MQM submits letter to UN chief over alleged mistreatment of activists

E-Paper | June 13, 2026

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has submitted a letter to United Nations (UN) Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, claiming excesses committed by the para-military Rangers in their ongoing security operation in Karachi.

The letter was submitted yesterday by MQM's International Secretariat, and was undersigned by the party's Head of International Relations.

Read: Court allows MQM's Qamar Mansoor to receive treatment

The party in its letter sent to the UN, alleges that their workers are being mistreated during the current security operation being conducted in Karachi, and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are unlawfully detaining their activists.

The letter specifically mentions the raid conducted on MQM's headquarters on the night of July 17, and the subsequent arrest of Qamar Mansoor, a member of the party's Rabita Committee.

MQM has further elaborated in their letter that the court had allowed Mansoor to get treatment in a private hospital, after an application was submitted in this regard.

Although the court had allowed treatment in the case, Rangers later denied it citing security reasons. The para-military force had earlier claimed during a court hearing that treatment was being provided to Mansoor in his special cell.

12 MQM activists declared proclaimed absconders

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday declared 12 activists of MQM as proclaimed absconders in the murder case of Jail Superintendent Amanullah Niazi.

The development comes after Ubaid alias K2 identified the 12 activists as those involved in the murder during a hearing at ATC.

Those accused in the case include Nouman alias Nomi. Sajid and Muzammil.

Niazi was murdered in 2005 along with his companions.

Also read: Rangers detain Muttahida leader Qamar Mansoor for three months

Qamar Mansoor and Rabita Committee in-charge Kaiful Warah were detained by the Rangers in a pre-dawn raid on the party's Nine-Zero headquarters earlier this month.

The two were apprehended for "arranging and facilitating" what Director-General Sindh Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar called "hate speeches against peace of Karachi”.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

11 arrested in Karachi for slogans, flags supporting MQM founder Altaf Hussain

MQM-P delegation calls on PM Shehbaz ahead of budget; party leader says Rs20bn allocation sought for Karachi projects

CM Murad approaches PM Shehbaz for restoration of curtailed water supplies

sahil

Jul 31, 2015 05:24pm

one things is sure, since operation the Karachi is more peaceful so reality speak allot louder than so called letters full of stupidities.

Recommend 0

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Jul 31, 2015 05:28pm

When no one is listening to their grievances they have the right to reach out to UN and all legal forums. At least a hundered times they have pointed out here, here and here are huge injustice going on with examples but no one in power listens to their genuine requests. There should be zero tolerance for crime. If there is a criminal element catch him regardless of his affiliation but follow the due process of law. Everyone has the right to a fair trial and is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

Recommend 0

warsi

Jul 31, 2015 05:47pm

I absolutely endorse the concept of informing United Nations and all such quarters where one can seek justice from if our own government fails to provide relief to its citizens. Today world has shrunk and is considered global village. Anything happens in one part of the world news travels faster than our imagination. LEA and government of Pakistan or Sindh need to understand it is very hard to get away with human rights violations. Criminals need to be taken to task across the board but for god sake don't become target killers of one Mohajir Nation.

Recommend 0

joe

Jul 31, 2015 05:49pm

I really don't get it .What MQM is complaining about?Whoever is caught , has been involved in illegal activities basically they are criminals.They dont want criminals to be arrested .Stop being cry baby

Recommend 0

Karachi walay

Jul 31, 2015 05:50pm

We support Rangers.

Recommend 0

Faith

Jul 31, 2015 05:55pm

Now they need UN help...what about when they were disturbing karachi

Recommend 0

Naxalite

Jul 31, 2015 06:00pm

MQM is just creating more problems for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

anti mqm

Jul 31, 2015 06:01pm

Simple solution, just cooperate with the Rangers to eliminate crimes and criminals

Recommend 0

Naxalite

Jul 31, 2015 06:02pm

I hope UN asks MQM the reason for getting such (so-called) mistreatment.

Recommend 0

Big Brother

Jul 31, 2015 06:05pm

Stop biased operation immediately.

Recommend 0

Rabz

Jul 31, 2015 06:23pm

Pakistan is better without mqm

Recommend 0

Salim Khan

Jul 31, 2015 06:24pm

Most countries in the world are asking why like Osama, even Mullah Omar was found in Pakistan. Every country accepts US statement that Mullah Omar died in Karachi. This along with MQM activities against Pakistan in the west like UK, USA etc are adding to the pressure on our country's image.

Recommend 0

Abdul

Jul 31, 2015 06:40pm

In every civil society court orders are respected. Rangers actions are beyond their jurisdictions.

Recommend 0

zain

Jul 31, 2015 06:44pm

@sahil Sahil what is so stupid is your claim that all the trouble was due to MQM. The MQM is an elected party like it or loath it. You must understand that there are several terrorist groups in Karachi along with criminals from Southern Punjab, Waziristan etc, as everyone sees Karachi as a money making city and yet the beneficiaries continue to blame the Karachiites and its supported party namely MQM.

Recommend 0

zain

Jul 31, 2015 06:50pm

The trouble had started when Insaaf was denied by law enforcement agencies. Some people support Rangers as if to say they are all angels, what about the innocent people who have been missing and extra judicially killed in custody of Rangers and police, remember it takes two hands to clap.

Recommend 0

Jul 31, 2015 06:55pm

FATA people are suffering more than any onelse.The are the one who fulfilled the criteria to write a letter to UN for atrocities being committed against them.For more then seven years they are still IDPs.

Recommend 0

VoiceOfReason

Jul 31, 2015 07:03pm

@sahil or perhaps its because anti MQM elements who were responsible for disturbance in karachi are now quiet as MQM is now being targeted. People of karachi support MQM for good reasons as over the years they have seen they do a good job for the locals irrespective of cast and on the contrary they see criminals invading the city and desecrating it and using it as a foreign land to loot.

Recommend 0

Syed Ali

Jul 31, 2015 07:29pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan When you buy a box of mangoes; you open the box and throw out the rotten one, not the whole box. Over and over MQM was elected they must be doing some good.

Recommend 0

Syed Ali

Jul 31, 2015 07:33pm

@joe Agree with you; start with the list of NAB; otherwise, this whole operation is geared to hurt only one party MQM.

Recommend 0

mirza

Jul 31, 2015 07:47pm

Wish MQM had done what they stood for rather than engaging in unacceptable activities. The party was formed to do away with Quota System, to address the injustice done to Muhaijirs in jobs, education and civil rights. Did they ever do anything to hilight these issues. Never. Now they are going to UN. What a shame.

Recommend 0

mirza

Jul 31, 2015 07:49pm

@Abdul I am a steadfast supporter of MQM and will always vote for them but they deserve all this. I wish you knew about Ghoris wealth in US. Rauf siddiqui is another looter

Recommend 0

Shahid USA

Jul 31, 2015 07:55pm

Please submit the report what you have done to Karachi

Recommend 0

Mustafa

Jul 31, 2015 07:56pm

. The perception of selective justice would be mitigated as the operation proceeds.

Recommend 0

FAIRVIEW

Jul 31, 2015 07:59pm

@joe How can you say "whoever is caught has been actively engaged in criminal avtivities" unless it is proven in a court of law.

Recommend 0

Mustafa

Jul 31, 2015 08:02pm

@Big Brother; 'Stop biased operation immediately.' Stop the bias not the operation. MQM should help the operation get to the other parts of the country, especially to where MQM claims criminals and murderers come from. Didn't they get Malik Ishaq?

Recommend 0

Shafaat

Jul 31, 2015 08:04pm

@mirza not only these two but every leader in MQM has wealth and they call themselves middle class?

Recommend 0

Khan

Jul 31, 2015 08:09pm

If MQM has any issue, they must present resolution in National Assembly or Senate (they are part of both houses)

Recommend 0

Shah, Canada

Jul 31, 2015 08:13pm

Since rangers operation, Karachi has become peaceful. Rangers should step up the operations against killers. PPP govt is main hurdle. A martial law or governor rule may be the solution to deal with criminals(confessed at times). UN has no jurisdiction on Karachi policing affairs.

Recommend 0

LETJUSTICEPREVAIL

Jul 31, 2015 08:18pm

@Rabz Was Pakistan better in 1971 ? If your answer is yes, then how you lost your Eastern Wing. For refreshing your memory, there was no MQM at that time.

Recommend 0

Concerned Pakistani

Jul 31, 2015 08:52pm

Doing injustice will only increase unrest. Be fair and take the strictly due course of law without being lenient or bias.

Recommend 0

Shahzad

Jul 31, 2015 08:54pm

I was born in Karachi and visit Karachi almost every year. I was in Karachi from April to June this year to0. What I observed is that, MQM is very popular amongst vast majority of Karachiets, who cite that MQM is the only party that worked for ordinary people of Karachi, go out of their way to help needy, and has interest of people. Even though perception has developed that present Ranger's operation has reduce crime in city, perception is also increasing that operation is biased and discriminatory (similar to 90s operation though with less intensity). Even though operation in Karachi is making MQM more popular and stronger, it is also creating alienation and mistrust towards armed forces (something very sad). Feeling of being a second class citizen was always there, but anger was towards government, some political parties, police and bureaucracies, but I think mistrust towards armed forces is neither healthy nor good for Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Ayesha Qureshi

Jul 31, 2015 09:08pm

@mirza u r right we voted MQM on the basis of Quota System, to address the injustice done to Muhaijirs in jobs, education and civil rights. Did they ever do anything to high light these issues. Never. I regret to ask with my heart pls open your eyes do not work suriki subha, election in Kashmir, Karachi senate ticket to non- karachi, than now Muhajir is supporting rangers to get clean up your Askri wing, we do not want killing, Batha, Pirchi, work for justice, law and order,Quota system, education electricity. This your job going UN will not solve your problem, talk rangers, stop china cutting, clean all Park in Karachi which has been occupied by party work. Wish MQM had done what they stood for rather than engaging in unacceptable activities. The party was

Recommend 0

Shoaib Khan

Jul 31, 2015 09:08pm

in case of deseating PTI members they are following Pakistan laws while in their own case they are involving UN, khula tizad

Recommend 0

Danish Anjum

Jul 31, 2015 09:29pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan You don't follow the process when there is no system. And there is no time to fix the system. So that's why... Keep it up Rangers!

Recommend 0

Silent Observer

Jul 31, 2015 09:49pm

If it isn't hurting then it isn't working. Ranger's have the MQM trouble-makers running all over the place. Good work Rangers.

Recommend 0

Em Moosa

Jul 31, 2015 09:52pm

@Shah, Canada May be you do not know the charter of UN. Any body can take his grievances to them. Their secretary general is the prime minister of the whole world. Why there is representation of all countries in UN? First try to understand it then comment.

Recommend 0

Citizen of Karachi

Jul 31, 2015 10:01pm

Before the rangers chief or a spokesman goes to press castigating mqm's approach to UN, they need to respond why they pulled back from action against the PPP bigwigs who were given a 'safe passage' out of the country. Why we overwhelmingly see news reports against mqm only. They tried the same tactics against Awami League instead of going after the roots of the grievances. Catch all criminals without exception be it mqm, PPP, PTI, PML. U lose (read lost) ur credibility the day u became selective against mqm.

Recommend 0

madrasaproduct

Jul 31, 2015 11:02pm

UN should order plebiscite so that mohajirs can have their own province.

Recommend 0

Pakistani-Sindhi

Aug 01, 2015 12:24am

@Abdul Rangers' actions became acceptable when the target-killings, violence, terrorism, extortion and daylight burning of lawyers became the common part of daily life. So no, Rangers' actions are within the jurisdiction and as per assigned by the government of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Pakistani-Sindhi

Aug 01, 2015 12:28am

@zain So you mean to say that all the law-enforcement agencies are wrong? And some people go against the Rangers' operation as if they are all the wrong all throughout since the operation began. Your baseless terms of 'missing' and 'extrajudicial killing' are worth clapping though :-)

Recommend 0

Free Speech

Aug 01, 2015 12:50am

Another Bangladesh in making

Recommend 0

FAIRVIEW

Aug 01, 2015 01:49am

@mirza Did any political party (PMLN, PPP, ANP, and JI) ever achieved anything good for Pakistan ? None of the above mentioned political parties voiced their concerns on the issues of common people.

Recommend 0

kanwarch

Aug 01, 2015 01:51am

@warsi There is no mohajir, Pu jabi, Sindhi or Baluchi nation. We are all Pakistani and there is only one nation. My parents migrated to Pakistan but I am not a mohajir but Pakistani. Stop exploiting the ethnic and religious card. All criminals should and will be eliminated.

Recommend 0

on looker

Aug 01, 2015 01:53am

MQM when under pressure starts playing mohair card - it will not work this time round.

Recommend 0

kanwarch

Aug 01, 2015 01:54am

@Syed Ali No only criminals and criminality is being targeted. Unfortunately there are many criminals in MQM.

Recommend 0

Hasan

Aug 01, 2015 01:56am

Dear MQM, please also release to press all your 'letters' written to India and UK in the past.

Recommend 0

hate_criminals

Aug 01, 2015 02:07am

One thing is for sure that the crimes rate has dropped significantly after these operations and raids. What is Muhajir nation? Why the hell they are still calling people Muhajirs after 68 years since the independence. There are no muhajirs in Pakistan. Yes there are Punjabi, Sindhis, Urdu Speaking, Pasthun, Balochis and many other groups/etnicities but NO Muhajirs. So STOP labeling us for your political gains!!!

Recommend 0

Shahzad

Aug 01, 2015 02:56am

@sahil Once operation started, criminals from all over Pakistan stopped coming to Karachi, hence some peace returned. Return of peace does not mean criminals shattering the peace were from Karachi or MQM. Fact is that, MQM has two parts, one consists of office bearers and workers, other consists of voters and supporters. Unlike most other political parties of Pakistan, connection between office bearers, workers, voters and supporters of MQM are closely connected (as party is from ordinary local people), thus all know each other and what others are doing. So if MQM was really a party of criminals, killers and corrupts than no one would have voted them, but Karachi overwhelmingly vote them and trust them. Military operation and propaganda could not change that. Any free and fair election and most likely, MQM would increase their votes as well as seats from Karachi, that is likely to spread throughout Sindh and later Pakistan.

Recommend 0

azi

Aug 01, 2015 04:11am

There is no muhajir here Altaf Bhai we are all pakistanis. All Mohajirs went to London and Dubai....Therefore please stop writing your silly letters...you are helpless as we were under your gyn trotting mafias.

Recommend 0

azi

Aug 01, 2015 04:19am

@zain ...obviously Rangers didn't take you , they are after the criminals and we fully support them.

Recommend 0

Ghaznavi

Aug 01, 2015 04:22am

@Shahzad I too visit Karachi annually and witness completely different public opinion regarding the MQM. I think PTI must focus on Karachi and fill up the void.

Recommend 0

KeyPoints

Aug 01, 2015 05:04am

@hate_criminals You are right. After 68 years, they are all one, pakistani citizens. They have different ethenic and liguistic background, but no moe mohajir. If there are five chidren born in Karchi today to five ethenic families (punjabi, baluchi, pthan, sidhi and urdu speaking parent, would you call four pakistani, and one mohajir? Why they call someone mohajir, just because his grand parents participated in struggle for creation of Pakistan 68 years ago, sacrificed it all and moved to his beloved independent country, as a proud Pakistani?. We are all proud Pakistanis, regardless of language or ethenic background. All should accept each other as fellow countrymen, and not to discriminate because of their heritage. Long live Pakistan.

Recommend 0

kalimuddin.amin

Aug 01, 2015 05:16am

Shame on MQM for going to UN. Can't resolve problems at home. Same is true for the people who went to UN for Benazir's death inquery.

Recommend 0

Ridwan

Aug 01, 2015 05:23am

When will pakistanis learn that UN has no power or authority? It seems we always run to the UN for our problems, and never realize that they do nothing at all for us.

Recommend 0

Ridwan

Aug 01, 2015 05:25am

@zain You act like mqm is just another political party, and not one with its own militants who kill and extort money.

Recommend 0

Love karachi

Aug 01, 2015 05:56am

@Shahzad if this what you think is the reason of peace in karachi. Then I'll support Rangers 100% to continue the karachi operation...

Recommend 0

Shahzad

Aug 01, 2015 06:24am

@Ghaznavi I do not know which part of Karachi you went to and whom you talked with? Karachi has large number of people who moved to Karachi from other parts of country to grab available jobs, mostly at the expense of locals. Most of these people hate MQM and never voted MQM. So, if you talk to them, you will obviously get the impression you mentioned. Anyhow, if you want to find real feelings of Karachi, you have to talk to people who are permanent residents of Karachi. These people are living in Karachi with their extended family since last 70 odd years, and have no place to go outside Karachi neither have plan to ever leave Karachi. They are majority in city and are also majority of those who can vote in Karachi. I was talking about them. They mostly vote MQM and it is they who have power (of votes) to change representation from Karachi. As for PTI, I found that they have not done any mentionable work for people of Karachi, so what PTI can expect from Karachi? … Muft kee roti?

Recommend 0

Bharat Kumar

Aug 01, 2015 06:43am

Pakistan government should be held responsible for mistreating ethnic minorities.

Recommend 0

kaliraja.t

Aug 01, 2015 09:31am

@Naxalite Pakistan must talk to all sections of people.Unity of people must be cornerstone of any society.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Why SQD-Mini LED is the display breakthrough we’ve been waiting for?

The display industry is entering a new phase, where reducing trade-offs is as important as pushing performance limits.

The Palms at Silk Gardens introduces a new family address in Karachi

The Palms places families at the heart of its vision, offering thoughtfully planned 2 and 3-bedroom units in a secure, peaceful and community-led environment.