KARACHI: The Rangers on Monday apprised an anti-terrorism court that suspect Abdul Rafiq – Muttahida Qaumi Movement's in-charge of the Mehmoodabad sector – would be held in preventive detention for a period of 90 days.

Rafiq, who the Rangers claimed not only ran a team of ‘hit men’ but was also involved in the May 12, 2007 carnage in the city, will be interrogated during his detention.

On May 12, 2007, over 45 people were killed and dozens wounded when the MQM held a rally the day then deposed Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry landed at Karachi airport to address the Karachi Bar Association.

Also read: Rangers arrest MQM worker for May 12 carnage

Personnel of the paramilitary forces along with their legal team produced Rafiq alias Kaiyan in the chamber of the judge of ATC-IIl today with a detention order and a jail warrant.

They informed the judge that the suspect was picked up during a targeted operation in Karachi's Mehmoodabad area. The legal team added that they had credible information about Rafiq's involvement in the May 12 violence and other terrorism-related activities.

The Rangers' legal team further said that the suspect was placed under preventive detention for three months under Section 11EEEE (1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for further questioning and he was being shifted to a special detention centre set up in the Karachi central prison.

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In compliance with Section 11EEEE (3), the suspect was produced with relevant documents for the information of the court, they added.

MQM has been under immense pressure recently with law enforcers charging the party of major criminal offences.

A Rangers’ report submitted in the Sindh High Court also held the MQM responsible behind the Baldia fire tragedy that claimed the lives of at least 258 factory workers. The report was based on information collected from an alleged MQM worker, Rizwan Qureshi, in 2013.

The MQM has denied the Rangers' Baldia fire report and also denied involvement in the May 12 carnage. The charges have been termed a 'conspiracy' against the party.

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