In a significant legal development, an anti-terrorism court in Karachi has cleared Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Chairman Afaq Ahmad of all charges related to setting a dumper on fire and inciting public violence.
Court Delivers Verdict After Brief Detention
The court announced its decision on Thursday, bringing relief to the political leader who had been taken into custody on February 12, 2025. Ahmad's arrest occurred mere hours after he conducted a press conference where he expressed serious concerns about Karachi's deteriorating road safety situation.
During his press address, the MQM-H chairman had highlighted the alarming statistics of road accidents involving heavy vehicles, particularly emphasizing that 92 lives had been lost in just 40 days due to accidents involving dumper trucks in the city.
Background of the Controversy
Ahmad had been vocal about supporting the Sindh government's decision to restrict heavy vehicle entry into Karachi during daylight hours. However, prior to this support, he had instructed Muhajir youth to prevent heavy vehicles from entering the city, which authorities alleged led to violent incidents including the burning of a dumper.
The political leader's detention came as a surprise to many, given that his press conference had focused on public safety concerns rather than inciting violence. His statements had specifically welcomed the provincial government's measures to address the road accident crisis.
Legal Outcome and Implications
The anti-terrorism court's acquittal decision marks an important moment in Karachi's political and legal landscape. The court found insufficient evidence to connect Ahmad directly to the charges of arson and incitement to violence.
This verdict concludes a legal battle that began when authorities took action against the MQM-H leader following his public statements about road safety. The case had drawn attention to the broader issue of regulating heavy vehicle traffic in Pakistan's largest metropolitan city.
With this acquittal, Afaq Ahmad can now resume his political activities without the legal constraints that had been imposed following his arrest earlier this year.
