KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday officially requisitioned a session of the Sindh Assembly, DawnNews reported.

The request to call a session of the assembly bears the signatures of 44 MQM MPAs.

Speaking on the occasion, opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and MQM member Faisal Sabzwari said that instead of identifying criminal elements, activists of his party were being apprehended.

Sabzwari condemned the action against MQM activists, adding that the party had requisitioned the session in order to debate on the treatment being meted out to MQM workers.

He moreover claimed that MQM activists were being dragged in false cases, adding that those behind the deteriorating law and order situation of the city were not being brought to book.

The MQM’s request to summon the assembly session was made a day after the arrest of former party lawmaker Nadeem Hashmi on murder and terror charges over the killing of two policemen.

The arrest of Hashmi, in charge of the MQM’s North Nazimabad unit and former member of the Sindh Assembly, in a raid on his home, sparked anger in the MQM ranks who called the action an ‘unjust move.’

The arrest attracted a strong reaction from the opposition party which questioned the role of the Sindh government in the ongoing ‘Karachi operation’ and approached authorities in Islamabad to resolve the issue.

Hours after the arrest, Karachi witnessed scattered incidents of violence, including firing and arson attacks. At least four vehicles were set on fire as transport stayed off the roads, commercial activities remained suspended and fuel stations were unable to do regular business.