SOS -- LIFE IN DANGER OF MOHAMMAD TARIQ KHAN

On 5 November 2001, heavy contingents of CIA Police, plain clothed armed personnel of law enforcement agencies and paramilitary rangers unlawfully arrested Mohammad Tariq son of Mohammad Yaseen, a worker of MQM Korangi Sector, from Hijrat Colony in Defence Housing Society, Karachi.  He is a former Member of MQM Korangi Sector Committee.  He was immediately taken to unknown State-run torture cell, where he was brutally tortured for five days.  In total disregard to his constitutional and human rights, he was not produced before any court of law during this illegal detention.  Moreover, he was subjected to electric shocks, cigarette burnings, tortured mentally and beaten physically, etc.  After his shifting to Central Prison Karachi, he was kept in solitary confinement with no recourse to any judicial remedy.

Mohammad Tariq Khan 38, son of Yaseen Khan, resident of House No 1537, Sector 32-E, Nasir Colony, Karachi, Pakistan.  He is a worker of MQM Unit 69, Sector Korangi.

Alarmingly, on 3 January 2002, at around 4.15 p.m., the personnel of Korangi Police Station and Zaman Town Police Station, suddenly arrived at the Central Prison Karachi and took Mohammad Tariq Khan away to an unknown destination.  It should be noted that to commence yet another MQM Crush Operation, the Establishment has again brought back the notorious police officers involved in the extrajudicial killings of more than 15000 MQM leaders, office bearers, workers and supporters since June 1992.  One of the notorious police officer Bahauddin Babar has been posted as the Station House Officer (SHO) of Korangi Police Station. Another notorious police officer Mohammad Bakhsh made Incharge Burglary Cell at Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office in Korangi, is reported to have taken direct custody of Mohammad Tariq Khan.

Keeping in view the past excesses of these notorious police officers and their capabilities to extrajudicially execute and inflict horrific torture upon innocent MQM workers and supporters, we are extremely concerned and anxious for the life of Mohammad Tariq Khan.  We strongly apprehend that at this very moment Mohammad Tariq Khan is being brutally tortured and being compelled to sign a pre-written confessional statement, prepared by the Authorities, maliciously involving him in illegal acts so as to malign MQM nationally and internationally.