MQM-H chief Afaq released from jail after bail in arson instigation case

Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Chairman Afaq Ahmed was released on Tuesday after he secured bail in a third case related to arson instigation after several heavy vehicles were torched following the politician's press conference against traffic accidents.

The firebrand politician was granted bail by an additional district and sessions West judge in Karachi today after hearing a case against Afaq after a tanker was set ablaze by a group of people.

After accepting his bail plea, the court ordered him to submit Rs100,000 surety bonds. 

Three days ago, the MQM-H chairman was sent to prison on judicial remand by a judicial magistrate in a case related to allegedly setting fire to a water bowser in Surjani Town.

Earlier this month, several heavy vehicles were torched following Afaq's presser against rising traffic accidents in Karachi.

Afaq was also booked in two more cases registered at Landhi and Awami Colony police stations under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

However, the politician had secured bail in the said cases by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) but was later nabbed again from the central prison by the Surjani police.

He had been arrested from his residence in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) on February 11 for delivering a "provocative statement", according to police sources, a day after he lashed out at the authorities following the "loss of 92 lives by dumper trucks in just 40 days" in the metropolis.

Karachi has witnessed multiple fatal accidents involving dumpers, prompting local authorities to impose a daytime entry ban on heavy traffic. Transporters had staged protests against the restriction.