KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday claimed that within a month more than 100 of its party workers had been arrested by the law enforcement agencies as the state had imposed an ‘unannounced ban’ on the political party, which enjoyed the single largest mandate of Karachi.

“It’s now a proven fact that the message is being conveyed for an alternative platform for Mohajirs of the city,” senior party leader Dr Farooq Sattar told a press conference at the party headquarters called Nine Zero.

“And this alternative platform is based on a minus-one or minus-Altaf Hussain formula and this entire exercise [arrest of workers] is actually aimed at harassing MQM workers and supporters in the city.”

The MQM offices, houses of party workers and even their workplaces were being raided, he said, adding that there was a sudden upsurge in actions against the party after ‘failure’ of all tactics to win their loyalties, he added.

“This upsurge is being witnessed since March 6. It’s also interesting that this time round those workers are being targeted for arrests who were introduced because of their clean character for different party responsibilities,” said Dr Sattar.

“The MQM deliberately introduced these new people for their educated background and crimeless record. So it’s now proved that the law enforcement agencies are not against crimes, they are in fact against the MQM to push the party against the wall in either case.”

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2016