MQM-London activists clash with law enforcers in Karachi, Hyderabad

The  Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London activists and supporters clashed with city’s law-enforcement agencies on Friday.

The law enforcers resorted to baton-charge to restrain MQM workers from hoisting the party flags at the Shaheed Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk, formerly known as Mukka Chowk, and the Shuhada Qabristan in Azizabad.

Moreover, two activists associated with the All Pakistan Mohajir Students Organisation were taken into custody, Sathi Ishaque, who unofficially heads the information department of the MQM-L, told The News.

He said that though the authorities had assured him that the arrested activists would be released, they were still in custody.

MQM-L leader Wasay Jalil, speaking from London, condemned the alleged highhandedness of the law-enforcement agencies and said the activists only wanted to offer Fateha at Shuhada Qabristan like they did every year as it was the death anniversary of the party founder Altaf Hussain’s brother and nephew, who were murdered in 1995.

He added that Hussain in his audio clips for party activists and the administration had clearly mentioned that it was not a political event but a religious ritual and directed his followers to remain peaceful.

“The event had nothing to do with politics but the administration and LEAs sealed off the area around MQM headquarters, Nine-Zero,” he said.

“But the massive rally has proved that Karachi still belongs to Altaf, who is an ideologue and cannot be changed by force.”

Jalil said there was only one MQM, whose leader was Hussain, and any conspiracy to divide the party would not be successful.

“The administration must review its decision. Alienating people from Altaf using brute force would have its repercussions.”

Jalil also demanded that the authorities concerned should immediately release the two detained MQM activists.

Law enforcers and the activists clashed when women and elderly participants of the rally tried to hoist party flags and banners at Shaheed Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk and Rangers tied to prevent them from doing so.

The LEAs then baton charged the participants of the rally and also used tear gas to disperse them. The activists then staged a sit-in on the road from Ayesha Manzil to Yadgaar-e-Shuhada, causing a traffic jam during rush hours.

Rangers official Brigadier Naseem, who was present at the site, said the participants of the rally had organised Quran Khawani on the roadside, creating problems for citizens.

“We will not allow them to use the Holy Quran for political purposes. We are trying to maintain peace and will not allow people to rebel,” he added.

There were no MQM-London leaders present there to pacify the emotionally-charged activists. An ambulance was also stuck in the traffic jam caused by the events.

Shaheed Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk, earlier called Mukka Chowk, holds a symbolic significance for the MQM.

The participants of the rally including women and children gathered at the roundabout and chanted slogans in favour of MQM founder Altaf Hussain.

The area echoed with same old slogans that were heard when Hussain’s speeches were banned and consequently the MQM split, one faction led by Dr Farooq Sattar and the other by the leadership in London.

On October 22, Rangers had rounded up MQM-L leaders outside the Karachi Press Club after which the party’s political activities in the city had apparently come to a halt.

On the same day, MQM-L leaders Wasay Jalil, Mustafa Azizabadi and Nadeem Nusrat had expelled Sattar, on whose name the party was registered, accusing him of treason as he had deviated from the party founder’s stance.

The MQM-Pakistan had isolated itself from the London leadership on September 20 after the party’s founder had delivered an anti-State speech on August 23 and instigated activists and supporters to attack the media offices in the city.

Agencies add: Activists of MQM-London and MQM-Pakistan clashed at the Paka-Qila in Hyderabad on Friday, on the occasion of Yaum-e-Shuhada.

There was aerial firing while large contingents of police and Rangers surrounded the Qila ground and 35 activists were arrested.

The law enforcement agencies prevented the showdown between the supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan and MQM London when the two sides gathered on Pukka Qila ground here on Friday to observe the martyrs day.

According to the police, eight persons were arrested while tear gas shells were also fired to disperse the crowds.

The police said the MQM Pakistan workers were holding an event to recite the holy book on the ground when the MQM London’s supporters tried to enter the same place.

The police said they tried to prevent the two sides from gathering on the same ground in order to avoid a clash.

Dozens of policemen and Rangers mobiles reached the spot after which the MQM London supporters dispersed.

The police said the detained persons had not been nominated in FIR so far.

As per schedule of the call given by MQM-London and Pakistan to observe the Yaum-e-Shahuda separately on Friday, when the activists of both parties came face to face, they started chanting abusive slogans against each other and carried  out aerial firing, while the law enforcing agencies surrounded the Pakka Qila, carried out tear gas shelling and baton charged the workers.

According to MQM-P worker Imran Ahmed, the activists of MQM-London had a fight with police when  it didn’t allow the women workers of their party to enter the ground for Quran Khawani, upon which their workers became angry and started a fight with police.

The police have arrested 35 candidates of MQM-London. The Rangers arrived and the problem was resolved.

According to police spokesman, there was a high possibility of clash between the workers, so strict arrangements have been done, till now there hasn’t been any unwanted incident, a small clash between the workers but things are under control, while there have been some arrests.