KARACHI, June 15: The Sunni Tehrik, terming recent attack on its activists a conspiracy to sabotage peaceful atmosphere in the city, has accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement of carrying out subversive activities “to pave the way for rigging” in the forthcoming local bodies election.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday night by ST leaders, including Iftekhar Bhatti, Maulana Akram Qadri and Dr Abdul Qadeer Abbasi, said that the ST’s sector office in Ranchor Line was attacked and ransacked in the presence of police. They claimed that another office in Kabari Market was also ransacked.

They said that the Tehrik had observed hunger strike for 24 days against excesses of the provincial government. The ministers who had visited the camp, they added, had assured ST leaders that the government would take appropriate measures for peace. However, they regretted, the promises and commitments made by the ministers were broken and the ST was subjected to terrorism despite the fact that the organization was willing to hold negotiations.

The statement alleged that attacks on the offices of the ST and the subsequent raid on its headquarters were a part of the plan to keep the organization away from local bodies election. They accused the MQM of carrying out oppressive activities against its rivals in a bid to ensure its victory in the polls.

The ST leaders said that the provincial government had miserably failed in maintaining peace and protecting life of innocent people, and demanded immediate dismissal of the provincial government.

They appealed to the president, prime minister, federal interior minister to sack the provincial government and asked heads of security agencies to suspend those officers who had issued orders to besiege the ST headquarters. They also demanded registration of cases against those involved in the attacks, and withdrawal of false cases lodged against ST leaders and activists.

The statement further demanded that the ‘no-go areas’ which were being created under the patronage of the provincial government, be reopened to all forthwith.

The ST leaders warned that if any harm came to their detained party fellows, the governor and provincial government, especially the home minister, would be held responsible.