MQM to observe mourning day against ‘custodial death’ of activist

E-Paper | May 23, 2026

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Saturday evening announced that a ‘peaceful day of mourning’ would be observed across Pakistan on Sunday to denounce what it claims killing of a party worker in police custody.

According to a DawnNews report, the decision was taken at an ‘emergency’ meeting of the party’s Rabita Committee, which has also been endorsed by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Soon after the reports of the strike on local media, shops and businesses reportedly started to shut in different neighbourhoods of Karachi.

The Rabita Committee meeting strongly condemned “worst form of torture on party worker Faraz Alam in police custody”. The meeting also condemned the targeted killing of another MQM activist Nadeem Ahmed by the terrorists of banned outfits on Thursday.

The party appealed to shop owners and traders to keep their businesses shut on Sunday to protest against police atrocities.

Also read: Banned outfits targeting MQM activists in Karachi: Rizvi

Speaking to media representatives earlier, MQM’s senior leader Haider Abbas Rizvi also claimed that Faraz Alam was booked in a fabricated case and tortured by police.

He said torture marks were visible on Alam’s body and alleged that ongoing operation by Rangers and police in the city was aimed at the MQM.

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waleedfakhar

Jan 10, 2015 09:17pm

we back and bolster mqm,as the role of police and rangers in karachi is not appropriate,as the corruption is deep rooted in this department.

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Key Points

Jan 10, 2015 10:26pm

(1) Full investigation should be carried out to find the facts. (2) Was shop keepers and businesses closed at their own, or were forced to close by any political party workers? Again, full investigations should be carried out to find the facts.

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Mirza

Jan 10, 2015 10:44pm

MQM should realize , by now that they have been relegated to a second class citizens in Sindh . evident from the Police staffing . They cam mourn as much as they like , nothing is gonna change..

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Khan-Haqiqi

Jan 10, 2015 10:53pm

Till the punjabi policy makers in Islamabad didnt accept smaller provinces people mandate Pakistan will go from bad to worse. While they shut their eyes from terrorist activities of banned organization in Punjab they do not leave a chance to show their terrorist mindset when it comes to people of smaller provinces, under which law Karachi police is imported from Punjab on fake domicile and PRC?

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saeed

Jan 10, 2015 11:07pm

Wrong priorities everywhere. We still do not get who is real enemy. You can expect more attacks on important installations if authorities still do not set their priorities right.

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Syed Husain

Jan 10, 2015 11:19pm

If a person dies in police custody, then the policemen involved with the person's death must be tried for murder/homicide.

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John

Jan 10, 2015 11:29pm

The police should be from Karachi and not from punjab as often people of Karachi are indiscriminately targeted and false cases are fabricated to meet police targets as they are asked to be answerable to their political masters. Extra judicial murders at the hands police or intelligent agencies is unacceptable and they should also be tried Under National Action Plan.

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Naeem Syed

Jan 11, 2015 12:07am

Anything to grab attention. Time they were banned too in the interest of maintaing peace in Karachi.

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Merchant

Jan 11, 2015 12:14am

Having seen convicted murderer Saulat Mirza openly confessing in social media videos about killing people in cold blood, I as ordinary citizen feel more apprehensive about MQM as a party representing people of Karachi. MQM should be exposed and dealt with strictly within law without any fear or favour.

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najam

Jan 11, 2015 12:56am

Death in Police custody is crime. Police can't both be jury and executioner. Unfortunately, this is a common practice in Karachi and Balochistan. How do we fix this long standing issue. Only one solution. Fix Pakistani criminal justice system. That is it. Last week we ripped open Pakistani constitution allowing military courts to exists albeit for good purpose but we had to do that because Pakistani criminal justices does not work. Fix Criminal Justice System, now. If anything MQM should be holding a conference on how to fix criminal justice system.

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MJK

Jan 11, 2015 01:10am

@Khan-Haqiqi - For 5 years, a Sindhi, AAZardari rule the country. What did he do to curb terrorism ?

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irfan

Jan 11, 2015 01:50am

@Key Points Ah. You are living in your own dream world, going round without political pressure, go visit the largest democracy of the world to know how political parties show their power. Have power whil prove, says Narendra Modi. Go ask him

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Jawad

Jan 11, 2015 01:52am

@Khan-Haqiqi A Sindhi gave Pakistan the constitution. PPP had multiple turns to rule including last 5 years of Zardari ----- Sindh -- ruled by PPP / What are you complaining about ? As much I agree with most of your posts --- this particular case probably has is not about Punjab. But I still agree with part of your comment about terrorists in Punjab. This ! My dear sir -- is dirty politics when a common worker suffers while leaders enjoy ( safe and sound ) --- divide and rule my brother -- learned from the best ( British )

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John

Jan 11, 2015 01:57am

Go Qaim Ali Shah go!

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Rashid

Jan 11, 2015 02:14am

It is a shame that no other leader of political parties including so called Tehreek-Insaaf will come out to condemn the extra judicial murders at the hands of police. MQM should follow the same stance if for God bid any political activist of other political party is killed in police custody.

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Rashid

Jan 11, 2015 02:18am

@Key Points rather than condemn the acts of police you are supporting their murderous activity, your thoughts should be with the families of victims.

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Awais Ali

Jan 11, 2015 02:26am

A worker has been killed we all condemn it. But why to block Karachi? When MQM will learn? 1 person killed will loss of 15 billions of business in Karachi after being blocked. Will worker be alive after that? and who will be responsible of 15 billion loss of economy? What about people being killed in target killing should they also block Karachi?

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Awais Ali

Jan 11, 2015 02:52am

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Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali

Jan 11, 2015 03:03am

I can only narrate my experience with Karachi Police during a parking spot in Aiwan-E- Sadar area near Turkish airline office. The police was extremely hostile towards my driver. The racial slurs and profanity was up to limit and the police constable had no regards, even for the driver's age. I believe this is the official attitude of Punjabi speaking police in Khachi including their officers. This is shameful. People of Karachi who contribute 80 % of the revenue for Pakistan deserve better than this.The police should remember that their families are well fed and clothed only because of Karachi.

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Mirza

Jan 11, 2015 03:09am

@Khan-Haqiqi Why are u blaming Punjab for this. This is a provincial issue.

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Nasir

Jan 11, 2015 06:28am

Sindh Government and police should be held responsible. MQM needs to follow this aggressively and make sure whoever is responsible must be punished accordingly. Otherwise, it will never stop. Also, It is about time United Nation should notice about these systematic killings of humans by the Sindh government.

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concerned_Cit

Jan 11, 2015 06:42am

"Peaceful" protest call by the MQM??? I highly doubt it will be peaceful at all.

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where2GO

Jan 11, 2015 07:05am

@MJK very true.

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Imtiaz faruqui

Jan 11, 2015 09:52am

@MJK The police in Karachi should be from Karachi and not from any where else, specially not from Punjab, the most croupt province.

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:00am

PTi can do demonstration against Govt but no attack from taliban, police, rangers and govt. But MQM pay the price for not joining govt and not have certificate of son of the soil. Sorry for Urdu Speaking / Mohajir. You guys are paying price of create Pakistan.

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:06am

@Mirza PUNJABI is a first language of Karachi police and rangers. This is a reason he blamed PUNJAB. I am from Punjab and my father was in police. And brother is also in police. They admitted many times wrong doings in Karachi and blame falsely MQM on the things they did not do it. either they follow order from establishment, Sindh Govt or Bribe.

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:07am

@Mirza I could not agree more. This is true

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:07am

@Khan-Haqiqi Not only police , rangers too

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:09am

@John another wadera will come and do same as Qaim or will do more. Urdu Speaking are paying price for building our Pakistan for us. May ALLAH bless them and take out from this situation. Separate province is only a solution for fair environment.

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saima khan niazi

Jan 11, 2015 11:11am

Separate Province can not be ignore, this is only a solution to finish stop wadera wrong doings. Urdu Speaking must rule Karachi province. Three years of Mustafa Kamal tenure was an example, Karachi was a peaceful city.

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