Jailed MQM leader takes oath as Karachi mayor

Waseem Akhtar, a jailed leader of Mutthaida-e-Qaumi Movement in Pakistan, today took oath as Karachi’s mayor, after the Sindh high court allowed him to attend the ceremony.

The oath-taking ceremony, which was attended by foreign diplomats, businessmen and political leaders, was delayed for nearly two-and-half-hours as the High Court heard and dismissed at least two petitions challenging the right of Akhtar to take oath as Mayor of Pakistan’s biggest city and financial hub.

Akhtar, 60, was brought from the Central jail in heavy security and took oath, along with his running mate Arshad Vohra, who took oath as deputy mayor. Karachi has not had a mayor since 2010.

Before the oath-taking ceremony, Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaaf’s Faisal Wada submitted a petition in the High Court, requesting it to stop the event but the petition was dismissed after the court said no charges were proven against Akhtar as yet. 

Akhtar is facing several charges and serving judicial custody in connection with the violence on May 12, 2007 which is also known as ‘Black Saturday’ riots.