MQM-H Chairman Afaq Ahmed released from jail after bail in arson case

Karachi: Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Chairman Afaq Ahmed was released on Tuesday after securing bail in a case related to arson.

The case stemmed from an incident in which several heavy vehicles were set on fire after Afaq held a press conference criticizing traffic accidents in Karachi. The court granted Afaq bail after hearing the case involving a tanker being set ablaze by a group of people. The judge granted him bail against Rs100,000 surety bonds.

Afaq had been sent to prison on judicial remand just three days earlier in a separate case about a water bowser being set on fire in Surjani Town. The firebrand politician had made a statement against rising traffic accidents in Karachi, and shortly after, several heavy vehicles were torched.

Afaq is also facing charges in two additional cases filed at Landhi and Awami Colony police stations under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA). He was granted bail in these cases by an anti-terrorism court but was later re-arrested by the Surjani police.

His arrest on February 11 came after he made a "provocative statement" regarding fatal accidents caused by dumper trucks in the city, which led to the loss of 92 lives within 40 days. In response to these accidents, authorities imposed a daytime entry ban on heavy vehicles, a move that led to protests from transporters.