Pakistani troops have sealed the headquarters of the political party MQM in Karachi, arresting a number of leaders and lawmakers.
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The May 12 tragedy was one of the grimmest incidents in the history of Karachi when on the arrival of then Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Chaudhry several people were killed in armed clashes between workers of different political parties.
At least one person died and eight others were injured during the violent attacks in which around 2,000 party workers participated.
MQM denies the charges and has accused the Rangers of carrying out extra-judicial killings of its members since a crackdown on crime in Karachi began in 2013.
He also instructed supporters to attack the offices of three media houses for not showing his image and broadcasting his speeches.
The violence erupted soon after Hussain gave a telephone address to supporters from London in which he castigated the media for not giving due coverage to his workers.
The MQM is expected to win the election comfortably as it has 214 out of 308 elected members of the council of the Karachi Municipal Corporation.
Moreover, hours after speaking against the Pakistan and state institutions, MQM London-based leader Wasay Jalil shared MQM chief’s statement on social media that says, “From the depth of heart, I beg a pardon for my remarks against Pakistan, the establishment including Gen Raheel Sharif and DG Rangers”.
One of the world’s most populous cities is set to be run from inside a jail cell after Karachi’s new mayor takes power in the face of staunch opposition from Pakistan’s powerful military.
Speeches by Altaf Hussain were later banned after he launched a tirade of abuse against the army.
Later, Hussain’s second-in-command Farooq Sattar said the MQM “completely disowns” Hussain’s statements, accusing him of repeatedly embarrassing the party.
Security forces later arrived and dispersed the crowds.
MQM leaders distanced themselves from party chief and London leadership.
MQM leader Altaf Hussain has given up control over the party after coming under widespread criticism for calling Pakistan a “cancer”, the media reported on Wednesday.
A PTA official confirmed to The Express Tribune that the authority had received orders from the federal government to block the IP addresses hosting the MQM website. “MQM is registered in Pakistan, therefore, it is better party should be operated from here”.
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MQM workers also clashed with police on the streets.
