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KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Coordination Committee member Dr Farooq Sattar on Sunday accused the Rangers of torturing party workers imprisoned at the Karachi Central Jail.
He said he had received reports that a heavy contingent of Rangers on Friday evening “conducted an operation” at the Karachi prison – in barracks 18, 19, 24 and 25 – and took away 40 under-trial ‘MQM prisoners whose cases are pending hearing.’
“We heard they were tortured and intimidated,” he said, adding that jail administration cooperated with the Rangers.
Sattar alleged the jail’s superintendent and other officials were also present when the paramilitary personnel conducted the ‘raid.’
‘Loyalties being forcibly converted’
The senior MQM leader alleged the prisoners were being mistreated and their legal facilities under the ‘jail manual’ have been withdrawn.
Editorial: MQM in flux
“Maybe they refused to change their loyalties and are being subjected to torture,” he speculated, adding that the situation was reminiscent of the “heavy-handed tactics employed in 1992.”
“We didn't have evidence before, it was just a suspicion. But now we are sure this isn't just a conspiracy... Their loyalties are being forcibly converted, [they are told] they will be given facilities in jail and maybe the charges against them will be relaxed and they will be released soon if they agree to certain conditions,” he said.
“The cat is out of the bag.”
Read: Mustafa Kamal decimates MQM chief Altaf, announces new political party.
“We strongly condemn these actions and appeal to federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal and Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to investigate the incident and expose any wrongdoing,” he said.
“After trying to lure in our MNAs and MPAs, it appears that now the guns have turned towards the weaker sections.
“This dry cleaning process that is conducted once every few years should come to an end.”
Also read: MQM smells conspiracy, anger behind Kamal's presser.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (41) Closed
Mar 13, 2016 02:34pm
This is bad. MQM workers never ever tortured anyone.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:39pm
What an attempt to do a PR stint! Too little too late!
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Mar 13, 2016 02:39pm
Same old tactics used by this party. They need to understand time has changed now. Everyone knows what this party has been doing to this city for the last 30 odd years. The mess the Karachi is in now is because of this party. No one is going to believe you now, your time is up.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:43pm
Rangers Politics on Peak!!
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Mar 13, 2016 02:44pm
Torturing MQM workers in jails is just to change their loyalties. This act would only increase abhorrence among the people of Karachi.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:54pm
We must learn something from our dark history.A nation progress and stability is linked to justice,civilian rights,respect for minorities and good governance. Instead of handing over the local governments to the elected people of Karachi and Hyderabad,we always witness a new drama every day.It must be understood that defection under duress will be a black day for Pakistan.
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Mar 13, 2016 02:56pm
This is sheer effort to finish a popular deep rooted public party of Urban Sindh. All parties against MQM are happy and their silence against such heinous acts with the workers reflects their willingness. MQM workers have experienced such tortures in the past and will continue to do so but people of Pakistan must understand the results of such acts.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:10pm
mqm need to be the saiour of karachi..they should fight gangsters and all bad ppl..they have good human resource but instead they resorted to gangstrisme n target killing..this is not right..mqm have the right to be political party..but they need to sort their organisation..get rid of mafia style and be community based n chrity organisation..then ppl will love it across all pakistan..same like edhi foundation
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Mar 13, 2016 03:12pm
Same old claims..same old unheard response.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:18pm
Establishment/Rangers needs to understand Karachiets aren't too happy with their unfair operation & we all saw the evidence of this fact in NA246, Cantonment Board & Local Government Elections. They must change their policy in order to make this operation a successful one.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:20pm
This is Karma at its best. Pay back time.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:26pm
the reported incident need to be investigated thoroughly to prove MQM wrong; as credibility at stake.
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Mar 13, 2016 03:53pm
Establishment is not willing to heed MQM requests of sparing from unruly statements. The might is right rule prevails and continues at large. Let see how far it goes on. MQM for sure is not going anywhere and the mandate remains intact.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:04pm
Nothing productive from MQM. Same old tactics no one is listening them.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:25pm
All MQM supporters must be united in this time as if they are dispersed and disassociated from Altaf Hussain they will never ever be able to rise before the usurped forces. Muhajir identity will be burried forever.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:29pm
Desperate attempt to try to win back some support that MQM is losing after the arrival of Mustafa Kamal.
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Mar 13, 2016 04:37pm
Longlive MQM
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Mar 13, 2016 04:52pm
Now I understand why Altaf Hussain did not allowsomeone to be more prominent in the party.He brought Kamal up pretending as an excellent worker and appreciated him way off. Now the result is before the nation. The same worker is challenging and maligning Altaf Hussain. A moral lesson ...Never ever make a worker a king..that king one day will try to throw away the real king...
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Mar 13, 2016 05:03pm
Same old tactics are being done against this party.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:14pm
This policy of torture and oppression should come to an end . Surprised that the courts are silent at these human rights violations . Police and rangers have made Karachi an invaded and occupied land and they treat locals like prisoners and third class citizens .
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Mar 13, 2016 05:30pm
@Saifullah Kamal is just a name and face given to an ordinary telephone operator by Altaf Hussein . There are millions of capable and talented folks in MQM . People are everything when with MQM and they are nothing without MQM . MQM has no Waderas and businessmen , it has ordinary people as voters and as legislators , therefore there is nothing without party and MQM never gives anyone any prominent posiotion, they kerp on chaging people position so that members remain always down to earth . Nobody can expect to be a super star for ever and people come and go but the party and polict remains supreme. Voters vote for Altaf and rest are his workers .
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Mar 13, 2016 05:33pm
@MAK And you believed these liars are saying, they are just trying everything and in complete scare and confusion mode. If you do not have any answer to a problem then just blame that it is a conspiracy
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Mar 13, 2016 05:33pm
must have done something, why not ranger pick me and rest of the millions people in karachi bahi sb
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Mar 13, 2016 05:48pm
All tactics being used to conspire against MQM and its leadership. The dream of breaking MQM will remain a dream as residents of Urban Sindh has seen these conspiracies in the past. MQM was, is and will always be Urban Sindh's first choice.
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Mar 13, 2016 05:50pm
We stand with Altaf Hussian for Muhajirs rights. Long Live Altaf..Long Live Muhajirs Unity.
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Mar 13, 2016 06:00pm
Thanks Rangers for making Karachi and Pakistan peaceful
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Mar 13, 2016 06:51pm
@Emad Is Karachi really safe after 24 years of Rangers operation ?
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Mar 13, 2016 07:02pm
MQM should look their past and present anti-state activities they have been doing first. Most of Pakistani think MQM acting as they have created another country within country and they are not loyal to their motherland. Nation has not forgotten their bori ki lashoon ki siasat, killing on ethnic basis in Karachi, target killing and Jalaad khanai to torture people. MQM has lost trust.
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Mar 13, 2016 07:19pm
@Saulat Haider People of urban Sindh are always anti establishment and you can cheat and treat them like the people of goths and pinds ! We will always resist your oppression and will fight for our rights .
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Mar 13, 2016 07:21pm
This should be investigated. But who is going to investigate??
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Mar 13, 2016 08:06pm
MQM is talking about the workers who are being imprisoned , tortured and exploited for years without any trial . They are not tslking about convicted prisoners .
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Mar 13, 2016 08:07pm
Go to UN like Benazeer had gone.
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Mar 13, 2016 08:36pm
At this stage it is very important for the Urdu Speaking Community of Urban Sindh
to stay united otherwise they will be no where.
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Mar 13, 2016 09:06pm
Same old story same old song. MQM has to change its politics and work for its people and Pakistan. That is the only solution
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Mar 13, 2016 10:13pm
@Akhtar . It is a fascist outfit thriving on fear and victimhood syndrome. It has reduced Urdu speaking community into untouchables in a country where they were most respected and whose language was adopted by even those who had no links with them.
It was all done by a group of thugs who only believed in self-interest at the cost of the community and the country.
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Mar 13, 2016 10:55pm
MQM's activities need to be controlled.
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Mar 13, 2016 11:39pm
@Khan USA Dear Sir, very well presented, the logic of brotherhood and survival in a kingdom led by blinds and deaf.
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Mar 14, 2016 12:47am
@Khan USA YES. Living in Karachi feels safe again thanks to Rangers.
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Mar 14, 2016 05:09am
Mr. Sattar, please at least let these innocent angles of MQM speak for themselves! Don't be scared of the truth coming out!
Mustafa Kamal and company are now doing the same, isn't it!
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Mar 14, 2016 05:55am
This is very bad. 90's are repeated again. MQM will become more stronger in future.
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Mar 14, 2016 06:49am
@kanwarch Which political or religious party in Pakistan has done any good for the people of Pakistan ?
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