MQM seeks US intervention to protect Muhajirs in Pakistan

Washington: Pakistan's Muttahida Quami Movement has sought intervention of the US lawmakers into alleged human rights violations against the Muhajir (refugees from India) community in the country by army and security forces.

Members of the MQM on Tuesday submitted a two-page memorandum to US lawmakers, appealing them to ask the Pakistani army to stop "human rights violations" against Muhajirs.

"Since the formation of MQM in 1984, over 20,000 of its workers and supporters have been brutally murdered by the Pakistani army and other law enforcement agencies," the memorandum alleged.

"It is with the highest hopes that we turn to you so that you may use your influence and power to shed light on the atrocities being committed against the Muhajir community and its representative political party the MQM in Pakistan," the memorandum said.

MQM has also announced to hold a protest in front of White House on July 23, against the alleged Mohajir "genocide" in Pakistan.

During a Congressional hearing on Tuesday, some influential US lawmakers alleged that Pakistan government has a "regrettable record" of oppressing large communities.

"The Pakistani government has a regrettable record of oppressing some of the major components of its country, large minorities, including the Sindh and the Baloch. Free speech and political dialogue are restricted. Extra-judicial killings are common," Congressman Brad Sherman alleged.

Congressman Dana Rohrabacher also mentioned the alleged rights violations by the Pakistani forces.

"The people of Balochistan have to understand and should understand the US is on their side because they're struggling for independence and self-determination from a corrupt, vicious terrorist supporting regime," he said.

"Same with the Sindhis. Same with other groups in Afghanistan. So we've got a regime that represses and is corrupt with their own people. And yet we still continue to give some type of support. It is absolutely absurd," he said.