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Faceoff: MQM workers allegedly attack PTI activists in Karachi

Following the clash between the workers, Azizabad SHO was suspended over negligence

Faraz Khan/web Desk March 31, 2015

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KARACHI: Workers allegedly belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday attacked Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail while he was on his way to Azizabad in Karachi to oversee preparations for an upcoming rally, Express News reported.

Following the clash between the workers, Azizabad SHO was suspended over negligence, our correspondent Faraz Khan reported.

“My workers and I were pelted with sticks and stones by MQM workers while we were on our way to Jinnah Ground,” Ismail said in a press conference later.

Related: Electioneering: Imran Ismail to contest NA-246 by-polls on PTI ticket

“We will register an FIR against this manhandling,” he added.

Further, Ismail said that various PTI workers were also injured as a result of the assault.

Related: Strategising polls: PTI leadership unveils manifesto for G-B elections

MQM workers were also chanting ‘Go Imran Go’ as vehicles of the PTI workers arrived at the scene.

Meanwhile, MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi said Imran Ismail entered the premises Jinnah Ground without any resistance but some miscreants, who came along with him, started tearing off Altaf Hussain’s pictures and panaflexes.

He added that the MQM had no fear of PTI in the by-elections as NA-246 was a strong base of the party since 1986.

Case registered against MQM

A case has been registered against unidentified workers of the MQM for creating law and order situation and attacking PTI leaders during their visit to Azizabad for overseeing the preparations for an upcoming rally.

FIR No 96/15 was registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 427 and 506 at the Azizabad police station on behalf of Aziz Afridi.

MQM registered FIR against PTI leaders

MQM has filed a counter FIR has been registered against PTI leaders Imran Ismail, Aziz Afridi and two dozen PTI workers at Azizabad police station. In its application MQM alleged that PTI workers harassed the MQM workers, forcing them to react on the behest of PTI chief Imran Khan.

COMMENTS (54)

MJ | 9 years ago | Reply @John... I am not an Altaf Hussain apologist, fan or even a follower. I believe in ideas and not personalities. Altaf Hussain has lately become a liability for MQM and it would be better if he keeps his mouth shut. I did however experience in person the creation and rise in popularity of MQM and understand the plight of the Urdu speaking community in Pakistan. Just like Altaf, Imran is also a one man show. There have been countless dedicated workers who left PTI from US, Europe and Pakistan after they were denied tickets by Imran Khan as he is only after seats and power and does not care how and who gets him that seat he is looking for. What PTI supporters need to do is to develop the idea of "Insaf" and stop worshiping Imran. Otherwise there will be no difference between them and MQM supporters who blindly follow Altaf. As far as violence is concerned, wait till the establishment stops supporting Imran and finds another puppet to tote their line. You will see how PPP, PMLN, MQM, JI etc will treat the PTI workers and how some of the same workers will suddenly become militant. MQM was not militant to begin with, they were forced to pick up weapons. I am not supporting what they did afterwards, however in Pakistan might is right and parties who have no strength or support on the street are wiped and thrown off from this country like a used napkin.

John | 9 years ago | Reply @MJ: We also saw how effectively sane men like Mustafa Kamal were thrown out of the party for not subscribing to the cult of Altaf Hussain and you have the strength to talk about PTI missing second and third tier leadership,atleast people are not thrown out of party for missing Altaaf hussains moans and groans?MQM is a one man party and if you don't agree with that one man you are either shown the door like Mustafa Kmala,Faisal Sabzwari or put in a gunny sack like Azim Tariq.No body has problem with MQM's PR team aka the Political Wing but Faisal Motas,Saluta Mirzas and politics of violence and intimidation will not be tolerated anymore.You cant play poltics on one hand and gun in the other anymore,Altaf Hussain might be your robinhood and you are his apologist but that doesn't change the fact that he is a borderline insane and time of his intimidation and thuggery is over now,either change your ways or vanish,period!

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MJ | 9 years ago | Reply After being outsmarted by PMLN during the dharna, PTI is now trying to go after the spoils of war and following the dictation of the establishment in trying to defeat MQM vote and support block. I am not a blind MQM supporter and do not follow personality cults (not a fan of what Altaf Hussain has become) but still understand why MQM is needed by the majority of Urdu speaking population in the country. MQM still provides educated people from middle class, an opportunity, to enter the political arena and try to serve their constituencies. The failure of Imran Khan is that after so many (about 20) years, he has not been able to groom reliable and effective second and third tier leadership for PTI. During previous elections, they still chose to give tickets to feudals and "lota" politicians. When properly and justly supported with funding, as during the years of Musharraf , MQM showed that it could deliver effectively as we saw how Mustafa Kamal transformed the city's infrastructure. Some opponents of MQM may not agree or admit to it but if you remove this party from the city, nothing will stop the feudals, vaderas etc. from all over the country to destroy what is left of Karachi.

Alter Ego | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: If IK followers deserves a beating for trying to win an election then

what does MQM deserve for daily closing Karachi and spreading terror and fear in Karachi. What does MQM deserve for the daily 4 to 5 killings in Karachi. What does MQM deserve for leaving behind crying widows and screaming children of burnt workers. What does MQM deserve for ethnically hated speeches.

Urdu Speaking | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqui: Just few days ago you were die hard fan of Nawaz Sharif. We the Urdu Speaking community rejects MQM totally. These criminals can go and hide in London

Citizen X | 9 years ago | Reply @Saima: Then you deserve the target killing and bhatha khori. Next time when your family members are killed by namallom afrad. So please take your family and vote for MQM because voting for them these last 25 years has brought Karachi so much, X

Citizen X | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqui: Oh come on Adnan your venom does not change if you change your name. Adnan Cyprian can be defined as an anti - PTI this is all he cares about. As long as this purpose of his life is being fulfilled he will support anyone as can be seen with his support of MQM. This hatred has developed over the years and this is nothing new. I wonder what he will do when PTI comes to power? X

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply @IMTIAZ SYED: Govt. is also lenient on those who brought the "London Plan;" a blueprint of destruction, violence, mayhem and anarchy to Pakistan in the form of PTI and other assorted cast of usual suspects. You can be rest assured that all such enemies of the state would now stand charged for sedation and sent to gallows by Nawaz Sharif.

Ebaad | 9 years ago | Reply I really don't think that PTI will be able to win NA-246, if MQM is to win a singular seat from the whole country, it would be this constituency. However, I can predict a massive drop in MQM's vote count due to 2 reasons: a) Recent Ranger raids have severely impaired their fear inducing and 'thappa' executing capability b) The last 2-3 weeks incidences have clearly exposed the real face of MQM, and people are now willing to think beyond ethnic bias.

Zubair | 9 years ago | Reply @MBB: Hatsoff to you!! classic brother...You are awsome!

IMTIAZ SYED | 9 years ago | Reply Iltaf Hussain provoked this violence in his speech agsinst PTI. The attackers and their leaders must be held accountable. The Government is lenient on madrassas and MQM. Rule of Law must prevail. Let our army help tame Karachi instead of killing poor Yemenis. Nawaz should resign if law and order can't be maintained.

Omeir khan | 9 years ago | Reply "We love Altaf more than our own family members and are willing to do anything for him. NA-246 is the home of MQM and no one should be allowed to enter it" You love the bigoted idiot more than your family? LOL The plague that Altaf is will soon be lifted from Azizabad. Allah does justice in this world and the killer of numerous Pakistanis will be getting a return favour.

Sajjad Hussain | 9 years ago | Reply How unfortunate is this nation that there still are people defending this terrorist outfit called MQM. None of these MQM apologists here can honestly say that they are not aware of the murders (even of their own workers), tortures, extortion committed by MQM. How can a sane and fair person still support MQM after knowing all this.

Saima | 9 years ago | Reply My entire family lives in Karachi, and we were once vivid MQM voters, then we stopped voting because MQM always won in landslide victories, and the party was also losing it's appeal. However, my entire family, including myself cannot stand Imran Khan, and his burger party workers and supporters, and just because of this, I will make it my duty to take my entire family to go vote for MQM. But if any MQM people are reading this, please remember that us Muhajirs will not keep voting for you while you sit in assemblies with corrupt parties like PPP, either demand for separate province or separate country..... Go MQM, GA Muhajir !

Pakistani | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqui: I have just one word for you..."loser"

Ch. Allah Daad | 9 years ago | Reply MQM and PTI are two sides of a same coin. Both should be banned.

tribal | 9 years ago | Reply "The Rangers must be very brave to come to Nine-Zero." -- Altaf Husain. Everyone has been forewarned: You cease your right to question, argue or oppose Altaf around Nine-Zero. Its like canines mark their territories.Every rebuttal is violent at-least, if not fatal. That is unless you're wearing a uniform. Then suddenly, everyone turns into an educated patriot.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: instead presenting meandering arguments which are merely lacking cogency, consistency and any sort of substance, consolidate your English instead of making insensible and sub -conscientious sentences, heads of money launderers and democratic thugs’ are likely to be cracked in two soon and there is no son of land born to deter Imran of becoming pm but rigging

Sami | 9 years ago | Reply MQM is loosing its mind and its terrorists mindset is exposed more.

Karachite | 9 years ago | Reply Oh God, please save us from MQM (Zalimeen).

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply @Napier Mole: I repeat again. Imran Ismail wasn't even fit to get a PTI ticket from his ancestral constituency of NA-251 in 2013 elections, even though he happens to be one of the founding members of PTI. He has been deliberately led into the slaughterhouse by that narcisstic lunatic Niazi.

Urban Legend | 9 years ago | Reply PTI has long lost its nascent vote bank in Karachi, because the Mianwali guy does not understand the problems of Karachi and has an obsession for what JI is long obsessed with.

True Karachiite | 9 years ago | Reply No chance of PTI winning , but clearly the PTI is getting all possible support from media and the govt to "force evict" MQM from Azizabad. This spell will also be short lived, insha Allah, like all previous attempts proved to be. How can we forget MQM Haqiqi which was created and promoted by no one other than the brave Pak Army.

Urban Legend | 9 years ago | Reply PTI has to win the April 23rd elections. And thats an order of the State, executed by the agencies and acted upon by the party jokers.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi (gulllu niazi): Your rate can be assumed by anyone having a look at ur Manjan selling services. And I may have Kiddy political knowledge but I'm not a darbari not a manjan wala. Now u understand gullu niazi?

Adnan Siddiqui | 9 years ago | Reply Well I have read everyone's arguments. I am a strong MQM supporter and I will support Altaf hussain. We love Altaf more than our own family members and are willing to do anything for him. NA-246 is the home of MQM and no one should be allowed to enter it.

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply To all those jokers and misfits who were herded under an umbrella by that "Force" for executing that one point agenda of "Get Nawaz," see how the same Nawaz Sharif has now turned the tables through his sheer political genius and the same make belief allies of the past are chasing each other tails right now. One tends to fall head first inside the same ditch that one digs for others. Lesson for Niazi, you can be the most valued puppet of someone but you still would never become the PM...come what may.

Napier Mole | 9 years ago | Reply Any commentator worth his salt knows that mqm, for all its warts, will win here hands down. The only thing is that PTI will get gratuitous publicity at the expense of mqm. Alas unlike NA250 hardly any non locals live in this constituency.

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply We will support anyone against "Waqar" and it's insidious plans to shove a fake leader down the throats of us Karachites. No to political swindlers, con artists and touts of the "Evil" forces.

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply To all the members of my fan club - I am swept away by your public display of love and affection for yours truly. As for condoning the beating Imran Ismail deservedly got today, hey it was all of y'all who openly welcomed the thrashing those Police officers got at the hands of PTI and Rent-a-Mullah people by terming it as the rise of the power of the people. It was you dimwits and disciples of a cult who clapped when the symbols of the state were pillaged and ransacked by hooligans, bandits and thugs TTP had unleashed in the form of PTI. As the age old adage goes, "What goes around comes around." Niazi is the one who openly advocated and instilled violence and mayhem in people and it's his turn now to get his head cracked open in two. I am awaiting that auspicious moment. @Raisani, The day you find out the real price of my services, that would be the day that you would quit wasting our time with your kiddy political knowledge here on ET and decide to finish your education from the primary school you dropped out off 10 years ago.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply After using all the tricks n tactics; at last MQM will boycott the NA-246 Azizabad for face saving.

Raisani | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi (gullu niazi): Shame on you for prompting MQM`s violence. Now it's very clear that your services are paid.

raider | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: No need to add feet long rebuttals all know well MQM and custodian of this ID

Mohammed | 9 years ago | Reply Maybe cretins like Adnan need to be given a good beating for trolling over the Internet.

Daasi | 9 years ago | Reply How would PTI feel if MQM holds a jalsa at Banigala ?

azmat | 9 years ago | Reply @Salim: What peaceful protest? They were stopping rangers from performing their duties and he was killed by another MQM worker wielding a gun. It was shown clearly on the video. Terrorists have no place in the society- it must be loud and clear

tribal | 9 years ago | Reply Lets hope the Don of Saulat Mirza gets a humiliating defeat in the forthcoming by--elections. Not that he is easily humiliated. If anyone doesn't like my words, then I'm sorry. Sarcasm yes.

just_someone | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: Youre a disgusting person. How would you like it if someone beat your brother or father?

Khursheed | 9 years ago | Reply @omar khurshid: Keep dreaming :)

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply Imran praised PTI for attacking PTV headquarters smashing windows and breaking furniture. So bad was it that the transmission had to go off air. PTI workers, look at your own leaders and workers before accusing others.

Nida | 9 years ago | Reply And its ok when PTI workers attack Pakistan Television Headquarters and Imran claps for them?

omar khurshid | 9 years ago | Reply These tactics will not scare off PTI. Mqm is slowly losing the ability to spread fear through Karachi which it has done since the last 20 years. Go PTI. Imran Khan Zindabad! if there is army inside polling station PTI should win in NA246

Danny | 9 years ago | Reply very sad

Hasan Askari | 9 years ago | Reply Good job There is no room for terrorists and their supporters in Karachi and specially among areas where educated people reside. A message needs to be sent to all taliban tribals that hands off. Keep it up people of Karachi

MBB | 9 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: I used think you might have a little concern about Pakistan but clearly your only agenda is to have a go at Imran Khan. It does not matter who will be at lose whether public of Pakistan of country itself as you clearly mentioned "Good for MQM as the fanclub needs this beating". Shows the mentality of you that my personal preferences must be ahead of county's and its peoples benefits. It is becoming a habit of yours now. News "Pakistan's economic performance is poor" Adnan Siddique "Had Dharnas not be there we would be in top 5 of the world" News "No patrol available" Adnan Siddique "Had people not travelled so much to Dharna, the patrol would have still been there" News "No electricity for this summer" Adnan Siddique "Had all these PTI supporters not had AC, there wouldn't be any electricity problem" News "Punjab police shoots 14 people" Adnan Siddque "Mr Niazi should really stop to spoil the youth so that they don't mess with police" News "Millions corruption in development projects" Adnan Siddique "Mr Niazi should stop misleading youth and stop frustrating their parents who are in PPP and PMLN because that frustration they can't conectrate on managing the projects" News "Collasion between bus and truck kills innocents" Adnan siddique "Mr Niazi should stop politics as the drivers must have been listning to PTI song as there is no other reason to loose concentration"

Salim | 9 years ago | Reply Were the respected members of this forum as excited when a young MQM worker was brutally murdered for a peaceful demonstration not too long ago?

No Rumour. | 9 years ago | Reply @Rumormonger: No, its not going to repeat. MQM stands for local issues The Jamaat did not, so it got routed.

Masoom | 9 years ago | Reply Proved that this is party is existing on basis of terror , this act will definitely lose sympathy of common Pakistan if someone in doubt !

John | 9 years ago | Reply PTI Should stay peaceful in the face of these low life thugs leaded by a border line insane fugitive from London.Violence is the only skill this scum of the land has

raider | 9 years ago | Reply Yes this politics is called as democracy in Pakistan, contest is pti vs all others and all parties behave similarly either it is Gujranwala, Faisalabad or Karachi, this is all in one called mafia.

Alii | 9 years ago | Reply Request all law enforcing authorities to arrest top leadership of MQM after having so much evidences. We are already late and MQM has pushed Karachi into dark age. This is beyond my understanding why only poor & common citizen is arrested mostly but all power and mafia people stay away. Reality remains MQM is terrorist organization & should be banned all together & peace be restored in Karachi. Above action proves again MQM mafia only wins by force & by fake votes. If they know they will win in its strong hold , could easily allow PTI and defeat them in home ground. May ALLAH BLESS PAKISTAN & SINDH

Rumormonger | 9 years ago | Reply Once upon a time, not too long ago, Jamaat e Islami meted out similar treatment to the budding party called MQM. However, MQM in addition to popular support, had the right support from the right places and it flourished. Is history repeating itself ?

Adnan Siddiqi | 9 years ago | Reply A person who is not even known in his own constituency of NA-251, how can he even think about representing an overwhelmingly MQM territory of NA-246.....Nonsense. As for this attack, good for MQM as the fan club needs this beating.

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