staged a sit-in at Abul Hassan Isphani Road against the raid and demanded the immediate release of activists.

Police, however, resorted to aerial firing to disperse protesters.

Rangers officials were not immediately available for comments despite repeated contacts.

Sabzwari demands immediate release of workers

Speaking outside the raided MQM office, Sabzwari said that he and MNA Muzammi Qureshi were MQM representatives from this constituency, and both used the office to communicate with the people.

“Around 9pm, when I was coming to attend the meeting, we were informed that Rangers has cordoned off the area. When we got closer, we realised that it was a raid and there were reports of firing,” said Sabzwari.

He added that when he reached the spot, Rangers had cordoned off the area and were not allowing anyone to enter the street where MQM office was located, not even him.

“When I tried to enter the street, two Rangers personnel stopped me. I introduced myself and asked them that I want to talk to the officer in charge upon which they asked me to wait.” After a minute or so, one of them came and asked me to come alone with him but after sometime he informed me that “Major does not wish to talk to you right now,” and asked me to leave.

Around 30 of workers have been taken into custody by the Rangers, said MQM leader. “Our workers were stripped, blindfolded and then led away.”

There were also reports of Rangers personnel mistreating local residents including women who had came out of their houses to protest.

“We have always supported actions against miscreants, whether it was Operation Zarb-e-Azb or Karachi Operation,” he said, adding that they were “showing restraint.”

The MQM MPA further said that such incidences would serve to intensify the situation, as some MQM workers from the same vicinity had previously been killed extra-judicially and others were missing.

“We request the federal and provincial government to take notice of this incidence immediately,” said Sabzwari.

“If I have done something wrong then arrest me,” he added.

MQM condemns raid

The MQM Rabita Committee also issued a strongly worded condemnation of the raid.

The Committee expressed its concerns over dictatorial use of authorities and termed it a malice design to alienate MQM. It added that a meeting regarding reconstruction of party structure and the preparations of upcoming Eid-ul-Azha were in progress when the raid took place.

The Committee condemned the arbitrary detentions of party workers despite operation against terrorists and targeted-killers. It termed the entire episode an illegal and conspicuous attempt to create dichotomy between MQM and the people.

Qaim Ali Shah contacts MQM

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah called MQM leaders in London and spoke to them about the raid on MQM office.

He sought details from MQM leaders about their workers and urged them to remain peaceful.

Meanwhile, MQM chief Altaf Hussain has also called for the early release of MQM activists.

On the other hand City police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo said that he is in touch with MQM leadership and has reassured the party leadership of his full cooperation.