MQM is a political force, show some respect

• Farooq Sattar denies confrontation with security agencies, says arrested men have nothing to do with MQM while all weapons seized by Rangers are licensed
• Remains adamant that MQM supporter was killed by Rangers’ bullet, demands judicial probe into issue

Rubbishing the claims of any confrontation between the Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and any security agency, including the Rangers, following a raid earlier Wednesday on MQM headquarters Nine-Zero, MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar Thursday told a press conference that 110 people arrested during the raid were not affiliated with his party while the weapons seized were licensed.

Commenting on the killing of MQM’s activist during the Ranger’s raid, Sattar said, “The MQM maintains that Waqas Ali Shah was killed by Rangers personnel and we have enough evidence to prove this.”

Urging the media to refrain from distorting the facts of the incident, the MQM leader pleaded the army chief, Inter-Services Intelligence (DG ISI) director general and Rangers director general to look into the incident and execute justice.

While dismissing allegations related to stolen NATO weapons in MQM’s possession, Sattar referred to a tweet from the United States State Department that said no NATO weaponry had been transported via ports in Karachi.

“These weapons were kept to protect Nine Zero from any terrorist attack — as a response to warnings by security agencies,” he said about the seized weapons. He went on to rebuff the claims that Nine Zero is a no-go area as no counter-firing was exchanged by any person throughout the four-hour raid.

Sattar asserted that the MQM is the third-largest party in the country and should be respected accordingly. “Nine Zero is the residence of party leader Altaf Hussain and should not be seen as a hub of criminal activity.”

Commenting on the arrest of party member Amir Khan, Dr Sattar said while party members were initially detained for questioning, they were later treated as terrorists and taken into custody.

“The arrested suspects were produced in front of an anti-terrorism court in Karachi today after which they were remanded to Rangers personnel under the PPO for 90 days. There should be a difference between the treatment given to a terrorist and a political worker,” he appealed.

Also speaking on the occasion, party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi lashed out at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its chairman Imran Khan for “celebrating” the raid on the office of a political party. He lamented the fact that certain political parties are seeing this as an opportunity to suppress MQM “but their nefarious dreams will never come true”.

He affirmed MQM’s unconditional support for law enforcement agencies and said that “MQM is the ultimate beneficiary of peace in Karachi”.

Following the press conference by MQM’s senior leaders, security barriers outside Nine-Zero were removed.