KARACHI: On Tuesday, an anti-terrorism court (ATC) rejected the police’s request for physical remand of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Chairman Afaq Ahmed and ordered that he be sent to jail.
Ahmed has been accused in two cases of violence registered at Karachi’s Landhi and Awami Colony police stations.
According to Superintendent Police (SP) Investigation Korangi Qais Khan, vehicles were allegedly set on fire in Landhi on the politician’s orders.
An FIR was lodged, with the complainant stating that the suspects physically assaulted him before setting his truck ablaze.
Furthermore, the complainant claimed that during the attack, the perpetrators repeatedly said they were acting on the orders of their leader, Afaq Ahmed, who had instructed that heavy traffic would not be allowed to enter the city.
The complainant linked the incident to a viral video of the MQM-H chief, in which he and his associates allegedly issued threats, declaring that from Tuesday onward, heavy vehicles would not be allowed into Karachi, warning of severe consequences otherwise.
Afaq Ahmed was arrested late Monday night from his residence in Clifton and was presented before the ATC in an armored vehicle under tight security, with his hands cuffed.
During today’s hearing, the judge questioned the police prosecutor about the need for remand, saying: “Tell me why the police need remand. What do they need to investigate?”
The court deemed the case suspicious and found physical remand unnecessary, ordering that the accused be sent to jail.
It is important to note that Karachi has witnessed multiple fatal accidents involving dumpers, leading local authorities to impose a daytime entry ban on heavy traffic. Transporters had staged protests against this restriction.
Meanwhile, Ahmed’s legal team has filed a bail plea, and the court has issued notices to both parties for a hearing on February 14.
