KARACHI, June 15: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee on Wednesday accused Sunni Tehrik of trying to destroy the peace of metropolis and alleged that firing on MQM workers in Ranchore Line area on Tuesday afternoon was part of that plan. This was stated by coordination committee in charge Anwar Alam while addressing a press conference at Nine Zero. He was accompanied by Wasim Aftab, MPAs Aziz Bantwa and Tayyab Hashmi.

They said that Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s sector in charge Imran Pasha and other members were injured in firing. A party supporter, Sarwar, was killed in another attack which they termed a consequence of Madinatul Ilm explosion and KFC fire. Sunni Tehrik had been allegedly involved in disturbing the peace of Karachi, and the Ranchore Line incident was part of the sinister campaign, they claimed.

According to them, Imran Pasha was going for prayers when he was fired upon. He was taken to hospital where doctors described his condition improving. Another party supporter, Amjad, suffered paralysis after being hit by a bullet in the neck.

They disclosed that Arshad Hasan and Naeem Jilani of the organizing committee reached Civil Hospital where they were told that the attack on Muttahida workers was actually aimed at their lives. Eye witnesses had given statements to that effect, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement leaders claimed.

They alleged that Nadeem Mota and Danish of Sunni Tehrik were involved in murderous attack.

The Muttahida leaders said that terrorists allegedly belonging to Sunni Tehrik had wounded Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers and supporters Mohammad Arif, Abdul Rehman, and Mohammad Sarwar near Memon Masjid located in Boulton Market. Sarwar, who was hit in the neck, succumbed to his wounds on his way to hospital.

According to them, the attackers were identified as Shahid Chagha, Amir Dussol, Shahid Chandio, Shujaat Qadri, Sultan Rasheed Cheeta, Shahzad Waja, and Yusuf Kalia, and Shakeel Qadri of Sunni Tehreek.

They said that an FIR had been registered against Asif Dhaga, Danish, Javed Kaka and others belonging to Sunni Tehrik and police had arrested one of the nominees, Asif Dhaga.

The Muttahida coordination committee members said that planned and calculated attempts were being made by extremist and criminal elements to destroy the peace of Karachi and destabilize the elected Sindh government.

The motive behind such activities was to sabotage the coming local bodies elections and spread venom between different sects.

The party appealed to President Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim to take firms steps to curb this tendency. They also appealed to citizens to remain calm and avoid taking law in their hands.

The MQM leaders condoled with the family of Sarwar Shaheed and prayed for early recovery of those wounded.