MQM men remanded in  TV channel attack case

Karachi

Three leaders of the MQM along with 11 workers were on Tuesday sent on physical remand by the administrative judge of the anti-terrorism courts 
in a case pertaining to Monday's attack on a private news channel's office and rioting in which a passerby was killed.

Police produced MQM deputy convener Shahid Pasha, MNA Kunwar Naveed Jamil and Qamar Mansoor along with 11 MQM workers, including Syed Arshad Ali, Abdur Rehman, Muhammad Saleem, Irfan and Muhammad Asif.

The investigation officer said the suspects were involved in attacking a private news channel and rioting near the Fawara Chowk where a passer-by died of bullet injuries. He said the party workers, who were on hunger strike unto death for the last six days, attacked the office of a TV channel in a building in Saddar after their leader addressed them from London and incited them against the media, especially three news channels for not giving coverage to the MQM.

It was told that the incensed party workers, who were on hunger strike unto death for the last six days, attacked the office of a TV channel located in a building at Saddar area after their leader addressed them from London and incited them against the media, especially three news channels for not giving coverage to the MQM.

The IO requested the judge to remand the suspects in police custody, saying that they were required to trace the whereabouts of their accomplices.

While accepting his request, the judge handed over all the suspects to the police on physical remand till August 25.

According to the police, MQM senior leaders Dr Farooq Sattar, Amir Khan, Gulfaraz Khattak and others were also nominated in the case but up till now they were not arrested.

The cases were registered under Section 302(murder), 353(assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 324(attempted murder), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148(rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149(every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 186(obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 435(mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to cause damage to amount of one hundred rupees) and 436(mischief by fire or explosive substance with intent to destroy house) of the Pakistan Penal Code read with Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act,1997.