Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly, Khawaja Izharul Hassan has said on Saturday that he would raise voice in the assembly against his 'illegal' arrest yesterday. While talking to the media outside an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) after he was granted extension in bail in case regarding provocative speech of MQM founder Altaf Hussain, he claimed that he was unlawfully arrested and would not sit quiet about it.
"If I want to protest at Friday's events, I will use the platform of assembly," the MQM leader said. It would be better if Chief Minister of Sindh, Murad Ali Shah and Sindh Police Inspector General do what is constitutionally required of them in such an issue, he added.
He accused Rao Anwar, suspended Senior Superintendent of Police of Malir area, of disrespecting the law by arresting him. Hassan said that the suspended SSP was supposed to tell him his crime but all he did was complain that MQM leaders have made huge properties. He told the media that he was feeling unwell and was about to go to a hospital for check-up. Personnel of Sindh Police had allegedly raided a locality yesterday claiming there was credible intelligence over presence of a wanted terrorist.
However, residence of the Leader of the Opposition in Sindh Assembly was raided and he was not present at the time. As soon as Hassan reached his residence to inquire the matter, Rao Anwar followed with a heavy contingent and took him in custody. In the following hours, Anwar, famous for being tough on MQM was suspended and it was reported that the government was mulling lodging a case against him.
However, while talking to media, suspended police officer said that Hassan was nabbed in three cases that involve serious anti-terrorism clauses and stated that the Opposition Leader could not be released until court's order. Rao Anwar, talking to media persons after the arrest of MQM's Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan on Friday, had referred to the arrested MQM leader as the "chief of target killers".
Criticising targeted raids against MQM and political victimisation of party members, Izhar said on the basis language, no one should declare anyone a traitor. He added that accusations should be dealt with in the courts only. Reacting to Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan's arrest, Senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar said the incident happened due to personal enmities and political conflicts certain groups have against 'Mohajors' and MQM. MQM could not tolerate the humiliation of its leaders being harassed in public; Dr Farooq Sattar told media after Izhar-ul-Hassan was released on Friday.