Amir Khan, Sattar promoted MQM founder’s Aug 22 speech: Investigating Officer

KARACHI: An investigation officer on Saturday submitted an interim challan in an anti-terrorism court in a case against Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder and others pertaining to the August 22 violence.

The challan said MQM leader Amir Khan in support of MQM founder’s speech said that “after whatever has been happening [with the MQM] he no longer feels like making pro-Pakistan slogans”.

MQM leader Farooq Sattar clapped in support of Khan’s speech, the challan stated.

The suspects led weight to the incendiary speech of MQM founder, and violence against media houses could have been avoided if the two had not supported it. Their claims of not being aware of the administrative aspects of delivering the speech by the founder is a lie, the challan stated.

Earlier today, an anti-terrorism court once again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for MQM founder and other absconders in the case.

The court also directed authorities to arrest the absconders and present them before the court on November 25.

The investigation officer in the case said that the request for a joint investigation team has been sent to the home ministry, which will be formed after permission is granted. The JIT will probe MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar and party leader Amir Khan.

Courts have issued arrest warrants for the founder and declared him an absconder on various occasions. An ATC in Islamabad on September 6 found him an absconder and issued permanent arrest warrants.

The cases against MQM leaders were registered after the violent incidents of August 22 last year during and after a telephonic speech by the party's founder.

MQM workers were staging a hunger strike outside Karachi Press Club when the founder addressed them, made anti-state remarks and urged party workers to attack media over what he claimed was less coverage to him.