August 22 violence: ATC declares MQM founder absconder

KARACHI. An anti-terrorism court declared on Monday Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain and seven others absconding in two cases pertaining to the August 22 violence and incendiary speech of Altaf.

Moreover, non-bailable warrants (NBWs) for the MQM-Pakistan head, Farooq Sattar, and Amir Khan were also issued in five cases.

During case proceedings on Monday, investigation officer (IO) said that the police have been unable to arrest the absconders. Many raids were made to arrest the suspects but they managed to escape, he added.

The court was hearing the bail plea filed by 10 party workers, who have already been arrested in the case. The court approved the bail of four suspects against a surety bond of Rs200,000.

The cases against MQM leaders were registered after the violent incidents of August 22 last year during and after a telephonic speech by Altaf.

MQM workers were staging a hunger strike outside Karachi Press Club when Altaf addressed them, made anti-state remarks and urged party workers to attack media over what he claimed was less coverage to him.

After that, the party split into two factions, MQM-Pakistan and MQM-London. Farooq Sattar is heading the Pakistan faction while Nadeem Nusrat the other one.