Pakistan army orders probe into MQM worker's custodial death

The Pakistan Army chief on Wednesday ordered an inquiry into the death of a political activist in custody of the Rangers in Karachi.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has held a sway over Pakistan's port city for long, accused the Rangers of having carried out dozens of extra-judicial killings of party members since 2013. The Rangers, however, deny the charge.

"The army chief (General Raheel Sharif) has ordered an inquiry in the case. He instructed that justice be done," a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations said on Wednesday.

Aftab Ahmed was reportedly taken into detention by law enforcement personnel from his house on Sunday and died on Tuesday.

He was among seven suspects presented before a judge of the anti-terrorism court on Monday by the paramilitary Rangers.

The Rangers initially said Ahmed died of a heart attack, but the MQM said Ahmed was "extra-judicially killed" in the force's custody.

"COAS has directed to hold an inquiry to find out truth in the case of Aftab Ahmed," the ISPR said in a statement.

On Tuesday he was rushed to the Jinnah Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

"Aftab Ahmed was brought to the Jinnah Hospital at 7.25 a.m this morning. He was treated in the emergency ward. Aftab Ahmed passed away during emergency treatment," said Seemi Jamali, head of emergency at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC).

But later, a report by the medico-legal advisor stated that Aftab Ahmed had already expired before he was brought to the hospital at 8.05 a.m.

--IANS

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