On the evening
of December 18 two comrades, Haseeb Ahmed and Zaka-ur-Rehman were putting up posters and canvassing in Karachi, when they were
threatened by 10 armed activists of the MQM organization. They attempted to
abduct one of the comrades and take him away in a car. They failed to do so
only thanks to the intervention of local people.
This incident
is the first attack on the comrades and as the election campaign picks up momentum
more attacks can be expected, possibly fatal. The comrades are in a one to one
fight against a fascist organization that does not hesitate to kill its
opponents if they are considered a threat to their positions.
The best form
of defence and best means of strengthening the comrades against the MQM is to
launch an international campaign. The workers and trade unions in Karachi are supporting
the comrades overwhelmingly. However, the District administration is in their
control and they will use all means to win this seat.
All comrades
must be put on alert for any immediate mobilization of support that may be
requested. Here we are publishing a letter of complaint the comrades have sent
to the authorities in Pakistan.
—
Complaint against Mutahida Qaumi Movement in NA-257 Karachi for harassing and
terrorizing PPP workers
Sir,
I am contesting NA
257 Karachi on the ticket of PPP and am representing workers and masses of the
area
However, MQM
candidate is using fascist tactics to harass and terrorize our activities in
our area and are threatening to rig the elections and sabotage the whole
process.
On the night of
18th December, around 10pm two workers of my party, Comrade Haseeb Ahmed and
Comrade Zaka-ur-Rehman, were pasting posters and canvassing in Urdu Nagar near
Liaqat Market which is a key area in Malir, in Karachi.
At that time ten
armed activists of MQM approached our workers and threatened them with dire
consequences if they would do campaign in that particular area. They pulled the
shirt of Zaka-ur-Rehman and forced him to sit in their car, i.e. they tried to
abduct him forcefully. However, on the intervention of nearby people they could
not abduct him and had to leave, but meanwhile they tore away all posters and
pamphlets of the PPP. After that they also tore away the posters pasted in the
area.
This is a clear
indication of the rigging in the election process and not of the activities of
a political party.
We ask the election
Commissioner to take immediate notice of this incident and take concrete steps
to stop pre-poll rigging in NA-257 & PS-127 Karachi.
We also intimate
the Election Commissioner that serious casualties can occur in these
constituencies if proper measures are not taken, as the incident of 12th May,
2007 and other events clearly shows the dark history of MQM.
Riaz Hussain Lund Baloch,
Suit No. 30,
Popular Plaza,
Opp: district
Courts, Malir, Karachi
CC to:
1. Election
Commissioner Sindh
2. Home Secretary
Sindh
3. Inspector
General Police Sindh
4. Human Rights Commission
of Pakistan
5. Returning
Officer NA-257 & PS-127, Karachi
