KARACHI: Rangers informed an antiterrorism court on Wednesday about the 90-day preventive detention of Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Qamar Mansoor for questioning.

On July 17, the paramilitary force raided the MQM’s Nine Zero headquarters and picked up Mr Mansor, a member of the party’s coordination committee.

On Wednesday, Rangers soldiers along with their legal team brought the MQM leader to the ATC-II amid tight security.

Know more: MQM's Qamar Mansoor sent on transit remand in Rangers custody

Two Rangers men helped Mr Mansoor alight from an armoured-personnel carrier. He was seen limping and the two Rangers men also helped him walk up to the courtroom.

The Rangers’ law officers informed the ATC judge through an application that the suspect was detained upon “receiving credible information about his involvement in targeted killing, extortion and other offences” punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997.

Therefore, they said that the detainee was placed under preventive detention for three months under Section 11EEEE (1) of the ATA for inquiry and his production along with copies of notifications, detention order and the jail warrant was made in compliance with Section 11EEEE (3) of the ATA for information and record of the court.

The judge asked the suspect about his health condition. Mr Mansoor informed the judge that he had been suffering from kidney and backbone problems for the past 16 years, but his condition was worsening during the detention.

He complained of displacement of the spinal cord and blood in urine.

A Rangers’ law officer intervened and said that medical treatment was being provided to the detainee.

However, the MQM leader requested the court that he wished to be treated at two private hospitals as doctors there had the record of his ailments.

Advocate Mohammad Jiwani of the MQM’s legal wing opposed the three-month preventive detention.

Referring to a number of cases registered against the MQM chief and other party leaders regarding alleged hate speech against the armed forces, he submitted that his client was framed in many cases and he should be remanded in police custody.

He also argued that keeping in view the condition of the detainee, he might be sent to hospital instead of jail.

However, the judge expressed displeasure and replied that if he knew about the cases against him, why he did not appear in court to surrender himself.

The judge said that unless medical reports were placed in court no such order could be passed.

After examining the documents submitted by both sides, the judge directed the Rangers officials for the detainee’s medical examination and asked them to submit a report till July 27.

The Rangers picked up Mr Mansoor along with the in charge of the MQM coordination committee Kaif-ul-Wara for allegedly facilitating hate speeches against peace in Karachi. Later, Kaif-ul-Wara was released on a personal surety.

Earlier, the Rangers produced Mr Mansoor before a judicial magistrate (central), performing special duty during the gazetted holidays, on July 19 and obtained his three-day transit remand since the ATCs were closed for the Eid holidays.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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