STATE INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES COERCING SENATOR AFTAB AHMED SHEIKH TO CHANGE HIS ALLEGIANCE – ALTAF HUSSAIN
HE IS BEING SUBJECTED TO MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TORTURE, WIFE AND RELATIVES BEING HARASSED
London – 22 April 2001
Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has severely condemned the custodial transfer of Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh to a secret destination and infliction of mental and physical torture on him. In his statement from London, he said that Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh has been transferred to a secret destination from Artillery Maidan Police Station in the evening of Saturday, 21st. April 2001. “Twenty four hours have elapsed, neither anyone is being allowed to meet nor his relatives or lawyers are being informed about his whereabouts”, he said.
Mr Altaf Hussain harshly criticising the blatant violation of human rights of Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh said that the element of secrecy maintained and unwillingness of the Government to disclose the whereabouts of Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh is manifestly signifying that he has been kept in a secret place in custody of the state intelligence agencies. He said that in the custody of the state intelligence agencies, coercion is being applied and mental and physical torture is being inflicted on Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh to change his allegiance. He further said that on the one hand, coercion and torture on Aftab Ahmed Sheikh is being applied while on the other, his wife and relatives are being harassed. He stated that to coerce Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh, the agencies had also abducted his son.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that MQM’s struggle for Sindh province has made the Government and the Establishment schizophrenic who are resorting to heinous conspiracies.
Mr Altaf Hussain, addressing the Chief Executive General Parvez Musharraf and Lt. General (Retired) Moinuddin Haider, the Federal Interior Minister said that they also have families and they should not commit such brutalities in intoxication of power that may invite nature’s retribution to befall upon them, which they perhaps would not be able to endure.
Mr Altaf Hussain appealed to national and international Human and Civil Rights Organisations to take notice of the infliction of torture on Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh and raise their voice against these brazen violations of human rights.