Manhunt after banners against MQM leader outside Pak court

Karachi: The police have launched a manhunt for unidentified persons here, who allegedly put up banners outside the Sindh High Court building and Saddar area, proclaiming those who are traitors of Mutthaida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain, deserve to die.

Banners were put up outside the high court building which falls in a high security zone, saying, "One who is traitor of the MQM leader deserves death". Hours later, banners proclaiming MQM leader Farooq Sattar and his colleagues as traitors were also shown in the regal chowk area of Saddar.

The banners also threatened the party leaders who supported a resolution in the national assembly last week against Altaf Hussain for his anti-Pakistan comments at a hunger strike camp of the MQM outside the Karachi Press Club on August 22nd.

"We are investigating the matter and hunting for those who put up these threatening banners," IG Sindh Police, A D Khawaja said while assuring strict action against those spreading ethnic hatred.
He said the banners and wall chalkings had the name of an unknown group, "Jansheen Banae MQM" (followers of the MQM founder).

The police quickly removed the banners outside the high court building as soon as the news flashed on television channels but later, they were also found in Saddar area and wall chalkings emerged at different places.
Mazhar Abbas, a political analyst said, "a power struggle was on in the MQM with its chief, Altaf Hussain not willing to give up power to the leaders who have announced that they are now leading the MQM Pakistan and no orders would be taken from London."

Hussain has been self-exiled in London since 1992/93 and has run the party affairs from there with absolute power.

But after the hunger strike camp incident, which led to a crackdown on the MQM in Karachi, with the paramilitary rangers and police demolishing dozens of the party sector and unit offices and sealing the headquarters, Dr Farooq Sattar has proclaimed that the MQM will now take all decisions in Pakistan and not from London.

The MQM leaders have also criticised the anti-Pakistan speeches by Hussain.

"I think Altaf Hussain despite the government declaring him persona non grata still has many followers in the MQM and we could see a bloody struggle for power in Karachi within the party," an MQM elected member said on condition of anonymity.