Major political parties in Sindh have rejected the demand of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to deploy army in Karachi to maintain law and order. PHOTO: INP
Major political parties in Sindh have rejected the demand of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to deploy army in Karachi to maintain law and order.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MPA Syed Hafeezuddin stressed the need to have a neutral police force to deal with the law and order situation in Karachi. “We demand the government should depoliticise the police force and stop political patronage of criminals,” he said.
Imtiaz Shaikh of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional said that his party would not extend any support if the forces are moved in Karachi for law and order. “Police officials should be appointed on merit and given full authority, otherwise no change will take place,” he said.
Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Mohammad Hussain Mehnati said that calling the soldiers was not a solution to every problem. The provincial government should end its reconciliation policy and take action against the criminals.
“The demand from MQM seems to be immature. On the one hand, they are part of the provincial government and their governor is enjoying all powers and, on the other, the leader of the party is demanding the handover of Karachi to armed forces,” he said.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Sindh president Ghous Ali Shah said that political parties and the government should learn lessons from their past mistakes and keep civilian matters under the control of police. “Democracy is now flourishing in our country, therefore, I will ask everyone to give a chance to the democratically elected government to make any decisions,” he said.
Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain had demanded army deployment to protect the life and property of the Kutchi community in Lyari. He clarified that the Constitution allows them to make such a demand.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (21)
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Before demanding army in Karachi, why doesn't MQM eradicate the crime of aerial firing, prohibit the display of weapons in its constituencies and not move a resolution in the Sind PA to de weaponise Karachi.. A determined effort in this direction will be a strong indicator of its sincerity to cleanse Karachi.
@Aysha M: HAHAHA....bhanda phoot gia....ET reports Militant wings of political parties involved in Karachi killings. Shame on MQM.
@Muhammad: That "someone else" is fed by revenue generated from Karachi and American aid.
@Muhammad: Can't fix our house until it's emptied of the corrupt corruption party thugs who have been looting and destroying Karachi for more than five years now
No political party other than MQM is sincere with the people of Karachi. The opposition of other political partes to any idea to restore piece is an outstanding litmus test of their indifference to the interest of Karachi
ET I posted comments when the news was under 3 minutes old, pls put them through
Politicians before jumping to oppose anything and everything MQM suggested must attempt to understand the difference between intervention and engagement. Army may be invited to engage and support the efforts to restore peace. People of Karachi are fiercely independent in their toughts and choices they make, they would appreciate engagement on the part of Pak Army would perhaps have reservation on outright intervention.
The TRUTH is that the democratic system in operation has failed miserably. Why? For the simple reason our politicians may be having a bona fide degree; some of them, but largely remain uncivilized and the reformation of the state machinery remains medieval and outmoded. With two hundred and thirty political parties vying for 'smash and grab' in Karachi, why should they desire a system of law enforcement. Their fiefs will crack and crumble. The Sindh Police, Rangers, and political parties have hopelessly failed to sort it out because the concept of a social order is not in their psyche, so the citizens continue to SUFFER. Salams
MQM wishes Army for whole Karachi or just for Layari??
Politicians before jumping to oppose anything and everything MQM suggested must attempt to understand the difference between intervention and engagement. Army may be invited to engage and support the efforts to restore peace. People of Karachi are fiercely independent in their toughts and choices they make, they would appreciate engagement on the part of Pak Army would perhaps have reservation on outright intervention.
Demanding the Corruption Party government to depoliticize the police shows PTI has no care for the people of Karachi who have been held hostage by this police and Liyari Gang force
Our active troops of Pak Army are somewhere around 600,000 which were always deployed on the Eastern borders. Since 9-11 there has been a considerable deployment of army on western borders of Afghanistan (assuming 100,000). 20,000 to 30,000 are performing the duties at polling stations. Moreover Frontier Constabulary is deployed within border to fight BLA.
So how many remaining active troops we have at the Indian borders? Can anyone share this information?
I don't understand when there were much more brutal killings in Karachi, Altaf Hussain always denounced the idea of bringing army to Karachi. Now he is demanding the army when Indian army is active at the borders. Why on the earth Scotland-yard is not speeding up its trial process. We cannot afford internal conflicts when India is flexing its muscles.
In much more worst situation, when there had always been a need in Karachi for the Army to take control, the idea was always rejected by MQM. And now when there is a dire need of the army to stand on the borders and LoC, MQM is demanding it in Karachi.
Am I wrong to think that the invisible Indian hand controlling the Karachi Mafia is in final action?
good (Y)
for PTI MPA - come out from Facebook / Twitter politics and also ONCE criticize the TTP terrorist and Liyari gang = then you will see why you needs the army in Karachi!
Yes Agreed with MQM! Political group who have mandate representing the people of Karachi has the right to demand for protection either calling army or take other such measure.
Why is it so bad!!! Army is an institution of Pakistan which is supposed to help civilian governments. They should be called in for short period of time and should be allowed to conduct operation across all boards including nine zero. People of Karachi support MQM on this demand because they are fed-up of AMAN Committee and PPP. Time to Save Karachi and Pakistan
A litmus test! People of Karachi can now see how much political parties are interested in solving problems faced by Karachi and its people.