Rangers release MQM leader Qamar Mansoor

Rangers' law officer submits report on release of MQM's senior leader in Karachi ATC

KARACHI: Rangers have released Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Rabita Committee member Qamar Mansoor, a law officer of the paramilitary force informed an anti-terrorism court (ATC-II) in Karachi on Wednesday.

Rangers law officer submitted a report in the ATC on the release of the senior MQM leader who, along with fellow Rabita Committee member Kaiful Wara, had been picked up by the authorities in a pre-dawn raid on July 17 at the party’s headquarters, Nine Zero.

Read: ATC hands over MQM's Qamar Mansoor to Rangers on 90-day remand

Wara was soon released on the assurance that he would report to the Rangers after Eid.

However, on July 22 the ATC had handed over Mansoor to Rangers on a 90-day remand on security officials' request. Security officials had said they wanted to investigate Mansoor's alleged involvement in target killings, extortion, kidnappings and other such acts. The Rangers officials had said a case was lodged against the MQM Rabita Committee member under anti-terrorism laws and he would be presented before an ATC after Eid holidays to obtain a 90-day remand.

During his detention, the court had allowed Mansoor to seek treatment at a private hospital with directions to jail authorities to escort him there. The order came after a plea was moved by the MQM’s legal aid committee, citing that the suspect was suffering from severe backbone pain and his condition worsened during his detention period. However, despite court orders, jail authorities did not take the MQM leader to the hospital for security reasons.

Read: Security reasons: Qamar Mansoor cannot be taken to the hospital, ATC told

On August 25, ATC-II had also issued a notice to the Rangers prosecutor for his comments on the application of Mansoor seeking medical treatment. Mansoor, through his counsel, had moved an application to the ATC-II seeking medical treatment at a private hospital and constitution of a medical board to examine him.

MQM relieves Mansoor of party responsibilities

Later during the day, the party’s Rabita Committee relieved Mansoor of all organisational responsibilities owing to his deteriorating health.
“MQM’s coordination committee has relieved Qamar Mansoor of all organisational responsibilities in view of his mental and physical condition,” a statement issued by the MQM read.

The decision comes after Mansoor reportedly expressed some concerns over his affiliation with the party during his meeting with the MQM’s Karachi-based leadership.

“The committee has asked MQM workers not to contact him [Mansoor] for any organisational issue,” the statement added.
However, it said the party leader’s family can approach the party headquarters, Nine Zero, at any time if they come across any issues so that they may be addressed accordingly.