Sattar slams extrajudicial killings in Karachi, says govt has failed to protect citizens

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Dr Farooq Sattar on Saturday blasted the authorities for the fatal January 13 attack by policemen on a youth, Intizar Ahmed, and the killing of another youth, Naqeebullah Meshood, in an alleged encounter last week, saying that the Karachi operation started against criminals and terrorists had, unfortunately, led to multiple incidents of extrajudicial killings in Karachi.

Since the MQM-P had not been consulted adequately while launching the Karachi operation, the city dwellers are now facing grave consequences, Sattar said.

Lashing out at the provincial government, he said the Sindh government had failed to play its due role for the betterment of the people. The government has been indifferent to what has been done in the name of the Karachi operation, he added.

Lamenting the killings of Intizar Ahmed and Naqeebullah Meshood, the MQM-P chief there had been a history of extrajudicial killings of a large number of people in the city, but the authorities were least bothered about such horrific incidents.

He strongly condemned SSP Rao Anwar, but added that only condemnations did not produce any good results. Sattar went on saying that the people should march on the chief minister and press the government to put the house in order once and for all.

He urged all political parties to join the MQM-P in marching on the chief minister house to protest against the extrajudicial killings and victimisation the citizens.

Dr Farooq Sattar was talking to media after his court appearance in the hearings of provocative speech and water issue cases. He demanded of the government to pass fresh law for the safety and protection of judges and the counsels. “There should be a legal check on the police so the officers like Rao Anwar could be controlled,” he added.

Sattar claimed that he and other MQM-P leaders and activists were facing fake and false cases registered against them due to political reasons.

NBWs out for IO

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for the investigation officer (IO) for failing to present charge sheets in two provocative speech cases lodged in the Quaidabad police station against MQM-P leaders and activists.

The court also ordered the relevant authorities to withhold the monthly salary of the IO for his grave negligence. The court observed that Dr Farooq Sattar and other accused were facing cases since 2015 but still no progress was witnessed on the part of the IO concerned.

The court also issued notice to the SP East and other officers concerned and directed them to appear in person at the next hearing date on February 10.

In another provocative speech and media house attack case, the court fixed February 20 as next date of hearing.