MQM demands judicial probe into ‘extrajudicial’ killings

Farooq Sattar says party has moved courts against extrajudicial murder of activist
Riazul Haq who was arrested by Rangers last year; announces protest at KPC today

Karachi

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement demanded on Sunday that a judicial commission be formed to investigate into the “extrajudicial killing” of 61 party activists.

Speaking at a press conference at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat, MQM senior deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar also demanded that the unannounced ban on the party’s activities be lifted.

Speaking about MQM activist Riazul Haq, who was arrested by Rangers last year and his body was found in Surjani Town on Saturday, Sattar said a petition had been filed in Sindh High Court seeking action against his extrajudicial murder.

“We want the court to take suo moto notice of these extrajudicial killings,” he added.

Sattar said there should be a neutral or third party which could listen to the MQM’s reservations, complaints and grievances. “If the MQM is found to be guilty by the neutral party, then we are ready to face any punishment.”

Sattar recalled that a committee was formed to hear the grievances of the party but now this body was nowhere to be found. He said Riazul Haq’s missing case was also sent to the UN Human Rights Commission and the UN Crisis Management Cell.

“In an all-parties conference held in 2013, it was unanimously decided that Rangers should be given additional powers and all steps taken would be within the ambit of the Constitution and the law, and it was also agreed upon that the paramilitary force would not be given a free hand, but now many questions are arising over the continuous operation in Karachi under way for over two years,” Sattar noted.

He demanded that if people in uniform were involved in extrajudicial killings, then their trial should be conducted like that of any common citizen of Pakistan.

The MQM leader said extrajudicial killings had stopped for a brief period and the party had heaved a sigh of relief, but now they had started again.

He announced that the MQM would stage a protest outside the Karachi Press Club on Monday (today) against the extrajudicial killing of Riazul Haq.