MQM worker’s death: PM asks for judicial probe

Directs interior minister to contact Sindh govt, military authorities for probe; says impartial inquiry into Aftab’s death essential to ensure justice, fairplay

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan to contact the Sindh government as well as the military authorities for a judicial inquiry into the death of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker Aftab Ahmed, it has been learnt.

Informed sources said that the prime minister is of the view that an impartial inquiry into the death of Aftab Ahmed, who was tortured in the Rangers’ custody, has to be ensured for justice and fairplay.

The source said that the prime minister was told that as per the law of the land, it is the provincial government that has to take action and hold a judicial inquiry into the matter. The federal government, it is said, can’t order such an inquiry in a provincial matter. In view of the situation, the prime minister asked the interior minister to talk to the relevant provincial and military authorities for the early holding of a judicial inquiry into the matter.

Aftab Ahmed, who was the coordinator of the MQM leader Farooq Sattar, was reportedly tortured during his custody with the Rangers. He was brought to a Karachi hospital by the Rangers with multiple torture marks a couple of days after his arrest.

The postmortem report confirmed that multiple torture marks were found on Aftab Ahmed’s body. However, the cause of death is yet to be determined. According to media reports, over 35 percent of Aftab’s body was covered in bruises and abrasions. Bruises in reddish and reddish black colours were present at various parts of the body including thechest, thighs, skull and buttocks, the report said, adding that his skin had received multiple abrasions while a nail of his left toe was partially torn off.

Aftab was reportedly detained during a raid in the Federal B Area last Sunday evening. He was presented before a judge of the anti-terrorism court on Monday last by the Rangers force. The court had granted the Rangers’ request for a 90-day preventive detention.