SALEEM BANDHANI, MEMBER OF PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY OF SINDH AND ZAFAR KHAN, JOINT INCHARGE MQM SUKKUR ZONE UNLAWFULLY ARRESTED, BEING TORTURED, HARASSED AND HUMILIATED

MASS ARREST OF INNOCENT MQM WORKERS IN SUKKUR

London – 11 November 2000

After carrying out mass arrest of innocent citizens of Karachi and keeping the peaceful city under siege, the personnel of law enforcement agencies in total violation to the basic fundamental rights, the police and other law enforcement agencies unlawfully raiding the residence of innocent and peaceful MQM leaders, elected representatives, workers and supporters of Sukkur.  During these raids, the family members are being humiliated, harassed and illegally arrested.

On 10 November 2000, at around 3 p.m., the personnel of four Police Stations in Sukkur raided the residence of Mr Saleem Bandhani, Member of Provincial Assembly of Sindh (suspended), belonging to the MQM, and the former Zonal Incharge of MQM Sukkur Zone.  The raiding party, led by Sub District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police forcefully entered into the house, ransacked the furniture and misbehaved with the family members.  Moreover, in total disregard to the fact that Mr Saleem Bandhani is a Member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh, he was unlawfully arrested and taken to the Police Station while being naked from waist above.  Throughout the raid, the raiding party continued to interrogate the family members to divulge the whereabouts of those involved in the recent bomb blast in Karachi.  Prior to raiding the residence of Mr Saleem Bandhani, the personnel of law enforcement agencies raided the residence of his brother Mr Khalir Ur Rehman and arrested him along with his two friends Mahboob and Rizwan.  They are still being detained at the local police station.

Similarly, on 11 November 2000, Mr Zafar Khan 29, son of Mohammad Asif Khan, Joint Incharge of MQM Sukkur Zone was arrested today by the personnel of Sukkur Police Station.  It is reported that he was returning from the High Court Sukkur Bench in Sukkur, interior Sindh, after attending the court hearing.  Another MQM worker Shahid who was accompanying Mr Zafar has also been arrested by the Police.  They were immediately subjected to brutal torture and have been taken to unknown destination.  It is strongly apprehended that their lives are in danger. 

In the last two days (i.e. 10 and 11 November 2000), numerous unlawful raids and hundreds of illegal arrests of MQM workers and supporters have been made in the city of Sukkur, interior Sindh.  All the detainees are being kept in the police lockups in inhuman condition.  They are being tortured brutally and forced to accept the responsibility of the recent bomb blast in Karachi.

It has been a normal practice of the Punjabi Police in Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh to arrest innocent people on false and fabricated charges and extort money for their release.  Hundreds of Mohajirs have been forced to pay millions of rupees in bribes to these corrupt policemen to avoid false arrest and torture.  It is estimated that in the last four days since the blast occurred, the Punjabi Police of Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh has extorted millions of rupees from innocent citizens.

We request you to ask the Pakistan Authorities to stop unlawfully raiding and illegally arresting innocent people of Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh.  We also request you to use your influence to stop the extortion of money from these helpless people under duress by the Police and other personnel of law enforcement agencies.  Moreover, please take notice of the violations of basic and fundamental rights of the citizens of Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh, southern Pakistan under the present military government.

Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) is the third largest political party of Pakistan and the second largest in the province of Sindh.  Since 19 June 1992, an army operation has been launched to crush the MQM and physically eliminate the Mohajirs.  More than 15000 MQM leaders, workers and supporters have been extrajudicially murdered, while thousands are languishing in jails on false and fabricated charges.