Karachi: The veteran MQM leader Saleem Shahzad is immediately arrested after his arrival at Karachi’s Jinnah International airport. He was arrested by Senior Superintendent Police Malir Rao Anwar.
Shahzad, also one of the founding members of the MQM, had been living in London since 1992 and announced his return on Twitter on Sunday. He returned to Pakistan on a flight from Dubai. His arrest warrants are issued 10th time by a local Anti-Terrorism Court in Karachi in a case related to providing treatment and shelter to alleged terrorists.
Upon Shahzad's arrival at Karachi airport, the Federal Investigation Agency contacted the police regarding the matter of his involvement in the Dr Asim case, airport sources confirmed, after which the SSP Malir confirmed that he had been taken into custody.
He said various circles in Karachi were sending him threats of arrest but he was not afraid.
"I have not committed any crime, I am not afraid of getting arrested," he said.
In 2014, Shahzad had spoken about "a corrupt lobby in the Muttahida which is against ideological workers."
"These elements are involved in extortion, murder, smuggling and other illegal activities," the London-based leader of the party had said.
When asked whether he had come to "unite everyone", Shahzad replied, "That is the plan."
