Extortion is MQM’s trade mark: Afaq Ahmed

MQM-Haqiqi chief Afaq Ahmad on Monday said the trademark of Muttahida Qaumi Movement was extortion and it was protesting not against collection from traders, but the emergence of new partners in the extortion business. Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club on Monday, Afaq said the MQM prevented the presentation of extortionists and dacoits before the media by threatening to boycott president’s address to the joint sitting of parliament. He said wall chalking in Karaci for a Mohajir province was being done at the behest of Altaf Hussain. He said he was opposed to creation of provinces on linguistic basis. Afaq said Altaf Hussain had demanded money from General Aslam Beg at the residence of Younas Habib in his (Afaq) presence. He said there was an uncertain and insecure situation in Karachi where extortionists and members of mafias were involved in kidnapping and killings of political opponents. He said journalists were also facing serious threats in the city, particularly those who filed stories against the MQM. Afaq said journalists in Karachi had no freedom of speech. He said extortion was being done with the power of arms and Altaf was not ready to make any other party or person partner in the extortion. He alleged that MQM’s industries minister was collecting extortion to the tune of Rs 50 million a month. “The SITE Association is paying Rs 80 million and Builders Association Rs 2.5 million,” he added. Afaq said he wanted a weapons-free Karachi and was making alliance with all the nationalist, political and religious parties for this purpose.