Afaq Ahmed acquitted in dumper torching incitement case

An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Karachi on Thursday acquitted Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) Chairman Afaq Ahmed in a case related to the burning of a dumper truck and alleged incitement to violence.

The case had been registered against Afaq Ahmed by the Landhi police, accusing him of making provocative statements at a time when the city had seen several dumper and truck arson incidents earlier this year.

The vehicles were targeted following a surge in fatal road accidents involving heavy transport.

During the hearing, the ATC reviewed the evidence and concluded that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges. As a result, the court ordered his acquittal.

Afaq Ahmed had been taken into custody in February from his residence in DHA and booked in two separate cases—one at Landhi Police Station and another at Awami Police Station—after four dumper trucks were set on fire in different parts of Karachi.

He was accused of making remarks that allegedly encouraged such attacks, though his legal team had consistently denied the allegations.