MURDER OF IQBAL RAAD AND OTHERS IN KARACHI DESERVES SEVERE CONDEMNATION- MQM CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE

Karachi – 10 March 2000

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) strongly condemned the callous murder of Mr Iqbal Raad, the defence counsel of the deposed Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, and two others in day light terrorism in Karachi.

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee pointed out that it is a common knowledge that the hearing of the high profile case of the deposed Prime Minister Mohammad Nawaz Sharif is under way and about a week ago, two of his senior lawyers had resigned in protest. They further added that it was the prime duty of the Government to provide security to the remainder of defence counsel of Nawaz Sharif including Mr Iqbal Raad and other lawyers in the wake of the resignations of two senior lawyers.

Members of the Co-ordination Committee asked the Government to take serious notice of this callous murder and apprehend the culprits involved in this act of terrorism. They said that if the Government fails then it would lead to serious consequences regarding the high profile cases and would inculcate fear and create unrest not only amongst the masses but also in the rank and files of lawyers defending Mr Nawaz Sharif and others in different courts of Pakistan against cases filed by the present Government.

Members of the Co-ordination Committee said that during the Benazir Government Justice Nizam and his son were also murdered in more or less similar manner but their murderers have not been apprehended so far. They stated that how could any lawyer defend his clients in such atmosphere of terror. Creation of such terror tantamount to the denial of justice and perversion in the due process of law, free and transparent trial. This terrorism would also be viewed to effect the sitting judges to influence their decisions.

Finally, the Members of the Co-ordination Committee offered their heartfelt condolences to the family members of Mr Iqbal Raad and others, cold bloodedly murdered in this broad day light terrorism and prayed that may God rest the souls of the deceased in peace.