KARACHI: Criticising the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government in Sindh province, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar late on Thursday night accused the provincial government’s machinery for preparing ‘lists’ and conducting raids to arrest opponents, DawnNews reported.
Speaking to media representatives at the Karachi airport upon arrival from Islamabad, he accused former coalition partners PPP of adopting 1990’s politics of victimising political opponents through targeted operations.
Dr Sattar said lists are being prepared and raids are being conducted to arrest the MQM’s supporters and office bearers.
Reminiscing the 90’s era when MQM was blamed for conspiring to separate Karachi from Pakistan and naming it “Jinnahpur,” he said the name of militant group “Muhajir Republican Army” has never been heard of before.
“I am hearing the name of Muhajir Republican Army for the first time….. Khuda khair kare (God have mercy),” said the MQM leader.
“Last time when a biased operation was carried out against MQM, Jinnahpur’s name was used…..I am scared if that is the case this time around,” he added referring to the government’s revelation about presence of the alleged militant group in Karachi.
Meanwhile, MQM’s Rabita (Coordination) Committee has demanded of the prime minister, interior minister among other high officials to take notice and set free the ‘innocent’ party workers arrested in targeted operations.
In a statement issued late on Thursday night, the committee said the Sindh government was committing serious human rights violations by arresting the MQM activists without charging them of any offense.
It said that the raids, which started early on Thursday morning, continued throughout the day when provincial law enforcers kept arresting party workers from different corners of the metropolis.
Moreover, a new list carrying names of some of the key leaders of MQM, among other party office bearers, has been handed to the Rangers force to carry out raids and arrest them in Karachi.
Dr Farooq Sattar tops the list while Faisal Sabzwari along with MQM’s Karachi Tanzeemi Committee members, lawmakers belonging to both national and Sindh assemblies and sector and unit in-charges are also included. The list has names of around 800 MQM workers as well.