Karachi’s elected mayor in politically-motivated arrest

Posted on: 7/19/2016

The latest in a series of stalling operations designed to delay the democratic process took place this afternoon with the dramatic arrests of Karachi's nominated Mayor Mr Wasim Akhtar and Member of the Provincial Assembly, Mr Rauf Siddiqui. Both men are senior MQM personnel.

Despite securing an overwhelming majority in recent elections, Karachi’s elected mayor has been prevented from taking up his post.

Mr Altaf Hussain, Founder and leader of MQM said, "We believe that the arrest of our elected public representatives including the rightful Mayor of Karachi is part of ongoing state operation against MQM."

"These arbitrary arrests are a clear indication that people of Karachi are being actively denied their democratic and human right of representation."

Both party members had been on bail further to politically motivated cases brought to the Anti Terrorism Court.

MQM, the elected representatives of the over 25 million citizens of Karachi, calls upon the international community to recognize the politically motivated action being taken against democratically elected political parties in Pakistan’s largest city.

MQM is the fourth largest political party in Pakistan and supports equal rights and opportunities for all. As a liberal tolerant and progressive party MQM is firmly opposed to all forms of fanaticism and extremism.

10/26/2026 12:46:49 AM

“New Gangs Emerge During the Tenures of the Pakistan Peoples Party and... 24 Oct 2026	“Acting as America’s ‘Courier’ Has Landed Pakistan in Serious Internat... 24 Oct 2026
“Where Is Sohail Afridi?” — Altaf Hussain ... 20 Oct 2026	The historic interview given to PTV in 1990 by the Founder & Leader o... 18 Oct 2026
PPP and PML-N have taken revenge on democracy by overthrowing the elec... 17 Oct 2026	“In the name of democracy, the Bhutto and Sharif families have imposed... 17 Oct 2026
“Does the army exist to serve the country, or does the country exist t... 17 Oct 2026	It Was the Army-Created MQM-P, Not MQM, That Celebrated the Imposition... 14 Oct 2026
In Pakistan, the game of kings, ministers, and pawns continues- Altaf... 14 Oct 2026	Imposition of Governor’s Rule and Emergency in KP Amounts to Robbing t... 13 Oct 2026