Daily Times

RAWALPINDI/KARACHI – Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the death of Aftab Ahmed, a local leader of the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) who died in the ‘custody’ of the paramilitary force, a private TV channel reported.

Directing to hold an inquiry into Aftab’s death, the army chief instructed justice must be done, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. On the other hand, the paramilitary rangers suspended some officials for their ‘suspected’ involvement in Aftab’s death under controversial circumstances.

On Tuesday night, Rangers Director General Major General Bilal Akber accepted that the deceased MQM worker was tortured by the paramilitary force in custody and vowed that strict action would be taken against those responsible for misconduct. He also said that Aftab’s death had occurred due to a heart attack.

The statement comes after pictures and videos were seen doing rounds on the social media, reportedly showing the corpse of the deceased worker having major torture marks across his body. “Aftab Ahmed died during rangers custody as he was detained for 90 days for no reason,” MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said in a tweet.