<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" version="2.0"><channel>
                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
                        <atom:link href="https://tribune.com.pk/feed/khiviolence" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/>
                        <link>https://tribune.com.pk/feed/khiviolence</link>
                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
                        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 09 Jun 26 16:00:04 +0500</lastBuildDate>
                        <language>en-US</language>
                        <sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
                        <sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
                        <generator>https://laravel.com/</generator><item>
			<title>Pillion riding banned in Karachi in wake of Maulana Adil's assassination</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2267923/pillion-riding-banned-in-karachi-in-wake-of-maulana-adils-assassination</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/2267923/pillion-riding-banned-in-karachi-in-wake-of-maulana-adils-assassination#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 20 10:33:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[amir.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Karachi]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=2267923</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Banned imposed for a month; comes in light of AIG Karachi's request citing 'rise in criminal activities in port city']]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A day after prominent religious scholar Maulana Adil Khan&#39;s assassination, the Sindh government imposed a ban on pillion riding on motorbikes in Karachi for a month.

A notification issued by the provincial home department maintained that the action has been taken amid rise in criminal activities in the port city.

The decision from the provincial authorities came on the request of Additional Inspector General Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon, who conveyed his fears in a letter to the home department on October 10 saying miscreants and disgruntled elements may disturb the peace and create law and order problems in Karachi by carrying out targeted killings.

The communique maintained that incidents such as lobbing of hand grenades and targeted killings of law enforcement personnel as well as religious scholars have been reported in the city. &ldquo;Therefore, keeping in view, he [IGP] has requested to impose a ban on the Pillion Riding for a period of one month with immediate effect,&rdquo; read the notification.

Shaykh-ul-Hadeeth Maulana Adil Khan, along with his driver, was assassinated a day earlier in Shah Faisal Colony when unidentified assailants, on a motorbike, opened fire on his car. The slain scholar was associated with Jamia Farooqia, a university of Islamic studies.

The home department&rsquo;s notification further added that the ban shall not apply to women, children below the age of 12 years, senior citizens, personnel of law enforcement agencies, security agencies in uniform, employees of the essential services and journalists, subject to showing their press or service cards.



&nbsp;]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/893357-PillionRidingPHOTONEFERSEHGALEXPRESS-1432753155/893357-PillionRidingPHOTONEFERSEHGALEXPRESS-1432753155.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>1,861 criminals arrested by Sindh police in 2017</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1344220/1861-criminals-arrested-sindh-police-2017</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1344220/1861-criminals-arrested-sindh-police-2017#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 03 Mar 17 04:47:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1344220</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Performance report says that 84 suspects were killed in encounters]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh police have arrested 1,861 criminals, including dacoits and terrorists, while 84 criminals, including 24 terrorists and two kidnappers, were killed in police encounters in January and February this year.

There figures were shared by operations AIG Sheraz Nazeer in a two-month performance report submitted to Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja.

The report reveals that, as of February 28, the Sindh police managed to arrest 38 terrorists, 24 target killers, nine extortionists, two kidnappers, 167 dacoits, 834 suspects for possession of narcotics and 787 others for possession of illegal weapons.

PTI seeks police reforms in Sindh

An operation against illegal immigrants was also conducted, which resulted in the arrest of 3,717 individuals and cases were also lodged against them.

During the operation, 39 SMGs and Kalashnikovs, 12 shot guns, 24 rifles, 1,005 pistols, including 9mm and 30 bore, and 51 hand grenades were recovered.

IG Khawaja said the police should continue to perform for the people of Sindh in order to ensure law and order in the province.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/1344220-sukkur_sindh_police_apccs_jan-1488470582/1344220-sukkur_sindh_police_apccs_jan-1488470582.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi: Politics at the barrel of a gun</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/735612/karachi-politics-at-the-barrel-of-a-gun</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/735612/karachi-politics-at-the-barrel-of-a-gun#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 14 18:55:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Saher Naumaan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=735612</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Leading parties of Karachi have no incentive to address the deteriorating political, social, and economic conditions.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Karachi, a metropolis, succumbing to the encroaching insurgency of the Taliban is also deeply immersed in a protracted civil conflict driven by political and criminal elements. The turmoil in Pakistan’s biggest city speaks of a larger context of political instability and uncertainty regarding the country’s future. Will a city overshadowed by civil unrest and violence become emblematic of a Pakistan slowly haemorrhaging its social and economic capacity?

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) are both attempting to be the last party standing in the metropolis, with the city being ignored by the privileged classes, the negligent state and unconcerned provinces. Ethnically and politically rooted violence, along with an intensifying sectarian conflict, has taken root in the city. Murders occur in broad daylight in endless shootings and bomb attacks. Incidents of kidnapping and extortion finance local violence and fund broader terrorist activity.

The roots of conflict in Karachi lie in the struggle for basic human needs, such as security, distributive justice, and political and economic participation. In this case, feuding groups cleave along ethnic lines creating enduring hostility accompanied by outbreaks of violence. Although defined as political parties, the MQM and the ANP are largely ethnically based. The MQM depends on the Urdu-speaking constituency, whose parents and grandparents migrated from India after Partition to build the Quaid’s vision. In recent years, Pashtuns have made their way to Karachi fleeing conflict in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border areas and seeking economic opportunity. This led to the ANP, a predominantly Pashtun party, rising in Karachi politics with newly gained assembly seats in 2008. In a city with an existing Mohajir majority and a government routinely dominated by the MQM, the large influx of Pashtun migrants disturbed the status quo. With both the MQM and the ANP vying not only for political control of the port city, but also for command over the significant trade conducted here, tensions have escalated to where it is unsafe to enter certain neighbourhoods for fear of being killed due to one’s ethnic appearance.

Politics, violence and criminal activity in Karachi are intertwined. Lethal attacks allegedly authorised by high-ranking officials in political organisations are carried out by hired guns, despite assurances from leaders that their parties follow peaceful processes. Criminal organisations operate with political patronage from local parties. Furthermore, infiltration by the Taliban threatens to exacerbate Karachi’s violence and instability, most recently demonstrated by the attack on Jinnah International Airport. The Pakistan Army recently launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb to counter extremists, but it is limited to North Waziristan, while Karachi remains relatively unprotected by national law enforcement or military forces. Many Taliban operatives fleeing the military offensive are certain to relocate to Karachi for safety and to take advantage of the flourishing criminal activities here. Karachi foreshadows Pakistan’s future if the political leadership treats the spreading terrorist networks as it has the ongoing violence in Karachi: with an incoherent counterterrorism policy, inadequate infrastructure and public services, and an abdication of responsibility towards good governance.

A Crisis Group Asia Report, Policing Urban Violence in Pakistan, found 2,174 killings reported in Karachi in 2012 and over 2,700 in 2013. A report issued by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan puts the number of violent deaths in Karachi in 2013 at 3,200. Yet, the neglect shown towards this key city by the national leadership suggests not only a lack of concern for its denizens but also for its significant economic value. A city of 20 million and the largest in Pakistan, Karachi dominates the domestic economy as well as provides the bulk of the country’s GDP. Despite this, Nawaz Sharif’s government has done little to quell violence in the city except to establish a committee to monitor law enforcement, all while Karachi’s inhabitants and economy suffer as collateral damage. Not only are the police and civil administration powerless against the strength of armed, established gangs with significant political and financial backing, many are part of the collusion that allows criminal organisations and militant groups to operate without consequence. Legal measures were implemented in September 2013 to empower Pakistan’s paramilitary force the Rangers for extended operations in the city when the police were deemed incapable of maintaining law and order and an army mandate considered too severe and potentially destabilising. But even paramilitary efforts proved to be temporary and failed to curb violence. They are reminiscent of a similar Rangers-led operation conducted in 2011 at the order of then president Asif Ali Zardari, a clearly unsuccessful initiative considering persisting urban violence.

State initiatives to respond to Karachi’s volatile conditions are superficial and ad hoc, and continually refuse to acknowledge the root causes of the city’s upheaval — deficient urban development, political and societal fragmentation, corruption of the police, ineffective criminal justice procedures and lack of ethical governance. These systemic issues are at the core of multifaceted ethno-political, sectarian, militant and criminal violence in Karachi. As manifestations of political and ethnic power grabs, targeted killings are part of a larger phenomenon of political tensions and violent conflict in Pakistan that is being carelessly overlooked or systematically ignored. The leading parties of Karachi have no incentive to address the deteriorating political, social, and economic conditions because investing in violent efforts to control the whole city yields larger direct gains than a collaborative agreement that promotes democratic participation and distributes resources more broadly. The party ruling at the centre, the PML-N, with its Punjab-centric view, seems untroubled by the unrelenting violence. A high-level meeting between Prime Minister Sharif, former president Zardari, and the Director General of Inter-Services Intelligence discusses law enforcement in the city while the ground reality hardly changes and Karachi still waits for an end to its suffering.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2014.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/735612-SaherNaumaanNew-1405355537/735612-SaherNaumaanNew-1405355537.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>For lack of evidence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/735609/for-lack-of-evidence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/735609/for-lack-of-evidence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 14 18:23:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category><category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=735609</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Strategy for Karachi operation should be geared at reducing crime levels not increasing number of ‘suspects’ caught.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Karachi police have arrested over 28,000 people in the 10 months of the targeted operation but have little to show in terms of reduction in crime levels. In fact, the number of kidnapping cases and extortion has gone up this year. According to a report prepared by the Karachi police, the number of suspects caught in raids has been significant. While the numbers show that the police have been working hard, the actual level of crime in the city fails to support these numbers. Apart from targeted killings, nearly all types of crimes have risen in the past year. What makes matters worse is that this huge number of 28,000 arrests goes significantly down when we count the number of prisoners the jails have. According to the prison authorities, they only have 1,000 people in Central and Malir jails of Karachi. This means that as many as 27,000 suspected criminals are walking scot-free because our prosecution failed to put them behind bars.

It is time for the high-ranking police officials, the home department and the federal government to review their strategy for the Karachi operation, which should be geared at reducing crime levels not merely increasing the number of ‘suspected’ criminals caught. To achieve this, the focus of the operation must shift towards prosecution. The Karachi police report admits that investigation is weak and a majority of criminals are released shortly after their arrest because the investigating officers are unable to provide evidence or witnesses. The government and the police department must improve investigating techniques and ensure that the criminals caught are prosecuted.

Better prosecution will also lay to rest the accusations of groups who are claiming that the operation is targeting them. Once the suspects are proven guilty, their supporters will no longer be able to say that innocent people are being taken away. This will also keep in check the law enforcers from using the operation as a means to settle personal scores.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2014.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/735609-karachilyaril_1735544352/735609-karachilyaril_1735544352.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi law and order case: Three months on, apex court still unimpressed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577358/karachi-law-and-order-case-three-months-on-apex-court-still-unimpressed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577358/karachi-law-and-order-case-three-months-on-apex-court-still-unimpressed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jul 13 20:35:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=577358</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Judges reprimand law enforcers for only suggesting steps to curb crime instead of taking action .]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Tired of reports with suggestions instead of concrete results, the three-member bench of the Supreme Court raised their concern on Monday that if law enforcers merely kept filing reports, who would eliminate the no-go areas and militant wings of the political parties in the city.


The apex court’s observation came on a report filed by the Rangers Director General Rizwan Akhtar, which proposed that the police force be depoliticised, political parties’ militant wings should be disbanded, no-go areas be eliminated and a campaign be launched to deweaponise the city.

The bench of Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Amir Hani Muslim, resumed the follow-up hearing of the Karachi violence suo motu case on Monday and observed that despite the law enforcers’ undertaking to improve law and order in April, nothing had changed over the last three months.

“The situation of residents of Lyari is most miserable,” remarked Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, referring to the recent mass migration the Kutchi community members following intense fighting with the defunct Peoples Amn Committee.

“I’m disturbed by this odd situation,” he said while asking Lyari police’s senior superintendent, Tariq Dharejo, about what measures had been taken to control the situation.

Dharejo, however, replied in the same manner that most government officers do by giving the excuse that he was posted in the area only two weeks ago. This response only irritated the bench members who repeatedly asked him to show the progress he made during the two weeks of his appointment.



Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, who headed the bench, told the officer that the Rangers chief in his report had pointed out the police’s involvement in criminal activities.

Absence irks judges 

Major Ashfaq Ahmed, who appeared in place for DG Rizwan Akhtar, told the court that the Rangers had made significant progress in restoring peace by conducting operations and had arrested 101 suspects who were later handed over to police. He, however, much to the judges’ disappointment failed to disclose the charges under which the suspects had been arrested.

Referring to the numerous suggestions in the DG’s report, the bench reminded Major Ashfaq that it was the Supreme Court in the first place which had taken notice of deteriorating peace in city and had suggested various measures, including disbanding political parties’ militant outfits.

“Would they disband militant outfits on your invitation?” remarked Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, referring to the failure of the paramilitary force to take such steps on its own instead of suggesting so. “This is all eyewash,” quickly added Justice Amir Hani Muslim, who specialises in criminal trials.

The judges also pointed out a mentally challenged person from the list of the people arrested in the Rangers DG’s report, asking what the man had been charged with. Major Ashfaq was also reprimanded for submitting a report which was not even signed by the Rangers DG.

For his part, Lyari SSP Dharejo tried to convince the court that they had killed notorious criminal Saqib Boxer in an operation.

Prisoners escape

The judges took serious notice of the three under-trial prisoners who escaped from the Anti-Terrorism Court, remarking that SSP South had failed to ensure security at the lock­up even thought the SC’s monitoring judge for ATC, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, had highlighted this issue some time ago.

The bench summoned IG Prisons police on Wednesday to explain defiance of the SC’s order.

Condition of prisons 

The judges observed that the condition of prisons had worsened even more as convicts were hatching conspiracies in the prisons to kill the people outside.

“Under the eighteenth amendment, law and order is a provincial subject,” the judges noted, turning down a lawyer’s request to call the interior ministry’s secretary as provincial authorities had failed to improve peace situation.

They said that even the CCTV cameras lacked the facility to help identify the persons in video footages. The bench summoned Sindh chief secretary over the issue on Wednesday.

The bench also called reports regarding escape of prisoners from the ATC and release of prisoners on parole by the next date.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/577358-Supremecourtkarachi-1373920288/577358-Supremecourtkarachi-1373920288.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>June was Karachi's deadliest month with 313 killings: HRCP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577360/june-was-citys-deadliest-month-with-313-killings-hrcp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577360/june-was-citys-deadliest-month-with-313-killings-hrcp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jul 13 20:12:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=577360</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Report challenges Rangers claims that fatalities have dropped in the past three months.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[There was no respite from killings in the city during the first six months of the year 2013, as 1,728 casualties were reported in different incidents, according to a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report released on Monday.

Based on data from the past six months, the HRCP report declares June as the deadliest month of the year so far with 313 people killed. The highest number of political killings, which is 50, also took place in this month.

Presenting a dismal picture, the report also challenges the statistics submitted by Rangers director-general Rizwan Akhtar in the Supreme Court in which he claimed that target killings had gone down in the last three months.

There has been an alarming increase in the crime rate as compared to the six-monthly figures of 2012, when over 1,200 people died. In 2011, the count was even lesser with 1,110 such tragedies.

Between January and June this year, most of the people that have been killed, which is 545, were those with no political affiliations, but were gunned down under the guise of target killings. On the other hand, out of the 174 activists killed, the highest number of workers, which is 104, belonged to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

In the past six months, around 92 police officials have been killed. Similarly, there has been a rise in the number of bodies being dumped as 101 such incidents were reported.

Ninety two people were killed in bomb blasts, while 41 lost their lives in the Lyari gang war. Sixty nine people have been killed by law-enforcement agencies, the report stated. Moreover, around 78 children and 83 women died in different incidents.
Sindh HRCP chairperson Amarnath Motumal while expressing grave concern said that curbing violence did not seem to be a priority of the authorities. “In the past six months, the number of citizens being killed every month was over 250,” adding that these deaths were only seen as statistics rather than the loss of valuable lives. It shows the failure of the state.
Political affiliations of the 719 men targeted:

MQM                              104

PPP                                12

Sunni Tehreek               20

ANP                               9

Jamaat-e-Islami            8

PML-Functional             1

PML-Nawaz                   4

PML-Quaid                    2

MQM-Haqiqi                  4

ASWJ                              4

JSQM                              1

PTI                                 2

Non-political                  545

Total                              719

source: HRCP

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/577360-image-1373918126/577360-image-1373918126.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi violence suo motu: Supreme Court to resume proceedings from today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/576919/karachi-violence-suo-motu-supreme-court-to-resume-proceedings-from-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/576919/karachi-violence-suo-motu-supreme-court-to-resume-proceedings-from-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 14 Jul 13 17:44:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=576919</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rangers DG submits report, says number of targeted killings reduced from April to July.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Targeted killings in Karachi in the second quarter of 2013 have gone down as compared to those in the first quarter. This was stated in a compliance report submitted by the Rangers DG Rizwan Akhtar ahead of the proceedings of the Karachi Law and Order Suo Motu case resuming from today. 


In April, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had ordered the provincial bureaucratic hierarchy to help the law enforcers end targeted killings and restore peace in the city. To monitor the progress made during the 90 days in regard to the orders and directions passed by the court, a three-member bench of the apex court will resume the follow-up hearing at its Karachi registry branch today (Monday).

According to the report by the Rangers DG, the entire city remained peaceful during the last three months, except for Lyari where activists of the Kutchi community and gangsters of Lyari started the latest gang war on May 18.



He claimed that the economic and business activities were undisturbed during the stated period without any forced shutter-down strikes while the issue of extortion was also under control.

He told the court that permanent pickets had been established in Lyari to maintain peace. “Nine paramilitary soldiers were martyred and 36 more were injured while participating in targeted crackdowns against criminals in various areas of Karachi during the time.”

The Rangers-led operations created a safe environment to conduct the general elections in May, allowing people to come out for polling.

The Rangers claimed that militant networks, including banned outfits, had been effectively checked and were mostly on the run. “The militants have not been able to use the city for terrorist activities - no major terrorist attacks have taken place in Karachi since the Abbas Town bombing.”

According to the report, arson attacks and looting of property have also reduced to negligible numbers. Around 101 suspects were reportedly arrested for their alleged involvement in criminal activities during operations in Peerabad, Mangopir, Kalakot, Sacchal, PIB Colony and Chakiwara from April 12 to July 10 and had been handed over to the police for investigation. A total of 1,166 suspects, arrested in 836 raids and 87 search operations from March to July, were also handed over to the police

The Rangers chief said that findings of the Joint Investigation Teams should be accepted in courts, and prosecution must be done as per the findings. “A first-class magistrate should be included in the team to accord further transparency and legitimacy,” he suggested, adding that the criminals should be awarded exemplary punishments.

Among the recommendations in the report was to avoid frequent transfers of officials in the police department. Political parties were also asked to disband their militant wings.

“A policy to ban weapons should be made by the government and weapon licence issuance system should be revised in line with security challenges. Deweaponisation campaign must be launched to get rid of all illegal weapons in Karachi,” DG suggested.

The Rangers also proposed promulgation of witness-protection law at the earliest and asked that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority rules and regulation be implemented to minimise the use of fake SIMs.

Resuming proceedings 

The bench, comprising Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain and Justice Amir Hani Muslim, is also scheduled to take up contempt application filed by the Awami National Party’s Senator Haji Adeel against the provincial chiefs of police and Rangers and chief secretary for allegedly failing to implement the apex court’s orders in their letter and spirit.

The Karachi law and order case stems from the suo motu proceedings initiated by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in August 2011 as the city went through one of its bloodiest summers. The Supreme Court initiated follow-up proceedings on October 23, 2012 to evaluate how many directives from its detailed judgment, passed on October 6, 2011, had been put into effect.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/576919-ranger-1373822245/576919-ranger-1373822245.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>5 injured in Lyari grenade attack</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/571375/5-injured-in-lyari-grenade-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/571375/5-injured-in-lyari-grenade-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 02 Jul 13 12:46:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=571375</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The explosion came after days of heavy firing in the area.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Five people were injured in an explosion on Alfala road, Lyari,  on Tuesday, Express News reported.

Initial reports suggest the explosion, which occurred near Agara Taj was caused by a hand grenade.

"The area was exposed to heavy firing since two days," reported Express News correspondent, Nadeem Ahmed.

Electricity supply is also suspended in the area since the past few days adding to the misery of the nearby residents, said Nadeem.

A day earlier, Lyari residents carried out a protest against security personnel for carrying out operations in their area.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/571375-grenade-1372768548/571375-grenade-1372768548.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi violence kills 4, injures 8</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/569583/karachi-violence-kills-4-injures-8</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/569583/karachi-violence-kills-4-injures-8#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 28 Jun 13 08:04:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=569583</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Firing incident creates panic in Kharadar, business activities come to a halt.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Violence in Karachi claimed four lives and injured eight on Friday, Express News reported.

Around 11 people sustained injuries in city’s Kharadar area when unidentified armed men opened fire in the neighbourhood.

The attackers were riding a motorbike and injured a woman and a minor as well.

The injured were shifted to a local hospital where three, including the woman, succumbed to their injuries.

The firing incident created panic in the area and business activities came to a halt.

A heavy contingent of police and rangers reached the area to control the situation.

While in Lyari, a body was recovered which the police said was dumped by the roadside.

Police added that the hands and legs were tied with a rope.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/569583-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1372406505/569583-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1372406505.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Gun attacks leave 11 dead in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/561250/gun-attacks-leave-11-dead-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/561250/gun-attacks-leave-11-dead-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Jun 13 21:57:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=561250</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two policemen gunned down and another injured when a police mobile came under attack in Patel Para.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least 11 people were killed on Sunday in separate incidents of violence in Karachi.

Most bloodshed took place in Lyari, where four people died and 18 others were injured in a clash between two rival groups. Among the victims was a 24-year-old woman who has yet to be identified. The clash was triggered by the killing of  a young man, Arif Baloch, in Kalri late Saturday night.

In a separate incident, two policemen were gunned down and another was injured when a police mobile came under attack in Patel Para, Jamshed Town, shortly before the funeral prayers of three men who lost their lives in a targeted attack on Saturday on Nishter Road. In another attack, a policeman, Saddaruddin, was gunned down near Superhighway.

Another four people were killed in separate incidents in parts of the city, including Kharadar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Ibrahim Hyderi.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/561250-bullets-1370814935/561250-bullets-1370814935.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi law and order: SC orders arrest of men who killed 162 people</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/536454/karachi-law-and-order-sc-orders-arrest-of-men-who-killed-162-people</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/536454/karachi-law-and-order-sc-orders-arrest-of-men-who-killed-162-people#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Apr 13 19:55:33 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mudassir.raja]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=536454</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Larger bench rejects the report filed by Sindh police.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court directed the law enforcement agencies arrest within 24 hours two alleged killers who confessed to murdering 162 people while hearing the Karachi violence case on Tuesday.


The judges were shocked at the provincial law enforcement agencies for failing to perform their duties. Hearing the Karachi law and order case, a five member bench - headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry - was appalled after a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report revealed that two arrested men, who had confessed to killing 162 people, were released on bail because their FIR only charged them for police encounter and carrying illegal weapons.

The bench was also surprise that the alleged target killers, identified as Munir Ahmed and Naeem Sheikh, were not prosecuted. It directed Sindh IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch and Rangers DG Major General Rizwan Akhtar to immediately arrest the two.

"It is really appalling for us to learn that a man confesses to have killed 115 persons and another admits killing 47 persons, but they are only prosecuted for encountering with the police and carrying illegal weapons," observed Justice Ejaz Afzal, who along with Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry, Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed was hearing the case."It seems that for the Sindh police, killing human beings is not a crime but carrying an illegal gun is," remarked Justice Ijaz.

Stunned and silent, the Sindh IGP failed to respond to repeated questions by the bench as to why the police had not registered murder cases against the two suspects, who in their confession statements had revealed the names and location of the people they killed. Submitting the report, Ranger's counsel Advocate Shahid Anwar Bajwa, asked the court to keep the contents of the report confidential. However, the bench had been alarmed that the two men were never booked for murder and no investigations were carried out even though the information was revealed to the JIT.

The bench further noted that the JIT report contained the names of another 71 men who had been arrested but a majority of them were booked under minor charges.

Directing the IG police to initiate action against those officers responsible for letting the men off the hook, the bench adjourned the hearing for Wednesday (today).

Earlier, the lawyer representing the Rangers told the court that if armed action was taken against Lyari criminals, who took shelter behind women and children, a Lal Masjid like situation could erupt.

However, the ire of the bench was drawn by the Karachi police, when the IGP reported that the results of the recent police operations to remove no-go areas would not be sustainable and criminals could return in the future. "You cannot have your cake and eat it too. You claim success against criminals in your report but cannot assure sustainability of your actions," commented Justice Azmat Saeed.

Meanwhile, Advocate Shah Khawar told the bench that 106 SHOs of the police stations in Karachi had submitted their affidavits on the existence of no-go areas in their jurisdictions. As many as seven police stations - PIB Colony, Sachal, Soharab Goth, Kalakot, Chakiwara, Pirabad and Mangopir - had partial no-go areas, while other 99 police stations reported no such areas, he said.

Taking note of the report, the bench directed the Sindh police to remove the fearful influence of criminal elements and clear all no-go areas in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 17th, 2013. ]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/536454-karachiarrestedtargetkillers-1366141972/536454-karachiarrestedtargetkillers-1366141972.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Mixed priorities</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/532409/mixed-priorities</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/532409/mixed-priorities#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 07 Apr 13 20:12:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamal.siddiqi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=532409</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[If we were hoping for some relief through a caretaker government, we have been sadly mistaken.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Should we have had a holiday on April 4 in Sindh? Should schools have been closed? Should it have been a provincial government holiday? With all due respect to Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the answer is “No”.

Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Alavi seems to be getting his priorities mixed up. In a city where almost a month has been lost since January to strikes, strife and off-days, one would have expected that such impromptu public holidays are best avoided.

Other than this, the decision to hire 8,000 policemen at a cabinet meeting in which the only other item on the agenda was the shortage of funds defies logic. As does the hiring of an 18-member cabinet, when in Punjab, a quarter of that number is enough to make do.

If we were hoping for some relief through a caretaker government, we have been sadly mistaken. Possibly this reinforces the belief that we need to elect the right candidates in the coming elections.

However, we may elect whoever we want. But if the bureaucracy is as strong as it is now, it may be an attempt at futility. Take the law and order situation in Karachi. The chief justice has done all he can to make the provincial government realise the folly of its ways. But it hardly makes a difference.

Our esteemed judiciary has put things in perspective by asking the government to eliminate the no-go areas in Karachi. Taking notice of a report on no-go areas in this newspaper, the chief justice ordered the government to give an explanation. Till then, the police refused to concede that there were any no-go areas in the city. Then grudgingly they did, only after being berated and threatened.

The Rangers, working without any coordination with any other law enforcement organisation, continue to conduct random raids in which no one of any value is ever arrested. Possibly, they are trying to justify the millions that are spent on them by the Sindh government.

In the background, we have the din of the oncoming elections. Who will be able to stand, who will be disqualified. What are the alliances that are being formed or broken? These are exciting times.

But most of the larger questions continue to be ignored. None of the parties have come up with a concrete and clear policy on terrorism. Imran Khan’s rather simplistic approach that with the end of drone strikes, the suicide attacks will also end, suggests a lack of seriousness on dealing with the issue.

I would like to ask Mr Khan: why is his party a member of the Difa-e-Pakistan Council? Why does his party continue to flirt with extremists?

The other parties are no better. In other parts of the country, candidates are breaking bread with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and getting their blessings. Some have entered into political alliances with them in Punjab.

What we are seeing is that the number of bank robberies in Karachi and other parts of the country has risen significantly. This is possibly an indicator of funds being gathered by the extremists to play havoc with the elections.

Our intelligence agencies, which are usually not so clued in, have warned leading political personalities of possible attacks. But then, what exactly is the job of these outfits that we maintain at great cost to ourselves — do they simply issue warnings or actually prevent such things from happening?

The security angle was a convenient excuse to explain away the sudden departure of our crown prince to Dubai after a tiff with others. Now it seems his recommendations will be taken more seriously. Possibly more deserving people will be given tickets by the ruling party.

It is usually the common person who suffers the most in the end. Take the example of the guard who valiantly fought with robbers at a Habib Bank robbery last week — one of the several that took place in different banks. The man — who was shot multiple times — received basic treatment and is now left to fend for himself — injured permanently and jobless as he was laid off by his employer, the Police Foundation. So much for rewarding the brave.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/532409-KamalSiddiqiNewagasin-1365353204/532409-KamalSiddiqiNewagasin-1365353204.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>7-day ultimatum: SC orders dismantling of Karachi no-go areas</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531408/7-day-ultimatum-sc-orders-dismantling-of-karachi-no-go-areas</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531408/7-day-ultimatum-sc-orders-dismantling-of-karachi-no-go-areas#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 13 23:00:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=531408</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SHOs were asked to say in writing that their jurisdictions did not have any such areas.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court (SC) has given seven days to Sindh’s top bureaucrat to cleanse the city of no-go areas - a precondition to free and fair general elections.


At the hearing of the suo motu hearing on Karachi law and order on Wednesday, the larger bench felt the law enforcers were wasting their time. The proceedings started around 10am soon after the judges walked in to courtroom one in the SC Karachi registry and took their designated seats at the bench - Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan followed by Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja and Justice Amir Hani Muslim.

The no-go areas identified by the March 23 report of The Express Tribune that showed 13 complete and 29 partial no-go areas were on top of the agenda. The chief justice referred to the orders made at the previous hearing to find out how far their orders were complied. The SHOs of all 112 police stations in the city were asked to say in writing that their jurisdictions did not have any no-go areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2013. ]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/531408-image-1365112316/531408-image-1365112316.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Eliminate all Karachi no-go areas in a week: SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531019/eliminate-all-karachi-no-go-areas-in-a-week-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/531019/eliminate-all-karachi-no-go-areas-in-a-week-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 13 09:00:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=531019</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Once police and rangers take severe action against criminals, the crime rate will go down says CJ.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court (SC) rejected the report submitted by police on Thursday about no-go areas in Karachi, and ordered the chief secretary to ensure the elimination of all no-go areas within seven days and submit a report, Express News reported.

A five member bench headed by the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) heard the Karachi unrest case in the SC registry Karachi.

Terming the police report irrelevant and misleading, the court stated that they had demanded the SHOs from the 112 police stations in the said areas to provide a clearance certificate but they failed to do so.

Once the police and rangers decide to take severe action against criminals the crime rate will automatically go down, remarked the CJP while criticizing the inefficiency of police and rangers.

“Barriers do not determine no-go areas. We have a barrier outside this court so does this become a no-go area as well?” questioned the CJP.

The CJP then went on to give examples of, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai -- cities with similar demographics as Karachi but with a lower crime rate.

Sindh IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch yesterday ruled out the existence of no-go areas in Karachi.

“The areas where law enforcers face resistance can be called no-go areas,” he said. “But we have removed barriers from other places and made them ‘easy come easy go’ for citizens as well as law enforcers," Nadeem said while addressing a press conference.

DIG West Zafar Abbas Bukhari, on March 29, admitted to the CJP that law enforcers fear setting their feet in some of the city’s troubled spots. The senior police official voiced fear during an apex court hearing linked to the Karachi violence case.

The court had then adjourned the case till April 4.

Arshad Pappu case

“What happened with Arshad Pappu could not have taken place without the consent of any high official,” the CJP remarked in reference to Arshad Pappu's murder.

The police asked for more time to submit their detailed report regarding the murder and the court granted it.

Police recovered the bodies of gangster Arshad Pappu and his brother Arfat in the Lyari area of Karachi on March 16. They claimed that both the men were kidnapped and were tortured to death.

Pappu, as he is commonly known, was one of the key players in the Lyari gang wars.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/531019-karachirangersgunsREUTERS-1365065937/531019-karachirangersgunsREUTERS-1365065937.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Rangers arrest over 200 men from an allegedly no-go area</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525431/rangers-arrest-over-200-men-from-an-allegedly-no-go-area</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525431/rangers-arrest-over-200-men-from-an-allegedly-no-go-area#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 23 Mar 13 20:46:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525431</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rangers spokesperson said that 184 of the detainees were released after interrogation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Acting on the Supreme Court's order to eliminate no-go areas in the city within the next 15 days, Pakistan Rangers launched a massive operation at around 4am on Saturday morning and arrested as many as 200 suspects.


The Rangers targeted Manghopir and Sultanabad, notorious for housing several Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, on the first day of targeted operations against criminal groups in Karachi.

Over 1,000 Rangers personnel, which included commandos of the Rangers’ anti-terrorism squad and women’s wing, participated in the operation. Rangers sealed all the entry and exit points leading to the area and personnel took positions on hilltops and used ladders to jump into hideouts during the door-to-door operation.

“The police doesn’t go in with proper preparation that’s why they face resistance,” said a Rangers spokesperson. “There is a clear difference between the Rangers and the police - we go in with proper preparation that’s why the terrorists failed to resist.”

Besides the arrests, the eight-hour-long operation also yielded 54 weapons of different calibres, walkie-talkies, batteries and three IEDs. Rangers director general Major General Rizwan Akhtar also visited the area to monitor the operation. The sector commandant, Brigadier Hamid Ali Khan, declared the operation a success and also informed the media that it has been decided to deploy troops in Manghopir on a permanent basis.

The spokesperson said that 184 of the detainees were released after interrogation. The remaining suspects have yet to be handed over to the police.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525431-rangerssuspectsarrestedphotoppi-1364071124/525431-rangerssuspectsarrestedphotoppi-1364071124.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Order in the court, disorder on the streets</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525037/order-in-the-court-disorder-on-the-streets</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525037/order-in-the-court-disorder-on-the-streets#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 23:50:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525037</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The law enforcers have now been given 15 days to clear out all no-go areas.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In October 2011, the Supreme Court had issued a list of recommendations in the suo motu Karachi violence case which was initiated the same year, following one of the bloodiest summers the city has ever witnessed.

The original recommendation made by the apex court over which the police and Rangers were raked over the coals on Thursday and Friday is: “We direct that there must be no no-go areas’ at all in Karachi. If any is found or credibly reported to the court, the Police and, if required by the provincial government, the Rangers shall take strong and decisive action to eliminate it. Moreover, if such an area is proved to exist to the satisfaction of the court, we may require the IGP himself, and if necessary the DG Rangers also, to personally lead the operation into such areas.”

While the Rangers have denied the existence of no-go areas throughout all the hearings of the Karachi violence case, DIG Shahid Hayat cracked, and stated the contrary on Thursday. The law enforcers have now been given 15 days to clear out all no-go areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525037-rangerskarachiexpress-1363995862/525037-rangerskarachiexpress-1363995862.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>In the heart of darkness: ‘Halt! Who goes there?’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525038/in-the-heart-of-darkness-halt-who-goes-there</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525038/in-the-heart-of-darkness-halt-who-goes-there#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 21:46:12 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sameer.mandhro]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525038</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Lyari’s residents say their relatives don’t come to the area as they fear being interrogated.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[For over two decades, a metallic eagle atop a 20-foot pillar at Ibrahim Chowk has guarded the entrance to the heart of Lyari, keeping watch on all ‘outsiders’ valiant - or foolish - enough to slip past it into the labyrinth of narrow lanes. It isn’t alone in its vigil.

When night falls, opaque darkness devours some parts of Lyari, including Bhagdadi, Chakiwara and Kalakot. This is when men, with TT pistols tucked casually in their pants like accessories, come out to guard their turf in groups of four.

Over at the other end of the locality, near the outskirts of Agra Taj Colony, you could stand on what would feel like the brink of civilisation and gaze at the vast expanse of blackness obscuring Ali Muhamamd Muhalla and Moosa Lane behind it from view. From within its recesses, the ‘guardians’ silently stare back - alert, armed, aggressive.



If you observe long enough, you will notice dim lights occasionally flickering on and off. This is because the men use Morse code to communicate with one another. When vehicles prepare to enter the blanket of darkness, the driver too must communicate through the headlights, sending a burst of flashes in a particular sequence in order to pass through safely. A failure to do this may turn the silent specters into violent poltergeists.

Sometimes, the residents are tailed back to their homes if they enter the area after 10pm. A resident of Alfalah Road, who was too ‘shy’ to reveal his name, said, “Now when I know I’ll be out in the city late into the night, I take my son with me so that they don’t stop and pester me. They don’t question you as much if you have a child with you.”

While talking to The Express Tribune, Sheraz Ahmed, another resident of Lyari said, “Our relatives and friends stopped visiting us a couple of years ago. Armed men stop people and interrogate them. They obviously don’t like the harassment so they don’t bother coming here at all. Things are much better nowadays, but we still feel caged here.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525038-cheelchowklyariphotoexpressrashidajmeri-1363988661/525038-cheelchowklyariphotoexpressrashidajmeri-1363988661.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Where law enforcers fear to tread: A stranger in a strange land</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525036/a-stranger-in-a-strange-land</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525036/a-stranger-in-a-strange-land#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 21:41:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525036</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Going to Pakhtunabad, you must have the name of the person you wish to visit and the purpose of the meeting.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[So what is it really like to venture into one of the city’s troubled spots? If you’re heading off to Pakhtunabad, you must have the name of the person you wish to visit and the purpose of the meeting. If you enter the area with neither, you might never leave.

When you step into area, you get the eerie feeling of being watched, of a sinister presence lurking about. But unlike so-called haunted houses, the demons in this area are very real and can terrify you even when the sun is shining brightly. At the first step, there seems to be only a pair of eyes watching you. At the second one, you can be sure that there are at least three more. The number increases almost exponentially as you move along. Then suddenly, like cells in an immune system flushing out foreign agents, they close in. The flurry of questions comes next:

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Who exactly have you come to see?”

“What’s the house number?”

Supplying sufficient information will earn you a couple of burly escorts to the address you stated. The wrong answers lead to a body bag.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525036-Pakhtunabadmapdesignfaizandawood-1363988216/525036-Pakhtunabadmapdesignfaizandawood-1363988216.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Where law enforcers fear to tread: The entry fee for these spots of Karachi may be your life</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525035/where-law-enforcers-fear-to-tread-the-entry-fee-for-these-spots-of-karachi-may-be-your-life-karachi-city</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525035/where-law-enforcers-fear-to-tread-the-entry-fee-for-these-spots-of-karachi-may-be-your-life-karachi-city#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 21:26:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525035</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Imposing the writ of the state in these areas is quite a challenge for the police, Rangers.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Shortly after the armed forces launched the Kalosha II operation in South Waziristan back in 2004, the crocodiles lazing in the murky natural pond in Manghopir got new neighbours. Suddenly, they weren’t the most dangerous residents of the area.


Embedded in the increased influx of Mehsud tribesmen coming to Karachi were militants who settled in Pakhtun-dominated areas of the city, attempting to blend in unnoticed. They would soon go on to disrupt the life of the city’s residents - including the crocodiles at Hazrat Khawaja Hassan’s shrine, which was closed for over a month following the bomb attack in 2010 on Abdullah Shah Ghazi’s shrine.

“First, the hunters - the law enforcers - used to only get hurt when they dared to put their hands in the den of the lions, the militants. Now it seems as if the lions have come out of the den and are stalking the hunters themselves,” DSP Qamar Ahmed told The Express Tribune.

The militants, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) members, now have an iron grip over parts of the city, including Sohrab Goth, Manghopir and Ittehad Town. Over the years, they made increasingly brazen attacks, including one on Sohrab Goth police station on January 29 this year.



SHO Ashfaq Baloch of the Manghopir police station admits that it is difficult to impose the writ of the state in his jurisdiction and that standard operating procedures followed by law enforcers elsewhere in the city have to be bent - very drastically.

“When a killing occurs somewhere else in the city, a lone constable usually hops onto a motorcycle and speeds off to the scene of the crime. Here, we can’t think of doing that unless we have a death wish,” he said. “We have to make sure our weapons are loaded. Then an entire team, headed by me, gets into a police mobile. Only when we pacify the criminals that we haven’t come to apprehend them can we advance safely to retrieve the body.”

SHO Baloch added that he prefers not to send the officers on duty to pick up a body. “We often wait for a body to turn up at one of the hospitals and then head there to question the family and any eyewitnesses.” What about raids and patrols in the area? SHO Baloch shakes his head.

DSP Ahmed’s statement seems to suggest that no-go areas in the city will grow organically like cancer. Should we fear that criminals want all-out anarchy where the law of the jungle is followed all over the city? SSP Amir Farooqi, who heads the police’s Orangi division, doesn’t think so. “They don’t want to turn Karachi into a war zone.

“They’re here to recruit people and generate funds to send back to their comrades along the tribal belt. Setting the economic hot spot of Pakistan ablaze wouldn’t exactly be conducive for this purpose.”

No-go areas only for a particular ethnicity in times of ethnic violence (Orange)

1.      Safoora Goth

2.      Area near Micassa apartment

3.      Area around Old Sabzi Mandi

4.      Shireen Jinnah Colony

5.      Shah Rasool Colony

6.      Hijrat Colony and Sultanabad

7.      Memon Goth

8.      Sharifabad

9.      Kati Pahari

10.    Quaidabad

11.    Bilawal Shah Noorani Goth

12.    Pehlwan Goth

13.    Hazara Goth

14.    Sherpao Basti

15.    Natha Khan Goth

16.    Bizerta Lines

17.    Delhi Colony

18.    Chanesar Goth

19.    Ilyas Goth

20.    PIB Colony

21.    Parts of New Karachi

22.    Azizabad

23.    Jamali Goth

24.    Areas along Drigh Road

25.    Jackson and docks

26.    Khokrapar

27.    Mehran Town

28.    Parts of Landhi

29.    Shershah

Complete no-go areas because of the presence of militants or gangsters (Red)

A.     Pakhtunabad

B.     Sultanabad

C.     Ittehad Town

D.     New Mianwali Colony

E.     Parts of Lyari

F.     Macchar Colony

G.    Settlements in Sohrab Goth

H.    Shanti Nagar &amp; Dalmia

I.      Qayyummabad

J.      Afghan Basti

K.     Kunwari Colony

L.     Chota Plaza

M.    Supermarket area of Sohrab Goth

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525035-mab-1363978112/525035-mab-1363978112.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Post-retirement service: 13 police officials removed on SC order</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525033/post-retirement-service-13-police-officials-removed-on-sc-order</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525033/post-retirement-service-13-police-officials-removed-on-sc-order#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 21:12:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahrah.mazhar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525033</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[In October 2012, the apex court had ordered to cancel appointments on contract.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[“Go home and enjoy your retirement. Let the young guns of the police force, which are your family, come to the front and receive their promotions.” This was the consensus of the larger bench of the Supreme Court hearing the Karachi law and order case on Friday.

On Thursday, the bench - led by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan - had asked the acting Sindh chief secretary Arif Ahmed Khan about the status of 14 officials in the police department serving on contract, even though it had ordered for all such appointments to be cancelled last year.

The 14 officials, who appeared on court’s notice on Friday, were individually questioned on the nature of their assignments. Expressing their dissatisfaction with officials holding position beyond the designated period and those who were not eligible for their posts, the apex court ordered their removal. Within hours, the contracts of 12 officials were cancelled,

The court was told that the other two officials held the posts of Sindh police IT department project director and assistant director. The chief justice noted the importance of such projects and asked the police department to make room for their positions - but not at the expense of other police officials. “And make sure you don’t bring in people for the IT department and then give them uniforms,” warned Justice Muslim.

Overtaking others 

“Where is the money for these contract officials coming from? It is not in the budget as these are not sanctioned posts,” said the judges, making it clear to the official of the services, general administration and coordination department, that there will be no burden on the sanctioned budget. “If you want to keep these officials as consultants, by all means keep them. Pay for them and their kids - but not a penny will be spent from the police budget,” said Justice Khawaja.

“If you have done your time, then leave. Look after your brothers - let them be promoted and feel ownership,” said Justice Chaudhry. “A uniform holds immense value and no employee on contract can take that away from deserving candidates.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525033-Police-1363985467/525033-Police-1363985467.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi violence case: SC orders Sindh IG, Rangers DG to fall on no-go areas from today</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525031/karachi-violence-case-sc-orders-sindh-ig-rangers-dg-to-fall-on-no-go-areas-from-today</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/525031/karachi-violence-case-sc-orders-sindh-ig-rangers-dg-to-fall-on-no-go-areas-from-today#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 21:01:25 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[zahrah.mazhar]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=525031</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Judges question why DG Rangers has failed to appear two days in a row.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[With no room left to debate over the definition of no-go areas, the larger bench of the Supreme Court ordered Sindh IG and Rangers DG to “personally” lead the operations to eliminate such areas from today. And with that, the Sindh government was also given 15 days to bring peace to Karachi.


The hearing of the Karachi law and order suo motu implementation case on Friday picked up from the day before when the Rangers DG stated that there were no no-go areas in Lyari. On the contrary, DIG Shahid Hayat accepted that the area was indeed a place where law enforcers fear to tread.

“Where is the joint statement by the Sindh IG and Rangers DG Major General Rizwan Akhtar that we asked for yesterday,” asked the bench, led by Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, and comprising Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan. “Maybe our English wasn’t perfect but we made ourselves clear that we expect a joint statement.”



Justice Chaudhry spared the Rangers’ counsel Shahid Anwar Bajwa no concession when grilling him over the Rangers DG statement that there were no no-go areas in the city. “We will have a test to verify the statement by sending the media to these areas. The time has gone when things could be hidden.”

It seemed that the judges were not convinced by Bajwa’s replies as he was repeatedly cut off with reminders of yesterday’s statement by his client, who said that the Rangers DG had no information about no-go areas. “Where is the Rangers DG - if the IGP can come to the court, why can’t he?” asked the irked chief justice. “It appears that maybe he has a problem with the court since he failed to appear on Thursday as well.” Bajwa clarified that the Major General Akhtar had excused himself due to important meetings.

In an attempt to clarify the Rangers’ position, Bajwa said that Major General Akhtar has stated that there we no no-go areas, not no-criminal areas - this reply clearly didn’t set well with the bench and neither did the advocate’s demeanor. “We are not adversaries but it seems that you’re contesting the court,” said Justice Khawaja, putting Bajwa on the spot. “We know the language of a lawyer and understand their attitudes - we’ve spent our lives on these benches,” added the chief justice.

Definition of no-go areas 

“A no-go area doesn’t only mean that you cannot enter a locality but that there should be no mafia and extortionists roaming about,” said Justice Khawaja. Justice Chaudhry went back to the joint statement that was asked from the Sindh chief secretary, Sindh IG and Rangers DG. “This is not a joke - go and come with a statement now so we can establish what no-go areas are.”

As a relief to Bajwa, the acting Sindh chief secretary Arif Ahmed Khan, approached the bench and offered a definition which was accepted by the judges. “A no-go area is one where the government cannot exercise its writ.”

He told the bench that the previous statement by the Rangers was not based on this definition.

SSP Niaz Khosa confessed, however, to the judges that even if the police manage to catch criminals, all it takes is a phone call to set them free.

The judges ordered the joint operation by Sindh IG and Rangers DG should start today. “We will find a way to receive daily updates. The court also sought details of the killings and tortured bodies found during the last one month in Lyari.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23rd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/525031-karachilyarilayariviolencefiringoperationphotoIrfanALi-1363985772/525031-karachilyarilayariviolencefiringoperationphotoIrfanALi-1363985772.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Control Karachi violence in 15 days: Supreme Court</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/524746/karachi-unrest-case-rangers-ordered-to-wipe-out-no-go-areas</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/524746/karachi-unrest-case-rangers-ordered-to-wipe-out-no-go-areas#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 22 Mar 13 07:24:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=524746</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Political parties should expel all members involved in terrorist activities, Court says.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court while hearing the Karachi law and order case on Friday gave security officials 15 days to control violence in the city, Express News reported. The court has allowed one month’s time for a new report on target killings.

While citing a report on the number of terrorists arrested, the Supreme Court said that most of those caught were found to be associated with different political parties. The court said that parties should expel all such members who are involved in terrorist activities.

In a move which left many with their eyes wide in disbelief, the acting IG of the Sindh police had handed over the Supreme Court a list of 224 suspects involved in target killings and other heinous crimes – with their political affiliations during a hearing for the case on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court had asked for a strategy to be compiled to close all no-go areas across the city.

During the hearing at the Karachi registry of the Supreme Court, Inspector General (IG) of Sindh Police Shahid Nadeem Baloch and Director General of Sindh Rangers, Major General Rizwan Akhtar were asked to formulate the strategy related to the immediate closure of all no-go areas. They also received orders to supervise the operation of no-go areas starting from tomorrow.

An additional report was also ordered on all target killings that took place in the violence-ridden area of Lyari.

The five-member larger bench, headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, raked the top brass from the Sindh police and Rangers over the coals for their failure to wipe out the no-go areas in the city. Other members of the bench were Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan.

The case stems from the suo motu proceedings initiated by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in August 2011 as the city went through one of its bloodiest summers.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/524746-rangerskarachiexpress-1363936109/524746-rangerskarachiexpress-1363936109.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>CM boasts of making Karachi’s crime rates go down by 40%, reducing killings by 23%</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519360/cm-boasts-of-making-karachis-crime-rates-go-down-by-40-reducing-killings-by-23</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/519360/cm-boasts-of-making-karachis-crime-rates-go-down-by-40-reducing-killings-by-23#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Mar 13 06:56:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=519360</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Qaim Ali Shah’s five-year performance report rejected by opposition.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The five-year performance report presented by the Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah during the Sindh Assembly session on Monday was rejected by the opposition leader.

“Whatever the government says has not been implemented so far,” said opposition leader Syed Sardar Ahmed. “It has failed to maintain law and order in the province. It has created grave disparity between the rural and urban areas and participatory democratic values do not exist in the government.”

In his report, Shah claimed that the government has not only contained the law and order situation in the city, but has reduced killings by 23 per cent and crime rates by nearly 40 per cent. The situation in the rest of the province is also under control, he added.

Nevertheless, Shah admitted that Karachi is fragile and that the poor law and order situation has caused pain and misery to thousands of families. “It will not be incorrect to say that this is an off-shot of the larger conflict that this country is fighting,” said Shah, who also holds the portfolio of the home department.



Insisting that the law and order situation has been contained across Sindh, Shah compared the death tolls in Sindh and Punjab. “Around 4,000 people have lost their lives in Karachi as compared to 19,000 in Punjab in just one year,” he said. “They are criticising us, but not the Punjab government,” he added, without clarifying who ‘they’ were.

Meanwhile, the opposition leader felt the police are to blame. “How one can assume good results when an SHO cannot stay at the job for more than two months” he asked. “SSPs are transferred within days and this will not bring good change.”



The budget to improve law and order was increased from Rs9 billion in 2008 to Rs32 billion in the current year, Shah told the house.

‘ECP prevents govt from giving jobs’

“We are an elected government and have a right to give jobs to people given our party manifesto, but it is very unfortunate that the election commission has banned recruitments before the election scheduled is even announced,” said the CM.

Referring to the Abbas Town blast, Shah said that the government reached the spot and announced Rs1.5 million for the families of those who died. He was, however, upset that several policemen were suspended in the aftermath. “How can we maintain law and order when senior police officers have been suspended?”

For the opposition leader, the fault lies with the new local government (LG) system. “The Constitution says we should devolve our system at the lower levels, but the government was not willing to hold local government elections for the last three years,” said Ahmed. According to the Constitution, the government should hold a cabinet meeting after every two weeks, but only two to three meetings have been held, and all decisions are made without it, pointed out.

‘Million of rupees for unsure employees’

Responding to Ahmed’s remarks, the CM pointed out to the several appointments in the water and sewerage boards that were made by the city district government. “Can you tell me how many people from rural areas have been inducted over there?” he asked. “We, the provincial government, are giving around Rs500 million salaries to these employees without knowing for sure if they are performing their duties.”

Resolutions

On Monday, the Sindh Assembly also passed a unanimous resolution condemning the Joseph Colony incident in Lahore and termed the incident a pre-planned attack by the Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz. The house also passed another resolution moved by MQM MPA Bilqees Mukhtar to include the blood group of people in computerised national identity cards. Later, the session was adjourned till Wednesday.

The CM boasts of the following achievements: 

Rs688 billion for development projects

Rs122 billion for education department

Rs22 billion for the health department

Rs30.3 billion for coal development

Rs8 billion for industries

Rs55 billion for the road sector

Rs24 billion for irrigation and agriculture

Rs41 billion on relief and rehabilitation during two floods

Rs25 billion for Karachi’s K-IV water supply project

Rs32 billion for law and order improvement

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/519360-qaimalishahexpress-1363071288/519360-qaimalishahexpress-1363071288.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Security woes: Military chiefs raise red flag over Karachi unrest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/517580/security-woes-military-chiefs-raise-red-flag-over-karachi-unrest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/517580/security-woes-military-chiefs-raise-red-flag-over-karachi-unrest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 13 21:50:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamran.yousaf]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=517580</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Urge political parties to back deweaponisation plan, express concern over failure to prosecute alleged target killers.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Top military commanders on Thursday raised a red flag over the spiralling violence in Karachi and called upon political outfits to agree on a plan to immediately decommission weapons.


Talking to The Express Tribune after a corps commanders’ meeting chaired by Chief of Army Staff Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday, a defence source said “the situation in Karachi has deteriorated to alarming proportions and violence could get out of control if urgent action is not taken immediately.”

The military commanders held “lengthy discussions” on the events that followed the Abbas Town blast as well as the spate of targeted killings in Karachi, confirmed the source.

“It is high time that all political forces in Karachi sit down and agree on de-weaponisation of the city,” said the source. There is a general sense prevailing in the security establishment that the city’s problems primarily stem from the ‘turf war’ between major political parties, the source added.



However, the source said, the involvement of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has complicated the situation.

Yet the army, at least publicly, appears to be treading a careful path. A press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Thursday’s meeting focused on professional matters and a comprehensive review of the external security environment of the country.

However, a source familiar with developments disclosed that the top military brass was increasingly concerned about the lack of action by authorities to stem the tide of violence in the port city. The security establishment aired its concerns hours after bodies of two kidnapped Rangers men were recovered from the Mewa Shah graveyard in Karachi.



The slain officials, Hawaldar Muneer Ahmed Bhutto and Aijaz Ahmed Baloch, were from the intelligence wing of Sindh Rangers. They were abducted on Wednesday. A total of nine people were killed in Karachi during the day in separate incidents of violence.

One of the main worries of the security establishment is lack of prosecution of those involved in targeted killings. They believe political connections of the culprits result in them not being punished. Despite concerns, the army is still looking up to the civilian authorities to handle the situation.

A military official, who asked to remain anonymous, said the army had not been asked to take charge of the security of Karachi. “Rangers, police and other law enforcing agencies can still bring normalcy if they can plug the holes,” the official added.


Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/517580-AshfaqParvezKayani-1362726435/517580-AshfaqParvezKayani-1362726435.JPG" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>‘If the administration is not in order, how can the killers be arrested?'</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/516801/if-the-administration-is-not-in-order-how-can-the-killers-be-arrested</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/516801/if-the-administration-is-not-in-order-how-can-the-killers-be-arrested#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 13 20:44:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=516801</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Court grills law enforcers, seeks details of target killings since November 2011.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In place of witnessing any improvement, the law and order situation in Karachi was aggravating everyday for which no one else but the provincial executives were responsible, noted the Supreme Court on Wednesday at the SC Karachi registry.

In light of this observation, the judges have called a detailed report on how many people have lost their lives in acts of target killings since October 2011.

Headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, the bench comprising Justices Amir Hani Muslim and Ejaz Afzal Khan issued this direction while hearing the Karachi violence suo motu implementation case regarding Sunday’s bomb blast in Abbas Town.

Almost 50 people, including women and children, were killed and 139 wounded when an explosives-laden vehicle ripped through the congested residential locality of Abbas Town on March 3.

The chief justice had taken suo motu notice of the incident and lethargic attitude of the administration, including law enforcers, who failed to help the victims.

Tagging the Abbas Town incident with the Karachi law and order suo motu implementation case, the SC had called reports from the Sindh government and IG Police in this regard.

Taking up the matter on Wednesday, Justice Chaudhry came down hard on the Sindh government authorities, including police and Rangers, for their indifferent attitude of not reaching the place of the incident and helping the victims, who were still awaiting government support.

They rejected the report submitted by Sindh IG Fayyaz Leghari, observing that he himself had confessed his failure in controlling the crimes and bringing violence under control.

“The question arises that how would you arrest the killers unless the administration is not put in order,” the chief justice asked Muhammad Shah Khawar, a private lawyer hired by the IG police. “Not all incidents taking place in Karachi are of terrorism. The IG should have controlled them.”

The larger bench will next take up the Karachi suo motu implementation case on March 8 at the SC Karachi registry.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/516801-supremecourtexpress-1362602577/516801-supremecourtexpress-1362602577.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Seven dead as 'naamaloom afraad' shut Karachi down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/516624/one-killed-as-business-come-to-a-standstill-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/516624/one-killed-as-business-come-to-a-standstill-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Mar 13 10:55:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[agencies]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=516624</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Panic and fear spread across the metropolis, parts of interior Sindh.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least seven people were killed in separate incidents of violence in Karachi, while businesses were forced to close across the city. A number of gunshot injuries were also reported.

Panic and fear spread across the metropolis as reports poured in of unidentified gunmen firing in many parts of the city, forcefully closing down businesses and blocking roads. Unknown individuals also torched vehicles and set tyres on fire in the worst affected areas.

The resultant rush of people exiting marketplaces and offices caused massive traffic jams on many roads. The Karachi Transport Ittehad also announced that they were suspending public transport plying on the streets.

Hyderabad and other parts of interior Sindh also shutdown after firing by unknown people.

Police and hospitals were put on high alert, while the Private Schools Association announced that schools would be closed for an indefinite period of time.

Rangers in Karachi, who had earlier carried out an operation in the city, arrested a number of suspects involved in the forceful closure of marketplaces.

Amid the violence, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) announced they would observe a peaceful movement against the government’s inefficiency following the attack in Abbas Town.

Addressing the press conference, Raza Haroon said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had condemned the Abbas Town blast and had demanded the government arrest the terrorists involved within three days, otherwise, the MQM would observe a democratic protest.

Condemning the government’s incompetence, Haroon said that this protest movement will continue till government arrests the culprits responsible for the attack.

“We appeal to the people of Karachi to stay peaceful and support the peaceful protest,” he said, before adding, “We request the people of Karachi, especially traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters and people belonging to other walks of life, to keep their businesses shut until the terrorists are arrested.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

                                                END OF LIVE UPDATES

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:55pm

A 40-year-old man, Qadir Hussain, son of Maqool Hussain, was gunned down by unidentified armed men in Sector 14-A, Korangi Town No 2/1-2, within the precincts of Zaman Town police station.

The body was brought to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for a postmortem.

Police said the man was an employee of a garment factory and was on his way to workplace early this morning when armed men targeted him.

The victim received one bullet in his face and died on the spot.

Separately, the body of a man, aged around 25, bearing bullets marks was found near Malir River, Jaam Goth, Malir Town, within the Jurisdiction of Memon Goth police station.

The identity of the man could not be ascertained as yet. The body was shifted to JPMC for medico-legal formalities.

Similarly, 36-year-old Rashid, son of Piaray Khan, was killed by dacoits over robbery resistance in Landhi Town No 36-B within the remit of Landhi police station.

The body was shifted to JPMC for an autopsy.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:30pm

Two officials of Pakistan Rangers Sindh Hawaldar Muneer Ahmed Bhutto and Aijaz Ahmed Baloch, are reportedly missing since Tuesday.

They were performing security duty in Nazimabad.

Both the officials, posted near Nazimabad Post Office, had left for home after off time at 3.00pm but didn't reach home,

A local journalist Nawaz Bhutto, cousin of Muneer, told PPI that both these rangers were going back home after performing their respective duties.

Nawaz said that the cell phones of the missing Hawaldars were switched off.

The rangers assured the relatives that the search for missing officials was underway.

When contacted Major Sibtain, spokesman of Rangers, was unaware of the missing personnel and said that he would check.

Despite few rumours, the cellular services are fully functional.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

6:15pm

A bus was torched in New Karachi.

Businesses and markets close down in Sukkur.

In total three cars and one motorcycle put on fire.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:50 pm

Rangers Sindh has arrested two miscreants from the Shahbaz commercial area in the Defence Housing Authority (DHA). They were trying to close down shops and loot people. The rangers claim that miscreants belong to a political party.

Rangers have arrested few members of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) people and also recovered a suicide bomb jacket from Sohrab  Goth.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:35pm

All private schools will remain shut in Karachi tomorrow for an indefinite period, announced the Private Schools Association. It is unclear how many schools this association represents.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:25pm

In Hyderabad, miscreants have blocked the roads.

Unrest continues in Liberty Chowk and Latifabad areas.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:10pm

Deputy Speaker of Sindh Assembly Shehla Raza said, “There is a specific group in Karachi which does not want to maintain peace in the area.” She was addressing a press conference.

Rangers arrest two people with weapons, in Defence, as they were trying to shut down shops.

One person killed in Landhi.

Police still cannot be seen on the streets to control the situation.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5:00pm

“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is carrying out a peaceful protest and we urge people to participate in it to show commiseration with the affectees of Abbas Town blast,” said the MQM leader Raza Haroon while addressing a press conference.

He specifically urged the traders, factory owners, shop keepers, transporters to take part in the protest.

Meanwhile, three vehicles torched in Landhi, Samnabad and on National Highway.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:45pm

Reports of aerial firing in Defence and Clifton. All shops in the area have been closed, as have a majority of the petrol pumps.

Aerial firing in Mirpurkhaas hence, businesses have been closed.

Police is still waiting for instructions from authorities.

People resorting to aerial firing in Nawabshah.

Firing in Latifabad, Landhi and markets closed down.

Businesses in Hyderabad closed and tyres being burnt on streets. People with sticks are patrolling the streets and breaking windows of cars.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:25pm

Two cars burnt on National Highway.

Police cannot be seen on the streets.

There is a severe traffic jam on the road from Shahra-e-Faisal to Airport.

Car burnt at Al Noor roundabout.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:15pm

MQM member 'Shahzad' killed in Malir.

A political party has shut down 50% of Karachi due to the Abbas Town issue.

According to Express News, unknown armed men started firing in Rizvia Society I I Chandrigar Road, Burns Road, Purana Golimar, Orangi Town, Korangi, Landhi and other areas.

Three cars have been set on fire so far.

Police put on high alert across the city. Snap checking has started in the worst-affected areas.

There is a Traffic jam in MA Jinnah Road, Tower, Nazimabad, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Rashid Minhas Road.

Army Chief visited the Core commander headquarter and the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) core commander briefed him about Karachi’s situation.

Firing in Tando Allahyar; markets shut down.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4:00pm

Karachi, Hyderabad and parts of interior Sindh shutdown after firing from unknown people.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3:50 pm

Firing at Shafeeq Mor killed one person. Another person was gunned down in Buffer Zone while a third was shot dead in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

One person was injured in a firing incident near Jauhar Complex.

The violence suddenly kicked up in  the afternoon. Shops were closed and business came to a standstill.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3:40 pm 

The Karachi Transport Ittehad has also announced that they are suspending public transport plying the streets.

Hospitals have been directed to remain on high alert.

There were reports of some petrol pumps being shut down as well.

The situation was reported to be tense in Malir, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Federal B Area. There were reports of aerial firing in many areas as well, spreading fear and panic.

In another report, a blaze in New Sabzi Mandi escalated. Fire brigades were called in from all areas of Karachi. The cause of the fire is still unknown.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/516624-karachitrafficphotobyBilalZKhan-1362572842/516624-karachitrafficphotobyBilalZKhan-1362572842.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Target killing claims six lives in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514730/target-killing-claims-six-lives-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514730/target-killing-claims-six-lives-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 13 06:43:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=514730</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ASWJ’s unit president in Shah Faisal Colony also shot dead.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least six people were killed, including an Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader, in separate incidents in Karachi Saturday morning.

ASWJ’s unit president in Shah Faisal Colony Green Town, Mufti Nadeem Muavia, was shot dead by unknown miscreants and his body was shifted to the Jinnah hospital, ASWJ spokesperson Maulana Akbar Saeed said.

In Orangi town, two people were killed and three were injured by unidentified gunmen, while three others were killed in New Mianwali Colony. Five people, including women, were also injured.

Bodies of five people who were earlier kidnapped were recovered from Gulshan, Liaquatabad and Mauripur areas.

On Friday, a seminary administrator was among the four people gunned down in Karachi. Late Thursday night, a leader of the ASWJ, Afroze Zafar, was shot dead in a targeted attack in Orangi Town.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/514730-_-1362206534/514730-_-1362206534.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Criminal charges: Two days after suspension, cops approach court</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514472/criminal-charges-two-days-after-suspension-cops-approach-court</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514472/criminal-charges-two-days-after-suspension-cops-approach-court#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 13 02:12:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=514472</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC’s larger bench throws out applications for want of merit.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Two days after losing lucrative field postings for facing criminal trials, two influential senior police superintendents took their chief to the Supreme Court accusing him of ordering their ‘transfer’ under the garb of the court’s order.

On February 26, Sindh IGP Fayyaz Leghari issued transfer orders for Hyderabad district police officer SSP Pir Farid Jan Sarhandi and SSP Jamshoro Farrukh Bashir. Leghari was given a show-cause notice by the apex court to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for ‘concealing facts’ on policemen who enjoy field postings despite facing criminal trials.

In his report, the police chief disclosed that Thatta DPO Sarhandi was facing trial in an illegal detention case while charges had also been framed against SSP Jamshoro in a case pertaining to the alleged murder of a Sindh United Party’s activist in 2009.

SSP Sarhandi, who reportedly has strong connections in Islamabad, was removed from the post of district police officer and ordered to report to the Central Police Office Karachi. SSP Bashir was also transferred.



On Friday, both the officers filed a criminal review application before the larger bench - comprising justices Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Khilji Arif Hussain, Gulzar Ahmed and Muhammad Athar Saeed.

Their lawyers, Yousuf Leghari and Ashraf Kazi, argued that the IGP had ordered immediate transfer of the two officers without providing them an opportunity of a hearing, which was against the settled principles of justice.

SSP Sarhandi informed that he was nominated with bad intentions in the illegal detention case with FIR No. 78/2010 registered under sections 334 and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code by Malik Changez Khan at the Thatta police station. The complainant himself is involved in criminal cases and trial of this case is pending for the last two years due to his absence.

SSP Bashir also claimed that the case against him was lodged by Malik Changez Khan and his relatives, who are all involved in various criminal cases. They pleaded the court provide them justice by declaring the IG’s action unlawful.

The judges observed that they had passed no order for the applicants’ suspension, but directed the IGP to act according to the provisions of the Police Rules, 1934. “If the applicants have any grievance, they must approach the appropriate authority or forum,” observed the judges, while dismissing both the applications for lacking merits.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/514472-Supremecourtkarachi-1362190020/514472-Supremecourtkarachi-1362190020.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Unfurling plots: Police stations on the hit list</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514461/unfurling-plots-police-stations-on-the-hit-list</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/514461/unfurling-plots-police-stations-on-the-hit-list#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Mar 13 01:14:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=514461</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Apart from banned outfits, local extortionists and drug mafias are also targeting law enforcers.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Following the attacks on Shah Faisal and Baloch colonies police stations, The Express Tribune has learnt that over a dozen stations in the city are on the hit list of terrorists.


According to police investigators, several outlawed organisations, such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad, have joined hands to target law enforcers, their offices and police stations in Karachi.

On Wednesday night, a man - later identified as Suleman alias Sabir Ali - was throwing explosives inside Shah Faisal Colony police station when the bomb went off and injured him instead. While Suleman escaped, witnesses told the police that the attacker was injured. He was later arrested from a private clinic. Within half an hour, Baloch Colony police station also came under attack with explosives.

Suleman told the police that he belongs to the Haqqani network, but the police have yet to verify his claim. “This [the Haqqani network involvement] was a shock for us too because the Haqqani network has never surfaced in Karachi before,” said a senior investigator. With the help of the information given by Suleman, law enforcers have detained more than half a dozen suspects from Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Orangi and Landhi. They have also seized bomb-making materials and jihadi literature.

However, it is not only the banned outfits that are targeting law enforcers. Crime Investigation Department’s (CID) SP Mazhar Mashwani told The Express Tribune that even extortionists and drug mafias have planned on carrying out attacks against their local police stations. “They [extortionists and mafias] just want to terrorise the policemen in their areas so they can carry out their activities without any fear of law,” he said.



The policemen at stations that have been declared sensitive have been asked to restrict their movements. CID personnel have also been asked to work in coordination with the police intelligence officials posted at police stations to trace and busted terrorists’ networks.

In Karachi, more than 100 policemen have so far been killed in targeted attacks since 2010. Besides targeting the Rangers’ complex in North Nazimabad, the CID’s own complex and several police stations, including Pirabad, Manghopir, Sohrab Goth, Baloch Colony, Shah Faisal Colony, Orangi Town and Shah Latif, have already been attacked. Apart from the stations, CID SSP Chaudhry Aslam’s residence and Malir district SSP Rao Anwar have also been targeted.

To overcome such a situation, there should be an independent counter-terrorism unit that deals only with cases of terrorism, said CID Counter Terrorism and Financial Crime Unit chief SSP Raja Omar Khattab. “This counter-terrorism unit should deal properly with terrorism cases, from the registration of the FIR till the conviction of the terrorists.”



According to Khattab, remote-controlled, cellphone devices and other locally assembled bombs are more dangerous as compared to suicide bombings. “Since the past two years or so, certain groups have starting using bombs assembled with devices that are getting more dangerous by the day,” he said. “Suicide bombers just come once and the blast happens. The devices are more dangerous since they can be timed to go off one after the other and that is when the law enforcers come under attack.”

Khattab warned that the situation will worsen if there is no system in place to deal with such cases from the beginning till the end. Until the police ensure that the culprits are convicted, they will continue to become strong, he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 2nd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/514461-table-1362160505/514461-table-1362160505.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Sunni Tehreek postpones Karachi strike</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511931/sunni-tehreek-postpones-karachi-strike</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511931/sunni-tehreek-postpones-karachi-strike#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 13 14:33:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=511931</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The strike call was given to protest the target killing of ST activists.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sunni Tehreek (ST) postponed its strike in Karachi -- originally scheduled for February 25 -- after a meeting with representatives of the business community, private schools association and transporters.

ST spokesman Fahim Sheikh confirmed this decision to The Express Tribune.

The strike call was given to protest the target killing of ST activists in the city.

No new date for the strike has been announced as yet.

The ST has criticised the government for its failure to arrest the culprits.

Earlier in January, two members of the ST were killed in an attack in New Karachi.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/511931-FAHEEMcopy-1361715878/511931-FAHEEMcopy-1361715878.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Judges want families of target killing victims looked after by government</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511772/judges-want-families-of-target-killing-victims-looked-after-by-government</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511772/judges-want-families-of-target-killing-victims-looked-after-by-government#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 13 00:36:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=511772</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SHC bench was hearing a petition to help families of missing persons.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the provincial chief secretary to establish separate committees to financially support the families of the missing persons but also those of the victims of target killings.


The order came during the hearing of a petition, filed by Nisar A. Mujahid, the chairperson of the Human Rights and Civil Liberties Society of Pakistan, demanding the federal and provincial governments rehabilitate the families of the hundreds of missing persons.

After 9/11, the US authorities have picked up a large number of alQaeda suspects with the consent of the governments of different countries. “In Pakistan, neither the detainees were brought to courts nor were their whereabouts disclosed,” he claimed.

The affected families have become isolated and are facing immense financial constraints. Even the non-governmental and social welfare organisations have backed out from helping them, he added.

On February 21, the officials informed the court that the Pakistan Baitul Maal was already helping these families pay for schools and medicines.



It was suggested that a committee should be constituted of the nominees of the Pakistan Baitul Maal, provincial interior and social welfare departments to visit each family and recommend appropriate forms of assistance.

The judges noted, however, that there were many affected families who lost their loved ones in targeted killings are also suffering. SHC Chief Justice Mushir Alam said that a committee should be formed to help the families of the victims of target killings from Baitul Maal, apart from the families of missing persons.

The bench directed that the representative of the Baitul Maal and an officer from the Sindh police to conduct surveys of all affected and deserving families so that their financial, educational and medical needs may be assessed and recorded.

The relevant departments will submit their report by March 7.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/511772-sindhhighcourt-1361673660/511772-sindhhighcourt-1361673660.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Once a wanted gangster, Lyari's Rasheed Rekha killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/510924/once-a-wanted-gangster-lyaris-rasheed-rekha-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/510924/once-a-wanted-gangster-lyaris-rasheed-rekha-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Feb 13 20:54:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=510924</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rekha had a Rs1.5 million bounty till recently was killed in an exchange of fire with Rangers.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Lyari gang war suspect Rashid Rekha, who until recently had a large bounty on his head, was killed in an encounter with Rangers in the Kharadar area of Karachi late on Thursday night. 

Officials said that Rangers units were responding to reports of firing between two groups in the area when one of groups fired upon the Rangers. The ensuing exchange of fire fatally wounded Rekha. The alleged gangster was rushed to the Lyari general hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

A bounty of Rs1.5 million was withdrawn after Sindh home department issued a notification on February 16 withdrawing the head money on eight alleged gangsters from Lyari.

Clashes between rival groups have raged for three consecutive days.

Meanwhile, Express News reported that officials had rounded up as many as 12 suspects, including Jabbar Jhingo.

All of the suspects are still in the custody of Rangers.

Operation will continue till the restoration of law and order in the area, a Rangers officials said.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/510924-rangers_security_violence_target_killingPHOTOMOHAMMADNOMAN-1361478892/510924-rangers_security_violence_target_killingPHOTOMOHAMMADNOMAN-1361478892.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Law and order: SHC committee to summon govt officials, agency personnel</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/509747/law-and-order-shc-committee-to-summon-govt-officials-agency-personnel</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/509747/law-and-order-shc-committee-to-summon-govt-officials-agency-personnel#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Feb 13 02:16:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=509747</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The apex court had formed the committee to see that its directives were implemented.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As three-day protests against the killing of Hazara Shia community members ended in the city on Tuesday, Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam said that he would soon call a meeting of the government as well as security agencies to review the progress made by them in bringing the law and order situation under control.

Justice Alam heads a committee that was constituted by the Supreme Court to ensure that its directives in the suo motu case on Karachi violence were being implemented.

The committee was tasked with meeting government officials, as well as representatives of the Rangers and the police force on a monthly basis, and to evaluate the progress they made to improve the law and order situation in the city. Alam added that without the will of the government, the situation would not improve in the city.



He was talking to media personnel after having administered oaths to Justice Nisar Muhammad Shaikh, Justice Nadeem Akhtar and Justice Muhammad Shafi Siddiqui, who were confirmed as permanent judges of the high court by President Asif Ali Zardari on Monday.

Talking about the proposed meeting between the judicial committee and relevant authorities, Alam said that the apex court had ordered law enforcers to discharge their duties and address complaints regarding the law and order situation.

“Therefore, all of them are being summoned [so we can learn] why the situation is not being brought under control.”



Justice Alam added that the provincial government was also directed to legislate so that illegal arms in the city could be seized. We would look into this aspect as well, and determine the “hesitation” of officials to address this issue, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/509747-MushirAlamJustice-1361326120/509747-MushirAlamJustice-1361326120.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Gun crime: Groom, policeman killed in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/508157/gun-crime-groom-policeman-killed-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/508157/gun-crime-groom-policeman-killed-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Feb 13 05:26:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=508157</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Groom died after firing in Pak Colony area and a policeman was killed in a firing incident in Korangi area.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A groom was shot dead and at least four others were wounded on Friday when unidentified armed men resorted to indiscriminate firing on a wedding convoy in Pak Colony area.


Pak Colony Superintendent of police Ali Asif told The Express Tribune that around 12 men riding on a truck and motorcycles opened fire on the groom’s car, killing him and injuring four others. The deceased was identified as Abdul Wajid and the injured as Feroz, Hassan, Moiz and Obair

Asif added that Wajid lived in the Garden area. The police officer said an investigation was underway, but no case had been registered till the filing of this report.

Separately, a police constable was killed and another wounded in a firing incident in Korangi area.

Police officials said the two policemen were on routine patrol when they attempted to intercept three men on a motorcycle. But the men shot them, following which they fled from the scene.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/508157-bulletstargetkillingmurdershotkilledPHOTOMOHAMMADSAQIB-1360992080/508157-bulletstargetkillingmurdershotkilledPHOTOMOHAMMADSAQIB-1360992080.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Notification Issued: Bounty offer withdrawn</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/508138/notification-issued-bounty-offer-withdrawn</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/508138/notification-issued-bounty-offer-withdrawn#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 16 Feb 13 05:21:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=508138</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh home department has issued notification to withdraw head money on eight alleged gangsters from Lyari.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Sindh home department has issued a notification to withdraw head money on eight alleged gangsters from Lyari.

The provincial government has withdrawn bounty on Omar Katchi, Fahim, Sheraz Comrade, Abdul Jabbar Jhengo, Faisal Pathan, Rashid Rekha Bangali, Mullah Nisar and Rashid Lond.

These men are accused of running organised crime in the city’s oldest area, Lyari, and face many charges including murder, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, police encounter, drug supply and other such heinous crimes.

The cases have not been withdrawn. Only the price tag on their head has been removed.

It may be mentioned here that earlier, the government had issued notification in November to withdraw the case and Rs1.5 million head money on Zafar Baloch, a close aide of ex-home minister Dr Zulfikar Mirza.

The most wanted among these men was Uzair Jan Baloch who heads the Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) after police killed Abdul Rehman Baloch, better known as Rehman Dakait. Uzair Baloch is not in the list of people whose bounty has been withdrawn.

Uzair Baloch had announced he will contest election against PPP after the 2012 Lyari operation.

According to sources the PPP leadership in a bid to secure the Lyari seat held a number of meetings with local leaders of the constituency but they in turn demanded withdrawal of cases against PAC top guns including Uzair Baloch, Habib Hassan, Zaffar Baloch and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/508138-karachilyarilayariviolencefiringoperationphotoIrfanALi-1360991972/508138-karachilyarilayariviolencefiringoperationphotoIrfanALi-1360991972.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Government, politicians backing Lyari gangsters for votes: Faisal Subzwari</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/507720/government-politicians-backing-lyari-gangsters-for-votes-faisal-subzwari</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/507720/government-politicians-backing-lyari-gangsters-for-votes-faisal-subzwari#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 13 08:25:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=507720</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM leader says if government, politicians back 'murderers', the party will not stand in line with them.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) senior leader Syed Faisal Ali Subzwari has blamed the government and a few politicians for backing Lyari's gangsters in exchange of few votes, reported Express News on Friday.

Party members of the MQM had decided to boycott the Sindh assembly session on Februay 14. They launched a protest within the premises on Friday as well.

“The notification is against Karachi, inhumane and illogical. The Sindh Assembly meeting cannot proceed in its presence,” said Faisal Subzwari referring to the letter asking for disposal of all cases against the Lyari based People’s Aman Committee presented in the Sindh Assembly on February 14.

Subzwari stressed that the economy cannot stabilise if trouble makers are indemnified.

"The police has clearly stated that the old city area has become no-go area as people of Lyari gang war rule over it and extortionists are present in abundance," he said.

He explained if the government and politicians will back 'murderers' then the MQM will not stand in line with them. He expressed his confusion and distaste about the politics prevalent in Pakistan.

Faisal said, “These are same people who kill innocent children and destroy families. We cannot support them just for a few votes.”

While showing support to families of the dead, the MQM leader said that his party will not leave them stranded.

Faisal concluded that until the notification is overturned they will continue to boycott the assembly sessions.

Slogans were chanted against extortionists and the making of Lyari as a no-go area.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/507720-faisalsabzwariirfanaliexpress-1360914662/507720-faisalsabzwariirfanaliexpress-1360914662.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi unrest: Killings continue despite security operations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506196/karachi-unrest-killings-continue-despite-security-operations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/506196/karachi-unrest-killings-continue-despite-security-operations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 12 Feb 13 07:31:53 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=506196</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Target operation in Musharaf colony should be replicated in other areas to counter terrorism, say citizens.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Rangers arrested six suspects and recovered arms during a targeted operation in Musharraf Colony as unrest in Karachi continued, Express News on Tuesday.

A targeted security operation started early morning after security officials got a tip off regarding the presence of suspects from banned organisations in the area. They also demolished ‘Jhanda Chowk’ as many banned organisations had put up flags on this roundabout. Slogans of these organizations in the form of graffiti were also removed.

The operation went on for three hours utilizing approximately more than 500 officials and more than three dozen vehicles. Women officials were also involved to strengthen the operation together with aerial surveillance.

Many areas of Musharraf colony were cordoned off and entry and exit points were sealed. People going in and out of the cordoned areas were searched thoroughly.

People residing in the area expressed their satisfaction regarding the operation and encouraged forces to carry on such operations in other areas as well to rid Karachi of terrorists.

Later during the day, firing in Golimar peetal gali lane injured four while one succumbed to injuries.  The injured were rushed to Abbasi Shaheed hospital and have been identified as Idrees, Hatim, Wajid and Nizam .

In another incident, sub inspector Ghulam Raza and his wife were severely injured as unknown people opened fire on them near Shahrah-e-Faisal. Both received bullets on the chest and face and were admitted to a hospital. Doctors say their situation is critical.

Earlier in Clifton, unknown men opened fire on a car and killed one person near the Russian Embassy.

Meanwhile, in Manghopir three bandits were killed in an encounter while five managed to escape. According to DIG West Javed Aalam Odho, eight of them were trying to escape after looting a truck near Manghopir northern by-pass.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/506196-rangerskarachiexpress-1360653124/506196-rangerskarachiexpress-1360653124.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Restoration of law and order in Karachi is government’s responsibility: Naik</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504938/restoration-of-law-and-order-in-karachi-is-governments-responsibility-naik</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504938/restoration-of-law-and-order-in-karachi-is-governments-responsibility-naik#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 09 Feb 13 12:20:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=504938</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Naik states that Government of Sindh can ask for help from the federal government for handling law and order.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Karachi has not been left alone by the Pakistan People Party (PPP) government and the provincial government is also responsible for the restoration of peace in Karachi after the 18th amendment, said Federal law minister Farooq H Naik on Saturday, Express News reported.

Speaking to the media after addressing a seminar, the law minister stated that the Government of Sindh can ask the federal government for help in order to handle the law and order situation.

Naik said investigations in the NAB officer Kamran Faisal death case were underway so no assumptions should be made.

He added that the formation of the caretaker government has not been finalised as yet and it will be decided with the consent of the prime minister and opposition leaders.

Killings in Karachi have continued despite promises made by the authorities.

Earlier on February 7th, the SC bench hearing the  Karachi unrest case remarked that the government is not taking the matter seriously and the court is carrying out a meaningless task.


The Supreme Court, on February 8th, came down hard on the Sindh government for not making a serious effort on laws for illegal weapons despite having the power to do so.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/504938-FarooqHNaikAFP-1360411560/504938-FarooqHNaikAFP-1360411560.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi violence: Top cop one hearing shy of contempt</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504845/karachi-violence-top-cop-one-hearing-shy-of-contempt</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504845/karachi-violence-top-cop-one-hearing-shy-of-contempt#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 13 22:02:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=504845</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SC judges dissatisfied with answers provided by IG, chief secretary on tackling violence.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The chief of Karachi’s police and two other top bureaucrats are a whisker away from contempt.


They failed miserably to answer any of the questions raised by the Supreme Court on Friday on exactly what they had done to tackle Karachi’s violence.

In measured tones, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja leaned forward to stress calmly but firmly at least ten times during Friday’s hearing that the police chief had not done what the court had said.

“We are going to initiate proceedings against those responsible for non-compliance of our order,” Justice Khawaja warned.

There is a lot of verbiage, but practically nothing has been done on the ground in 13 months, the judges repeatedly said, their patience appearing to wear thin as point after point was met with silence, head shaking, digression and excuses.

Justices Khawaja, Khilji Arif Hussain, Sarmad Jalal Osmany and Amir Hani Muslim were hearing a petition filed by Senator Haji Adil Khan. He has asked why Waseem Ahmed, the additional chief secretary for the home department, Inspector General Fayyaz Leghari and Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas should not be held in contempt for ignoring court orders.

Ahmed and Leghari sat together in the packed courtroom at the Karachi registry where police officers scurried back and forth with files and reports as the judges unleashed a barrage of questions.



The judges were told that the law enforcers were being killed in response to action taken against criminals – this, the police had hoped would be proof enough that they were making some progress.

“We feel pain for them,” remarked Justice Khilji before sternly saying, “But your daaman has been stained with the blood of those policemen.”

Illegal migrants

IG Leghari said that Karachi had as many as 1.4 million illegal migrants, including 1.2 million Afghan refugees and that the police and National Aliens Registration Authority were working on the issue. But the prime minister had given Afghans a six-month extension before returning to Afghanistan.

But the judges were not buying this. They had given the police and NARA one year to address the problem. How was it possible that any foreigner could come in to Karachi and commit a terrorist act? Deputy Attorney General Javed Farooqui admitted he was not aware of any progress. The angry judges asked him to immediately summon NARA’s director-general. He failed to show up.

When the judges wanted the federal and provincial government officers to tell them what had been done to stop the influx of the Taliban into Karachi all they got in response was an answer that mentioned yet another team had been formed. It is highly regrettable, the judges noted, that neither was the federal government helping the Sindh government nor had it bothered to file any report.

Judicial inquiries

Waseem Ahmed answered that reports of only 15 judicial inquiries conducted into the Karachi law and order cases were tracked from his department. He was unaware of any inquiries conducted since 1986. This did not satisfy the judges.

Protection for businesses

Advocate General Abdul Fattah Malik mentioned that special cells were set up on extortion.

They had given more men to protect congested commercial areas as well.

“But all of this was done after [businesses] went on protests and strikes,” Justice Hani silenced him.

A pained Justice Khilji remarked that businessmen were taking their investment to Canada, Malaysia, Bangladesh because of the violence in Karachi, resulting in a loss of local jobs.

“There was a time when our children used to travel to Hyderabad fearlessly,” he went on to say. Now people get worried whenever their children leave home.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 9th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/504845-Supremecourtkarachi-1360360592/504845-Supremecourtkarachi-1360360592.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi unrest case: ‘Who will protect witnesses if police cannot protect themselves?’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504461/karachi-unrest-case-who-will-protect-witnesses-if-police-cannot-protect-themselves</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504461/karachi-unrest-case-who-will-protect-witnesses-if-police-cannot-protect-themselves#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 08 Feb 13 06:51:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=504461</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[IG Sindh informs bench that Rs100,000 have been allocated for the security of witnesses.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Justice Khilji Arif expressed concern over who will provide security to witnesses if police are unable to protect themselves, while hearing the Karachi unrest case on Friday, reported Express News.

IG Sindh informed the court that Rs100,000 have been allocated for the security of witnesses in the case, but people are not willing to get their statements recorded.

He said that the police are being targeted for arresting terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). A total of 182 target killers were arrested in the city while 127 police officials were killed, he added.

Justice Jawad S Khwaja remarked that the police can form as many cells as they want but nothing will happen till any concrete step is taken. He also questioned the steps taken by the police to protect witnesses.

The judge said that court orders are not being implemented and whoever is responsible for this, court will issue orders against him as well.

The hearing was adjourned till February 25.

A strike was observed in Karachi on Friday against the targeted killings of ulema in the city. Transporters joined the protest while businesses also remained closed.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/504461-karachipoliceexpress-1360305707/504461-karachipoliceexpress-1360305707.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>As Karachi bleeds, govt isn’t serious about strict gun laws: Judges</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504191/as-karachi-bleeds-govt-isnt-serious-about-strict-gun-laws-judges</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/504191/as-karachi-bleeds-govt-isnt-serious-about-strict-gun-laws-judges#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 13 21:27:06 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=504191</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[99% of crime is committed with unlicensed weapons, points out judge.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court came down hard on the Sindh government for not making a serious effort on laws for illegal weapons despite having the power to do so.

“The city is burning and blood is being shed. Yet, nothing has been done in 13 months,” Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja remarked while heading a four-judge bench on Thursday.

“This is clearly non-compliance,” the angry judge told Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas and the additional chief secretary for the home department, Waseem Ahmed.

The bench is hearing a petition that wants these two officials and the police chief held in contempt for failing to follow orders to end violence in Karachi. The petitioner is Senator Haji Adil Khan of the Awami National Party.

Additional Advocate-General Adnan Karim Memon said the provincial government had proposed a new arms law but it had not been voted on in the Sindh Assembly.

Suddenly, Prosecutor General Shahadat Awan jumped in to tell the judges that legal bars prevented Sindh’s MPAs from making such laws.

“The officers are still doubtful about the powers of the provincial legislature even though the subject of arms has become a provincial subject after the passage of the 18th constitutional amendment,” the judges reminded them.

Waseem Ahmed said the home department had sent a draft of the Sindh Arms Act 2012 to the law department and four months had passed.

Chief Secretary Abbas said the government was going to computerise one million arms licenses with the help of the National Database and Registration Authority. “But 99% of crimes are committed with unlicensed weapons,” Justice Khilji quickly told the officers.

The IG said that 19,924 illicit weapons were seized from September 30, 2012 to December 31, 2012.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/504191-gunsEPA-1360272353/504191-gunsEPA-1360272353.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi unrest: SC says government not taking matter seriously</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503960/karachi-unrest-sc-says-government-not-taking-matter-seriously</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503960/karachi-unrest-sc-says-government-not-taking-matter-seriously#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Feb 13 11:37:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=503960</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Unrest in Karachi prevails with 12 people killed throughout the city.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The larger bench hearing the  Karachi unrest case has remarked that the government is not taking the matter seriously and the court is carrying out a meaningless task, Express News reported Thursday.

During the proceedings, Justice Jawwad S Khwaja said that Karachi’s situation was going from bad to worse and there was no hope for any betterment.

“We are planning to send orders according to the constitution, if you are not willing to do it,” said Justice Khwaja while addressing Advocate General Sindh Abdul Fatehul Mulk.

Justice Khwaja further added that the Sindh government had agreed that Karachi’s situation involved interference from political parties. "What have you done in that matter? Or submit in writing that you have no control over political parties."

The bench also remarked, “If the provincial government fails in any matter then the federal government can interfere. But the federal government did not even bother to submit any response in the SC on the Karachi issue since past 16 years. When will they submit their reply? When Karachi will be burnt down to ashes?”

The hearing has been adjourned till February 8.

Karachi killings

Unrest in Karachi prevailed with 12 people killed throughout the city, Express News reported Thursday.

Three people were gunned down after a firing incident in North Nazimabad and Hawks Bay.

A man was gunned down by unknown men at old Haji Camp in Napier Road, early Thursday morning. The deceased could not be identified.

In another incident, two men were found dead, with their bodies contained in a gunny bag , in front of the Karachi zoo in Garden area, early Thursday morning. The bodies have not been identified as yet. The victims were tortured before being shot in the head.

In the Gulbahar area newspaper hawker Muhammad Waseem Siddiqui and in Rizvia Society Muhammad Amjad were gunned down by unidentified men.

A man, named Muhammad Rizwan was hanged to death at Ayub Goth in New Karachi, while two others were shot dead in North Karachi Sector three and Soldier Bazaar.

Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah had called in an additional police force comprising 4,000 personnel a week earlier to stop the increasing target killing in the city.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/503960-policereuters-1360237199/503960-policereuters-1360237199.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi unrest case: 23,000 criminals are on the loose, says judge</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503365/karachi-unrest-case-23000-criminals-are-on-the-loose-says-judge</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503365/karachi-unrest-case-23000-criminals-are-on-the-loose-says-judge#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 13 09:41:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=503365</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Govt should place advertisements in newspapers telling people to leave homes at their own risk, says Justice Arif.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A police report stated that 23,000 criminals are on the loose in Karachi, said Justice Jawwad S Khwaja while hearing the Karachi unrest case on Wednesday, reported Express News.

The case was being heard at Supreme Court Karachi registry by a four-member bench headed by Justice Khwaja. The judge expressed concern over how free elections can take place in the current security situation.

Justice Khwaja asked the advocate general about who is responsible for handling the security situation and why is nothing being done about the rising crime. The additional IG Sindh informed the bench that the police have arrested more than 2,300 criminals in Karachi.

The judge quoted a police report stating that incidents of targeted killings increased in the city after the court passed an interim order in the case.

Assuming that the administration is not interested in arresting criminals, Justice Khilji Arif said that if the government cannot provide security then it should place advertisements in newspapers telling people to leave their homes at their own risk.

The court ordered authorities to submit a report on the implementation of court orders on Thursday.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/503365-rangerskarachiexpress-1360143371/503365-rangerskarachiexpress-1360143371.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Killing trends: Assassins train their sights more on elders than youth</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502257/killing-trends-assassins-train-their-sights-more-on-elders-than-youth</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502257/killing-trends-assassins-train-their-sights-more-on-elders-than-youth#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 13 05:10:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=502257</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CID chief claims if one group kills a certain age group, rivals will strike at the same.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Target killers have figured out a better way to sow terror: instead of killing several young men, they are out to get their more ‘valuable’ elders.


During the recent spate of sectarian killings, The Express Tribune has learnt that an increasing number of elderly men from both Shia and Sunni groups are targeted.

Last year, the Deobandi school of thought lost prominent scholars, such as Maulana Aslam Sheikhupuri and Maulana Mufti Mohammad Ismail, a former leader of the banned sectarian outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Maulana Rafiqul Khalil, and Tableeghi Jamaat leader Haji Ghulam Hussain.

Meanwhile, a trustee of Islamic Research Centre imambargah Mukhtar Ahmed Azmi, former trustee of Muhammadi Dera imambargah Ibn-e-Hassan, owner of Karwan-e-Ahle Abba and trustee of Imambargah Ahle Abbas Jaffer Mohsin Rizvi were also gunned down. Malir Court Bar Association’s former president Salahuddin and Sindh Government Hospital, New Karachi, additional superintendent Dr Hassan Alam were also targeted.



“As time passes, the trend of sectarian killings is also changing,” observed Crime Investigation Department (CID) SP Mazhar Mashwani. “In sectarian killings, we initially saw that individual members were targeted. Then, they attacked places of worship, followed by targeting groups of rival members. Now, they are targeting elders, which never happened before.”

The leaders of the sectarian groups have, however, condemned this trend by stressing the importance of the elders as community assets. “If a Shia lawyer is gunned down, it is not just a loss for the community but a loss for the society as a whole,” said Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s Ali Ahmar. “Those men in our community were targeted who supported the community financially and were making it stronger.”

Agreeing with this argument, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat’s leader Maulana Saeed Akbar Farooqui warned that there would be massive bloodshed in Karachi if targeted attacks on the elderly continued. “Only the young men were being targeted before, but the situation is completely different now,” Farooqui told The Express Tribune. “If this continues, no street, no neighbourhood will be safe.”

Even the target killers caught by the police have admitted that this is a planned move to target the elderly men of rival communities, CID’s Anti-Extremist Cell chief SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan told The Express Tribune. “It is tit-for-tat.” Khan explained that when one group targets a particular age group, the rival group responds the same way. “What you sow, so shall you reap - that’s the rule of target killings.”

The killers know that if they remove the elders of the community, the rest of the community will eventually die out, Khan said. Even though the police are taking strict action against those involved in sectarian killings, Khan voiced hope that the leaders of these communities will play their part in creating harmony and forging cordial relations between each other.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/502257-target-1359954594/502257-target-1359954594.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi violence: Police arrest 10 suspects during raids</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502085/karachi-violence-police-arrest-10-suspects-during-raids</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/502085/karachi-violence-police-arrest-10-suspects-during-raids#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 Feb 13 13:32:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=502085</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Suspects involved in various crimes including target killings, murders and extortion.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Mauripur Police arrested 10 suspects from different areas of Karachi during separate raids on Sunday, reported Express News.

DIG West Javed Odho informed the media that five of the suspects were taken into custody from the Raees Goth area and five from Hub River Road. All suspects were involved in various crimes including target killings, murders, dacoities and extortion, the police said.

A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from them.

Karachi has experienced unabated violence in the past few weeks, including targeted killings of religious and political leaders. The police claimed to have arrested several suspects after raids began to curb the rising violence.

Ethnic, sectarian and politically-linked violence in Karachi killed at least 2,284 people in 2012 in the deadliest such violence for two decades, according to the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, said a report by AFP.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/502085-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1359897660/502085-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1359897660.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Karachi killings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501403/karachi-killings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501403/karachi-killings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 13 07:30:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=501403</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Need of the hour is for political players in Karachi to suspend their differences and focus on the common threat.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Violence in Karachi has now become so routine, with all stakeholders freely partaking in it, that pinpointing blame can be an arduous task. The latest targets appear to be clerics, with three being killed on January 31, including Mufti Abdul Majeed Deenpuri, a cleric of the Jamia Binoria. A dozen or so targeted killings a day have become the norm with law-enforcement authorities either unwilling or unable to catch those responsible. Many in government blame the Taliban for the killings and it is certainly true that the militant group has a strong presence in Karachi. Initially, it was believed that the Taliban were in Karachi not to kill indiscriminately, but to raise money through kidnappings and bank robberies, which could then be sent to fighters in the tribal areas. Now, however, it looks like they may have changed their modus operandi and are becoming even more active in the city.

The biggest problem is that even if a threat is identified, there is simply no way for warring political factions in the city to unite and eliminate the threat. All political parties are armed to the teeth and they are too busy fighting one another. Even a party like the ANP, which has suffered greatly at the hands of the Taliban in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, doesn’t seem to recognise the Taliban threat in the city. One would expect the three coalition partners at the centre — the PPP, the MQM and the ANP — to also cooperate in Karachi and it is for them to realise that it is in all of their interest for the city to have lasting peace. Tackling the problem of violence in the city is impossible when the three main factions simply cannot work with one another and are more likely to turn their guns on their opponents.

The government, meanwhile, is resorting to the same old cosmetic measures. A three-hour shutdown in cell phone services was all it could muster. Even if we are willing to accept the government’s assertion that blocking cell phone services prevents such attacks, it does so only for a limited period. As soon as cell phone coverage is restored, the killers will be back coordinating their attacks. The need of the hour is for all the major political players in Karachi to suspend their differences and focus on the common threat.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/501403-karachi_rangers_violence_orangiPHOTOAFP-1359790187/501403-karachi_rangers_violence_orangiPHOTOAFP-1359790187.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Bloodbath continues: Nine dead, as police jolted into action after Thursday’s killings</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501542/bloodbath-continues-nine-dead-as-police-jolted-into-action-after-thursdays-killings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501542/bloodbath-continues-nine-dead-as-police-jolted-into-action-after-thursdays-killings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 02 Feb 13 07:01:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=501542</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police, Rangers raid different detain around 30 suspects.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least nine more people were killed in targeted attacks in the city on Friday, as law enforcers detained at least 30 suspects for interrogation. The violence comes on the heels of the bloodiest day for the city so far this year, when 18 people were shot dead on Thursday.


In seemingly sectarian attacks, Syed Ali Asad Naqvi and Mehdi Abbas Zaidi were shot dead in Korangi and Sharifabad areas, respectively. Another three people were killed in Buffer Zone, Orangi Town and Sukkhan areas. SP Khurram Waris claimed that the man who was killed in Buffer Zone was a robber, and was killed by his colleagues over a dispute. However, the identities of the three men were yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, policemen came just in the nick of time to save former president of the Malir Bar Association, Amanullah Yousufzai, from two armed suspects in Sharafi Goth area. Police said that Yousufzai was travelling in his car when armed motorcyclists tried to intercept him.

However, they policemen on patrol reached the spot and managed to arrest the two culprits, who were later identified as Zarnawaz and Ashiq. Law enforcers had yet to determine if it was a failed robbery bid or a foiled target killing attempt.

Earlier on, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist was shot dead near his home in Rehmat Chowk Sector 11 1/2, in Orangi Town. ASI Mohammad Ishaq claimed that 42-year-old Nayyar Shah was shot by at least two armed men on a motorcycle. Nayyar was affiliated with the party’s Unit-109, and was working at the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s health department. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy.

Another MQM activist, Mudassir Malik, was gunned down, while his companion, Wajahat Abbas, was wounded by armed motorcyclists near Sohrab Goth. Police officials said that the victims were traveling in their car when the culprits opened fire at their car from the Sohrab Goth flyover. Both men were taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where Mudassir succumbed to injuries. Police said that Mudassir used to live in Gulshan-e-Maymar, and was associated with MQM’s labour division. He also used to work at a private bank in Sharifabad area.

Yasir, 32, was shot dead near Kashti Chowk. Police said that the victim was a shopkeeper in Joria Bazaar, and was shot by culprits shortly after he had left his home. A 26-year-old Hindu man, Raju, son of Suresh, was shot dead while he was sitting near his home on Nishter Road. Law enforcers said that the deceased had a criminal record, but they had yet to figure out why he was killed.

30 suspects picked up

Police and Rangers personnel detained at least 30 suspects during multiple targeted operations in Orangi, Baldia, Keamari, Lyari and Chenasor Goth areas in the wee hours of Friday.

The law enforcers had cordoned off the areas before the operation. However, a majority of these men were later released after authorities found them innocent during initial investigation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2nd, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/501542-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1359788419/501542-karachipoliceconvoyrashidajmeri-1359788419.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Binoria clerics among 17 killed in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501309/binoria-clerics-among-17-killed-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/501309/binoria-clerics-among-17-killed-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 01 Feb 13 05:35:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=501309</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Three NGO workers kidnapped.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Karachi witnessed a surge of violence on Thursday when a total of 17 men were killed in different parts of the city.


Mufti Abdul Majeed Deenpuri, the vice president of Binoria seminary, his colleague Mufti Saleh and student Hassan Ali were killed in a brazen attack on Shahra-e-Faisal near Nursery. The cleric and his companions were shot in a targeted attack while they were travelling by road in a white van.

Television channels played security camera footage showing a motorcycle intercepting the white van to make it slow down. Dressed in a white shirt and dark-coloured pants, an unidentified man then walked up to the right side of the car and shot the passengers at close range.

Meanwhile, the motorcycle rider was joined by another man, seen wearing a cap, as well as the shooter, before all of them fled the scene. “The suspects used a 9mm pistol,” said a police official. Funeral prayers of the deceased were offered at the Binoria Mosque, Karachi.

Earlier, the body of a wanted Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) activist, Muhammad Irfan, was found in Baldia Town, along with the bodies of Muhammad Sameer and Syed Amjad.

Meanwhile, Haroon Ilyas, 40, and Raziq Palari, who went missing in Balochistan’s Saakran area a couple of weeks ago, were also found dead in Surjani Town. In Gulshan-e-Ghazi, a 28-year-old petrol pump attendant Gul Nawaz was ordered by two men on a motorcycle to fill the tank for free. When he refused, they shot him dead. The men also stole Rs3,000 from him.

Meanwhile, three workers of a non-governmental organisation that runs health facilities on the outskirts of Karachi were kidnapped by unidentified men on Thursday.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Hands Chief Executive Officer Dr Tanveer Ahmed confirmed the incident and said the three activists were in Noor Mohammad village for field work.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/501309-murdercases-1359696857/501309-murdercases-1359696857.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Toddler, ASWJ member among 6 killed in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499668/toddler-aswj-member-among-6-killed-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/499668/toddler-aswj-member-among-6-killed-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jan 13 08:28:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=499668</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Killings took place on Kashmir Road, Sohrab Goth, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and New Karachi.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Six people were killed, including a two-year-old and a member of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), in firing incidents across Karachi, Express News reported on Monday.

The victims were attacked by unidentified armed assailants near Kashmir Road, Sohrab Goth, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and New Karachi.

The former president of Karachi's electronic market Muhammad Irfan, who was shot earlier this week, also succumbed to his injuries.

Sunni Tehreek Chief Sarwat Ijaz Qadri condemned the killing of the ASWJ member.

The ASWJ had earlier warned the government that it will stage a sit-in for an indefinite period of time if the men who have targeted the group’s workers are not arrested soon.

Combat extortion

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, during his meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, asked the provincial government to devise a plan to combat extortion in Karachi, in collaboration with the city’s business community.

He called for appropriate measures to be taken against extortionists, target killers and other criminal elements.

The premier observed that police officials who failed to follow instructions should be removed immediately.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/499668-Karachiviolencekillingrangerspolicebusfirephotoafp-1359361204/499668-Karachiviolencekillingrangerspolicebusfirephotoafp-1359361204.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item><item>
			<title>Targeted killings: Nawaz criticises govt’s failure to improve law and order</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498280/targeted-killings-nawaz-criticises-govt%e2%80%99s-failure-to-improve-law-and-order</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/498280/targeted-killings-nawaz-criticises-govt%e2%80%99s-failure-to-improve-law-and-order#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 13 05:58:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Punjab]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=498280</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Condemns murder of Sindh chapter’s joint secretary in Karachi.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif has strongly criticised the government for turning a blind eye towards targeted attacks in Karachi, following the killing of the party’s Sindh chapter’s Joint Secretary Mian Taimur and his father Mian Arbab on Tuesday night.


He said that innocent people were being killed daily in Karachi, while the government was ignoring the situation by failing to stop the attacks and arresting the killers. The PML-N chief added that all criminal elements involved in such rampant killings needed to be crushed to restore law and order.

In a statement, Sharif demanded from the government to immediately arrest the culprits involved in the murder of Taimur, Arbab and other innocent citizens killed in targeted attacks. On Wednesday, Sharif also telephoned Mian Abrar, Taimur’s uncle and conveyed his condolences.

Praising the slain joint secretary, Sharif claimed that Taimur was a simple and gentle man who was an asset to the PML-N.

A meeting of leaders of PML-N’s Sindh chapter which was to be convened on Thursday morning in Lahore by Sharif has now been postponed in the wake of Taimur’s murder.

Secretary General PML-N, MNA Iqbal Zafar Jhagra also echoed Sharif’s remarks by demanding the government to take prompt and strict action against Taimur’s killers and bring them to justice.

He questioned what sort of democracy was being practised in Karachi where people were being targeted based on their political affiliations. Jhagra added that this was not the first time the PML N’s leadership was targeted in Karachi. He mentioned that Vice President PML N Sindh, Tariq Khan, was also gunned down in 2008.

Jhagra lamented the inaction of the Sindh government against politically-motivated target killings in the metropolis. He questioned how democracy could flourish if such crimes occurred. He called on the Election Commission of Pakistan to take notice of the situation that was aimed at intimidating political opponents.

On the other hand, Central Information Secretary PML-N, Mushahidullah Khan termed Taimur’s murder a calculated move and a part of a conspiracy being hatched against PML-N.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2013.]]>
			</content:encoded>
			<image>
				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/498280-nawaz-1359007061/498280-nawaz-1359007061.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
            </image>
			</item>	</channel>
                </rss>
