The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on Wednesday expressed concerns over Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) move to put Karachi to a standstill following a raid by the Sindh Rangers at MQM Headquarters Nine Zero, saying all political parties must disassociate from militias and mafias.
PTI Information Secretary Dr Shireen Mazari, in a statement, said the PTI had been demanding that all armed militias must be disbanded, and political parties must disassociate from militias and mafias. On PTI’s initiative, disarming of all private armed groups and militias was made part of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism, she added.
Mazari regretted the killing of an unarmed MQM worker during the operation, and demanded that “an investigation must take place as to determine who was behind the killing, as Rangers have stated he was killed by a TT pistol not a Rangers’ weapon”.
Mazari asked how stolen weapons, especially NATO weapons, were found at Nine Zero, and why wanted men were being sheltered there. It is criminal for a political party to have prohibited bore NATO arms at their office, she added.
Mazari further questioned why criminals, against whom FIRs were registered, were hiding at Nine Zero and in the protection of MQM. The statement quoted the Supreme Court as stating that all parties should disband their militant wings.
“It is clear MQM had a militant wing and criminals were being protected,” Mazari said, adding that it is time for all political parties and their leadership to realise that no one can be above the law. She said the innocent people of Karachi are being put to test again, adding that she was hopeful that they will remain peaceful.
PTI stands with the peaceful people of Karachi who have had their patience tested over and over again by mafias and armed political groups, the statement added.