KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has called off a strike announced for Monday, as the party observed a day of mourning over the custodial death of an activist.

Party chief Altaf Hussain directed the Rabita Committee to appeal to transporters and traders to resume activity and business by 5pm this evening.

The MQM leadership earlier today announced an extension of protest till tomorrow (Monday) and called for a strike in Sindh and mourning across the country.

Party supporters gathered outside the Sindh Chief Minister House and demanded that Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah meet the families of the victims and order a probe into the killing.

Party chief Altaf Hussain gave Shah a "15-minute deadline" to express solidarity with the grieving family members.

On the chief minister’s failure to meet the deadline, MQM called off the protest and announced a strike call.

Talking to reporters outside the Chief Minister House, MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi said the party would the conduct funeral proceedings of the dead worker today, while there would be a shutter-down strike in Sindh on Monday.

Earlier, the Rabita Committee meeting had strongly condemned the “worst form of torture on party worker Faraz Alam in police custody”. Alam, a MQM party activist, had died Saturday in the Khokhrapar Police Station while under custody.

On the other hand, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon appealed to the MQM to review their strike call.

Memon assured that the MQM’s demand of a judicial probe were met, adding that the issues could be discussed through talks.

The provincial information minister also said that the Sindh government would take action against those found guilty.

Moreover, Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly Syed Khurshid Shah said that the MQM has the right to protest but they should not give strike calls.

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