The Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi has termed the detention of its chairman Afaq Ahmed under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Ordinance “unconstitutional” and “against basic human rights”.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, Haqiqi Vice Chairman Shamshad Ahmed Khan Ghauri said Afaq was arrested for his alleged involvement in 22 cases that were proven false. The court acquitted Afaq in all cases and issued the order to release him, but Home Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Waseem Ahmed ordered keeping the Haqiqi chief detained for a month under the MPO Ordinance, Ghauri said.
“Waseem has issued this order to please the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) because his wife works for the ladies wing of the party in London,” he added. He said Waseem was behind the conspiracy of the May 12 mayhem during his tenure as the CCPO, and on his orders, the police had imposed an unannounced curfew in Landhi and demolished Haqiqi headquarters Baitul Hamza.
“In the past decade, Haqiqi activists and supporters have been killed and an unannounced ban has been imposed on the party. The party members and supporters have been prohibited from entering their areas of residence and they have been barred from meeting their relatives,” he added. Ghauri demanded releasing Afaq and said if he is released, all Haqiqi activists would return to their houses after submitting to a body search.
However, he added, if Afaq is not released, the party activists would return to their areas of residence in groups of 10, and the MQM and government would be responsible for any untoward situation.
