Karachi situation to improve after SC verdict, says CJ

KARACHI: A special bench of the Supreme Court was hearing the suo motu case on the violence in Karachi on Wednesday, DawnNews reported.

The special bench is headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry and includes Justices Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Ghulam Rabbani and Amir Hani Muslim.

During the hearing, Chief Justice Iftikhar remarked that after the apex court’s decision on the case, the government would become alert and Karachi’s conditions would improve.

He moreover said that if Karachi’s situation was worse than that of Waziristan, then how could the government be termed as successful.

Also during today’s proceedings, counsel for the federal government, Babar Awan, said that international powers were trying to prove that Pakistan was a failed state and if the court’s judgment was along similar lines then that would have a negative impact.

To that, the court said that a government’s failure was not the failure of the state.(Dawn.com)

Heavy rains cripple Karachi; businesses, schools closed

KARACHI: Floods triggered by heavy monsoon rains crippled Pakistan's biggest city and commercial hub of Karachi on Tuesday, with few people able to make it to work or school.

In Karachi, the capital of Sindh, rain was forecast through Wednesday at least.
Rains that began Monday evening still continuing in the city. The convoy of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was also stuck.

Many streets were impassable, cars were stuck, several fuel stations were inundated and no visible efforts were underway to drain water.

"We have recorded 50-100 mm (2 to 4 inches) of rain in Karachi and the situation is pretty bad. Many main roads and areas are inundated at the moment and it can turn even worse," said Mohammad Hussain Syed, the city's district coordination officer.

He said no casualties had been recorded.

The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) will close at the usual 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, reversing an earlier decision to close at noon because of floods in Pakistan's commercial capital, an exchange official said.

"I thought I would be able to make it to work, but it was a wrong decision. Now I am stuck. My car has broken down and I can't even find anyone for help," said banker Khalid Hussain, standing knee-deep in water. (The News Pk)

Imran Khan lays blame for Karachi violence on MQM

KARACHI: In a press conference on Sunday, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan lambasted Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) as “the pioneer of belligerence in Karachi politics by instituting a militant wing,”.

The PTI chairman added that, “the major responsibility of the present situation is on the MQM’s shoulders since the party was the forerunner in organizing and funding land and bhatta mafias. The rest of the political parties followed this trend later on.”

He was addressing a press conference at the Palwal House in DHA phase four which is home to the party’s vice present Najeeb Haroon.

Khan said that the politics of militancy and accusations would ultimately divide this city along ethnic lines.

Expressing his views on the deteriorating law and order situation of the city, the PTI chairman said that major political parties cannot find a way out of the anarchy in Karachi because their armed militant wings are the root cause of the anarchy.

“Name any political party in Karachi that get votes and doesn’t have a militant wing,” Khan posed a question, adding that only a neutral governor rule under a powerful administration can restore peace and stability in the city.

“No PTI militant wing”

Khan said that the PTI took great efforts to curb pressure from inside that the party should establish a militant wing. “It has become a trend now. People can’t think of any political party devoid of a militant wing but PTI can’t compromise on principles,” he added.

Reiterating his stance on military intervention, the PTI chairman said that an army operation in Karachi is not a permanent solution, adding that an unbiased police force under neutral administration could control the law and order situation.

The PTI chairman urged the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to ensure a free and fair probe into the allegations levelled and revelations made by former Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza against Rehman Malik and the MQM.

He added that the allegations made by Mirza were directly related to the integrity and stability of the country and the President, Prime Minister and Federal Interior Minister should step down.

Khan held President Zardari responsible for target killings, violence and a wave of crime across Pakistan.

“The present government is trying to complete its tenure by providing shelter to terrorists,” Khan said. Read more at Express Tribune

113 detained during search operation in Karachi

KARACHI: Rangers and Police carried out search operation in parts of metropolis, apprehending 113 suspects, Geo News reported.

According to the sources, the operation was carried out in residential buildings on M A Jinnah Road, Jalal Abad area of Nazimabad and Kimari.

Sources said that rangers and police detained 113 suspects during the operation. (The News Pk)

Heavy rains hit Karachi

KARACHI: Many roads and streets in the city went inundated as heavy rains lashed Karachi on Saturday afternoon.

Inundation of a number of roads was creating problems for motorists.

Areas near flyovers and underpasses were also badly affected.Read more at The New Pk

I might be killed for patriotism: Altaf Hussain

LONDON: During a video conference Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain claimed that if the army, ISI, and MQM joined hands than they could even face a superpower, Geo News reported.

The MQM chief spoke of an international conspiracy to divide Pakistan. He said his life was at risk due to this conspiracy.

Presenting a map in which Punjab along with half of the country was marked as a part of Afghanistan he said, "I fear I may be killed as I am a hurdle in plans of dividing Pakistan."

The map also showed Balochistan as an independent state while some parts of Karachi were also included in Afghanistan.

Hussain said that he was willing to provide all MQM workers to support the army in an effort to thwart international conspiracies to divide the country.

Accusing the present Awami National Party (ANP) leadership of misguiding Pakhtuns, Hussain said, "If I was against Pakhtuns the why was the MQM supported across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa [when they had announced the day of mourning for the victims of violence in Karachi.]"

According to Hussain ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan was given several million dollars by the United States to win the 2008 elections.

Saying history taught in Pakistan was inaccurate, Hussain said, Pakistan today is a far cry from Jinnah's vision of secularism and equality for all.

He said innocent people were tortured and slaughtered by terrorists during the recent wave of violence in Karachi. "If I was not the chief of my party I would have been killed or taken someone's life."

He called on the president, prime minster, chief of army staff and ISI chief to view a video of people from the Urdu-speaking community being tortured. Hussain alleged the video was made by criminals from the Lyari Amn Committee.

He clarified that the MQM was not against the people of Lyari but against criminals whoever they may be.

He said the ANP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Peoples Amn Committee and Haqiqi were involved in terrorist activity in Karachi and if action was not taken than he would withdraw his appeal to MQM workers to remain peaceful.

Speaking about the carnage which took place on May 12, 2007 the MQM chief said his party had not taken out the procession against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry nor did they shout any slogans against him.

Hussain accused the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) of paying Haqiqi members to fire on an MQM rally during May 12 and fuelling the violence which took place in Karachi that day.

Hussain demanded that action be taken against the JI's militant wing 'Thunder Squad'.

He added that 16 MQM workers were killed while 65 were injured on May 12.

Calling the Charter of Democracy (COD) a "document of false promises", Hussain said both the Peoples Party and Nawaz Sharif had failed to implement its contents.

When asked about accusations made by Zulfiqar Mirza against him and his party, Altaf Hussain said he would not answer them.

yed Mustafa Kamal Press Conference Against the Allegations of Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza

Source: The News Pk

Syed Mustafa Kamal Press Conference

Syed Mustafa Kamal Press Conference Against the Allegations of Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza

Zulfiqar Mirza Talks Bravely Against MQM

Bomb alert forces Pakistan plane to land in Istanbul: agency

A bomb alert forced a Pakistan International airlines (PIA) plane to land at Istanbul’s Ataturk airport on Wednesday, state-run Anatolia news agency reported.

Security officials with sniffer dogs searched the plane, Anatolia said.

The bomb alert, which came as the aircraft was flying over the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, caused panic among passengers, the agency said.

The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300EA carrying 378 passengers, had departed from the British city of Manchester and was bound to Islamabad, the Turkish news channel HaberTurk said.

Zardari should resign if guilty of breaking up country: Mirza

KARACHI: Former Sindh home minister, Zulfiqar Mirza Monday said that whoever was a tool in breaking up the country should resign even if that meant President Asif Ali Zardari, Geo News reported.

Zulfiqar Mirza was speaking during Geo News program ‘Lekin’ and once again lashed out at the MQM and Interior Minister, Rehman Malik. He accused MQM leader Babar Ghauri of being behind the theft of NATO weapons containers. He also accused the MQM of collecting Rs 5,000 on every container which left the Karachi Port. He added that the US was providing support to the MQM.

Mirza said he had spoken to Khursheed Shah and informed him about his decision to resign, to which Shah had told him that he needed time to speak with the Prime Minister. According to Mirza his only demand was the removal of Interior Minister, Rehman Malik and that Malik’s appointment was a mistake made by President Zardari.

On the Lyari Amn (Peace) Committee, the former provincial minister said that he was with them and why was it that the army was not conducting an operation at the MQM headquarters Nine Zero. (The News Pk)

Mirza’s allegations not PPP policy, says MQM

KARACHI: Former city nazim and MQM leader Mustafa Kamal has said Dr Zulfikar Mirza’s allegations against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and its chief are not PPP’s policy, adding that his party will continue the dialogue with the ruling party on rejoining the government.

Talking to a private TV channel on Tuesday night after holding a lengthy press conference, Mr Kamal said President Asif Ali Zardari had advised MQM chief Altaf Hussain not to watch Mr Mirza on television channels. He quoted the president as saying that he himself had been disappointed.

He said there was an inbuilt mechanism in the MQM which barred criminals from entering the party which stood for politics of peace and democracy in the country.

At the press conference, Mr Kamal severely criticised the media and human rights organisations while responding to former Sindh home minister Dr Mirza’s outburst. He said his party could not be stopped from mainstream national politics merely on the basis of allegations, tricks and biased statements.

He did not invite the PPP-led coalition government to intervene, but appealed to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and state institutions and agencies to fairly examine Dr Mirza’s allegations and recent spell of killings in the city and give their opinion.

Mr Kamal said the elements hatching conspiracies to end the Muttahida and push Muhajirs to the wall should know that the MQM enjoyed the full mandate of people belonging to different ethnic groups and was needed for survival, integrity and independence of the country.

“The negative and biased thinking and acts of accusing the MQM and Quaid-i-Tehreek Altaf Hussain of indulging in anti-Pakistan activities should be stopped forthwith in the interest of the country and its people.”

Mr Kamal advised workers of his party not to be provoked, but stay united and steadfast as time would once again prove that all allegations against the MQM and its leadership were false and baseless.

It was the second press conference by the MQM after Dr Mirza had levelled serious allegations against the United State, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Mr Hussain on August 28.

Mr Kamal said the Muttahida had not been prompt or harsh in countering Dr Mirza only in the interest of the province and the country. “We think that a mild and civilised reaction by Faisal Sabzwari on behalf of the MQM was enough to Dr Mirza’s baseless and nonsensical allegations, but unfortunately different quarters, including the media and TV anchorpersons, have been trying to get something out of these,” he added.

Accompanied by other members of the coordination committee, including Nasreen Jalil and Dr Sagheer Ahmad, the former city nazim criticised a statement by Dr Mirza that the MQM chief had written a letter to then British prime minister Tony Blair in 2001, saying that his party was ready to bring thousands of people to the streets in his support.

Mr Kamal said this was a heinous allegation. The letter was fake and baseless because the address of MQM secretariat in it was Colindale which was incorrect.

He also denied allegations mentioned in the alleged letter that the party had sought dismantling of the ISI. “The letter’s genuineness is yet to be proved; it aims at creating misunderstandings about the MQM among sections of Pakistan army.”

Mr Kamal said MQM was a patriotic party which believed in security and stability of Pakistan, but it was shameful that uncalled for statements and allegations were being levelled against the party and its chief.

If Dr Mirza is so firm in his statements and got firm grounds to prove his allegations he should go to courts instead of resorting to ‘Muhajir bashing’ and telling lies.

He asked why was Dr Mirza silent when he being the home minister had reports that MQM’s port and shipping minister was behind the theft of Nato containers. Dr Mirza should have lodged FIRs, instead of making false claims now, he added.( Dawn News )

SC adjourns hearing on Karachi target killings

A special bench of the Supreme Court (SC), headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry resumes hearing of suo moto case on target killings in Karachi here Monday.

The lawyer of Awami National Party (ANP) Iftikhar Hussain Gilani presented his arguments.

During his arguments, the lawyer for the ANP said that there are neither ethnic riots nor gang war in Karachi, adding that innocent people and not “gangsters” are the victims of violence.

Gilani also requested that court summon Interior Minister Rehman Malik regarding a “disturbing” statement he made about the recent rise of violence in the city.

He added that statements of Zulfiqar Mirza could not be ignored.

During the hearing Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry remarked that Why Zulfiqar Mirza stayed quite for eight years? Why he did not say anything before? Does he want to become a partner in the case?

On the last hearing senior lawyer Hafeez Pirzada, representing the Sindh government had completed his arguments.

Earlier, the CJ ordered the Sindh IG to nab the culprits and submit a CD containing the interviews of the four endured persons in the target killing in the commercial hub of the country. The court asked the attorney general to submit the report of the intelligence agencies.(AAJ Tv)

Karachi operation: 24 suspects arrested from Godhra

KARACHI: More than 24 suspects were arrested on Monday during a search operation against criminals in Karachi’s Godhra area after two armed groups clashed late Sunday night, resulting in five deaths.

The search operation was jointly carried out by Police and Rangers personnel after five people were killed in shooting incidents in Godhra in the last 24 hours.

Security forces also seized weapons from the arrested suspects.

Duty officer ASI Mehmood from the New Karachi industrial said the firing incident occurred between two ethnic groups.

According to police, 22-year-old Sohail Ayub, 35-year-old Abdul Ismail, 26-year-old Noor Mohammed, 30-year-old Mohammed Yousuf, and 56-year-old Ayub Mujeed were killed in the incident.

The funeral prayers of four of the five killed, including a woman, have been offered.

Tension prevails in the area as shops and markets remain closed.

Meanwhile,three terrorists have been arrested during a search operation in Liaqatabad.

The terrorists have been identified as Mursleen, Kashif and Shakeel.(Express Tribune)

Aftermath: PPP disavows Mirza, but takes no action

ISLAMABAD: The ruling Pakistan Peoples Party on Monday disavowed the statements of former Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza, calling them ‘unacceptable’ and ‘a violation of party discipline’, though the party leadership stopped short of announcing any punitive actions against Mirza.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in his capacity as PPP co-chairman, had called a meeting of PPP leaders from Sindh to discuss the fallout from the fiery diatribe that Mirza had launched against a member of his own party – Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik – as well as the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
“The party leadership disowned the accusations made in the press conference by Zulfiqar Mirza in Karachi on Sunday,” said Farhatullah Babar, the president’s spokesperson, after the meeting.
(Read: Hurricane Mirza shakes up political landscape)
Mirza is considered one of President Zardari’s closest associates, having on several occasions referred to the president as a ‘close personal friend’. Opponents of the PPP have, in the past, assumed that statements made by Mirza were being made on behalf of the president.
But the explosive rant by Mirza on Sunday took most observers by surprise, especially since he announced his resignation from the Sindh cabinet, the provincial assembly and even his position within the PPP leadership, though he stated that he would remain a member of the party ‘for life’.
In an official handout made available to the press after the meeting, Mirza’s actions were termed “an unacceptable violation of party discipline and contrary to the well thought out policy of political reconciliation envisaged by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto.”
However, the party leadership made no mention of any possible disciplinary action against Mirza, a point that is likely to raise questions and arouse criticism from the party’s political opponents. In the past, the PPP has been known to suspend the membership of several of its cadre who have stepped out of line.
(Read: Analysis – What now after Zulfiqar Mirza’s bombshell?)
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah tried to term his almost immediate acceptance of Mirza’s resignations from the Sindh Assembly and cabinet a form of disciplinary action.
While still at odds with the MQM, in its statement the PPP leadership also reiterated its resolve to continue the process of political reconciliation, though it did not name any specific party.
“There may have been pauses in the process but there shall be no break in the purpose,” President Zardari was quoted as having said by his spokesperson. Interestingly enough, Rehman Malik and Senator Babar Awan – the two men who have been actively involved in trying to manage the negotiations with the MQM – were not present at the meeting, in an apparent endorsement of the demands made by Mirza and several other PPP politicians from Sindh that these two men not be allowed to intervene in the affairs of the province again.
The two men were replaced at the meeting by Religious Affairs Minister Syed Khursheed Shah (an MNA from Sukkur) and Qamar Zaman Kaira, an MNA from Gujrat.
The Sindh chief minister, meanwhile, briefed the meeting about the ongoing drive against those responsible for the recent wave of violence in Karachi that has thus far claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 people since the beginning of the calendar year.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2011.

Rehman Malik’s plea to Supreme Court

Interior Minister Rehman Malik has appealed to the Supreme Court to impose ban on collection of skins of sacrificial animals and ‘Fitra’ by political parties.

It will help maintaining peace in Karachi, he said while talking to media at State Guest house after presiding over law and order meeting here on Monday.

He said the situation in the city has improved but strict action will remain in place against criminals to ensure permanent peace.

“If we get information about the presence of arms or criminals in the office of any political party, strict action will be taken against the responsible”, he added

He said joint interrogation team led by SSP has been formed for investigation of accused, arrested during the operation. The team will send its report to Home Secretary.

The interior Minister said that the SHOs are responsible for maintaining peace in their respective areas, and in case they fail to fulfill their responsibility, action will be taken against them.

To a question about allegations of Dr. Zulfikar Mirza against him, he said, “I have requested the prime minister to conduct judicial inquiry into the allegation”.

He said “the prime minister has assigned me with the task of maintaining peace in Karachi, and I will complete it successfully”.(AAJ.TV)

Motorcycle blast kills two in Karachi

KARACHI: Two men were killed in a blast that occurred on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, Geo News reported on Tuesday. The bomb was fixed in a motorcycle and according to SHO Mobina Town Yaqoob Sammon, the riders were alleged suicide bombers.

According to police, the body parts of the suicide bombers were collected from the site for further investigation.

SSP East Ahsan Umer told Geo News that one rider was the alleged bomber while the other was going to drop him. He said that it is possible that these men were about to conduct some terror activity but they got victimized before that.

Umer said that the bomb disposal squad is collecting further evidences from the blast site.

The blast was of high intensity and approximately four kilograms of explosives material was used.

Rescue teams rushed to the site of the incident after the blast while the Rangers have arrested four suspects from the site.(THE NEWS PK)

Mirza’s allegations are his personal opinion: Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan

LAHORE: Federal Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks are his personal and do not represent party-line, on Sunday.

Talking to the media outside the residence of Shahbaz Taseer, she said Zulfiqar Mirza resigned from the ministership, Sindh Assembly membership, and party portfolio prior to his press conference.

About party reaction, she said the party would decide on Mirza’s press statements on Karachi situation and that Interior Minister Rehman Malik would defend himself at an appropriate occasion regarding the allegations on him.

She said the agenda of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is consultation with others and believes in political solution through dialogue by taking all stakeholders into confidence.

The minister added, the first priority of the federal government is to restore peace in Karachi.

“Party’s decision cannot be influenced by personal opinion of any individual. PPP has a system of its own to take decisions and these cannot be changed an opinion of an individual.”

She said the disciplinary committee of the PPP prepares a policy and it is the leadership that ensures implementation of the party discipline(EXPRESS TRIBUNE PK)

Zulfiqar Mirza Resigned

No breakthrough in Taseer's abduction case

KARACHI: No breakthrough has been achieved in the search for Shahbaz Taseer, while eight teams have been formed to conduct raid for recovering the late governor Salmaan Taseer’s son, Express 24/7 reported Saturday.

The Inspector General (IG) of Punjab police briefed Governor Punjab Latif Khosa about the steps being taken to recover Shahbaz Taseer.

(Read: Brazen and in broad daylight: Salmaan Taseer’s son abducted from Lahore)

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Investigation Abdul Razzaq Cheema told the media that the eight teams have been formed for investigations and will conduct raids in different parts of the city.

On the other hand, fingerprints of the kidnappers have also been sent to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) crisis management cell for verification.

Earlier on Friday, unidentified men on bikes and an SUV intercepted Shahbaz Taseer’s car and abducted him at gunpoint from the Gulberg area of Lahore.

Three men dragged Taseer out of his car and took him away. His family was informed when a company employee saw his abandoned car.

PPP to launch move against Punjab govt

Pakistan People’s Party Punjab President Imtiaz Safdar Warraich has said that his party will initiate a protest movement against the Punjab government from Monday.

He said that while addressing a press conference at PPP Punjab office.

Warraich said that the protest rallies would be organized at a district level to thrust the investigation and recovery of Shahbaz Taseer.

He condemned the incident and said that it has disturbed all the citizens of the province.

“The poor situation of crime and law and order situation in Punjab is now clear to all”, he added.

Warraich said that the Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif should improve the law and order situation in “his province” first and then talk about other provinces.(Express Tribune)

MQM assails reports on Farooq’s murder

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has condemned what it described as baseless and malicious reports against the party in connection with its slain leader Dr Imran Farooq.

Dr Farooq was stabbed to death in London in September last year.

The MQM’s coordination committee said in a statement on Friday that the reports broadcast by some TV channels, published by newspapers and circulated by news agencies about the killing of Dr Farooq were “devoid of truth, baseless and concocted”.

“The purpose of these fabricated and malicious allegations is nothing but to tarnish the image of the MQM and damage its reputation,” it said, adding the MQM was consulting its legal advisers for a legal action. The Muttahida said the Scotland Yard was investigating the case and the media should desist from spreading speculations.