Sindh

Waqas Ali Shah was killed by Rangers: Farooq Sattar

Says there is no confrontation with Rangers, all weapons seized were licensed

Rabia Ali/web Desk March 12, 2015

Express News screen grab of Farooq Sattar addressing the press in Karachi on Thursday, March 12, 2015.

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar on Thursday claimed that their worker Waqas Ali Shah, who was killed during a raid on the party’s headquarters at Nine-Zero, was in fact shot dead by a Ranger.

“We have irrefutable evidence to prove that he [Waqas] was martyred from firing by Rangers personnel,” said Sattar while addressing a press conference in Karachi on Thursday evening.

He demanded the formation of a high-level judicial commission to probe the killing such that the culprits could be brought to the book.

Sattar appealed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali, DG Rangers, DG ISI and the army chief General Raheel Sharif for the investigation of their slain worker's murder.

No confrontation with Rangers

The party leader also dispelled the impression that an MQM-vs-Rangers situation had developed after the Wednesday’s raid.

“…We totally respect all our law enforcing agencies,” he said. “My statement shouldn't be taken as a political statement.

‘All weapons were licensed, no no-go areas at Nine Zero’

Sattar further claimed that all weapons seized by Rangers from the MQM headquarters were licensed, and had been bought to defend against terrorists.

He further said that there were no no-go areas at Nine Zero.

As many as 110 people were arrested from Nine Zero and its adjoining areas, most of whom did not have any affiliation with the MQM, added Sattar.

Meanwhile, following the press conference, the MQM on Thursday night voluntarily removed barriers from the main entrance of Nine Zero.

PHOTO: RABIA ALI/EXPRESS

COMMENTS (37)

Imran Qadri | 9 years ago | Reply How on earth 21 lanes(Streets) could go towards MQM HQ Nine Zero,even if Nine Zero had been a 4 side corner property(which it isn't) even then at most just 4 lanes directly touching their property would have been needed to be cordoned off , they had literally barricaded the entire "block 8 azizabad" from all sides and sealed its entry and exit points and manned them with its own workers and shady characters.

Azmat Ali | 9 years ago | Reply Its great to see all MQM supporters confirming that 21 separate lanes, leading to Nine-Zero were manned by their people for security purposes. That's awesome. In that case please explain how criminal elements (confirmed murderers and looters) were found within a few hundred feet of 90? Also, if their security stance is correct, howcome they removed all the barriers last night? Yes, MQM is allowed to keep weapons for their safety. If they are all licensed or permitted, then there is no issue. These weapons will be checked, the licenses / permits verified and returned shortly. The Rangers and the Army have enough on their plate to want to open up another pandora's box by agitating MQM. If they did so, it surely was to establish a new paradigm and clearly indicate to all that the are serious about law enforcement.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Ebaad | 9 years ago | Reply @Urban Legend: I am a frequent daydreamer. I dream to see my city cleansed of killers, thugs, extortionists, mobile snatchers and hide snatchers. For once, I can see my dream come true.

Ebaad | 9 years ago | Reply @NA250: I hope you understand the mechanism of senate elections. She lost the NA 250 election which is exactly why she is now a senator. I mean what's the point? And why would anyone hold his breath for that? I seriously hope you understand the difference between an MNA and a senator cuz your comment makes me think otherwise.

SawaShaikh | 9 years ago | Reply @Mueed: I am ignorant...can you please enlighten me? How many is not the question, how safe is!! Can you roam around Lyari? Extortion and loot is the way of life there. Please do share those statistics and enlighten me. Al-Asif is another no-go area in Karachi, please do share the raid statistics there too. And lastly, as a habit, try sharing statistics in the future along with name calling to enlighten ignorants like me.

NA250 | 9 years ago | Reply @Ebaad: Hey buddy reality check. From NA 250. Voted for PTI (twice) but the MQM ''loser'' Khusbakt Shujjat apparently responsible for the rigging is now a "Senator" . Thats the MQM for you. So dont hold your breath

Mueed | 9 years ago | Reply @SawaShaikh: How ignorant of you to say that, can you coumt the number of raids made by rangers in Layari and number of gangsters killed in last 15-20 months?

Urban Legend | 9 years ago | Reply @Ebaad, Thats a news, day dreamer. Keep dreaming and keep praying to fracture MQM through the state terrorism and selective justice. Nations are destroyed with different laws are enacted for different groups of people. Pakistan is a struggling state for the deep rooted ethicity and hatred it has for different people living in the country.

Ebaad | 9 years ago | Reply @rukhsar: Its not a statistical claim, everything is not to be taken in literal terms. But its something quite apparent to anyone like me who lives in Karachi and moves in different localities, meets different people, has different social gatherings and most importantly keeps his eye open rather than applying the ostrich approach.

rukhsar | 9 years ago | Reply @Ebaad: It's not true dear...50% hahahah.. how do you know it?

Zara | 9 years ago | Reply @shumail Is Altaf living same way in UK. Why making his empire within a state? Checking the people NIC...

KIller Rangers | 9 years ago | Reply @Rangers: Check the video again, the starting of it and you will see a rangers holding a gun pointing towards the people.

aaa | 9 years ago | Reply @Babloo: They dont have the authority to check nic's. They dont own the roads going to 90

Ebaad | 9 years ago | Reply @Jan: Half of Karachi has already been taken over by PTI, particularly the educated Karachiites. No wonder it took MQM 2 days to manufacture its 'desired' results after the elections. No wonder since May 2013 every single MQM supporter has his criticism cannon facing in one direction only (futile though). Its you who needs to wake up from the deep slumber.

Rangers | 9 years ago | Reply I have seen the video of Waqas Shah but I have seen that he is not killed by Rangers

JAK | 9 years ago | Reply All 6 police officers linked to the Wali Baber case were assasinated one after another.All 192 SHOs who took part in operation against MQM in 1992 were killed one after another.Do you need more proof against MQM? Come on supporters of terrorism.One day Allah will question all of us!

Jan | 9 years ago | Reply Today I hear PTI people say that they will take over Karachi, my reply: HAHAHAAHAH. Keep dreaming !

Baba | 9 years ago | Reply I smell an international conspiracy to disintegrate Pakistan. I don't support any political party in Pakistan, they are all crooks, but I do know that MQM is loaded with weapons and has a massive fighting force. However, I also acknowledge that MQM enjoys enormous support in urban Sindh, and has cult like following never seen before in Pakistan's politics. If the agencies don't be careful, I see Syria-style civil war taking place, just be very careful, things are not looking good.

Malik | 9 years ago | Reply Any loss of human life is regrettable and in this incident a young man was killed, which is a loss too heavy for any parent to endure. Why were activists of MQM agitating and protesting when a lawful raid was conducted by law enforcement agencies such as Rangers?.it is a criminal offence not just to harbour and give refuge to wanted criminals and absconders, but also to resist arrest by uniformed law enforcement officers. Those present at 90 should have prevented scores of people shouting and protesting the raid. May Almighty give unfortunate parents patience to bear this loss.Amen

John | 9 years ago | Reply Why didnt he utter a word for Amir Khan?Because he was found in bed with convicted target killers Sir?

IMDAD ALI SHAH | 9 years ago | Reply Everyone knows the truth. My father was also assassinated by them in a Hi profile target killing in 1995. at bridge near Hanif hospital. My father was ranked among top 5 ENT surgeons of Asia. He was in grade 19 at Abbasi shaheed hospital

blue | 9 years ago | Reply Definitely it looks like the man was definitely shot by the rangers. He was totally innocent. The rangers were incompetent this time. Just because he was with MQM, he was targeted.

Imran Qadri | 9 years ago | Reply After vindicating Rangers about their raid on NineZero Altaf also admitted that his party members were involved in encroachment of public parks,play grounds and amenity plots on which his workers demarcated plots and created illegal residential units. He said that he had sacked those workers and removed them from MQM. Some one should ask Altaf,does simply sacking these criminal elements from from party is enough,would he be man enough to name and shame them and help authorities in punishing them for their crimes and recovering illegal plots and encroached lands/parks?

Imran Qadri | 9 years ago | Reply Altaf Hussain in a TV interview have admitted that these wanted/convicted criminals had taken refuge around NineZero and some of the rabita committee members too were also aware of it and kept him(Altaf) in dark about these convicted workers. So basically Rangers did the right thing and raided NineZero in pursuit of those wanted criminals,if MQM has nothing to hide then why is it raising hue and cry.

Karachiwala | 9 years ago | Reply Checking his id made mqm a militia...bravo.. i dont even live near nine zero, never been to the 90 Office/house but went to buy a car from a resident living on same street. I saw check points, and they did asked me where i am going... thats about it! nothing more! and yeah that happened in September 2013! its not a NO-GO area, its a highly sensitive place. which can be targeted by PTI supported talibans. You want to know what exactly is no go area? go if you dare, to Metroville near site area..near banaras, bachakhan chowk. i can name only 1 place, because i saw with my own eyes. no second hand information. Do rangers dare to enter there? And now before we use to have joke about Pakistan Police finding deer disguise as elephant, now we have a live example. Our LEA's has found NATO weapons which never lost according to us/nato.

muhammad ahmed khan | 9 years ago | Reply so you know everything, before any investigation. You are such a liar. People are aware and you cannot fool around anymore.

muhammad ahmed khan | 9 years ago | Reply MQM leader claimed that all the weapons seized during the raid was licenced. But your leader said that the Rangers brought it wrapped in blankets. I hope you guys are able to decide a single explanation.

Salim | 9 years ago | Reply I have been to 90, just 1 lane from Azizabad. I told them the address and was able to go past easily. It is a peaceful neighborhood.

Shumail | 9 years ago | Reply Shame on Rangers. Have they done the same at Mardan house, JI Headquarters, and Bilawal House? Or their old friend, Afaq Ahmed? MQM was genuinely threatened by terrorists. Hence, the need for weapons, which is not a big deal in Pakistan's political culture. Ask Imran Khan to walk without weapons. Ask Zardari to walk without a battalion protecting him. But come MQM, whatever they do, is a sin, right? My condolences for Waqas Ali Shah.

SawaShaikh | 9 years ago | Reply @sterry: Typical diversion attitude. I only commented on the absurd "no-go area" definition of Mr. Shaikh, nothing else. IMO, 90 is not a no-go area which every Pakistani believes. I have so many relatives living in areas surrounding 90 and yet I never felt unsafe moving around. I just wanted to point out the genuine no-go areas of Karachi. The question now is: Does Rangers/Police have the guts to operate there? I am happy 90 is operated but I will feel safe only after Lyari/Al-Asif/Afghan Basti is "genuinely" operated. MQM thugs are petty in my eyes.

sterry | 9 years ago | Reply @SawaShaikh: Does MQM have a special understanding to check people like in a housing society? Come on ; we all know that criminals were identified in the incident at the MQM headquarters and those heavy guns have no place in a political party unless they are involved in other stuff.

SawaShaikh | 9 years ago | Reply @Shaikh A similar routine is followed at every defense housing community...by your logic that is also a no-go area. Just an exercise for you: try going around Bilawal house and you will see the difference. Or better try to visit Lyari/Al-Asif/Afghan Basti for sight seeing!! if you feel safe going there then I agree 90 is a no-go area!!

Nasir | 9 years ago | Reply On a public road and only law enforcement can check NIC. No private militia has the right to ask for NIC card. This is Gunda Gardi

Motiwala | 9 years ago | Reply @Shaikh: MQM has been threaten by extremists and terrorists. They need weapons to defend themselves against a terrorist attack. The terrorists attacked Karachi airport. with impunity. The Police and Rangers disappeared.during the attack. The Army had to step in.

Shakil | 9 years ago | Reply Its amazing, these crooks will come and defend their thuggery in broad day light! yea right since when machine guns are licensed? instead of apologizing and correcting themselves they go on try to mud sling on Pakistan Rangers and Army. Convicted killers were found on your sacred premises 90 whose owner living in London after having bought 10s of luxury houses across London on cash laundered from these criminal activities in Karachi!

Babloo | 9 years ago | Reply @Shaikh: So you are saying that you CAN GO to the 90 after checking your NIC ! How comes it is the NO-GO area then ?

Shaikh | 9 years ago | Reply What a liar! I live in block 8 azizabad for past 25 years and I can't even go through the street of 90 without being frisked and showing my NIC. Its a complete no-go area with barriers and road blocks even for residents living in azizabad for years.

Replying to X