No protest: ANP welcomes any raid, says Shahi Syed

KARACHI:

We invite the law enforcement agencies to raid Awami National Party (ANP) headquarters Mardan House, declared Senator Shahi Syed, the president of the party’s Sindh chapter.

Addressing a press conference at his residence on Monday, Syed pointed out that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had been demanding an operation against the ANP. “We welcome it,” he remarked, adding that they would not protest if the Ranger raided their offices or residences.

“We have downgraded our political activities due to security threats but our party has no criminal wing,” he claimed. “If any of our activists is wanted, we ourselves will hand them over to the Rangers.”

Syed was of the opinion that peace could only be established in the city by punishing criminals and implementing the Supreme Court order that gives directives for an immediate census and delimitations, a non-politicised police force and the eradication of armed wings of political parties.

The senator announced that the ANP will hold a rally at Bacha Khan Chowk, Hyderabad, on March 20.

Responding to a question about the Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) coalition with the MQM, Syed said that it was PPP’s discretion to include whoever they wanted in the Sindh government.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2015.