More than 20 individuals were taken into custody after a joint operation by police and security agencies in Karachi.
The raid targeted an office on I.I. Chundrigar Road that was allegedly operating under the cover of a “dummy newspaper” linked to the MQM-London faction.
Authorities described the premises as a suspected hidden setup connected to the London-based political group.
Joint Security Operation in Central Karachi
Law enforcement agencies conducted the raid with support from intelligence units.
During the operation, officials recovered party flags and banners believed to be associated with the banned faction.
Security personnel also inspected the office thoroughly before sealing the premises.
Police sources said the operation aimed to uncover activities being conducted under the guise of media operations.
Moreover, officials believe the office was being used to run a network linked to MQM-London.
Arrests and Transfer of Detainees
According to initial reports, more than 20 individuals were detained during the raid.
Authorities later shifted the arrested persons to an undisclosed location for further investigation.
Police did not immediately release the identities of those taken into custody.
In addition, no formal charges or legal proceedings have been announced so far.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the nature of their involvement.
Alleged Use of “Dummy Newspaper” Setup
Officials claimed the office functioned as a “dummy newspaper” outlet.
They believe it was being used as a cover for political activity linked to MQM-London.
The recovered materials included banners and flags connected to the group.
Following the seizure of evidence, authorities sealed the premises and restricted access to the building.
Investigators are now examining documents and materials recovered from the site.
Background of MQM-London Faction
The MQM-London faction traces its origins to the political movement founded in 1984 by Altaf Hussain.
Over time, the organisation experienced internal divisions, resulting in separate factions operating in Pakistan and abroad.
The London-based leadership remained active after the split, while domestic factions formed within Pakistan.
Previous Crackdowns and Political Context
The latest operation comes years after a major crackdown on the organisation in 2016.
At that time, authorities raided and sealed its Karachi headquarters following controversial statements made by Altaf Hussain from London.
Since then, law enforcement agencies have periodically monitored suspected activity linked to the group.
Investigation Continues
Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the detainees.
No official statement has confirmed potential charges or legal action at this stage.
However, investigations remain active as security agencies assess the scope of the network allegedly operating from the site.
Officials are expected to release further updates once initial inquiries are completed.
For now, the case remains under close scrutiny as authorities continue examining the evidence gathered during the raid.
