MQM claim party worker arrested, demand immediate release

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Rabita Committee on Saturday condemned the arrest of party worker, Rafiq Rajput, who was allegedly 'picked up by Rangers personnel during a raid at his residence'. The MQM has demanded his immediate release.

In an email statement, the party said that Rangers and other law enforcement agencies, including personnel in plain clothes, raided the residence of the party's Mehmoodabad Sector In-charge, Rafiq Rajput, and arrested the MQM post bearer.

Rajput was shifted to an undisclosed location after his arrest, the statement added.

The Rabita Committee statement further said that several MQM workers and post-bearers had been killed in Karachi but instead of arresting the killers, the party's activists and office-bearers were being prosecuted.

The statement alleged that party activists were being subjected to "inhumane torture" during their detention to obtain coerced statements that implicated the party in false cases.

MQM appealed to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Sindh Governor Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for the immediate release of Rafiq Rajput and an end to what it termed the 'arrest of innocent party workers and activists'.

The development comes more than a week after the MQM had observed a day of mourning and a peaceful strike to protest the alleged 'extrajudicial killing' of one of it workers in Karachi by law enforcement agencies.

Also read: Missing MQM worker found dead, parts of Karachi shut down

The party is also under immense pressure and scrutiny after a Rangers report, submitted in the Sindh High Court on February 6, claimed that the MQM was behind the deadly fire that claimed the lives of at least 258 factory workers in Karachi's Baldia area in 2012.

Also read: Rangers’ report blames MQM for Baldia factory fire

The party's coordination committee on February 7 disowned Rizwan Qureshi, the alleged worker who set a Baldia Town factory on fire, and demanded that the government should hang the person in accordance with the law and Constitution.

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Observer

Feb 08, 2015 12:22pm

MQM mafia should stop its criminal activities ASAP!.

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shezad

Feb 08, 2015 12:35pm

The state has allowed these parties too much leeway under the garb of political compulsion. Justice has to take its course. All culprits be it of any party affiliation need to face the music. There can be no exceptions. The army cannot fail where politicians have.

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Ranjit

Feb 08, 2015 12:36pm

Criminals should be behind bars not to rule nation enough is enough.

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Parvez

Feb 08, 2015 12:43pm

For the MQM to put all their eggs 7 years ago, into the PPP-Z basket was a mistake.........and they still have not realized this.

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Khan-Haqiqi

Feb 08, 2015 12:44pm

Freedom is the only solution

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Rakesh from Agra

Feb 08, 2015 12:45pm

With this kind of sick and perverted logic to release this MQM terrorists, We might well release UzairBaluch and all terrorist of Aman committee. Rangers are arresting all terrorists across the board, from TTP to MQM and no pressure or coercion should be afforded to release these terrorists. PERIOD.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Feb 08, 2015 12:51pm

Another example of government brutality against MQM. Same things are happening as in the 90s. Both PPP and PML-N both parties have an agenda to eliminate MQM but again performance speaks for it self. MQM won the hearts of masses by serving the people.

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abp

Feb 08, 2015 12:53pm

MQM is a history now. Rehman Malik has exposed them all. They have lost the trust. Baldia incident is the last nail in coffin.

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asgher

Feb 08, 2015 12:57pm

MQM came to power in the name of Mahajirs. They been taking our money, snatching our cellphones, bullying us for skins on EID and Now we see they burn Mahajirs for money. WE AS MAHAJIRS REJECT MQM AS OUR POLITICAL REPRESENTATION. If there is any other legitimate political party who can represent our rights step forward.

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confused

Feb 08, 2015 12:57pm

Don't bother innocents; and don't leave even a single culprit.

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Muhammahoaibd S

Feb 08, 2015 12:58pm

@Khan-Haqiqi You wrote, "Freedom is the only solution". I fail to understand your statement-will you explain it?

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karachi Wally

Feb 08, 2015 01:08pm

@asgher Try PTI as a change, let see them as well.

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sami ullah swati

Feb 08, 2015 01:08pm

Just don't play the innocent games. I don't think Altaf is an angel and his followers the saints. So who do it all, if you are not involved??

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junaid

Feb 08, 2015 01:09pm

@khan haqiqi hahaha try then that is if u can gain independence from Pakistan. This is not Bengal where the seperatists had public and Indian support. Most of Karachites are now fed up with ur muhajir card politics. U guys have been in countless gov but no improvement in life of people of karachi. MQM is a pest.

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karachi Wally

Feb 08, 2015 01:09pm

Simply people should not vote for MQM, that way they will not have any black mailing power.

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junaid

Feb 08, 2015 01:10pm

@asgher.. i guess for Karachi PTI seems ti be the lesser evil. Choose PTI the next time

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Khan-Haqiqi

Feb 08, 2015 01:11pm

@Muhammahoaibd S MQM should learn from Bengalis and Balochis they went through the same persecution and terror by federal Govt. and Punjabi establishment instead of dying everyday they should fight for their rights. Altaf Hussain is a fool who thinks Muhajirs can get their rights in Pakistan

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Waleed

Feb 08, 2015 01:13pm

Freedom from MQM

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Samad Chaudhry

Feb 08, 2015 01:15pm

Sitting in London talking rubbish Every time threats to resign and sit back and enjoy the misery of people one world from him and whole Karachi is shut Who started Bhatta Khori in Karachi?. I know a few who were made to pay or got killed. Karachi was a lovely city until this barbarity. Karachi factory fire and death of innocents for not paying BHATTA.

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Gul

Feb 08, 2015 01:15pm

Why a sector incharge can not be arrested?

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Observer

Feb 08, 2015 01:22pm

@Khan-Haqiqi Freedon from Mafia Thug indeed!

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LubnaNaz

Feb 08, 2015 01:23pm

@Rakesh from Agra How is all of this any of your business?Didn't anyone ever tell you to go MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

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Observer

Feb 08, 2015 01:23pm

@Muhammahoaibd S What he is trying to say is that freedom from the mafia thug residing in London!

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LubnaNaz

Feb 08, 2015 01:24pm

Altaf Hussain should be declared a terrorist

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Observer

Feb 08, 2015 01:24pm

@Gul Sector in-charges are the source of all criminal activities.

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Rahman

Feb 08, 2015 01:26pm

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement's (MQM) Rabita Committee on Saturday condemned the arrest of party worker, Rafiq Rajput, who was allegedly 'picked up by Rangers personnel during a raid at his residence'. MQM most criminal group ever exist in Karachi just observer their faces , Rangers personnel should clean all this criminal faces as soon as possible don't let agent runaway , MQM make slave all the people of Karachi just to get benefit(bhatta khoor) from them by black mailing the provincial government as well the government of Pakistan

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M.M.Sherazi

Feb 08, 2015 01:26pm

Innocent...........MQM...........does not sound practical..........Karachi........carnage.........

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faz

Feb 08, 2015 02:03pm

Terrorists are terrorist and should be punished....doesn't matter where they come from.

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Karachi inside

Feb 08, 2015 02:03pm

Everyone in Karachi, knows that those sitting in Rabita committee are hand picked dummies of Mr.Hussain, their real job is to protect MQM's Sector and Units and give them a Political umbrella, That's why whenever law enforcement, agencies or Rangers raid their sectors and units they know that they are being hit on their roots, and so RC, cries wolf all the time and Mr. Hussain reshuffles R.C every now and than, MQM sectors and units are where from all the " protection money" is generated and "groundwork" is done,

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ebrahim

Feb 08, 2015 02:08pm

If crimanals are released by MQM blackmail , how will suffering of public be addressed.

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Maqsood

Feb 08, 2015 02:12pm

Well done.

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Shakil Khan

Feb 08, 2015 02:13pm

MQM protest against arrest of workers, once they are accused of terror activities then they disown them! Double standards, more and more looking its a mafia with political party front cover! No wonder they always against any serious operation.

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John

Feb 08, 2015 02:24pm

@junaid yes the PTI soft image of Jamaat e Islami who wanted TTP offices to be opened through out Pakistan.

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John

Feb 08, 2015 02:27pm

@LubnaNaz so you have evidence to prove Altaf Hussain did many crimes including Jinnah Pur, JIT is the mastermind of ISI backed punjab rangers and police.

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Waqar

Feb 08, 2015 02:44pm

Whenever there is an Operation in Karachi, why only MQM cries? Why?

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Vikas Rehman

Feb 08, 2015 03:14pm

I have never come across a politician like Altaf. Last night he addressed people in Hyderabad, which was telecast live. It was 10.30 GMT and 03.30 in Pakistan. There were kids and even some adults in the crowds who could not stay awake, and you can't blame them. I have seen this man pulling stunts like this before. Why does this messiah, who apparently sheds tears when he sees the suffering of other, has to make those poor MQM workers suffer like this. Mr Altaf, people don't attend meetings out of their love for you but fear of your party and its thugs. If you want to address them, then at least don't add to the suufering of these people by making them attend your talks at 3 in the morning.

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Merchant

Feb 08, 2015 03:33pm

Prosecute this MQM worker and MQM will disown him. Simple solution!!!

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Saad Durrani

Feb 08, 2015 03:37pm

Another MQM drama. Same thing happened earlier. The killer of 2 doctors was from MQM. Next day, sector in-charge PECHS was killed. Now, the blood of Baldia's arson is on MQM. And, suddenly, their Mehmoodabad sector in-charge goes missing. Soon, he will be dead and MQM will make sorry faces. The party should realize no one is buying it anymore. Altaf should make it a priority to clean his party.

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sameer

Feb 08, 2015 03:44pm

@asgher PTI is right selection, I was PPP supporter, but now on only PTI.

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sameer

Feb 08, 2015 03:46pm

@karachi Wally People do not vote for them, there is mass rigging in Karachi, and everyone knows, no one dare to stop them, they all know that their fate will be death, if they stop them.

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sameer

Feb 08, 2015 03:48pm

@John Do not try to prove that Altaf and his cronies are innocent, everyone knows that the activities of MQM.

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LubnaNaz

Feb 08, 2015 04:26pm

@John Stop playing the Innocent victim oppressed by "PUNJAB Based Rangers" card,Even little kids know the bitter truth about MQM, how idiot do you think people are to believe that MQM is just a innocent little political party, Everyone knows what they are, It's just that they are afraid to say it!

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John

Feb 08, 2015 04:41pm

@sameer knowing is one thing but no evidence to prove, no court in the world would convict anyone on the basis of knowing.

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sameer

Feb 08, 2015 04:55pm

@John Do not forget Saulat Mirza, he is MQM target killer, even President rejected his death sentence.

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Amin Syed, London, UK

Feb 08, 2015 05:01pm

I am reading Dawn after about a week! Didn't this guy resigned? MQM's Khalifa?

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Khalid Baloch

Feb 08, 2015 05:26pm

@junaid you are so correct. Long live Pakistan

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Key Points

Feb 08, 2015 05:48pm

Why not just 'disown' all arrested workers and carry on as usual.

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Key Points

Feb 08, 2015 06:13pm

Instead of crying every time a worker is arrested, try to find out charges against the worker. If your worker was a law abiding citizen, go to court and fight for him. In case worker was 'something else', just disown him, as usual.

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Key Points

Feb 08, 2015 06:17pm

@abp If innocent go to court and appeal. Otherwise, you do do the crime, you do the time.

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malik

Feb 08, 2015 06:46pm

badlia factory???

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Abdul Malik

Feb 08, 2015 07:01pm

Rangers are doing the right thing by arresting those MQM workers who are involved in criminal activities. Well done Rangers, go for it. It's high time these miscreants are arrested, tried and if found guilty, punished with the highest punishment allowed as per the law.

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Awais Ali

Feb 08, 2015 07:03pm

Another Drama.

Recommend 0

Feb 08, 2015 07:14pm

We are fed up of their clever media coverage. All knows what their real face is.

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Nazir Ahmed

Feb 08, 2015 08:00pm

No more shutter down, please.

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Feb 08, 2015 08:29pm

Karachi is becoming a Mafia town. The Mafia includes police and rangers also.

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Asab

Feb 08, 2015 08:49pm

Nothing new.

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Nasir

Feb 08, 2015 08:58pm

JIT report is a joke. The whole system is corrupt. They manipulate and manufactured evidence for political gains all the times. In this case, it is obvious it was done to keep MQM away to form a unite front with Musharraf and some elements of PPP. And it will be continued with more arrests as this one. It will be a very bumpy ride for MQM.

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zafar

Feb 08, 2015 09:24pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan Sir can you please tell us the fountain that you have been drinking from!

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Manzur

Feb 08, 2015 09:30pm

Pak Rangers must eliminate these thugs!

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Saraz

Feb 08, 2015 11:50pm

@sameer you think president is somebody in this country?

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Factual

Feb 09, 2015 12:13am

Give me a break, will'ya!

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Dr Rehman (Dow) , USA, CA,

Feb 09, 2015 12:34am

All lies against MQM, like QUOTA system, exclusion of Fawad Alam is a current example We are considered second class citizen, when things comes to Karachi everyone unite against us. Same with politics and agencies, when things come to MQM, everyone against us. Only separate province is a ultimate solution, lets do one final strike.

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msm

Feb 09, 2015 01:19am

Every political parties, almost all religious parties, irrespective of their faiths, Sunni, Shia, Deubandi, Barelvi etc., regional parties, etc., all have one common complaint, and that is, killings of their workers, or, post holders and, no doubt that's true also. For a while, is it possible that we start to think, what's going around? who is doing this, why are we killing each other? if there is any benefit in this killings, who is getting the benefit? How can we stop this bloodshed? if we don't stop this, what will happen in the next 5-10 years?

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John

Feb 09, 2015 01:49am

@sameer I was implying what Quran says and the bible, blaming others without proven is a bigger sin then those who commit or are involved in criminal acts.

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John

Feb 09, 2015 01:52am

@LubnaNaz by PTI and Jamaat e Islami backed TTP.

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John

Feb 09, 2015 01:54am

@Manzur MQM should finish thugs who malign it.

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Malik

Feb 09, 2015 02:16am

Always complaining, threatening, yelling, screaming, demanding, boycotting--these are their standard tactics. Bring them to justice, their popularity is fake, hijacked on the basis of race, ethnicity and language.

Recommend 0

Omar

Feb 09, 2015 03:46am

Any individual, group or party involved in extortion, murder or violent acts must be brought to justice! Period!

Recommend 0

GKBaloch

Feb 09, 2015 04:47am

Interestingly, they take turns, sometimes it is Rizvi, sometimes Siddiqui ,if there is more hue & cry against MQM, then Farooq Sattar shows up. All his Master's voices, the supremo Altaf of London.

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GKBaloch

Feb 09, 2015 04:49am

Hang few top honchos of this mafia, erroneously called a political party, may be we can have peace in Karachi. Sad part , they are trying to get back in coalition with PPP to rule Sindh.

Recommend 0

anony

Feb 09, 2015 05:06am

FInally, MQM getting what they deserve. They have held the city of Karachi hostage for many years. It's time that this is broken.

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JoJo

Feb 09, 2015 05:39am

Enough of this terror sponsors. Just disband MQM, arrest all of their criminals and bring don to justice.

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rana1

Feb 09, 2015 07:01am

@asgher .......why do you want to join a politic party?Politics is meant for crooks

Recommend 0

ilas

Feb 09, 2015 11:08pm

Who does Mr Altaf Hussien think he is by demanding the immediate release of a suspect arrested by the police. Why does this man not come to Pakistan and then talk.

Recommend 0

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