KARACHI, Jan 27: A delegation of five women activists of Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-H), on Monday met the provincial Home Minister, Syed Sardar Ahmad at the assembly building after staging a protest demonstration outside it. The protesters were led by the mother of party’s chairman, Afaq Ahmed.

During the 15-minute meeting, the women conveyed their concern over the large scale crackdown on MQM-H leaders, workers and supporters. Members of the delegation included, two of Afaq Ahmed’s cousins, Aqeela Khan and Shama, wives of Amir Khan and Younus Khan. The latter is the lone MPA of the party and presently in police custody.

After the meting, the women told newsmen that the minister had assured them that he would look into the matter. They expressed their satisfaction over the minister’s promise that no innocent person would be arrested and the position of the leaders already taken into custody under the MPO would become clear within a week.

Earlier, two vehicles carrying women supporters of the MQM-H arrived near the assembly building at about 1.30pm. Most of the women were residents of Landhi. They tried to proceed to the main gate of the building but police personnel posted there did not allow them to go ahead.

The women blocked part of a road leading to the assembly building from Sindh Secretariat side causing traffic jam and insisted on permission to enter into the assembly building.

After one hour of blockade, some of the women holding batons in their hands forced their way into the restricted area breaking police cordon.

On reaching close to the building’s main gate, some MPAs belonging to the PPP and MMA received them to listen to their grievances. The legislators supported their contention that the women should have been given a respectable treatment.

After a while, the PPP Sindh chief, Nisar Khuhro, and the provincial Home Minister, Syed Sardar Ahmed, emerged from the building and directed the police to go back to their positions. They also urge the women protesters to respect the law and asked them send a representative team into the building for a meeting.

Both the leaders were asked to inquire into the happenings outside the building and ensure that no untoward incident took place. He issued the directives on a point of order raised by some PPP who lamented that police were manhandling the women brutally.—PPI