Pakistan time: 6.00pm
It is now confirmed that MQM leaders Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh, Senator Nasreen Jalil, Hasan Musanna Alvi and Zahid Qureshi are being unlawfully detained at the Civil Lines Police Station. When the members of MQM Legal Aid Committee comprising of senior lawyers visited the Police Station they were denied meeting with the detainees. They were told that no one can contact the detainees as per the orders of their higher-ups.

Pakistan time: 5.30 pm
According to latest information, heavy contingent of police and plain clothed personnel have cordoned off Nine Zero, the MQM Head Office. Several Police Mobiles, Armoured Personnel Carriers and other vehicles are slowly circling around the area of Azizabad, Karachi. These police personnel are also harassing the residents of the area and the persons performing their duties at Nine Zero. We are waiting for further details and will update you as soon as possible.

Pakistan time: 4.30 pm
The Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area near the Metropole Hotel and not allowed anyone to enter or leave.  None of the participants were allowed to proceed towards the Karachi Press Club, therefore, the MQM leaders addressed the press conference at Bagh-e-Jinnah near the Metropole Hotel.  During the press conference the police raided the meeting and unlawfully arrested the MQM leaders Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh, Senator Ms Nasreen Jalil, Hassan Musanna Alvi MNA and Zahid Qureshi MPA.  They were immediately subjected to torture in front of the pressmen.  Heavy baton charge was used to disperse those gathered to attend the press conference and to protest over the illegal and forced dismissal of Mohajirs and Sindhis from the Pakistan Steel Mills in Karachi, southern port city of Pakistan.  They have been taken to unknown destination.  It should be recalled that Senator Aftab Ahmed Sheikh suffers from heart condition, Senator Ms Nasreen Jalil is also ill and Hassan Musanna Alvi is an elderly person.

Moreover, Mr Syed Zainul Abidin Shah, Organiser JSQM and Bashir Khan Qureshi, Organiser JSQM managed to reach the Karachi Press Club, where the police and other law enforcement agencies arrested them along with several other office bearers and workers of JSQM.  They too were brutally manhandled and taken to unknown destination.

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Jeay Sindh Quami Mahaz (JSQM) had organised the press conference and the protest rally at the Karachi Press Club over the illegal and forceful dismissal of Mohajirs and Sindhis from the Pakistan Steel Mills.

Pakistan time: 4.00pm
Heavy Contingents of Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies have blocked the Karachi Press Club and is carrying out indiscriminate arrests of the Leaders of MQM and JSQM and elected representatives, brutally tortured and taken to unknown detention centres.

According to recent reports Police has arrested another Member National Assembly of the MQM Mr. Hassan Musanna Alvi.

ALTAF HUSSAIN STRONGLY CONDEMNS THE MASS ARREST OF MQM AND JSQM LEADERS