Raid on Nine-Zero lawful, says interior minister

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday said the raid on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters Nine-Zero in Karachi was lawfully conducted by Rangers.

In a statement, he said that the raid was carried out on intelligence report, adding that taking action within the ambit of law was the responsibility of police and Rangers.

The minister said that the MQM itself demanded the ongoing targeted operation against criminals in Karachi.


He said that the prime minister had granted the permission of carrying out the Karachi operation after the cabinet’s approval.

Chaudhry Nisar said all political parties were taken into confidence over the action, adding it was agreed upon that political affiliations would not come in the way of the operation.

According to a Rangers spokesman, a large cache of illegal weapons had been recovered in the “information-based operation” and that several “criminals” had also been arrested.

MQM leaders claimed Rangers forces had conducted a “siege and search operation” at the party's headquarters, ransacked its offices and had arrested several leaders of the political party.

In a statement issued hours after the start of the operation, the MQM’s Rabita Committee said Rangers personnel had forcefully raided and ransacked the MQM’s head office.

The party said that several members had been arrested, including central leaders Amir Khan, Abdul Haseeb, Dr Saleem Danish, Arshad Hussain, Dr Ayub Sheikh, and Sindh Assembly lawmaker Rehan Zafar.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain, addressing party workers, said the raid on Nine Zero and his sister’s house by Rangers was completely unjustified. He also condemned the killing of MQM activist Waqas Ali Shah and blamed the Rangers for shooting him, a claim denied by the paramilitary force.