Karachi – 22 August 2001
In the early
hours of 22 August 2001, the paramilitary rangers, police and
plain clothed personnel raided the residence of Nafees Ahmed son
of Nisar Ahmed, Incharge of MQM Landhi Sector and arrested him.
According to details, Nafees Ahmed was leaving his residence in
Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, when the raiding party who had
surrounded the house, grabbed him and immediately subjected him
to brutal torture. He has been taken to unknown destination.
It is strongly apprehended that his life is in extreme danger.
The MQM Coordination Committee has strongly condemned the
unlawful arrest and torture upon Nafees Ahmed by the paramilitary
rangers and police. In a statement they said that at a time
when the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF), charitable wing of MQM,
in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO) is busy
in its Three-Day Anti-Polio Campaign to provide vaccination to
the children in Karachi, Hyderabad and other cities of Sindh, the
Establishment has resorted to illegal raids and unlawful arrests
of MQM office bearers and workers, with a view to spread
harassment. Yesterday, on 21 August 2001, the personnel of
Super Market Police Station raided the KKF Camp near the main
Post Office at Liaquatabad in Karachi. The raiding party
was led by infamous SHO Nasir Hussain and resorted to
indiscriminate firing. During the raid, polio vaccines were
confiscated and dozens of KKF volunteers present at the Camp,
including several MQM office bearers and workers, were
arbitrarily arrested, brutally tortured and taken to the Police
Station.
The MQM Coordination Committee said that the arbitrary arrest of
Nafees Ahmed is the continuation of the malicious activities of
the State run agencies to sabotage the three-day campaign of KKF.
They appealed to the President General Parvez Musharraf to take
notice of the illegal arrest of Nafees Ahmed and order for his
immediate release. They also appealed to the president to
take action against the elements that have maliciously conspired
to sabotage the welfare activities of KKF.