Rangers raid MQM headquarters Nine-Zero in Karachi, arrest leaders

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leaders Qamar Mansoor, Sufian Yousuf, Azeem Farooqui and Rabita Committee in-charge Kaiful Wara were arrested during a raid by the Sindh Rangers at the MQM headquarters ‘Nine-Zero’.

Rangers personnel entered surrounded the Azizabad neighborhood before entering Nine-Zero and the Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall.

Sources told Geo News that Azeem Farooqui and Sufian Yousuf were released after a brief interrogation. However, Qamar Mansoor and Rabita Committee’s newly appointed in-charge Kaiful Wara have been taken to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

Eight Rangers vehicles took part in the operation.

MQM’s central leader, Wasay Jalil confirmed the arrest and criticized the raids legality arguing that it had been carried out without a warrant.

Rangers have raided at Khursheed begum sec & arrested MQM RC Member Qamar Mansoor Raided with no search warrant #StopVictimizingMQM

— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) July 16, 2015

Condemning the raid, Jalil said that Rangers’ operation was only directed towards MQM and not against terrorists and criminals.

Meanwhile, workers and supporters of the MQM gathered in large numbers at the Nine-Zero soon after the Rangers had left the area. They were chanting slogans in favour of the party and its chief Altaf Hussain.

In a similar search operation, Rangers had arrested dozens of MQM workers among wanted suspects earlier this year.

'Hate speech facilitators arrested'

Meanwhile, DG Rangers Maj Gen Bilal Akbar has said in a statement those arrested in Nine-Zero raid have been arranging and facilitating ‘hate speeches’ against Karachi’s peace.

Those apprehended tonight from 90, have been arranging and facilitating hate speeches against peace of Karachi.

— DG Rangers Sindh (@Bilalak80) July 16, 2015

Later, a spokesman for Rangers said in a statement that the arrested MQM leaders were facilitating hate speeches to disturb Karachi’s peace. Personnel of Rangers were being targeted in 'hate speeches', he added.

The spokesman said that Rangers personnel are playing their role in restoring peace in the port city.