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Rangers raid MQM HQ in Karachi, detain member of Rabita Committee
DAWN.COM | SOHAIL SHABBIR — UPDATED 2 minutes ago
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Schools, business centers and petrol stations shut down as party activists protest raid. —AP/File
KARACHI: A heavy contingent of Rangers raided Nine Zero, the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi's Azizabad neighbourhood on Wednesday morning, prompting a protest by party activists and a subsequent call for a day of "peaceful mourning" across the country.
A number of party workers including Member of MQM's Rabita Committee Amir Khan were detained during the raid. Rabita Committee is MQM's central coordination cell.
A summary of the raid and subsequent events:
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain in a telephonic address denounced the raid by Rangers on Nine Zero by saying that it is the first time that the house of a political party chief was raided.
Addressing Rangers, he remarked that Rangers have authority but they are unable to deliver justice.
Party office bearer killed: MQM
MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said a senior party office bearer, Waqas Ali Shah of the central information committee, was killed by Rangers during the raid.
Jalil said that Shah was killed in straight fire by Rangers personnel around 7:45am Wednesday morning. “Dozens of mobiles of Rangers appeared at Nine Zero around 6AM. Personnel proceeded to raid the 50 offices in our headquarters. They went to each office, went through all the files and broke telephones.”
A picture showing Waqas Ali Shah of MQM's central information committee who the party says was killed in the raid. Photo courtesy: Facebook
Additional IG Sindh police Ghulam Qadir Thebo while speaking to DawnNews said that Shah was not shot by Rangers personnel, but that the bullet fired were from a hand-held gun.
Rangers Director General (DG) Major General Bilal Akbar has said that MQM activist Shah did not die of gunfire by Rangers personnel. He added that the young man was shot with a TT pistol and the fact would become clear once the medical board's report is received.
A rangers spokesperson said no one was killed during the raid but that 'unidentified men' opened fire injuring an Express News cameraman.
Rangers personnel after breaking barricades leading to MQM headquarters cordoned off the area and searched through departments of the party's offices .They also raided adjoining houses and arrested a number of MQM activists and leaders.
Rangers personnel rummaged through MQM's Nine Zero offices and adjoining houses. -DawnNews screengrab
Speaking to media, Col Tahir called the two hour raid a "purely information-based operation" and divulged that the Khursheed Memorial Hall at Nine Zero has been sealed and will be handed over to police for further investigation
During the raid, the Rangers cut off the telephone lines at Nine Zero, disabling communication with MQM's international secretariat
Party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, who is in Islamabad, confirmed the raid to Dawn.com and said that communication with party workers at the headquarters could not be established during the raid.
Rizvi maintained that all the weapons seized by Rangers are licensed.
Rangers spokesperson Col Tahir said the raid lasted for two hours. -DawnNews screengrab
Scores of activists and party members protested the raid by Rangers by chanting slogans. Aerial firing also ensued outside Nine Zero as activists attempted to break Rangers' cordon.
MQM announced a day of peaceful protest against the search operation by Rangers and urged for transport services to be suspended throughout the day.
The incident has emerged on a day when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself is due to visit the metropolitan today.
Rangers issue details of raid
A press release was issued by Rangers soon after the raid on MQM's headquarters.
Faisal Mehmood alias Faisal Mota
It said: "Pakistan Rangers Sindh has conducted a series of targeted raids at Surrounding areas of 90 including Khursheed Memorial Hall today. During the above mentioned action following hardcore criminals have been arrested."
Ubaid K 2
Following is the Rangers press release with details of those arrested:
Journalist injured
Express News cameraman Waseem Mughal who was at Nine Zero among other media personnel has been injured due to firing.
An employee of the Express Media Group confirmed that Mughal has been shot in the arm and that his condition is stable.
‘Stolen ammunition seized’
Rangers officials say ammunition seized from Nine Zero was stolen from Nato containers. -DawnNews screengrab
According to Rangers spokerperson Colonel Tahir, ammunition stolen from Nato containers was also seized during the search operation at Nine Zero.
'Weapons kept for security purposes'
MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari.— DawnNews screengrab
Speaking to media, MQM leader Faisal Subzwari admitted that weapons were seized during the raid, but said that they were all licensed and were being kept for security in view of the threats being received from “the Taliban and other extremist elements”.
“After the Army Public School attack, even schools and colleges are now being asked to keep weapons for security. We were also told to keep weapons for our security,” he said.
MQM demands answers
Scores of protesters gathered outside Nine Zero but were not allowed to enter its premises. -DawnNews screengrab
Soon after the news of the search operation broke, MQM leaders and activists started to gather outside the headquarters but were not allowed to enter its premises.
Speaking to DawnNews, MQM prominent leader Farooq Sattar termed the raid deeply upsetting and worth investigation. He said that MQM is compliant of all laws and instead of appreciating the party’s efforts of promoting peace, it is being treated with contempt.
He demanded of the prime minister, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar and Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad to play their due roles. Sattar also warned that the situation could be a setback to the enhancement of democratic process.
Opposition stages walkout from Senate
Members of the opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate to register their protest against today’s raid on the MQM headquarters Nine Zero.
Petrol pumps, private schools shut down
Petrol pumps in several areas of Karachi were shut down soon after the raid. -DawnNews screengrab
Petrol pumps and private schools in several areas of Karachi have reportedly been shut down as activists in large numbers protested against the Rangers.
Examinations in Karachi University have also been postponed as citizens fear violence.
Business centres and gas stations Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Jamshoro and Mirpur Khas were also shut down.
Bus, rickshaw torched
A rickshaw was torched in Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of Karachi. -DawnNews screengrab
While the MQM has maintained that the protest against the Rangers raid will be peaceful, a bus has been set alight at Gulistan-i-Jauhar while a rickshaw has been torched in Karimabad.
'PML-N has no contention with MQM'
Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), has categorically stated that the ruling party has no contention with the MQM.
Addressing media persons he denied speculation that the raid on Nine Zero was carried out in retaliation to the MQM's support to the PPP during the elections of the Senate chairmen.
He said that the details of the raid would be presented in the Upper House of Parliament once they were received from Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
@A.Rafay @Ahmad1996 @airmarshal @Akheilos @Armstrong @arushbhai @AstanoshKhan @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @balixd @batmannow @Bilal. @chauvunist @Crypto @Dr. Stranglove @Evil Flare @EyanKhan @Fahad Khan 2 @GIANTsasquatch @graphican @Green Arrow @Guleen Ahmed @HRK @Jazzbot @Junaid B @Jzaib @Khalidr @khawaja07 @Leader @Luftwaffe @Marshmallow @mr42O @Muhammad Omar @nomi007 @Pak123 @Pakistani shaheens @Pakistanisage @Peaceful Civilian @pkuser2k12 @Pukhtoon @PWFI @raazh @Rafael @Rashid Mahmood @RescueRanger @Saifkhan12 @Sedqal @SHAMK9 @Spy Master @Stealth @Strike X @SUPARCO @sur @syedali73 @Tameem @TankMan @Tayyab1796 @Zarvan @waleed3601 @AdeelFaheem @Rajput_Pakistani @Men in Green @orakzai4u @IceCold @LoveIcon @razahassan1997 @Cheetah786 @Dil Pakistan @Donatello @asq @junaid hamza
I request PM NS not to support #Mqm today.. not even for Haleem, Paye or Nihari..plz #MqmIsTerroristOrganization #RangersRockedAltafShocked
DAWN.COM | SOHAIL SHABBIR — UPDATED 2 minutes ago
238 COMMENTS
PRINT
Schools, business centers and petrol stations shut down as party activists protest raid. —AP/File
KARACHI: A heavy contingent of Rangers raided Nine Zero, the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Karachi's Azizabad neighbourhood on Wednesday morning, prompting a protest by party activists and a subsequent call for a day of "peaceful mourning" across the country.
A number of party workers including Member of MQM's Rabita Committee Amir Khan were detained during the raid. Rabita Committee is MQM's central coordination cell.
A summary of the raid and subsequent events:
- MQM says office bearer killed during raid
- Cameraman injured while reporting on the scene
- Rangers say no man killed, hardened criminals arrested
- MQM announces peaceful protest
- Schools close, examinations postponed as citizens fear violence
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain in a telephonic address denounced the raid by Rangers on Nine Zero by saying that it is the first time that the house of a political party chief was raided.
Addressing Rangers, he remarked that Rangers have authority but they are unable to deliver justice.
Party office bearer killed: MQM
MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said a senior party office bearer, Waqas Ali Shah of the central information committee, was killed by Rangers during the raid.
Jalil said that Shah was killed in straight fire by Rangers personnel around 7:45am Wednesday morning. “Dozens of mobiles of Rangers appeared at Nine Zero around 6AM. Personnel proceeded to raid the 50 offices in our headquarters. They went to each office, went through all the files and broke telephones.”
A picture showing Waqas Ali Shah of MQM's central information committee who the party says was killed in the raid. Photo courtesy: Facebook
Additional IG Sindh police Ghulam Qadir Thebo while speaking to DawnNews said that Shah was not shot by Rangers personnel, but that the bullet fired were from a hand-held gun.
Rangers Director General (DG) Major General Bilal Akbar has said that MQM activist Shah did not die of gunfire by Rangers personnel. He added that the young man was shot with a TT pistol and the fact would become clear once the medical board's report is received.
A rangers spokesperson said no one was killed during the raid but that 'unidentified men' opened fire injuring an Express News cameraman.
Rangers personnel after breaking barricades leading to MQM headquarters cordoned off the area and searched through departments of the party's offices .They also raided adjoining houses and arrested a number of MQM activists and leaders.
Rangers personnel rummaged through MQM's Nine Zero offices and adjoining houses. -DawnNews screengrab
Speaking to media, Col Tahir called the two hour raid a "purely information-based operation" and divulged that the Khursheed Memorial Hall at Nine Zero has been sealed and will be handed over to police for further investigation
During the raid, the Rangers cut off the telephone lines at Nine Zero, disabling communication with MQM's international secretariat
Party leader Haider Abbas Rizvi, who is in Islamabad, confirmed the raid to Dawn.com and said that communication with party workers at the headquarters could not be established during the raid.
Rizvi maintained that all the weapons seized by Rangers are licensed.
Rangers spokesperson Col Tahir said the raid lasted for two hours. -DawnNews screengrab
Scores of activists and party members protested the raid by Rangers by chanting slogans. Aerial firing also ensued outside Nine Zero as activists attempted to break Rangers' cordon.
MQM announced a day of peaceful protest against the search operation by Rangers and urged for transport services to be suspended throughout the day.
The incident has emerged on a day when Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif himself is due to visit the metropolitan today.
Rangers issue details of raid
A press release was issued by Rangers soon after the raid on MQM's headquarters.
Faisal Mehmood alias Faisal Mota
It said: "Pakistan Rangers Sindh has conducted a series of targeted raids at Surrounding areas of 90 including Khursheed Memorial Hall today. During the above mentioned action following hardcore criminals have been arrested."
Ubaid K 2
Following is the Rangers press release with details of those arrested:
- Faisal Mota (involved in murder of Wali Khan Babur and convicted and sentenced to death by court)
- Farhan Shabbir aka Mullah
- Amir
- Nadir (convicted and sentenced 13 years)
- Ubaid K 2
Journalist injured
Express News cameraman Waseem Mughal who was at Nine Zero among other media personnel has been injured due to firing.
An employee of the Express Media Group confirmed that Mughal has been shot in the arm and that his condition is stable.
‘Stolen ammunition seized’
Rangers officials say ammunition seized from Nine Zero was stolen from Nato containers. -DawnNews screengrab
According to Rangers spokerperson Colonel Tahir, ammunition stolen from Nato containers was also seized during the search operation at Nine Zero.
'Weapons kept for security purposes'
MQM leader Faisal Sabzwari.— DawnNews screengrab
Speaking to media, MQM leader Faisal Subzwari admitted that weapons were seized during the raid, but said that they were all licensed and were being kept for security in view of the threats being received from “the Taliban and other extremist elements”.
“After the Army Public School attack, even schools and colleges are now being asked to keep weapons for security. We were also told to keep weapons for our security,” he said.
MQM demands answers
Scores of protesters gathered outside Nine Zero but were not allowed to enter its premises. -DawnNews screengrab
Soon after the news of the search operation broke, MQM leaders and activists started to gather outside the headquarters but were not allowed to enter its premises.
Speaking to DawnNews, MQM prominent leader Farooq Sattar termed the raid deeply upsetting and worth investigation. He said that MQM is compliant of all laws and instead of appreciating the party’s efforts of promoting peace, it is being treated with contempt.
He demanded of the prime minister, Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar and Governor Sindh Ishratul Ibad to play their due roles. Sattar also warned that the situation could be a setback to the enhancement of democratic process.
Opposition stages walkout from Senate
Members of the opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate to register their protest against today’s raid on the MQM headquarters Nine Zero.
Petrol pumps, private schools shut down
Petrol pumps in several areas of Karachi were shut down soon after the raid. -DawnNews screengrab
Petrol pumps and private schools in several areas of Karachi have reportedly been shut down as activists in large numbers protested against the Rangers.
Examinations in Karachi University have also been postponed as citizens fear violence.
Business centres and gas stations Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Jamshoro and Mirpur Khas were also shut down.
Bus, rickshaw torched
A rickshaw was torched in Gulistan-i-Jauhar area of Karachi. -DawnNews screengrab
While the MQM has maintained that the protest against the Rangers raid will be peaceful, a bus has been set alight at Gulistan-i-Jauhar while a rickshaw has been torched in Karimabad.
'PML-N has no contention with MQM'
Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz (PML-N), has categorically stated that the ruling party has no contention with the MQM.
Addressing media persons he denied speculation that the raid on Nine Zero was carried out in retaliation to the MQM's support to the PPP during the elections of the Senate chairmen.
He said that the details of the raid would be presented in the Upper House of Parliament once they were received from Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
@A.Rafay @Ahmad1996 @airmarshal @Akheilos @Armstrong @arushbhai @AstanoshKhan @AZADPAKISTAN2009 @balixd @batmannow @Bilal. @chauvunist @Crypto @Dr. Stranglove @Evil Flare @EyanKhan @Fahad Khan 2 @GIANTsasquatch @graphican @Green Arrow @Guleen Ahmed @HRK @Jazzbot @Junaid B @Jzaib @Khalidr @khawaja07 @Leader @Luftwaffe @Marshmallow @mr42O @Muhammad Omar @nomi007 @Pak123 @Pakistani shaheens @Pakistanisage @Peaceful Civilian @pkuser2k12 @Pukhtoon @PWFI @raazh @Rafael @Rashid Mahmood @RescueRanger @Saifkhan12 @Sedqal @SHAMK9 @Spy Master @Stealth @Strike X @SUPARCO @sur @syedali73 @Tameem @TankMan @Tayyab1796 @Zarvan @waleed3601 @AdeelFaheem @Rajput_Pakistani @Men in Green @orakzai4u @IceCold @LoveIcon @razahassan1997 @Cheetah786 @Dil Pakistan @Donatello @asq @junaid hamza
I request PM NS not to support #Mqm today.. not even for Haleem, Paye or Nihari..plz #MqmIsTerroristOrganization #RangersRockedAltafShocked
