Proscribed outfits targeting MQM in Karachi: Rizvi

KARACHI: Member of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Coordination Committee Haider Abbas Rizvi on Friday claimed that banned outfits were targeting the workers, sympathizers and elected representatives of his party.

Addressing a press conference here, Haider Abbas Rizvi said that his party worker Nadeem Ahmed was sitting on a milk shop when five gunmen killed him after confirming his identity.

He said Nadeem Ahmed was an eye-witness of Ayesha Manzil bombing and had identified the perpetrators in an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC), adding that he had been receiving threats from the banned outfits.

Rizvi further said that the two other eye-witnesses of Ayesha Manzil bombing, Superintendent of Police (SP) Chaudhary Aslam and MQM MPA Manzar Imam, had already been martyred in separate attacks.

“We know about the killers of Nadeem Ahmed but can’t tell their details on media”, MQM leader added.

The MQM leader also paid tribute to the anti-terror cop Chaudhry Aslam on his first death anniversary. He added his party has been raising voice against the ‘Talibanization’ and paying the price for opposing ‘religious extremism’.

“Terrorists are targeting our doctors, engineers, lawyers, teachers and party office-bearers of the Punjab province but nobody is taking the notice of the killing of professionals”, Rizvi said.

He demanded of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif to widen the circle of the military operation, claiming that the Taliban and other banned outfits are present in the Karachi city.