Members of Pakistan-based MQM have held a peaceful demonstration in front of the White House protesting against the alleged extra-judicial killings of its workers by Pakistani security forces in Karachi.
Holding placards and banners and shouting slogans for justice, the demonstrators yesterday demanded the Pakistan army chief "to stop terrorism and aggression against detained Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) supporters" in Rangers' custody.
They also called for taking stern action against Rangers personnel allegedly involved in the brutal killing of Aftab Ahmed, a MQM leader, in Karachi recently.
MQM alleged that Aftab Ahmed, who died in the custody of the paramilitary Rangers earlier this week, was subjected to torture 'before his death' with around '35 to 40 per cent' of his body bearing bruises.
This has been confirmed by a post-mortem report, it said.
Addressing the demonstrators, MQM's Mateen Yousuf welcomed the decision of the Pakistan army chief to order for an impartial inquiry into the death.
He also welcomed US state department statement showing concern on extra judicial killing of MQM worker Aftab Ahmed and human rights violations by security forces in Karachi.
The state operation is continuing to crush and eliminate the MQM, but despite all sorts of brutalities, supporters and activists of the party were determined and had faith in the party and its chief, he said.
MQM is a Karachi-based major political party of Urdu- speaking people who migrated from India after partition but it ran into troubles after Rangers and police launched operation in the city in 2013 to create peace with the backing of the powerful army.
The party was accused of having links with criminals and having a militant wing.
