MQM ends hunger strike with demand for justice

Karachi

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) ended its two-day token hunger strike on Friday, with senior party leader Amir Khan saying that the Mohajirs in the country were being treated in a manner that gave the impression as if they were not the citizens of Pakistan.

The hunger strike camp set up outside the Karachi Press Club was visited by Dr Farooq Sattar, advocate Mohammad Arif Khan, Kamal Malik , Gulfaraz Khan Khattak Aslam Afridi, Gulfaraz Khan Khattak, leader of the opposition in the Sindh Assembly Khawaja Izaharul Hasan.

Addressing media persons after the end of the hunger strike, Amir Khan said it was unfortunate that MQM’s missing persons were being recovered from the office of the Pak Sarzameen Party.

“We hope to get justice from the Judiciary, but so far we have not been given justice,” he said.

Khan appealed to the Karachi corps commander Karachi, the chief of the army staff and the prime minister to take notice of the “injustices and torture” inflicted on MQM workers.  He alleged that there was an unannounced ban on political activities, which, he said, should be allowed. “The suppression of Mohajirs is continuing and this should be stopped.”

Through the hunger strike, which started at 1pm and ended at 7pm on Thursday and Friday, the MQM protested against what it called “illegal raids, arrests, forcible disappearances, an unannounced ban on political activities” and a media ban on MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s speeches.

MQM leaders and workers held placards in their hands inscribed with slogans ‘Jenay do Karachi ko’, ‘Na Manzoor Rangers na mazoor ‘, ‘Stop MQM’s media trial ‘, and ‘Stop Mohajirs’ genocide’.

Speaking to journalists at the camp a day earlier, Dr Farooq Sattar had warned the authorities that the situation could get critical if the policies were not changed.

Claiming that there was an unannounced ban on political activities of the party, the senior MQM leader called for the unofficial ban to be removed and the party be allowed to work in peace.