ARMY, PARAMILITARY RANGERS AND POLICE COMBINED RAID OPERATION FOR THE ARREST OF DR. FAROOQ SATTAR, MQM PARLIAMENTARY LEADER FOR SINDH ASSEMBLY AND MEMBER OF THE MQM’S CENTRAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE.

17 November 1999

London time: 4.30 a.m.

According to latest reports, the house of Dr. Farooq Sattar was raided by Army, Paramilitary Rangers, Police and other law enforcement agencies personnel. Amongst the raiding party was the notorious police officer Chaudhry Aslam, responsible of extra-judicially murdering several MQM workers and supporters since June 1992. The raiding party forcibly entered into the house and ransacked the entire house on the pretext of house search. The assistants Younus and Javed were severely tortured by Chaudhry Aslam during the raid. Javed was subjected to famous "Cheera" torture, whereas Younus was badly beaten with police baton. All this torture was inflicted upon Younus and Haved inside the house of Dr. Farooq Sattar. The raiding party contiued to inquire about the whereabouts of Dr. Farooq Sattar and his wife; and used derrogatory language for them. Several important personal documents were also confiscated by the raiding party. The entire household items including the wardrobes, filing cabinets and the rest of the furniture was broken and destroyed. Furthermore, Younus has been taken into custody and shifted to unknown place.

London time 12:30 a.m.

Heavy contingent of Army, Para Military Ranger and Police along with other agencies conducted raid at the residence of Dr. Farooq Sattar at around 4:20 a.m., (Pakistan Standard Time) on 16^th November 1999. Dr. Farooq Sattar’s residence at P.I.B Colony, Karachi was cordoned off by the personnel and armed personnel carrier (APCS) of the above said law enforcement agencies. Dr. Farooq Sattar is the Member of MQM Central Co-ordination Committee, Parliamentary Leader of the MQM in the Sindh Provincial Assembly and the former Mayor of the city of Karachi.

Raiding party forcibly entered into the residence of Dr. Farooq Sattar. They physically and verbally abused the family members. They also plundered the house and confiscated important files and documents. During the raid the law enforcers brutally tortured Dr. Farooq Sattar’s Personal Assistant Younus and his watchman Javed. They arrested his personal assistant Younus.

This raid, arrest and harassment clearly indicate the obnoxious facet of vendetta of the law enforcers against the MQM.

This combined operation of the Army, Para Military Rangers and Police is also indicative of the continuation of the State Agenda to annihilate and crush the political and physical existence of the MQM that is the third largest political party of Pakistan.