Rangers arrest MQM Deputy Convener Shahid Pasha
Shaid Pasha is an important figure in MQM's organisational structure.
KARACHI (Web Desk) – Rangers personnel have detained Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Deputy Convener Shahid Pasha during an early morning raid in Gulistan-e-Jauhar area of Karachi.
The news was confirmed by MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil in a message posted on Twitter.
Breaking News: Just now #MQM Deputy Convener Shahid Pasha arrested by Rangers at 3.00am during a raid on his flat Gulistane Jauhar #Karachi
— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) March 20, 2016
MQM leader Nadeem Nusrat also condemned the arrest.
I strongly condemn the arrest of #MQM deputy convener Shahid Pasha. This shows KHI Op is against #MQM only. @StateDept @foreignoffice @hrw
— Nadeem Nusrat (@nadeem_nusrat) March 20, 2016
Reason behind the arrest could not be ascertained yet and there is no official statement from the Rangers in this regard.
Shaid Pasha, an important figure in MQM’s organisational structure, was appointed as deputy convener of the coordination committee last year.
The MQM, Pakistan’s fourth largest party, traditionally represents the descendents of Urdu-speakers who migrated from India after the creation of Pakistan in 1947. The party now holds the majority of the city’s legislative seats.
It is under pressure from the paramilitary Rangers force, which launched an armed operation in the southern port city late in 2013 to tackle soaring crime rates. Since then, hundreds of MQM workers have been arrested and a court has issued an arrest warrant for party boss Altaf Husain for threatening the army in a television address.
Hussain is known for his fiery addresses to supporters in Karachi via a loudspeaker linked to a telephone in his London home.
In 2010, MQM founding member Imran Farooq was stabbed to death in London. Party insiders say he had major differences with Husain before his death.
Husain is now under investigation in Britain for Farooq’s murder, as well as charges of money-laundering.
Last year, Pakistani officials arrested two men suspected of killing Farooq. Both are affiliated with the MQM.
