1992 army operation still continuing against us, says MQM

Karachi
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) believes that the army operation that started in June 1992 is still continuing against it as thousands of its workers have not yet been traced and many have been killed extra-judicially.
The operation began in the first tenure of the Pakistan Muslim League-N government headed by then prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who is in power for a third time, said a senior leader of the MQM on Friday.
On the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the operation, MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain said June 19 was a black day in the history of Pakistan when an atrocious state operation was launched against the MQM, a peace-loving and patriotic political party.
Hussain said the operation was started against 72 big fish, dacoits and those involved in kidnapping for ransom, but it was later directed against his party.
“More than 18,000 workers were killed extra-judicially during the operation against the MQM. Thousands were arrested and brutally tortured in private torture cells. They were implicated in concocted cases. Many more were forced to live the painful life of exile.”
Hussain said the resolve of the brave, determined and steadfast MQM workers could not be shaken despite all state repression, and stories of their struggle for rights would remain a part of history.
The operation continued in one form or another even today, he said and paid glowing tributes to “the martyrs of June 19”.
Hussain said his party was moving forward because of their sacrifices and getting new successes.
He asked the MQM’s office-bearers and workers to remember the missing and martyred workers. He also asked them to take care of their families.
The army launched the infamous “Operation Clean-up” ostensibly to rid the city of terrorism, but it targeted the MQM in particular, with the result that the party split into two.
The party leaders soon went into hiding and party offices were shut down.
A senior leader of the MQM said that in 1990 the government of then prime minister Nawaz Sharif passed a resolution in the National Assembly to launch a military operation in Karachi to target 72 big fish on the pretext of ending terrorism in Karachi and seizing unauthorised arms, he said.
That period was regarded as the bloodiest in Karachi’s history with thousands killed or gone missing, he said.
Although 23 years had passed, memories of those who lost their loved ones were still fresh, he added.
Central MQM leader Amin-ul-Haq, speaking to this correspondent, said the MQM was the first to support the army operation against terrorists and corrupt elements, and it even staged a rally in favour of the armed forces, but unfortunately the party was being targeted.
Hundreds of its workers were still missing, and many were being killed in extrajudicial encounters, he said.
The Rangers were still raiding sector offices of the MQM and had picked up many of its supporters whose whereabouts were still not known, Haq said.