MQM, ANP allege victimization as security forces round up dozens

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) have alleged victimization and arrest of their activists as the security forces launched an operation in parts of Karachi early Thursday.

The MQM and ANP lawmakers walked out of the National Assembly and the Senate on Thursday to register protest over arrests.

The ANP senator, Haji Adeel, said that 100 activists of the party were arrested and locked in police stations.

The MQM said that its three members are missing and no one is giving information about their whereabouts.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Wednesday hinted at targeted operation in Karachi against miscreants following the MQM call for army’s deployment.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says nearly 1800 people have been killed in Karachi as the result of violence this year.

SSP City Tariq Dharijo said that several suspects were arrested during raids in Kharadar and Meethadar areas. He said that drugs and arms were also seized during the raids.

Police said that four people were held in Usmanabad area of Garden and arms were also recovered from the possession of the accused.

According to reports, the police also conducted raids in Shah Latif Town and Landhi, arresting three political activists.

The MQM and ANP condemned what they called the police crackdown against their supporters.

The MQM said that its workers were targeted in various localities in the police raids. MQM leader Wasay Jalil said that two unit in-charges and a joint unit in-charge were arrested.

The ANP also condemned the police raids and claimed that its workers and office bearers were apprehended during raids in Quaidabad and other areas of the metropolis.

They demanded of the government and President Asif Ali Zardari to take notice of police operation against their workers.

 A spokesman for the party’s Sindh chapter claimed on Thursday that an unannounced operation had been launched against the ANP.

 He said that police were arresting ANP workers while Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said he was not aware of police action.

A meeting of the MQM’s Rabita Committee simultaneously held in Karachi and London condemned the arrest of workers and condemned police crackdown.

In a statement issued by the Senators belonging to MQM said that illegal raids were conducted at the residences of its workers. MQM MNAs also demanded of the government to immediately stop raids and release their workers.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 29 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.