MQM-P Amir Khan indicted in case of sheltering terrorists

Naimat Khan

KARACHI: Amir Khan, a senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) leader, who opposed the PSP-MQM-P alliance earlier this month, was indicted in case of sheltering terrorists and criminals in MQM headquarters, Nine Zero here on Saturday.

Khan, who was performing Umra when MQM-P Chief Dr Farooq Sattar and Pak Sarzameen Party Chairman Mustafa Kamal held a joint news conference here on November 9 at Karachi Press Club.

He arrived at MQM-P office at Karachi the next day when Farooq Sattar in a presser backtracking from his announcement, that had invited irk of Mr Khan and other members of the Rabitta Committee.

On Saturday, the MQM-P faced double setback when in two different cases its important leader Amir Khan and Mayor Waseem Akhter were indicted.

In first case, an anti-terrorism court indicted senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) leader Amir Khan and activist Minhaj Qazi in a case related to providing shelter to terrorists.

The judge read out charges against the accused persons, who pleaded not guilty and opted to contest the charges.

The court directed prosecution side to present its witnesses on next hearing on December 4 to record their testimonies.

Meanwhile, the Sindh High Court (SHC) issued a charge sheet to Mayor Waseem Akhtar and party leader Khawaja Izharul Hasan in a case pertaining to MQM August 22 rioting. According to reports, Qazi and Khan were presented before the ATC today.

During the hearing, police informed the court that an FIR has already been lodged against the leaders and they have been granted bail in the said case. The court was further informed that other party workers who are still at large have been declared absconders in the case.

The court asked the accused if they accept the charges against them, to which they replied in the negative. The court, while directing prosecutors to produce witnesses, adjourned the hearing till December 4.

Last year in August the Pakistan Rangers Sindh requested the Sindh High Court to annul the bail for Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Amir Khan, maintaining the accused had admitted before JIT that he was security in charge of Nine Zero, where huge quantity of arms was recovered during raid last year.

“The arms recovered from Nine Zero, where Amir Khan was security in charge, were to be used in acts of terrorism,” the Rangers’ counsel submitted in the Sindh High Court. The court after hearing the case adjourned it till 8th of the next month, asking the Rangers’ counsel to present more arguments in favor of its claim.

The Rangers’ lawyer submitted that 26 most wanted terrorists, including convicted killer of TV reporter Wali Khan Babar, were arrested from Nine Zero during the raid.

“Amir has admitted before that Joint Interrogation Team that he was security incharge and it was on the recommendation of JIT that a case of sheltering terrorists was lodged against Amir Khan,” the lawyer submitted.

On March 11, 2016, Pakistan Rangers Sindh had claimed to have recovered a large cache of the Nato’s stolen ammunitions and arrested condemned prisoners and target killers after the paramilitary forces conducted an early hour raid at the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarters in Karachi’s Azizabad locality.

Rangers also took senior member Rabita Committee, Amir Khan, with them “for asking as why were hardened murderers, criminals and condemned convicts being kept at Nine Zero”.

While strongly deploring the Rangers’ raid, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Chief Altaf Hussain had lashed at the arrested workers, saying why the ‘wanted men’ faced the entire party with hardship by living in the party headquarters.

As Rangers’ operation was underway the local police were nowhere in view and no official word from the federal and provincial government was heard. Around hundreds personnel of the paramilitary force after breaking barricades leading to MQM headquarters seized the entire area from all 21 entrances and started operation inside the offices. Rangers also raided the adjacent houses and arrested a number of MQM activists and leaders.

“Pakistan Rangers Sindh has conducted a series of targeted raidsat Surrounding areas of 90 including Khursheed Memorial Hall today” stated a press release issued to Media, informing hardcore criminals have been arrested.

“Faisal Mota, Farhan Shabbir aka Mullah, Amir, Nadir and Ubaid K 2 were arrested during the raid” the paramilitary forces’ handout reads. According to Rangers spokesperson Faisal Mota was involved in murder of Wali Khan Babur and sentenced to death by ATC in the same case whereas the one Nadir was convicted and sentenced for 13 years term.