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Pakistan soldiers raid MQM's Karachi headquarters | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Security forces have raided the Karachi headquarters of Pakistan's fourth biggest political party, detaining "hardcore criminals" and seizing arms. | |
Col Tahir Mahmood said troops acted on information that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was hiding criminals. | Col Tahir Mahmood said troops acted on information that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was hiding criminals. |
Schools and businesses across the city closed down amid fears of a backlash. | |
The MQM, which has urged a national protest, has long been accused of using violence and intimidation to control Karachi - claims it denies. | |
At various times in its 30-year history, the MQM has been part of the national governing coalition. | |
But leader Altaf Hussain lives in self-imposed exile in London, where he is being investigated over money-laundering allegations. | |
And its control of Karachi is increasingly being challenged by ethnic gangs, says the BBC's M Ilyas Khan in Islamabad. | |
At the scene: Shahzeb Jillani, BBC News, Karachi | |
The MQM operates from the modest residence of party chief Altaf Hussain, and its adjoining buildings. The complex, known as Nine-Zero, has narrow, heavily guarded lanes that served as Mr Hussain's base until he went into exile. | |
For die-hard loyalists, many of whom were seen weeping after the raid, the sanctity of the neighbourhood has been violated. For critics of the party, however, Nine-Zero remains a no-go area from where the MQM has used the fear of guns and bullets to control this city of 20 million. | |
Such a raid at MQM premises may have been unthinkable 15 years ago, for fear of a violent backlash. But much has changed since then. | |
Having spent more than a decade in government, the MQM is seen as weaker and somewhat directionless today. Its leader is under pressure from the British authorities as he faces a series of allegations, including money-laundering. He is also said to be suffering from health problems. | |
On the ground in Karachi, the MQM's muscle may be intact but it is believed that the army is managing to persuade the party to move away from its violent past. | |
'Beyond understanding' | 'Beyond understanding' |
After Wednesday's early morning raid, supporters and activists gathered outside the MQM headquarters and party leaders called for a nationwide strike. | After Wednesday's early morning raid, supporters and activists gathered outside the MQM headquarters and party leaders called for a nationwide strike. |
Speaking to Pakistan's Geo News, senior MQM figure Farooq Sattar said the operation was "inappropriate and beyond understanding". | Speaking to Pakistan's Geo News, senior MQM figure Farooq Sattar said the operation was "inappropriate and beyond understanding". |
"MQM has itself always maintained its policy of zero tolerance against crime and terrorism, and it has always offered to co-operate," he said. | "MQM has itself always maintained its policy of zero tolerance against crime and terrorism, and it has always offered to co-operate," he said. |
The MQM said paramilitary rangers had detained a number of its leaders including Amir Khan, a member of its central co-ordination committee. | |
Col Tahir told local media Mr Khan had not been arrested, but was being held for questioning to explain "the presence of criminal elements". | |
The colonel said the cache of weapons recovered included illegal arms that "cannot even be imported into Pakistan". | |
"We suspect that these weapons may be those from missing Nato containers," he said. | "We suspect that these weapons may be those from missing Nato containers," he said. |
Party officials said the weapons were held legally and accused the security officers of shooting dead a party worker. | |
Other accounts suggested the worker may have been killed by a stray bullet fired in the air by unknown gunmen. | |
The MQM has appealed for a national peaceful protest. | |
What is MQM? | |
1984: Founded as the party of Urdu-speakers who migrated from India at the time of the 1947 partition, known as Muhajir | |
1988: Wins all seats in Karachi, becoming Pakistan's third largest party | |
1992: Party chief Altaf Hussain leaves country after an arrest warrant is issued in a murder case; army claims to have busted "torture cells" used by MQM activists to punish opponents | |
2004: Emerges as major ally of military ruler General Pervez Musharraf | |
2014: London police raid the home of Altaf Hussain, who still controls the party, and investigate claims of money laundering and murder |