SHC seeks reply from MQM's Waseem Akhtar in Rs500m Rangers libel case

Tahir Siddiqui Published December 10, 2015

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Thursday instructed Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Wasim Akhtar to submit a reply by December 21 in a Rs500 million libel case filed by the Sindh Rangers.

Sindh Rangers had also submitted an application in the court, asking the presiding judge to issue a restraining order against the MQM leader, which would prevent him from issuing public statements against the Rangers in the future.

The restraining order has not been issued by the court yet.

Rangers have stated in the application that the "Sindh Rangers are a respected state institution, and their image was damaged by the comments made."

Read: MQM’s Wasim Akhtar booked over sedition, terror charges

The case was filed by the Judge Advocate General (JAG) branch of the paramilitary force.

Rangers had sent a legal notice to Waseem Akhtar on October 26 asking him to explain the allegations that he had levelled against the paramilitary force.

In September, Waseem Akhtar had alleged on a private TV channel that the Rangers were involved in the theft of sacrificial hides during Eidul Azha.

Waseem Akhtar was also booked under sedition and terror charges in October.

The MQM leader was booked under Sections 123-A (Condemnation of the creation of the State and advocate of abolition of its sovereignty), 124-A (Sedition) of Pakistan Penal Code and Telegraph Act and Section 7 of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997.

Pakistan

Tahir Siddiqui is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 35 years of experience covering the Sindh Assembly, Karachi City Council, and the provincial government. He can be found on X at @DawnReporterTS.

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Jazib

Dec 10, 2015 02:19pm

MQM is like a spoiled kid, needs a shut-up call every two weeks.

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Ahmad

Dec 10, 2015 02:22pm

They wili keep doing that to stay in action and people.

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Farrukh

Dec 10, 2015 02:33pm

The games have started again. Why not grow up, accept the MDM mandate, reconcile your differences and work together. The Rangers should learn that by being seen as impartial, their support amongst the general public will grow. That will allow them to exert pressure on all parties, including mqm, to clean up politics. We can then focus on improving things in Karachi as per the need of the people of Pakistan.

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jeff

Dec 10, 2015 02:43pm

Rangers are no more welcome in Sindh. You have accomplice your job in 28 years. How much it has cost to the people of Sindh.

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Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Dec 10, 2015 03:00pm

Another uncalled for attack on a nominated political party of urban sindh. Please give urban sindh their due share. Let MQM Mayor work for the betterment of urban sindh as they have done in the past. Please let us live in peace.

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Nani_Patekar

Dec 10, 2015 03:03pm

Seek reply from the whole Karachi populace! Waseem alone is not responsible for MQM's resounding victory in Karachi!

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Ahmed31

Dec 10, 2015 03:14pm

MQM cleanup starts! way to go Rangers!

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AmArif

Dec 10, 2015 03:16pm

People have given their mandate to MQM. I think Rangers should leave karachi in hands of MQM, PPP and Police. Lets see how these parties + police manage karachi without Rangers.

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BOTI

Dec 10, 2015 03:17pm

prior to nomination of Mayor. Nothing new, to be happen.

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Sajjad

Dec 10, 2015 03:21pm

@Farrukh - I dont support MQM but I accept that they have people's support and have bagged enough votes. On the contrary , wining elections does not mean going lose on breaking laws of the land. MQM should come clean from all Militant activities within party and I am sure if they do that, then they can think beyond ethnic votes.

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Faisal

Dec 10, 2015 03:27pm

Military establishment has to accept and respect MQM's mandate. Please give us, the voters, an opportunity to keep/discard MQM in the power through our votes. If you keep victimising MQM, then we will keep voting for them regardless of their performance. How hard it is to understand that?

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Attia

Dec 10, 2015 03:50pm

Mqm is part of trouble makers

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MAK

Dec 10, 2015 03:53pm

SHC seeks reply from All The Karachi People who supported MQM in LB Polls and will keep supporting them...Love for MQM!!

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AIZ

Dec 10, 2015 04:00pm

there is a difference between ranger and police. they need to understand

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Dec 10, 2015 04:15pm

This is problem in Karachi that MQM has a popular mandate to work in Karachi but rangers are unwilling to give their rights. This behavior from rangers is supported by people against MQM but it causes hatred among MQM supporters. This is like a vicious circle i.e. rangers would not give political rights to MQM and MQM supporters would not give up their support to MQM. Where is the end and when?

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Akil Akhtar

Dec 10, 2015 05:03pm

MQM is for MQM only nothing to do with the betterment of people or Karachi or Pakistan

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Citizen of Karachi

Dec 10, 2015 05:07pm

It appears PTI is not the only sore loser in the town! I wonder the amount mqm can claim in a counter suit for defaming the party!

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khan saheb

Dec 10, 2015 05:39pm

Was Karachi not a more peaceful and prosperous place 20 years back when there was no rangers RULE

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Ali Rizvi

Dec 10, 2015 05:46pm

More you victimize us, more powerful we get.

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M Jamal

Dec 10, 2015 06:11pm

It is very sad that a very important and honest leader of MQM and would be mayor of Karachi is being called in the libel case.Isn't strange that Ranger and other anti MQM had always accused that they snatch sacrificial hides on EID whereas the truth is that the entire collection is voluntarily.Would anyone believe that 80% of vote in Karachi is for MQM but the hides are for others.In fairness of things we must admit our mistake and allow Local Governments to perform for the betterment of Karachi and this country.

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Mohammad Khan USA

Dec 10, 2015 06:41pm

@Farrukh Why should Waseem give such statements ? there should be some parameters and MQM crosses those lines

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Mohammad Khan USA

Dec 10, 2015 06:43pm

@jeff though it had cost a lot but it have saved the life of hundreds of thousands

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M Jamal

Dec 10, 2015 07:02pm

Besides other baseless accusation there use to be one more accusation against MQM that they snatch sacrificial hides on EID whereas the truth is that the entire collection was voluntarily.Would anyone believe that 80% of vote in Karachi is for MQM but the hides are for others.In fairness of things we must admit our mistake and allow Local Governments to perform for the betterment of Karachi and this country.Thank you Rangers for your hard work.

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Haqiqi

Dec 10, 2015 07:31pm

MQM is always vocal on unjust from anywhere and establishment does not like as it considers itself above any accountability. MQM and its leadership does not subjugate in front of such forces and this is why every here and there powerful forces try to cripple them. People of Karachi does want freedom from such forces.

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waleed KARACHI

Dec 10, 2015 07:47pm

Establishment is really biased..

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M Jamal

Dec 10, 2015 08:05pm

@Haqiqi you are very right as other Karachites who were born and grown up in this city have the same feeling.This city has always been a thaw for those rulers who had tried to impose unjust direct rule from Islamabad except Mr Musharraf.

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ailly

Dec 10, 2015 08:18pm

why ?

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Raja

Dec 10, 2015 08:19pm

It appears establishment does not like to learn any lesson from their wrongdoing and ridiculous tactics against MQM. Recent huge mandate given by the people of Karachi to MQM is not digestible to some forces and by any lame excuses they try to undermine the mandate and involve MQM people in some insane cases.

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Liaquat Syed

Dec 10, 2015 09:39pm

@jeff How about MQM who is getting vote from KARACHI for last 30 years has it accomplished job yet. It is simple case if Waseem is saying that Ranger has stealing hides, he should have proof of it and show to court and walk as free man. Nobody should blame for getting political game.

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Sajjad

Dec 10, 2015 09:41pm

@Sab Se Pehle Pakistan - we are living in peace these days and MQM is allowed to perform their duties as per their local government mandate nobody is stopping them. But all that should be done within the boundaries of the law. Rangers is trying to bring peace and this is nothing new that MQM has been a big hindrance in keeping karachi peaceful since its formation. MQM should stay in lawful limits and should let LEAs work as per their authority. I am rangers wil not stop MQM leadership from performing Local government duties.

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optimist

Dec 11, 2015 12:28am

Qaim Ali Shah will negotiate the release of Dr. Asim and other PPP leaders in exchange for carrying on funding the rangers stay at Karachi. Meantime rangers have issued a restraining order against MQM next mayor Waseem Akhtar. This is called selective justice.

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Thrutheeyesofhistory

Dec 11, 2015 09:27am

@AmArif .The total votes MQM got is 13pc.Rest 87pc is majority.Besides Karachi is major Pakistan Port and economic hub,so forget the federal govt could leave it as it is.Karachi needs to be clean up,from all bads,you like it or not. At the moment your priority should be about Mayor powers and LG rights,which you are missing ,go and claim your powers & rights from Sindh Govt first.

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