Linking Dr Asim’s arrest with MQM unfair: Altaf

The MQM chief asks why other corrupt leaders of the PPP, other parties were not being arrested

KARACHI: Days after the arrest of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and former petroleum minister Dr Asim Hussain, Muttahida Qaumi Qaumi (MQM) cheif Altaf Hussain said on Wednesday that blaming the arrest on his party was unfair.

Addressing MQM Co-ordination Committee and other office-bearers at Nine Zero via telephone from London, Altaf said that Dr Asim's arrest was an unfortunate event.

According to a party statement, Altaf lamented how various PPP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and Sindh Chief Minister were linking his arrest with the MQM. “Both Qaim Ali Shah and Khursheed Shah should think over their statements.”

“It is being said that he (Dr Asim) had been funding the MQM. It is an attempt to malign the innocent and absolve the guilty.”

He said that initially it was said that Dr Asim was involved in mega corruption, which is why he had been arrested.

“If Dr Asim is involved in corruption then why are other PPP leaders, who are notorious for corruption, not being arrested.”

Read: Authorities arrest Zardari's close confidante Dr Asim Hussain

The MQM chief further argued that corrupt elements in Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) and the Awami National Party (ANP) should also be arrested. JI leaders should also be arrested because some al Qaeda men were arrested from their houses.

“The Supreme Court had observed in the Karachi lawlessness case that all political parties in Karachi have militant wings. But the entire blame for the bad situation in Karachi has been laid at the MQM’s door.”

Altaf said that thousands of MQM workers had been arrested during the past two years, with dozens of their workers killed extra-judicially after subjecting them to brutal torture in custody.

He added that MQM headquarters Nine Zero had been raided twice with the declared intention of "arresting hardcore terrorists." NATO weapons were also reportedly discovered during the raid. A second raid resulted in the arrest of Qamar Mansoor and Kahfilwara. "Qamar Mansoor was badly tortured in custody due to which he is unable to walk.”

“If we protest after getting tortured bodies of our workers, new cases are framed. Our offices are being raided and our workers arrested,” lamented Altaf.

“Every effort is made to implicate MQM in everything that goes wrong."

Dr Hussain was arrested from Karachi on August 26, and was subsequently given in Rangers remand for 90 days by an Anti Terrorism Court.

He will be interrogated under Section 11EEEE of ATA – special powers the armed force enjoys following the enactment of Pakistan Protection Act.