An anti-terrorism court once again issued non-bailable arrest warrants for Muttahida Qaumi Movement founder and other absconders in a case pertaining to the incendiary speech by the founder on August 22 and the violence that followed on the day in the city. The court has directed authorities to arrest the absconders and present them before court by November 25.
Investigation officer in the case said a request for a joint investigation team has been sent to the interior ministry and will be formed after permission is granted. The team will probe MQM-P chief Farooq Sattar and party leader Amir Khan.
Courts have issued arrest warrants for the founder and declared him an absconder on various occasions. An ATC in Islamabad on September 6 found him as absconder and issued permanent arrest warrants. The cases against MQM leaders were registered after the violent incidents of August 22 last year during and after a telephonic speech by the party's founder. MQM workers were staging a hunger strike outside Karachi Press Club when the founder addressed them, made anti-state remarks and urged party workers to attack media over what he claimed was less coverage to him.