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Friday March 29, 2024

Sattar wonders about agenda behind Izhar’s arrest

By our correspondents
September 17, 2016

KARACHI: The MQM Pakistan head, Dr Farooq Sattar, on Friday asked the prime minister, the chief of the army staff (COAS), Sindh corps commander and Sindh chief minister about the agenda behind the arrest of the Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Khawja Izaharul Hasan from his house early in the day.

He was talking to the media after SSP Malir Rao Anwaar arrested Izhar along with a large contingent of police. Dr Farooq Sattar, who was present on the occasion, asked Rao Anwaar to show warrants of arrest but, according to Sattar, Anwaar refused to show the warrants. Sattar also had an altercation with Rao Anwaar on the occasion.

Condemning the arrest, Sattar said Izhar was forced into an APC by force. "We had lodged a peaceful protest. We showed respect and the women, the wife of Khawaja Izhar, could have laid down before the APC to stop the arrest. But the MQM is a peace-loving party and refrained from doing such an act."

He claimed the wife of Khwaja Izhar lodged a protest during the search but all the women in the house were humiliated by the police. Strongly condemning the arrest of Khawaja Izhar in the May 12 case, he said then they all could be arrested. "We would present mass arrest of all MQM Pakistan leaders before the Sindh High Court in this case."

Sattar had come from the Chief Minister's House with Khwaja Izhar, Senator Nasreen Jalil, Deputy Mayor Arshad Abdullah Vohra and UC chairman Central to know what kind of search was being carried out by the police at his house.

He said in the meeting at the CM House, Khwaja Izhar was informed about the police search of his house but the chief minster was not aware of the search. Sattar claimed that Rao Anwaar was a special person of Asif Ali Zardari and asked who had ordered the arrest of Khwaja Izhar. He said that the MQM should be informed who was taking orders from Dubai. He further asked who had the writ in Sindh, Murad Ali Shah or the person sitting in Dubai.

Sattar used the word Mohajir and said a forcible division was being created among the Mohajirs, particularly in Karachi. Mohajirs are being pushed to the wall, he stressed. He further claimed that Mohajirs were being divided in Karachi by force and such efforts were still continuing.

He said the MQM's media trial was being carried out and fake cases were being registered against the MQM Pakistan workers and leaders. He warned that if patience, which is being shown these days goes out of hand, then he should not be held responsible for serious repercussions.

Sattar, lashing out at the government, said that instead of providing security, their all offices, including the Khursheed Memorial Hall, had been sealed. He said he had informed the chief minister that there was no security for them and they were totally insecure.

Sattar said the MQM was not allowed any political activity and while the party was moving outside Karachi but  this had also been blocked. "This is a political party and believes in the supremacy of law and democracy."

Sattar said it was amazing that the Sindh Assembly speaker, the IG Sindh and the Sindh chief minister were not aware who had ordered the arrest of the leader of the opposition in Sindh Assembly. He said indiscriminate powers had been given to everyone in Sindh.

"We have extended a hand of friendship to the state but we have been given a cold response." Sattar said they had desired political engagement for the people. He said Khawaja Izhar was out of the country but he returned just to save his voters and give respect to his voters.

"We are determined to extend all out cooperation at every level and but the government is showing an indifferent attitude against Mohajirs." Sattar said he had stated several times that the MQM Pakistan had no more link now with London and was saying it again categorically. "I again want to tell the media that MQM Pakistan has no link with London."

Sattar said he will chalk out his new strategy later. Meanwhile, in the second press conference, MQM leaders said they wanted the termination of SSP Rao Anwaar from service and his suspension was not enough. The MQM leaders expressed their dismay that a suspended senior police officer was challenging the writ of the government and saying that there will be various side effects of his suspension.

The MQM leaders, headed by MQM Rabita Committee Member Salman Mujahid, said this while addressing a press conference here on Friday evening at the residence of Dr Farooq Sattar. Mujahid said the government should show zero tolerance and terminate SSP Rao Anwar and remove such black sheep from the the Sindh Police. Once he becomes a civilian, then the MQM would give a befitting reply to him.

He said Farooq Sattar had asked for the arrest warrants from the SSP but he refused and demanded that a detailed investigation should be carried out in this regard as who had ordered Khawaja Izhar to be arrested.

A complete and thorough investigation is needed as to who had ordered for the arrest of Khwaja Izhar and only suspension is not enough, he added. He said Khawaja Izhar had taken bail before arrest in more than 20 cases then why he was arrested today in the May 12 case.

Muhajid said the Sindh government, except for suspension of SSP Rao Anwaar, has not taken any practical steps which should be visible and seen. "We had appreciated that the prime minister and the Sindh chief minister had taken notice of it but so far no practical steps have been seen. If steps are taken, then this could be called true democracy."

Faisal Sabzwari, talking to The News on Friday night, said Izhar Bhai had thanked the prime minister for making efforts with the Sindh government for his release. He said at present, Khwaja Izhar is at his home and will later go to the residence of Dr Farooq Sattar and talk to the media.

Agencies add: The senior leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan Dr. Farooq Sattar has strongly condemned police detention of his colleague Khawaja Izharul Hassan during a raid on his house describing it as an attempt to sideline the party.

He stated that Khawaja Izharul Hassan was taken into custody without any arrest warrants. Speaking to media outside the residence of Khawaja Izhar, Farooq Sattar strongly condemned arrest of MQM leader and said it was an insult of political and democratic system.

He said that arrest of Khawaja Izhar without warrants shows hostility towards the MQM. It is not the matter of running the party from London but it shows hostility towards MQM, he said. Nothing illegal was found from the residence of Khawaja Izhar, he said.