Saleem Shahzad arrested at Karachi airport

By
Afzal Nadeem Dogar
|

KARACHI: Saleem Shahzad, a member of the now defunct singular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has been arrested at Karachi airport on arrival, AIG Karachi Mushtaq Mahar informed.

Taken into custody by SSP Malir Rao Anwar, Shahzad was shifted to Gadap Police station. 

According to sources, there are multiple cases registered in various police stations in Karachi against Saleem Shahazad. The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) issued an arrest warrant for Shahzad in December 2015 and then again in January 2016. However, upon being taken into custody, Shahzad was not handcuffed but was taken away in an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC). 

Wanted: Saleem Shahzad

Saleem Shahzad who had been living in London since 1992 was wanted by the Karachi police for various cases against him. The most prominent and recent was in connection with allegations made by former Petroleum Minister Dr. Asim Hussain that Shahzad had facilitated the medical treatment of terrorists and arranged shelter for them. 

A previous case of passport forgery also stands against Shahzad. 

Saleem Shahzad reached Karachi from Dubai on Monday morning, ending an extended self-imposed exile that lasted over two decades. He was arrested by DSP Airport PS and his passport was confiscated by immigration officials. The Karachi Police Chief Mushtaq Mehar confirmed the arrest and later Shahzad was taken into custody by SSP Rao Anwar.

Traveling on a British passport via an international airline, Shahzad landed at Karachi airport a little after 10:30AM. 

Speaking to Geo News prior to his departure from Dubai, Shahzad said he would announce his next political plan of action for after reaching Karachi and consulting with friends and family.

The politician said various circles in Karachi were sending him arrest threats but he was not afraid. 

"I have not committed any crime, I am not afraid of getting arrested," he said, adding that he is currently being treated for cancer.

In an unusual move that sent waves down the local political scenario, Saleem Shahzad on Sunday had announced his decision to return to Pakistan. He had said that important people will come to him.

“Rumours of me joining MQM-Pakistan are false,” he had said.

“I have been associated with politics since three decades, now is the time that Karachi’s politics takes place within the city and that also by its own residents,” Shahzad had said.

In 2015, the senior politician had expressed his desire to relinquish politics in a bid to utilise his experience in some other area.

Shahzad was suspended from the MQM a few years ago and since then he had not taken part in the party politics. He, however, regularly attended the party events in its London Secretariat.

The former MQM leader had previously spoken out against a ‘mafia’ in the party working against its chief Altaf Hussain. 

Saleem Shahzad didn’t contact us: Khawaja Izhar

MQM-Pakistan leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan said that the former MQM leader didn’t make any contact with the party.

“If he comes to us then he will be welcomed otherwise it doesn’t make a difference to us,” said Izhar.

He said that even if Shahzad joins the party it will not make much of a difference.

“Some of our people join PSP while some are sent to join,” said Izhar, adding that his party never blamed those joining PSP.