Daily Times

KARACHI: Crackdown on the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) continued on Friday, as law enforcement agencies raided several party offices, sealing and demolishing them across the city.

According to reports, around a dozen MQM offices – constructed illegally in Karachi – have been demolished by security agencies. Around 190 offices of the party have reportedly been sealed across Karachi within three days.

Meanwhile, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Friday remanded MQM leaders, including Kanwar Naveed, Qamar Mansoor and Shahid Pasha, and 37 party activists in police custody for another two days in a case pertaining to anti-Pakistan slogans and attacks on media houses in the city. After the end of their physical remand, the police produced MQM workers in the court and sought extension in their custody. The administrative judge granted a two-day extension in the physical remand of the detained suspects.

The accused were detained in an overnight raid after MQM chief Altaf Hussain provoked his workers to attack media houses over not getting desired coverage. Later, attackers ransacked ARY News office and clashed with police in the area. One person was killed and several were wounded in the attack. Angry protesters also set ablaze a police mobile and a motorcycle.

On the other hand, MQM MNA Asif Husnain, who was taken into custody near Karachi airport, was released. Earlier on Tuesday, police charged Altaf Hussain with treason, accusing him of provoking violence in Karachi.