Pak forces seal MQM party office after TV station attack

Karachi, August 23 

Supporters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) rushed to the office of ARY News on Monday shortly after their leader Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London, had in a telephone address sharply criticised the Pakistani media for failing to report on his workers’ recent hunger strikes.

Crowds of MQM workers then attacked the television office, firing shots and smashing the premises. They later clashed with police outside, leaving one person dead and several wounded.

“We have sealed the MQM headquarters, their media office and (their) hostel, some weapons have also been recovered,” Khurram Shahzad, the sector commander for the regional paramilitary Rangers force told reporters on Tuesday.

MQM said five of its leaders had been taken into custody. 

In a statement issued from London, Hussain asked for forgiveness from the army and Rangers chiefs.

“From the depth of heart, I beg pardon from the Pakistani establishment,” he said.  — Reuters