Attack on media houses was pre-planned, says Sindh Rangers chief

Six MQM men have already confessed, says Maj Gen Bilal Akbar Brought batons and knives on party directives Sattar calls allegations baseless

SPEAKING to reporters during his visit to Jinnah Hospital, Director General Rangers, Sindh, Maj Gen Bilal Akbar said that the August 22nd attack on media houses was planned and then executed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in advance and that six party members had already confessed to their crimes.

“The members of MQM’s unit and sector offices carried out the attack on the directives of the party’s Rabita Committee and Central Executive Committee,” he said.

On August 22nd, a mob, allegedly comprising of MQM members, raided the offices of television channels Samaa and ARY and allegedly attacked the workers therein. This was almost immediately after a fiery telephonic address by party leader Altaf Hussain, where he is heard urging them to do the same. The party leader had also named a third channel to be on the hitlist, Geo, which was not attacked that day. “The six arrested miscreants have revealed that they brought batons and knives and organised the attackers on the directives given,” Maj Gen Bilal said. “These six persons are being handed over to police for further investigation and a subsequent trial, while we will continue to carry out raids to nab the remaining miscreants.” The Rangers chief also revealed that two bank officials associated with the MQM’s labour wing even provided refuge to the attackers prior to their action. “One of them, Javaid Shaukat has been arrested while the other, Khurram Khan is still at large and raids are being conducted to arrest him,” he said. FAROOQ SATTAR RESPONDS: Speaking on a television program, Dr Farooq Sattar said that the allegations of the attack being preplanned were all completely baseless. He said that there was no way the attacks were premeditated but were spur of the moment. Morover, he said that his party had completely dissociated from Altaf Hussain. He kept repeating phrases like, “We have switched off London,” and “We have deleted London from our Whatsapp group.”