Altaf slams Rabita committee reaction to killing of party worker in Sialkot
MQM chief hits out at PM Nawaz for not catching culprits; coordination committees in Karachi and London suspended
KARACHI:
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain expressed disappointment over the nonchalant attitude of Rabita committee members, saying they failed to react appropriately to the killing of an MQM worker in Sialkot.
MQM district vice president Bao Muhammad Anwar was shot dead late on Tuesday in Sialkot by three unidentified men on motorcycles. A post-mortem report revealed that he was shot at least 13 times, sustaining wounds in his neck and stomach.
“The Rabita committee did not react at all to the slaying of an MQM worker in Sialkot. So now, they can go home and continue to sleep,” said an audibly angry Altaf.
“Workers are complaining that there are high levels of favouritism in the party,” Altaf said, adding that he wants one man from every MQM sector to make a Rabita committee.
The MQM chief rhetorically asked party workers if they would hold a protest rally for the slain MQM worker, while expressing disappointment in the Rabita committee. He claimed the committee had “sold villages and streets to make money.”
“I don’t want this Rabita committee. I want brave people who are unafraid to give their lives, but not those who will sell their peoples land.”
Altaf asked a large gathering of workers assembled at Nine Zero if they were ready to give their lives, while hitting out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Inter-Services Intelligence and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in regard to the killing of the party worker.
“Why haven’t the culprits been arrested yet?” Altaf asked while claiming that several MQM workers had been killed and that his party was near a stage where it would resort to revenge as well.
“If killings don’t stop, then no chief minister or adviser from Punjab will be able to enter Sindh,” the MQM chief warned.
Altaf also hit out at the media for giving coverage day and night to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
“Imran Khan has been talking about shutting down Karachi. If I had said the same thing, I would be declared a traitor and would be hanged,” the MQM chief said. However, Altaf condemned the death of the slain PTI worker who was shot in Faisalabad by an alleged PML-N worker.
Altaf also warned the Pakistan Army, ISI and Rangers of refraining from marginalising muhajirs, or there would be retaliation.
The MQM has announced to stage a protest outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday (today), details for which will be shared within an hour.
Earlier, Altaf suspended the Rabita committees in London and Karachi, Express News reported. In its place, a temporary caretaker Rabita Commitee has been setup comprising Qamar Mansoor (in-charge), Ghazi Salauddin, Aslam Afridi and Dr Nustat.
The move follows the killing of MQM district vice president Bao Muhammad Anwar last last night on Tuesday in Sialkot by three unidentified men on motorcycles.
Further, Rangers also conducted a raid on Tuesday in which nine people were arrested, all of whom included target killers and extortionists affiliated with MQM, according to a Rangers spokesperson.
Punjab CM seeks report on MQM worker's murder
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday took notice of MQM office-bearer Bao Muhammad Anwar's murder in Sialkot and sought a report from DPO Sialkot while issuing instructions for the immediate arrest of the culprits.
He said that the incident should be thoroughly investigated and directed the authorities to ensure the arrest of the culprits.
Shahbaz assured the victim's family that the culprits will not be able to escape.
Earlier, the chief minister had telephoned Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan and strongly condemned the murder of Anwar.
Shahbaz said that special teams have been constituted to locate the suspects, and that he is personally monitoring investigation.
Meanwhile, on the special instructions of chief minister, raids are being conducted at various places to arrest the accused.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain expressed disappointment over the nonchalant attitude of Rabita committee members, saying they failed to react appropriately to the killing of an MQM worker in Sialkot.
MQM district vice president Bao Muhammad Anwar was shot dead late on Tuesday in Sialkot by three unidentified men on motorcycles. A post-mortem report revealed that he was shot at least 13 times, sustaining wounds in his neck and stomach.
“The Rabita committee did not react at all to the slaying of an MQM worker in Sialkot. So now, they can go home and continue to sleep,” said an audibly angry Altaf.
“Workers are complaining that there are high levels of favouritism in the party,” Altaf said, adding that he wants one man from every MQM sector to make a Rabita committee.
The MQM chief rhetorically asked party workers if they would hold a protest rally for the slain MQM worker, while expressing disappointment in the Rabita committee. He claimed the committee had “sold villages and streets to make money.”
“I don’t want this Rabita committee. I want brave people who are unafraid to give their lives, but not those who will sell their peoples land.”
Altaf asked a large gathering of workers assembled at Nine Zero if they were ready to give their lives, while hitting out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Inter-Services Intelligence and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in regard to the killing of the party worker.
“Why haven’t the culprits been arrested yet?” Altaf asked while claiming that several MQM workers had been killed and that his party was near a stage where it would resort to revenge as well.
“If killings don’t stop, then no chief minister or adviser from Punjab will be able to enter Sindh,” the MQM chief warned.
Altaf also hit out at the media for giving coverage day and night to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan.
“Imran Khan has been talking about shutting down Karachi. If I had said the same thing, I would be declared a traitor and would be hanged,” the MQM chief said. However, Altaf condemned the death of the slain PTI worker who was shot in Faisalabad by an alleged PML-N worker.
Altaf also warned the Pakistan Army, ISI and Rangers of refraining from marginalising muhajirs, or there would be retaliation.
The MQM has announced to stage a protest outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday (today), details for which will be shared within an hour.
Earlier, Altaf suspended the Rabita committees in London and Karachi, Express News reported. In its place, a temporary caretaker Rabita Commitee has been setup comprising Qamar Mansoor (in-charge), Ghazi Salauddin, Aslam Afridi and Dr Nustat.
The move follows the killing of MQM district vice president Bao Muhammad Anwar last last night on Tuesday in Sialkot by three unidentified men on motorcycles.
Further, Rangers also conducted a raid on Tuesday in which nine people were arrested, all of whom included target killers and extortionists affiliated with MQM, according to a Rangers spokesperson.
Punjab CM seeks report on MQM worker's murder
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Wednesday took notice of MQM office-bearer Bao Muhammad Anwar's murder in Sialkot and sought a report from DPO Sialkot while issuing instructions for the immediate arrest of the culprits.
He said that the incident should be thoroughly investigated and directed the authorities to ensure the arrest of the culprits.
Shahbaz assured the victim's family that the culprits will not be able to escape.
Earlier, the chief minister had telephoned Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan and strongly condemned the murder of Anwar.
Shahbaz said that special teams have been constituted to locate the suspects, and that he is personally monitoring investigation.
Meanwhile, on the special instructions of chief minister, raids are being conducted at various places to arrest the accused.