Many MQM lawmakers go into hiding as noose tightens

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Many MQM lawmakers go into hiding as noose tightens
Altaf Hussain

Islamabad - Case registered against 24 party activists and 150 unidentified people for listening to an allegedly offensive speech by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

By Afzal Khan

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Published: Wed 22 Jul 2015, 3:25 PM

Fear of arrest has restricted the movement of at least five Members National Assembly (MNAs) of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to Karachi. These lawmakers will not be able to attend the upcoming session of the assembly, a senior party leader said in Karachi.
Abdul Rasheed Godail, the MQM's deputy parliamentary leader in the assembly, told Dawn on phone from an unspecified location that he and four other MQM MNAs - parliamentary leader of the party in the NA Dr Farooq Sattar, Salman Mujahid Baloch, Mohammed Rehan Hashmi and Kishwar Zahra - had gone underground.
These five MNAs were among 24 party activists and 150 unidentified people against whom a case has been registered with the Gadap Town police station for listening to an allegedly offensive speech by MQM chief Altaf Hussain.
According to a video circulating on social media, Altaf accused Sindh Rangers chief of violating the army's code of conduct. Altaf said the Mohajirs are being subject to genocide. He vowed to sacrifice his life for protecting the rights of the Mohajirs.
"Knowing that our warrants of arrest have been issued, we can neither travel to Islamabad to attend the upcoming NA session, nor move to other parts of Sindh. We have gone underground to avoid the arrest," Godail said.
Qamar Mansoor, a member of the MQM's Rabita Committee, has been taken into custody for organising and facilitating 'hate speech against peace in Karachi' and currently on transit remand with Rangers.
news@khaleejtimes.com


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