- Rabita Committee withdraws strike call for today on MQM chief’s demand
- CM Sindh orders formation of judicial commission to probe custodial killings
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has called off a strike announced for Monday but will continue to mourn the custodial death of a party activist.
MQM Chairman Altaf Hussain directed the party’s Rabita Committee to appeal to transporters and traders to resume activity and business by 5pm on Sunday.
“We have decided to leave to God the matter of the MQM worker’s death,” said the MQM chief in a statement issued in London.
The government has failed to ensure peace and security, said Hussain, alleging that foreign terror outfit Islamic State (IS) has entered Pakistan.
Earlier on Sunday, the MQM leadership announced an extension of protest till today (Monday) and called for a strike in Sindh and mourning across the country.
Party supporters gathered outside the Sindh Chief Minister House and demanded that CM Qaim Ali Shah meet the families of the victims and order a probe into the killing.
The MQM chief gave Shah a “15-minute deadline” to express solidarity with the grieving family members.
On the chief minister’s failure to meet the deadline, MQM called off the protest and announced a strike call.
Talking to reporters outside the CM House on Sunday, MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said the party would the conduct funeral proceedings of the dead workers later in the day while announcing a shutter-down strike in Sindh for today (Monday).
Earlier, the Rabita Committee meeting had strongly condemned the “worst form of torture on party worker Faraz Alam in police custody”. Alam, a MQM party activist, had died Saturday in the Khokhrapar Police Station while under custody.
CM ANNOUNCES JUDICIAL COMMISSION TO PROBE KILLING:
On the other hand, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon appealed to MQM leaders to review the strike call, adding that the Sindh government would take action against those found “guilty of the murder”.
Memon assured that MQM’s demand of a judicial probe would be met, adding that the issues could be discussed through talks.
“Government is always ready for talks with MQM.”
The minister said that the 15-minutes deadline given by the MQM chief was not appropriate as nothing could be done in such a short time.
Later, Sindh CM Shah announced to form a judicial commission to probe the custodial killing of the MQM activist.
Sindh CM Adviser Waqar Mehdi said action would be triggered against any police personnel, in case proof was found to substantiate his involvement in the extra-judicial assassination.
PROTEST BUT DON’T STRIKE:
Moreover, National Assembly (NA) Opposition Leader Khursheed Shah Sunday urged MQM to hold protest instead of observing strike over its party worker’s demise in police custody.
“MQM has the right to protest but they should not give strike calls,” said Shah.
The senior Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) said that an enquiry should be conducted to find out if the deceased was a terrorist or not.
Shah said that MQM is the second largest party in Sindh, adding that the ruling party PPP is always in contact with MQM.