At least one person was killed and seven others injured after activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement clashed with the police and vandalised a private television station in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday evening (local time), for biased media coverage. The violence erupted soon after MQM's exiled chief, Altaf Hussain, addressed his supporters over the phone from London, during which he demanded proper media coverage, AFP reported.
ARY News alleged that a number of its staff, including women, were held hostage as the ransacking continued for more than an hour, reported The Times of India. Police said MQM activists pelted stones at them and resorted to aerial firing, according to a local Pakistani news channel.
The MQM, however, has denied responsibility for the attack. MQM leader Amir Liaquat Hussain said they were against the philosophy of violence. However, the party's senior official Wasay Jalil later said MQM activists had been protesting peacefully at the ARY News office when police started firing at them without any provocation.
Director general of the Pakistan Rangers, Major General Bilal Akbar, told Dunya News that action will be taken against those responsible for the attack. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, too, condemned the attack.
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