KARACHI: Banners inscribed with a threatening slogan against “traitor” to Altaf Hussain were put up outside the highly-guarded Sindh High Court building on Monday, causing a stir in political circles amid the crisis and criticism the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has been facing.

Police said the banners hanging on a grill just outside the SHC building area that is known for traffic congestion due to narrow lanes read ‘Jo Quaid-i-Tehrik Ka Ghaddar Hay, Wo Maut Ka Haqdar Hay — Jansheen-i-Altaf Hussain’ (Death to the Traitor to the Leader of the Movement: Loyalists to Altaf Hussain)’.

The police along with the local administration moved to remove the banners only after some TV channels broke the news. The police also detained three suspects present on the site. “There were three men in the car which was parked along the grill though it was not a regularised parking,” said SSP-South Saqib Ismail Memon.

“We are investigating the matter and it would be a little early to arrive at any conclusion. We are questioning them to know their identity and what they were doing despite knowing the presence of such banners,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sindh IG police A.D. Khwaja called the city police chief and other officers concerned asking them to immediately trace and arrest those “miscreants” who were trying to destabilise city peace.

“Such acts are an attempt not only to destabilise peace of the city but also the entire province,” a statement issued by the Central Police Office quoted the police chief as saying. “Area police should move fast and immediately remove all such banners and chalking from areas wherever they are found. Strong action against miscreants and anti-peace forces should be ensured.”

The Muttahida is often blamed for such threatening tone whenever it comes to Altaf Hussain and his stature. However, first time in the MQM history, the party and and its senior leaders disowned his thoughts and removed his named from party’s constitution in the aftermath of his Aug 22 speech that carried “anti-Pakistan” remarks.

The party’s immediate reaction after the Monday episode of banners hit the headlines was not against Muttahida’s renewed policy, as senior party leaders denied their involvement behind the move and denied having such spirit in their ranks.

“Firstly, we need to understand that the Sindh High Court is situated in a very sensitive and highly-secured area,” said MQM MNA Salman Mujahid Baloch in Samaa TV’s show ‘Live With Nadeem Malik’.

“Secondly, who is the beneficiary of all such things? We firmly believe it’s an organised attempt to break unity in the MQM ranks under Dr Farooq Sattar’s leadership. The forces, which never wanted the MQM to stay united, are now trying to come up with different tactics but they will never succeed.”

Later in his reaction, MQM convener in London Nadeem Nusrat disassociated the party from the banners but in the tweet pointed his finger at ‘forces behind it’.

“#MQM has nothing 2 do with these banners. And we all know who’s powerful enough 2 put up them in high security areas,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, three persons were injured when workers of the MQM and its rival Mohajir Qaumi Movement, better known as Haqiqi, engaged in a brawl during a rally held as part of campaigning for the Sept 8 bypoll, police said.

“Those injured were identified as Ghulam Moinuddin, an MQM councilor from the area, Muhammad Shakir and Abdul Hameed. The two sides used sticks and bricks in the fight near Jinnah Square and dispersed when police intervened. All the injured were taken to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre,” said an official at the Malir City police station.

Published in Dawn September 6th, 2016