Recent Appearances...

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Recent Appearances...

India-Pakistan

Zardari gets elected as president for historic second time with overwhelming majority

2024-03-10

[GEO.TV] Same old crap, same old crooks.Pakistain Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman >Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
Asif Ali <q>Ten Percent</q> Zardari

...former president of Pakistain, husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in...
, the joint candidate of the ruling ~~mob~~ alliance, was elected as the country’s president for the second time after he defeated PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council
...an Islamist(aren't they all in Pakistain?) political party which claims to represent the Barelvi school of Sunni Islam. Member parties of the Sunni Ittehad Council includes the Aalmi Tanzeem Ahle Sunnat of Pir Afzal Qadri (of Gujrat) and Jamiat Ulema e Pakistan - Sawad e Azam of Sayyid Mahfooz Shah Sahib Mashadi...
(SIC) nominee Mahmood Khan Achakzai with a huge margin.

Zardari Saturday secured 411 electoral votes in parliament and all four provincial assemblies with the backing of allied parties — mainly Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
-Pakistain (MQM-P).

Ackakzai bagged 181 votes as he was only able to secure the majority of votes in the PTI-backed SIC-dominated Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly.

Prominent politicians who cast ballots in the National Assembly include former premier Nawaz Sharif
...served ~~two~~ three non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf, then by the courts...
, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Zardari, MQM-P’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar. PTI leaders Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, Asad Qaiser, and Achakzai among others also voted in the presidential election.

To ensure democratic traditions, Zardari also met his rival candidate Achakzai in the House.

Chief Justice of Pakistain (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa will administer an oath to President-elect Zardari at 4pm today (Sunday) at the President House.

As many as 381 politicians out of 398 cast ballots in both houses of parliament, while 17 politicians belonging to Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam
...the political wing of the Pak Taliban...
-Fazl (JUI-F), Jamat-e-Islami (JI), PTI, and Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) did not cast vote in the presidential election due to different reasons.

The JUI-F,JI and GDA had announced a boycott of the presidential elections, while PTI senators — Shibli Faraz, Ijaz Chaudhry and Azam Swati — also did not participate in the voting.

Likewise, in the three provincial assemblies — Sindh, Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
, and KP — Zardari obtained a majority of votes while Ackakzai was only able to win the majority vote in the KP Assembly.

Link

India-Pakistan

Wheeling and dealing

2023-01-13

[Dawn] It appears that promises made by ex-COAS to withdraw military from politics have not been fulfilled

Whenever general elections draw close, the nation’s ’electables’ and ’influentials’ begin a frantic search for political platforms which they can attach themselves to, to ensure they get a share of power. And often the invisible hands that play an oversized role in managing Pakistain’s politics are at work ’guiding’ these political nomads towards what are likely to be winning tickets.

Though no schedule for the polls has been announced, these activities have begun in Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
, as well as in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
and south Punjab, as electables size up their prospects, and the establishment continues its efforts to mould outcomes.

In Balochistan, an unlikely candidate in the shape of former chief minister Aslam Raisani recently joined the JUI-F, even though the Baloch sardar has little in common with the ideology of Maulana Fazlur Rehman
...Deobandi holy man, known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty...
’s party. Earlier, other Baloch notables also joined the JUI-F. Meanwhile,
...back at the palazzo, Don Smilzo looked for an avenue of escape. The only window opened a hundred feet above the moat. The nearest of the hired assassins hold a bloody axe.
The window was looking better all the time....
a number of provincial politicians of BAP, which runs Balochistan, have jumped ship and joined the PPP under Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
Asif Ali <q>Ten Percent</q> Zardari

...former president of Pakistain, husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in...
’s watchful eye. BAP itself is believed to be an artificial construct, created in 2018 by the powers that be to rule Balochistan.

Over in Karachi, efforts continue under the Sindh governor’s tutelage to unite the different factions of the MQM, namely Bahadurabad, PSP and the Farooq Sattar group, though the pro-Altaf London faction is likely to be left out of this formula. The wheeling and dealing in Karachi is also believed to have the blessings of the gentlemen in Rawalpindi.

In south Punjab, electables are reportedly waiting for a signal from higher powers to make their move.

The fact that political engineering continues was highlighted recently by Imran Khan
...aka The Great Khan, who ain't the sharpest bulb on the national tree...
, when the PTI leader made specific mention of the BAP and MQM developments.

It appears that promises made by the former army chief to withdraw the military from politics have not been fulfilled. To assume that the establishment would totally withdraw from the political game it has dominated for decades was naïve, but there should at least be some effort to disengage and let civilian politicians sort out matters. Yet it is also sadly true that many politicians themselves are to blame for looking to GHQ for ’guidance.’

In Balochistan’s case, the establishment’s involvement has retarded political evolution in the province, adding to the people’s alienation with the state. The electables that are herded together to run Balochistan have repeatedly failed to solve the province’s myriad problems, leaving the common voter disillusioned with the system.

Only by allowing the organic growth of the political system in Balochistan can stability come to this troubled province, and the healing process begin in earnest. This also rings true for Karachi and the rest of Pakistain. Instead of manufacturing alliances, let all stakeholders — primarily the political class and the military — work to strengthen grassroots democracy.

Link

India-Pakistan

CTD summons two MQM leaders over ‘India-linked’ arrested ‘party affiliates’

2021-06-05

[PUBLISH.TWITTER]

#CTD summons two #MQM leaders over ‘#India-linked’ arrested ‘party #affiliates’#DIG Omar Shahid says #CTD team serves #notices to #FarooqSattar, #Anees Advocate to appear before #investigators https://t.co/HpHv7Wse8A
— Daily Times (@dailytimespak) June 4, 2021

Sindh Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on Friday summoned two senior MQM leaders in relation to the recent arrested three ’India-linked’ party affiliates, according to CTD Deputy Inspector General of Police Omar Shahid Hamid.

The department’s team served the notice at the house of Dr Farooq Sattar and summoned him on Saturday to appear before the Sherlocks in case no 54/2021 registered at the CTD Civil Lines Police Station. According to the notice, the arrested MQM affiliates had told the Sherlocks that they got affiliation with India’s RAW
... India's Research and Analysis Wing, Pakistain's equivalent of the Boogie Man...
agency with Sattar’s assistance.

Omar Shahid said that Anees Advocate, another party leader, had also been summoned for questioning about his role in ’terrorist’ incidents in Hyderabad. Earlier on May 28, 2021, the CTD had exposed what is called a ’big terrorism network’ of MQM formed in Sindh by arresting three alleged holy warriors belonging to Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
and Hyderabad.

With the assistance of a federal intelligence agency, the CTD had arrested Naeem Ahmed, Imran Ahmed and RAW-trained Aleemuddin from near Landhi Railway Station and recovered arms, ammunition and hand grenades from their possession, it said.

Accused Naeem, on the instructions of party’s high command from abroad, had formed the six-member gang, for killing opponents and for terrorist activities. He was the senior most party activist and joint in-charge of Sindh Organizing Committee. He had been arrested several times earlier and had been to jail for his involvement in cases of kabooms, terrorism and others.

Accused Imran, also a senior most activist and former sector in-charge, zonal member and UC chairman, had been involved in attacks on a cop shoppe, killing police personnel and others. He had also been to jail. Aleemuddin had been arrested and sent to jail for his involvement in killing police personnel by firing on police mobiles and other crimes. Number of terrorism cases against him were already underway.

Link

India-Pakistan

Six top MQM-P leaders indicted in 21 cases of hate speech, conspiracy, terrorism

2018-10-25

[DAWN] An antiterrorism court on Tuesday indicted six leaders of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
Pakistain (MQM-P) in 21 cases pertaining to allegedly facilitating a hate speech of party founder the increasingly corpulentAltaf Hussain

...The head of MQM in Pakistain, who has lived in London and hasn't laid eyes on Pakistain since Caesar made corporal. Judging from the size of him, he may be a Hutt...
, conspiracy against the state and law enforcers, terrorism and other charges.

Several big shots, including Dr Farooq Sattar, now Mayor of Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
Wasim Akhtar, Rauf Siddiqui, Khwaja Izharul Hasan, Qamar Mansoor, Rehan Hashmi, Amir Khan, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Rashid Godil, Gul Faraz Khattak, Salman Mujahid, Abdul Qadir Khanzada, Khushbakht Shujaat, Shahid Pasha, Qamar Mansoor and Kunwar Naveed, with nearly 200 party workers, have been booked in identical cases.

Perpetual arrest warrants for the MQM founder have been issued in some of these cases.

Link

India-Pakistan

Abbasi, Sattar among former MNAs evicted from Parliament Lodges

2018-08-12

[DAWN] Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad police on Saturday launched an operation to free Parliament Lodges from former members of the parliament who were illegally dwelling in the government-owned facility, DawnNewsTV reported.

According to the authorities' list, 119 ex-politicians were illegally occupying the lodges, of which 30 have been evicted.

CDA today managed to free up the lodges allotted to former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, former MQM-P convener Farooq Sattar, former federal minister Sheikh Aftab Ahmed, Qaumi Watan Party Chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao as well as Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mehmood Khan Achakzai.

Malik Asad Sikandar, Bilal Virk, Raza Hayat Hiraj and Syed Ali Hasan Gilani's governmental residences have also been evicted.

However,
if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning...
Tallal Chaudhry and Abid Sher Ali ‐ both PML-N politicians who lost their seats in last month's polls ‐ have not yet vacated the lodges that were allotted to them when they were still members of the parliament.

Link

India-Pakistan

Sattar obtains interim bail to contest elections

2018-06-23

[DAWN] Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
-Pakistain leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Thursday obtained interim bail from a district court in two criminal cases, including one registered in 1987.

Mr Sattar, whose nomination papers to contest the July 25 general elections on National Assembly’s NA-245 constituency had been rejected by the returning officer concerned for being an absconder in connection with criminal cases, moved applications to seek pre-arrest bail.

Link

India-Pakistan

‘Most wanted' AQIS militant said to be close aide of Safoora carnage convicts arrested

2018-03-03

[DAWN] Police on Friday claimed to have enjugged
Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up!
a "most wanted" Lion of Islam linked with the banned Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) who at one point remained a close aide to the convicts of the Safoora Goth carnage.

At least 47 members of the Shia Ismaili community, including 18 women, were killed when the bus they were travelling in came under attack near Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
's Safoora Goth in May 2015.

Speaking at a presser at his office and later talking to Dawn, Karachi-West SSP Omar Shahid Hamid revealed that the detained suspect, identified as Ahsan Mehsud alias Roshan, was involved in major acts of terrorism and had also ordered reconnaissance of MQM-P leader Dr Farooq Sattar in 2013.

Acting on a tip-off,
[RING!]
Cop shoppe! Sergeant Shafiq speaking!
Lissen! Dis is Mahmoud da Weasel! I got a tip for youse...
a police party led by Orangi SP Abid Ali Baloch arrested Ahsan from Mominabad area and recovered a large quantity of kaboom from his custody.

SSP Omar said the held suspect is an IT expert who had completed a diploma in computer science from a private IT institute in Gulshan-e-Iqbal and graduated from a private college in DHA.

His brother, Ali Mehsud alias Maaz runs a Lion of Islam network in Wadh, Balochistan

...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
while his uncle, Hasan Mehsud is also an active member of the AQIS, the officer said.

SSP Omar told Dawn that the arrested suspect had remained a close aide of the Safoora bus carnage convicts namely Saad Aziz and the attack's criminal mastermind, Tahir alias Sain.

Link

India-Pakistan

Musharraf announces 'grand alliance' of 23 political parties

2017-11-11

[DAWN] Former president

Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
has announced a "grand alliance" of 23 political parties that will operate under the umbrella of the Pakistain Awami Itehad (PAI), DawnNews reported on Friday.

The alliance will be headed by Musharraf, while Iqbal Dar has been appointed Secretary General. The central office of the alliance will be in Islamabad.

Addressing a presser in this regard, Musharraf denied persistent rumours that he had wished to lead the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM), claiming that it was ridiculous to think that he would want to be head of a "minor, ethnic party".

"MQM-Pakistain is merely half of what the [original] party used to be," he said. "I am concerned about [the internal problems] of the party; however, I have no interest in replacing Farooq Sattar or Mustafa Kamal even if their parties are united," he insisted.

Criticising MQM, he said that the party and the muhajir community have lost respect. The muhajir community would do better to abandon ethnic politics and join PAI, he said.

He added that the alliance between MQM and the Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP) could not last due to a lack of leadership. However,
you can observe a lot just by watching...
he said, that it would still be better for both MQM and the PSP to form an alliance.

He expressed hope that Pakistain Moslem League-Quaid leaders Chaudhry Shujaat and Chaudhry Pervez Elahi would join his grand alliance as well.

The former president also advised Pakistain Tehhreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan

... aka Taliban Khan, who isn't your heaviest-duty thinker, maybe not even among the top five...
to "join hands with a group that would take Pakistain forward" while accusing him of only thinking about his own party (PTI).

The political parties that have already joined PAI include the All Pakistain Moslem League (APML), the Pakistain Awami Tehrik, Sunni Itehad Council, Majlis-e-Wahdatul Moslemeen, Pakistain Sunni Tehrik
...formed in Karachi in 1992 under by Muhammad Saleem Qadri. It quickly fell to trading fisticuffs and assassinations with the MQM and the Sipah-e-Sahaba, with at least a half dozen of its major leaders rubbed out. Sunni Tehreek arose to become the primary opposition to the Deobandi Binori Mosque, headed by Nizamuddin Shamzai, who was eventually bumped off by person or persons unknown. ST's current leadership has heavily criticized the Deobandi Jihadi leaders, accusing them of being sponsored by Indian Intelligence agencies as well as involvement in terrorist activities...
, Moslem Conference (Kashmire), PML-Junejo, PML-Council, PML- National, Awami League, Pak Moslem Alliance, Pakistain Mazdoor Ittehad, Conservative Party, Muhajir Ittehad Tehrik, Pakistain Insani Huqooq Party, Millat Party, Jamaat Ulma Pakistain (Niazi Group), Aam Loug Party, Aam Admi Party, Pakistain Masawat Party, Pakistain Minority Party, Jamaat Mashaikh Pakistain, Social Justice Democratic Party.

Link

India-Pakistan

MQM-P’s ‘missing’ worker found shot dead

2017-05-27

[DAWN] KARACHI: A ’missing’ worker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistain has been found rubbed out, according to party leaders.

Furqan Iqbal was found dead with two bullet wounds on the upper torso of his body on Wednesday. His body was found on a road off Super Highway near a village within the jurisdiction of Memon Goth cop shoppe.

"The victim was an officer-bearer of the MQM-P and lived in Gulshan-e-Iqbal," said party chief Dr Farooq Sattar.

Speaking at a presser at party’s temporary headquarters in Bahadurabad on Thursday, he claimed Iqbal was killed in ’custody’ and said such killings must be stopped.

Dr Sattar said over 150 workers of the party were missing and demanded their release.

He alleged that Iqbal was taken away by ’personnel’ in plain clothes. After his ’arrest,’ a petition was filed in the Sindh High Court, which was pending when he was killed after ’illegal detention’ of 14 days, he added.

Link

India-Pakistan

Reports about MQM unification under Musharraf persist

2016-11-14

[DAWN] The unexplained visits of two big shots of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM) to the United Arab Emirates in a short span of time have fuelled speculation that Dubai-based retired Gen

Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
has intensified efforts for the unification of different factions of the party.

The city on Saturday was abuzz with reports that senior MQM leader Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui flew to Dubai on Friday where he met the former military dictator who is more than willing to unite the Dr Farooq Sattar-led MQM and the Pak Sarzameen Party led by former Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
mayor Mustafa Kamal.

Dr Siddiqui returned home on Saturday morning.

While those representing Mr Musharraf on the social media remained tight-lipped about his political engagements in the UAE, the MQM promptly denied the meeting.

A spokesperson for the MQM, Aminul Haq, rejected reports of the meeting and said Dr Siddiqui was in Pakistain. "He did not meet any politician, including Gen Pervez Musharraf."

He, however, confirmed that Dr Siddiqui, MQM’s deputy parliamentary party leader in the National Assembly, visited Dubai for "less than 24 hours", but said his trip was strictly personal in nature.

Link

India-Pakistan

Foreign Connections of the MQM Exposed

2016-09-05

[KASHMIRWATCH] After an aggressive anti-Pakistain speech of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
(MQM) chief the increasingly rotundAltaf Hussain
..The head of MQM in Pakistain, who has lived in London and hasn't laid eyes on Pakistain since Caesar made corporal. Judging from the size of him,he may be a Hutt...
on August 22, this year, party workers attacked several media houses in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
Addressing his workers on Phone from London, who were on hunger strike, Altaf Hussain went to called for the break-up of Pakistain. He ordered attacks on the offices of Karachi-based media houses of Geo Television Network, ARY and Samaa News. Particularly, office of the ARY TV channel was badly destroyed by the MQM mob. During the violence, a passer-by was killed, while several others were maimed, including the staff of the ARY TV and coppers. During the crackdown made by the Rangers and police several holy warriors of the MQM and its leaders were rounded up.

On August 24, 2016, Altaf Hussain’s leaked phone call to MQM exposed foreign connections of the MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain when he asked USA, Indian secret agency RAW
... India's Research and Analysis Wing, Pakistain's equivalent of the Boogie Man...
and even Israel for help to disintegrate Pakistain.

Various leaders of Pakistain’s political and religious parties including every segment of society and media analysts strongly condemned the anti-Pakistain statements of Altaf Hussain in wake of protest-rallies. Some of them called him traitor. Even, his own party workers condemned Altaf Hussian’s statement. In a presser MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that that the MQM was dissociating itself from Altaf Hussain, and now the decisions would be made under his leadership--not from London.

Meanwhile,
...back at the abandoned silver mine, the water was up to Jack's neck and still rising. And then he smelled the smoke...
MQM MNA Asif Hasnain joined Mustafa Kamal’s Pak Sarzameen Party (PSP), rejecting Farooq Sattar’s earlier announcement that the MQM was dissociating itself from Altaf Hussain. Earlier, knowing the real intentions of Altaf Hussain, several MQM workers joined PSP.

The PSP chief Mustafa Kamal who have repeatedly pointed out the links between MQM and Altal Hussain, rejected the MQM’s statement that the party chief was handing over party affairs to the Coordination Committee and focusing on improving his health. Kamal invited others to join the party and said, "If you have a problem with Altaf, leave the mandate. It is not your mandate, it is his mandate."

Link

India-Pakistan

Rangers raid MQM’s makeshift office

2016-08-24

A heavy contingent of Sindh Rangers on Tuesday carried out a raid at Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s makeshift office in Karachi’s PIB Colony, Waqt News reported.

According to local media reports, the paramilitary force carried out the raid at a wedding hall, which is being used by the Muttahida as a temporary office, in PIB Colony.

The Rangers personnel also checked national identity cards (CNICs) of every person present in the hall, including MQM leader Amir Khan who was attending a meeting pertaining to local government elections.

In a separate development, Sindh Rangers Director General Maj-Gen Bilal Akbar visited MQM stronghold Nine Zero. He also reviewed security measures taken by the paramilitary force.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Farooq Sattar in a press conference at Karachi Press Club announced MQM’s decision to sideline party’s London-based supremo Altaf Hussain.

“In wake of the prevailing situation, MQM has decided to distance itself from anyone, be it a worker or the party chief, who speaks against Pakistan’s sovereignty and integrity,” said Dr Sattar.

Following Dr Sattar’s press conference at Karachi Press Club, TV anchor Amir Liaquat Hussain announced his decision to quit the party.

“I’m not a traitor. As I distance myself from the party, I apologise to everyone. Pakistan is everything to me. God bless Pakistan,” local media reports quoted Amir Liaquat as saying.

The development came after Altaf Hussain launched a barrage of anti-Pakistan tirade. According to local TV channels, Altaf in his Monday’s speech told protesters "to storm the offices of TV channels".

Violent protesters later stormed the office of ARY News in Karachi’s Saddar area. They also set a police mobile on fire. The incident claimed one live and injured five others.

Later in the day, Sindh Rangers arrested Dr Sattar and Khawaja Izharul Hassan when the two were about to hold a press conference in wake of the attack on ARY News office.

Major General Akbar said that the paramilitary force will examine camera footage to identify perpetrators of the attack. “We won’t let anyone sabotage law and order in Karachi,” said the Rangers chief.

The paramilitary force also arrested several other Muttahida activists, including Amir Liaquat, Amir Khan and Sajid Ahmed. Media reports say the arrested MQM activists will record their statements.

After arresting key Muttahida leaders, including Dr Farooq Sattar and Amir Liaquat, Sindh Rangers sealed MQM stronghold Nine Zero after confiscating communication equipment.

According to local media reports, a heavy contingent of the paramilitary force arrested three party activists from Nine Zero. They also took control of the headquarters’ control room.

Link

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