Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz (JSQM) Chairman Bashir Qureshi was sent to the Malir district jail on Thursday on a four-day judicial remand in a case of carrying illegal weapons. The judicial magistrate, however, dismissed the case against Sheraz Subhani, who was arrested along with the JSQM chief, and released him.
Talking to newsmen at the Malir District and Sessions Court, the nationalist leader also turned his guns towards Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and termed him a ‘liar’. In response to a question, Qureshi said that Malik is a fraud and commonly known as a ‘liar by birth’.
He supported the statement of former Sindh home minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza about Malik on the ‘apple-banana dilemma’ and alleged that the interior minister is only ‘working to protect terrorists, target killers and criminals’. The nationalist leader claimed that the law enforcers did not dare to go to the areas where terrorists were operating freely and accused the government for arresting innocent people.
“We are innocent and have nothing to do with any criminal activities. No action is being taken against those who are killing people and hold prohibited weapons in Lalu Khet and other areas of the city,” he added. “I was attacked in the recent past; however, the authorities concerned have yet to arrest the attackers.”
The JSQM chairman said that after the armed attack, he had got permits of two Kalashnikovs from the federal government while his pistols were also licensed. “I regularly renew the arms licenses and fulfil all the mandatory requirements.” Qureshi added that he is a law-abiding person and was carrying only licensed weapons that were also shown to the Rangers personnel. “The Rangers misbehaved and tortured me publicly with mala fide intentions.”
Earlier, in an extraordinary event in the history of the country’s judiciary, about 120 lawyers, including advocates Muhammad Khan Sheikh, Ghulam Mustafa Rajpar and Qamar Bhatti filed their papers as defence lawyers on behalf of Qureshi. A large number of JSQM activists and workers of other nationalist parties were also present in the Malir court. They welcomed their leader and showered flowers on him as Qureshi came out of a police armoured vehicle, flashing victory signs.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro expressed concerns over the arrest of JSQM chief and assured that the provincial government will investigate the matter at the highest level. JSQM Secretary General Asif Baladi said that the party was grateful to all nationalists, political parties and the people of Sindh, who condemn the barbarian act by Rangers and supported the JSQM strike call.
STRIKE: A shutter-down strike was observed in many cities of the province on Friday against the arrest of JSQM Chairman Qureshi. Several districts came to a standstill and demonstrations were also staged to condemn the arrest of the nationalist leader. Protesters took to streets in almost all major cities and villages against his arrest.
Some areas of the metropolis, including Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Malir, Khokhrapar, Lyari and Korangi remained closed in protest. The protesters also blocked the Indus Highway at Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Quaidabad, Pipri and Gharo by setting ablaze tyres. However, no loss of life and property was reported from any part of the metropolis.
Meanwhile, taking back its strike call, JSQM announced a three-day sit-in in all district headquarters. However, the activities of agencies working for relief in Sindh will not be hindered, it said.
