KARACHI, June 29: Mohajir Qaumi Movement’s secretary-general Amir Khan was arrested by law enforcement agencies from Karachi’s Clifton area in the small hours on Sunday.

A spokesman for the Sindh government termed the arrest a “major achievement” in the campaign launched in the province against criminal elements.

“During the past few months, a large number of criminals have been arrested throughout the province,” the spokesman said.

On being tipped off, the police made the arrest in the jurisdiction of Clifton Town. Amir Khan was wanted in a number of criminal cases of heinous nature, including murder, snatching of weapons from police, arson and riots, the spokesman said.

He added that Amir Khan was being quizzed by a police team for his involvement in criminal cases. He was being kept under tight security.

A spokesman for the MQM-Haqiqi, while talking to Dawn over telephone, said that Amir Khan had returned after meeting a leader of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy .

Mr Khan had been staying at a house near Sea View, where a large number of law enforcement agencies reached at around 3am, and surrounded the house. They scaled the walls of the house and whisked Mr Khan away. His whereabouts were unknown since his arrest, the spokesman added.

Condemning the arrest, the party spokesman said it was an act of highhandedness, and an attempt to disturb the city’s peace. He reiterated the advice of MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed to the party members to go underground and remain peaceful.