Pak Army, ISI killed Prof Arif: MQM Chief

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder and leader Altaf Hussain alleged that his party leader Professor Hassan Zafar Arif was "assassinated" while in custody of security forces of Pakistan.

Addressing a condolence reverence held in memory of the 'slain' professor here, Hussain claimed that Pakistan's military forces, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and paramilitary rangers had "murdered him in custody."

Paying his tributes to Professor Arif, Hussain said, "It was his ideology to consider the masses as slaves, and not as free people if they are forced to live as per the instructions of the state. He had dedicated his entire life for the noble cause of freeing the common man from the clutches of tyranny. Even though he was jailed frequently, he did not quit his mission. His blood would give rise to a revolution; it won't go in vain."

Furthermore, Hussain shed light on the importance given by Professor Arif to advocating equality among the different classes of society while hailing him as a "true and resolute Marxist and rights activist."

"Professor Arif always supported the fact that nobody had a choice to be a Muslim, Hindu or Christian by birth. It was their upbringing that instilled a sense of faith and religion in them. He always urged that all religions preach peace, tranquility and equality and respect to humanity, and disliked any kind of division on the basis of cast, creed or culture," he said.

"Pakistan had declared Ahmedis as an infidel (Non-Muslim), but aren't they also humans? Their genocide is a crime against humanity, as is that of Christian, Hindu, Sikh community members," Hussain added.

Enlightening the gathering on Professor Arif's struggle against the extrajudicial killings of Mohajirs, Hussain said the former's attempts were constantly subdued by the forces of tyranny, but he continued to fight for their rights.

"Professor Arif started his struggle for the rights of Mohajirs but the forces of tyranny imposed a ban on him, on his speech and sealed his house and offices. Yet, he continued to fight, not just for this community, but for all oppressed sections f society, including Sindhi, Baloch, Pakhtoon, Seraikis, Hazarwalla, Gilgiti, Baltistani and so on," said Hussain.

Professor Arif was found dead in his car in Karachi's Ilyas Goth area on January 14, a day after his abduction.

Police, military intelligence and military establishment had cited cardiac arrest as the reason for his demise.