‘Attack on media was pre-planned by MQM’

Asenior Pakistani security official yesterday said the August 22 attack on media houses in Karachi was planned and executed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), and six party workers have confessed to the crime.

“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,” director-general of the Paramilitary Rangers Major-General Bilal Akbar said while talking to media during his visit to Jinnah Hospital here.

Assailants launched attacks on several media offices soon after former party supremo Altaf Hussain delivered anti-state remarks last Monday. Subsequently, MQM’s senior leader Farooq Sattar disassociated the party from Altaf.

Reuters Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Islamabad yesterday. They were expected to discuss several important matters, including security in the Middle East.