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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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                        <description>The Express Tribune keeps you up to date with all the latest happenings from Pakistan and across the world!</description>
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			<title>NA session: Peace in Karachi to be restored at all costs, says Gilani</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108763/na-session-peace-in-karachi-to-be-restored-at-all-costs-says-gilani</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108763/na-session-peace-in-karachi-to-be-restored-at-all-costs-says-gilani#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Jan 11 02:31:36 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[zia.khan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Premier responds to opposition’s criticism, but does not say who ordered the crackdown.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani vowed on Monday to restore peace in Karachi at any cost without elaborating who had ordered the launching of a crackdown on criminals allegedly behind the latest spate of targeted killings in the metropolis.

“No stone will be left unturned to normalise the situation in Karachi … steps are being taken to improve law and order in the country’s economic hub,” Gilani told the National Assembly.

Gilani’s speech, however, did not specify new measures being considered in this regard. “Rehman Malik (the interior minister) will explain them to the house,” the premier said in response to the opposition’s criticism of the handling of Karachi unrest.

The federal and Sindh governments have both disowned responsibility for the crackdown.

However, Gilani did say the provincial government was supervising this operation. He, however, did not say whose idea it was to give Rangers policing powers in some parts of Karachi.

Gilani’s remarks came in response to a demand by Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan who wanted an explanation about the Karachi situation.

“Is there any disconnect between the federal and the provincial governments? We have been hearing some contradictory statements: a new one every day. This is the situation in which militants and terrorists thrive,” Nisar said in his remarks.

New parliament lodges

While sharing the opposition’s concern on Karachi, the premier appeared to reject another of Nisar’s demand: his call to abandon the multi-billion-rupee project to build new houses for federal parliamentarians in Islamabad.

Gilani said the National Assembly and the Senate had been enlarged considerably since 2002 and, therefore, the housing needs for lawmakers had gone up as well.

The project was inaugurated by the prime minister last week.

Later, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi informed the house that President Asif Ali Zardari had conveyed to the US authorities Pakistan’s concerns about an evolving situation in Afghanistan during his recent private tour to Washington.

Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar denied media reports that Pakistan International Airline (PIA) was in the process of selling profitable routes to the Turkish Airline. However, he did not rule out that negotiation in this regard had not taken place.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Interior ministry to submit report on illegal weapons in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108379/interior-ministry-directed-to-submit-report-on-illegal-weapons-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108379/interior-ministry-directed-to-submit-report-on-illegal-weapons-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 11 08:37:24 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Public Accounts Committee seeks details of weapons illegally issued in the names of parliamentarians.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the interior ministry to submit a report regarding illegal weapon licenses issued using the names of parliamentarians.

Interior secretary Qamar Zaman Chaudhry told the committee, meeting in Islamabad on Monday, that more than a thousand illegal weapon licenses have been cancelled in this respect.

He said that out of the 45,000 weapons' licenses issued, only 15,000 were legal.

This comes in the wake of fresh violence in Karachi, where the incidence of political killings is again on the rise. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has also submitted a draft bill in the National Assembly Secretariat that calls for banning the production, proliferation, smuggling, import and use of firearms and ammunition and explosives “to restore public order in the country”.

The PAC also took notice of the misuse of Islamabad traffic police's revenue stream of Rs23 billion.

According to an audit report presented in the meeting, the traffic police violated the laws of the finance division when they used the fine money.]]>
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			<title>Peoples Aman Committee rally: Calls for reinstating peace in the city</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108187/peoples-aman-committee-rally-calls-for-reinstating-peace-in-the-city</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108187/peoples-aman-committee-rally-calls-for-reinstating-peace-in-the-city#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 11 05:59:29 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[PPP leader offers  option of Karachi and Greater Karachi.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Peoples Aman Committee (PAC) held a peace rally, including the residents of Lyari, on Sunday to appeal for peace in Karachi.

The rally started from Lyari Ground and reached the Sunni Tehreek office, where they talked to their leaders for reinstating peace in the city. The rally then reached the Karachi Press Club, then Mardan House to meet the ANP Sindh leaders and ended at the Mazar-e- Quaid.

Addressing a joint press conference with PAC leaders, ANP Sindh president Shahi Syed said that he appreciated the efforts of the PAC for restoring peace in the city.

Peoples Aman Committee spokesman Zafar Baloch said the rally was arranged just for peace, setting aside all political aims. “Today, a man of Lyari cannot think of going to Azizabad and an Urdu-speaking person cannot think of going to Lyari. We are here to remove this hatred,” said Baloch.

Pakistan Peoples Party Sindh council member Habib Jan said that the party asked Shahi Syed to help in bringing about reconciliation and peace in the city and he assured us of his full support.

Habib Jan said that the people need freedom in the city so that they can easily visit Burns Road, Orangi, Lyari and other areas without fear. “If impossible, we should opt for another alternative that is to divide the city into two parts: Karachi and Greater Karachi, like London and greater London”.

The PAC members also met Punjabi Pakhtun Ittihad leaders Irfanullah Marwat and Ayub Awan.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: ‘Reconciliation key to normalising situation’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108266/karachi-violence-%e2%80%98reconciliation-key-to-normalising-situation%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/108266/karachi-violence-%e2%80%98reconciliation-key-to-normalising-situation%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jan 11 04:49:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=108266</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Latif Khosa says situation in Sindh metropolis affects the country]]>
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				<![CDATA[Governor of Punjab Sardar Latif Khosa visited Nine-Zero, the headquarters of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Sunday and called for reconciliation to soothe tensions in Karachi, saying it was the only path to progress.

Highlighting the city’s economic importance, he said that Karachi “is Pakistan’s economic jugular vein and its situation affects the entire country”.

Talking to MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Khosa said that his party had adopted various austerity measures, including a cut in non-development expenditure of Rs100 billion.

On arrival, the governor was accorded a very warm welcome by MQM-affiliated senators, members of the National and Sindh assemblies, Sindh ministers and advisers, a handout said.

Khosa also held an hour-long meeting with members of MQM’s Rabita Committee, including its deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar.

The Punjab governor is also said to have conveyed messages from President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to MQM chief Altaf Hussain.

Later, Dr Sattar said the governor Punjab appreciated the MQM’s growing popularity in Punjab and welcomed the party in his province.

He said that the two sides “have agreed to work jointly to bring political stability in the country, promote democratic values, work towards resolving people’s problems, poverty alleviation and elimination of terrorism and extremism.

“We will play our due role to develop harmony among the provinces and work for the country’s progress,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: If you want to survive, lie that you are not Baloch</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107534/target-killings-if-you-want-to-survive-lie-that-you-are-not-baloch</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107534/target-killings-if-you-want-to-survive-lie-that-you-are-not-baloch#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Jan 11 08:33:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saba.imtiaz]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107534</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Young political activists have paid the price of ethnic violence.]]>
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				<![CDATA[One of the young men had the good sense to say he was Katchchi when they asked if they were Baloch. Suleman did not. All that remains of him today is a baseball cap.

His mother Pareeda, who has lived in Lyari since 1949, cannot help but unknowingly lie to herself. “Lyari is a peaceful place. What was my son’s crime for ending up in a gunny bag?”

Someone who saw the abduction three months ago told the seamstress that men came up to the mechanic’s workshop and asked, ‘Are you Baloch?’ Twenty-five-year-old Suleman and a co-worker innocently answered yes, only to be bound, gagged, beaten and spirited off. Their bodies were discovered in sacks in Nazimabad.

The government has banned pillion riding or double-sawari, ordered a swoop in Orangi Town and politicians and coalition partners have held countless meetings to stem the haemorrhage. For the most part, young political activists from the Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party, Karachi three main parties, have been paying the price. But an ethnic war simmers too as Suleman’s case proves. News of a planned operation by the Rangers is just ‘talk’ for the families of those who have been killed. “If they can actually capture someone who was involved, it would be useful. But this doesn’t happen,” says Syed Qamruddin, whose eyes well up when he is asked about his 29-year-old son Bashiruddin who met the same fate.

Syed Qamruddin, who works at the Edhi Centre in Kharadar, is no stranger to death. “You only realise the pain of losing someone when it comes to needle you,” he sighs. His son was standing near the Peoples Aman Committee office in Lyari Town when he was shot seven times. “My daughter has not gone to school since the conditions of the city have worsened,” says Qamruddin.

Imran’s was another life that was snuffed out. The 22-year-old had just married the girl he loved. He was shot dead a month later during the violence that followed Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Raza Haider’s assassination.

“We used to call him baghicha (garden) because he sold fruit,” recalls his brother-in-law Abdul Qadir. “I cannot even imagine that he is dead. It is not something you can prepare yourself for like when people are hospitalised.”

But while workers of political parties have their leaders to campaign on their behalf and highlight the target killings, Lyari’s residents feel ignored. They complain that no government official has visited to condole, let alone announce any compensation.

Lyari Town has been a stronghold for the PPP since its inception. Despite winning a seat comfortably from this constituency for decades, representatives who make it the National Assembly have done little. Allegiance to the Bhuttos is strong here but the PPP’s profile has taken a hit since Nabeel Gabol was elected MNA in 2008. “What has Nabeel Gabol done for us? Where is the Lyari development package? Why can’t he come here to meet the families?” asks Rizwan Baloch, a member of the Peoples Aman Committee. “He hasn’t been seen in Lyari in two years. We may have to issue ‘missing person’ notices for him.”

“There was a time when every child here said, ‘daal roti khayeinge, Bhutto ko layeinge’. Now they say, ‘Tere bhai, mera bhai, Khan bhai,’” says Shakeeb Baloch of the committee’s central secretariat about support for Sardar Abdul Rehman Baloch, the reformed name of Rehman Dakait, who was killed in 2009. What better measure of the state of a bloodied neighbourhood, than the fact that its residents harken back to a dead man’s spirit?

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Journalist’s murder : Alleged target killer says he is being framed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107706/journalist%e2%80%99s-murder-alleged-target-killer-says-he-is-being-framed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107706/journalist%e2%80%99s-murder-alleged-target-killer-says-he-is-being-framed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Jan 11 08:06:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Geo TV news reporter Wali Khan Babar's alleged killer says he had no reason to murder him.]]>
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				<![CDATA[An alleged target killer accused the authorities of trying to frame him in the murder case of Geo TV news reporter Wali Khan Babar.

Syed Mudassir Hussain alias Mudassir Chief alias Langra denied that he was connected with a defunct religious extremist group or any ethnic party. He was talking to the media at City Courts complex on Saturday.

Mudassir said that the murder of Wali Khan Babar has highlighted the problems of the common man on the electronic media. “He [Babar] was a good man, a gentle soul and one of us. I had no reason to kill him,” he said. He claimed that the police were under pressure from higher officials to solve this case and that is why he was being “framed”.

Earlier, Mudassir along with co-accused Atif, Murtaza alias Murtu, and Shahab were produced before the judicial magistrate east, Zabeeha Khattak, who perused the remand papers and handed him over to the physical custody of Gulistan-e-Jauhar police till January 29.

The accused were allegedly arrested by the Pakistan Rangers from the Super Highway two days ago. According to the remand papers, the men are involved in the murder cases of Ghani Khan and Saleem Khan alias Danger in Pehlwan Goth, Malir. Mudassir and his slain brother are also alleged to be involved in the narcotics business in Pehlwan Goth.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Police sure ENT specialist was shot by Lyari gangsters he refused to treat a day earlier</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107704/police-sure-ent-specialist-was-shot-by-lyari-gangsters-he-refused-to-treat-a-day-earlier</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107704/police-sure-ent-specialist-was-shot-by-lyari-gangsters-he-refused-to-treat-a-day-earlier#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Jan 11 08:04:23 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107704</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Witnesses say attackers fled on foot after motorcycle skidded.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Dr Imran Wasi, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist at the Lyari General Hospital was being threatened by ‘gangsters’ a day before he was gunned down at Lea Market, officials revealed on Saturday.

Fifty-five-year-old Dr Wasi was shot dead when he was in his car heading to his clinic in Ranchore Line on Thursday. Two men on a motorcycle attacked him when his car slowed down. He was hit twice, in neck and shoulder.

“He was going to a private clinic after working at the Lyari General,” said a staffer, requesting anonymity. “A day before the incident, some gangsters had come to the hospital and one of them had a bullet injury in his neck. They asked Dr Wasi to treat him but the doctor refused, saying that he would never help ‘people like you’.”

Dr Wasi was an honest man who always preferred helping needy people and therefore, he refused to treat the injured gangster, the staffer said. When he refused, the gangsters warned him that they would kill him. “In my opinion, the same culprits are behind the killing.”

However, the suspects are unlikely to be arrested as there is no one ready to record any statement or appear in court against them, officials claim.

Meanwhile, case investigator Syed Mumtaz Hussain Shah said he has also heard of the scuffle between Dr Wasi and the alleged gangsters. “To proceed with the case, we need recorded statements and no one is cooperating. Everyone fears for their lives,” the officer said. “There is no doubt though that the gangsters are behind the killing as Dr Wasi was also shot in the neck like the injured gangster [symbolising revenge].” Everything in the case is clear but the police are investigating the case from all angles, said SIO Shah.

The police also found the body of the suspected gangster and later identified him as Asim Baloch.

Witnesses have also indicated that the gangsters were behind the killing. “The Peoples Aman Committee (PAC) [practically] run a government in Lyari,” claimed an elderly resident of the area. “Only the PAC or the gangsters can do anything in Lyari, otherwise, no one has the courage to come inside the area. There is zero street crime in Lyari as everyone fears the PAC.”

A shopkeeper, who witnessed the murder, reported that they had shot the doctor three times, but they missed once. “The suspects did not fear the police while they were shooting and escaping. They collected the empty shells from the crime scene before fleeing to the Jumman Shah Plot area,” he recounted. “If you know Lyari, you can easily understand that no criminal or resident can go to the Jumman Shah Plot area. That is the PAC stronghold.”

Interestingly, their motorcycle slipped and they escaped on foot. Dr Wasi’s family, however, do not suspect anyone. “What can we say about who was behind the killing,” said Irfan, Dr Wasi’s twin brother. “He never fought with anyone. So why would someone kill my brother?”

When The Express Tribune contacted the president of the PAC, Shahid Rehman, he said in response to the allegations that there was no such thing. He claimed that the Jumman Shah area borders Usmanabad and the criminals could have gone there.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Ban on pillion riding extended</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107517/ban-on-pillion-riding-extended</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107517/ban-on-pillion-riding-extended#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Jan 11 11:20:14 +0500</pubDate>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Ban on pillion riding extended for another seven days due to the rising number of target killings.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh home department issued a notification on Saturday, announcing the extension of the ban on pillion riding in Karachi, due to the rising number of target killings.

To curb violence and the ensuing death toll in Karachi, the Sindh Home Department has extended the ban on pillion riding for another 7 days.The order was communicated through a notification issued by the Home department on Saturday.

Display of weapons, aerial firing, wall chalking are also banned. The notification also appealed to people in Karachi for their cooperation to restore peace in the city.

Women, senior citizens, disabled persons, children under 12 years of age, journalists and personnel of law-enforcement agencies are exempt from the ban.

Earlier, on Monday, a ban on pillion riding for seven days was announced.]]>
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			<title>Different ethnicities, same reactions, says UN information unit report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107235/different-ethnicities-same-reactions-says-un-information-unit-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107235/different-ethnicities-same-reactions-says-un-information-unit-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Jan 11 06:02:28 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107235</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Mounting tensions between ethnic groups and political rivalries have left Karachi haunted by violence.]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the courtyards of busy hospitals in Karachi, many different languages can be heard, as families chat to each other while waiting for consultations or to visit patients. Urdu, Sindhi, Punjabi, Pashto and Balochi — languages of all provinces — can be heard. But once outside the public space where they have come together by accident, the groups only rarely mingle, making their way home to residences often based in localities where a particular group is dominant.

Recently, mounting tensions between ethnic groups, and the political rivalries that spur these on, have added to the unrest. These factors have also triggered violence, with at least 33 people killed and others injured in the latest outbreak of killings this month, reports IRIN, the UN information unit.

Last year, according to police, over 1,000 people died in murders carried out in most cases by gunmen who roamed the streets, apparently killing at random. The murders continued throughout the later months of the year. Pakhtuns, who have moved to Karachi from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa over many decades, usually in a quest for jobs and an improved life and Urdu-speaking people who moved from India to Pakistan at the time of the partition in 1947, are the chief victims of the murders, which follow a “tit-for-tat” pattern, the report says.

“Unemployment among young people is a factor in all this because young people are at a loose-end and they can be quite easily exploited,” Faisel Edhi, trustee of the Edhi Foundation, says. The killings and an operation by security forces in troubled localities across the city have triggered fear.

“There is an awful sense of harassment for us Pathans. My family has lived in Karachi for over 30 years, after moving here in the 1970s, but even now we are treated like unwanted outsiders,” Sheeraz Jan, 40, says. He says that he and other Pakhtun families had been avoiding sending their children to school. But the Pakhtun community is not alone in its fear. In Orangi, residents say they have been detained by security forces for hours, or forced to hide in their houses, as search operations continue. “I felt very harassed because about three paramilitary personnel entered my home and demanded I produce my national identity card. I was forced to stay there till I was able to reach my husband and ask him to bring it in, as he keeps it at his office in a file,” says Sajjida Siraj, 25. Farooq Rashid, a Punjabi resident, narrates, “Security forces detained me in my home for hours, causing me to miss a day’s work, which I cannot really afford.” He is considering moving back to the Punjab with his family.

“It is sad that people in this large city cannot learn to coexist,” says Ahsan Sidiqque, 55, a social worker. Civil society activists have been calling for a “de-weaponisation” of Karachi, where there are believed to be millions of small arms. According to a report by the International Action Network on Small Arms, a worldwide network against gun violence, Pakistan has one of the highest per-capita figures of gun ownership in the world. Though official figures are not available, estimates put the number of small arms, licenced and unlicenced, in the country at more than 20 million, the report adds. “When so many people have arms, there is bound to be violence,” believes Sidiqque.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Law and order breakdown: SC petitioned to clamp emergency in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107362/law-and-order-breakdown-sc-petitioned-to-clamp-emergency-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107362/law-and-order-breakdown-sc-petitioned-to-clamp-emergency-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Jan 11 04:49:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107362</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Petitioner says 763 political activists were killed in city last year.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A constitutional petition was filed in the Supreme Court on Friday seeking direction for the federal government to impose emergency in Karachi and call the armed forces in aid of the civil government.

Advocate Tariq Asad has requested the court to direct Interior Minister Rahman Malik to resign or ask the Prime Minister to oust him from the cabinet for his inability to deal with the worsening law and order situation in Karachi in a petition filed under article 184 (3) of the Constitution.

Last year, a total of 1,981 people were killed in the city, including 1,726 men, 177 women and 78 children. Among them were 763 political activists, the petitioner contended. Law enforcing agencies have failed to maintain order in the metropolis.

Political vendetta has claimed the lives of 78 members of MQM (Haqiqi), 51 activists of MQM, 63 of ANP, 27 of PPP, six of Jamat-e-Islami, 46 of Ahl-e-Sunnat Waljamat, five of Punjabi Pakhtun Ittehad, five of Sunni Tehreek and two of Jaish-e-Muhammad.

Over the last three months, the Sindh Police lost 17 members and the Pakistan Rangers, four. Of the 29 government employees who were gunned down, six were doctors. In the month of January over 75 people have been killed, the petitioner said.

Malik’s statement regarding instigation by a “third force” is either misleading or a reflection of his inability to control the law and order situation which violates the fundamental rights of the citizens of Karachi.

He should be summoned in the court and questioned about the “third force” responsible for target killings in Karachi.

Advocate Asad requested the court to direct Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza to advise the President of Pakistan to issue a proclamation of emergency in Karachi.

Asad has made the federal government respondent in his petition by naming Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the secretary interior, the interior minister as well as the chief secretary and home minister of Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Another doctor killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107157/another-doctor-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107157/another-doctor-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 11 19:00:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107157</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr Imran Wasi was yet another victim of the monster of target killing that has engulfed Karachi.]]>
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				<![CDATA[While investigations are still underway, from the nature of the murder — nothing was stolen and the doctor was shot several times as his car slowed down over a speed bump — it is clear that Dr Imran Wasi was yet another victim of the monster of target killing that has engulfed Karachi. According to his family, the doctor, who had been working at Lyari General Hospital for the past 15 years, had previously expressed concern about working in the area, and had hinted at wanting a transfer from the hospital. His family believes that he was targeted because he was an Urdu-speaking doctor. Last year, at least nine doctors were killed in the city, according to the Pakistan Medical Association’s (PMA) Karachi chapter. And with this latest killing, residents of a Karachi neighbourhood known for its declining healthcare facilities have been deprived of an ENT specialist.

Moreover, the inefficiency of the police in securing the safety of doctors is obvious by the fact that at least two police vans had been deputed near the crime scene, apart from two policemen who were deployed for duty at a nearby shop. When one compares this to the ‘efficiency’ the police showed in arresting hundreds of people for violating a pillion-riding ban — which was announced late in the night, meaning that many of those arrested did not even know about it — it becomes quite evident that our law-enforcement agencies have their priorities completely wrong.

It is shameful that the city cannot protect its care-givers, who fall to bullets because the state that is supposed to protect them has miserably failed in its primary responsibility. Following the killing, the out-patients department of three major government hospitals in the city were shut down in protest and the PMA plans to take out a protest rally on January 29. The city’s doctors are angry and afraid and they have every right to be — the provincial government and the police have stood by as silent spectators as the target killers have gone about doing what they do best with impunity. Only recently, the city police claimed to have arrested killers of city doctors but one doesn’t know what became of these arrests. Were the suspects eventually charged for the crimes that the police accused them of, or was this yet another exercise in inefficiency?

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd,  2011.]]>
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			<title>A desired but disowned operation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107165/a-desired-but-disowned-operation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/107165/a-desired-but-disowned-operation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 11 19:00:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=107165</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The operation was no small mopping up of criminals: it netted over 400 people in pre-dawn raids in Orangi.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[An extraordinary situation came about in Karachi on January 20, as five more people lost their lives in the ongoing target killing violence: the massive operation launched against terrorists in the city by the paramilitary Rangers has been disowned by the main political stakeholders. Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said he should have ordered the operation but he came to know of it only after it began unfolding; Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, too, expressed his ignorance about the operation and added that the Sindh chief minister had not been consulted either.

The operation was no small mopping up of criminals: on its first day on January 17, it netted over 400 people in pre-dawn raids in Orangi, with the help of 700 Rangers personnel. When asked, a brigadier of the force said: “The paramilitary unit comes under the [federal] ministry of interior and no operation could be launched without the ministry’s knowledge. Everyone, including the home ministry, is consulted and obviously involved.”

Rehman Malik’s other observation was a give-away: he did not condemn the operation carried out by the Rangers ‘on their own’, knowing full well that Rangers are commanded by in-service army officers. He, however, launched into the time-tested but patently absurd theorem that a “third party” was involved in a sinister plan to kill the three main political stakeholders of Karachi: the PPP, MQM and ANP. When a Pakistani bureaucrat or politician names a ‘third party’, he usually means the ‘foreign hand’, which is a cipher for the evil trio of India, Israel and the United States.

He then went on to deliver the following gem: “It doesn’t matter if they are from South Africa or Bajaur or Balochistan, they all have the same agenda: to break down Pakistan, to destabilise us.” There will be a loud guffaw in many capitals of the world on this, as it is Pakistan which is globally recognised as terrorism’s ground zero where not-so-secretly ‘state-patronised’ terrorist groups train local and foreign killer to destabilise neighbourhood states.

Few residents of Karachi will have believed what the PPP ministers have said, but they all think the operation was good for the city as it removed the doubt of partiality of the operation being in favour of one side or the other. The January 26 meeting of the PPP, MQM and ANP will take stock of the casualties; and the side that has lost least during the operation will be accused of having launched a ‘deniable’ operation. The ANP has already declared that it would prefer a clean sweep of the killers through a military operation. Will the PPP and the MQM, too, opt for that path?

The truth is that all three parties are deeply intertwined with the weaponised mafias of the city. This was made unavoidable as a part of the give-and-take arrangement with the underworld, a well-known phenomenon all over the world where empowerment is sought outside the parameters of law. The stress suffered by the stakeholders from the latest ‘deniable’ Rangers operation has been felt by all three parties. The MQM is too disciplined to make a rash expression of pain after the Orangi operation. The PPP, however, has clearly shown signs of stress, not only in the complaint registered by Home Minister Mirza but also by one of its ministers, Nabeel Gabol (who, on January 21, was reported to have taken back his resignation).

The MQM feels it can sort things out through a meeting with Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, much reassured by the top-level PPP leadership in Islamabad. The ANP-PPP relationship is holding out better than the PPP-MQM relationship. The only faction which feels left out is PPP Sindh, led by the chief minister. Party leader Asif Ali Zardari, on the other hand, is not only firmly in the saddle as far as the party is concerned but also has the larger picture of what is going on in Karachi. He knows that the demand for governor’s rule will gather strength as time passes and the killers of Karachi continue to have the run of the city. Finally, someone other than the elected politicians will have to sort out the mess, and we all know who that someone is. Hence, the Orangi operation.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Govt in sorry state: Mushahid Hussain</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106987/govt-in-sorry-state-mushahid-hussain</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106987/govt-in-sorry-state-mushahid-hussain#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 11 06:50:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106987</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[PML-Q delegation arrives in Karachi to review the deteriorating law and order situation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) delegation arrived in Karachi on Friday. PML-Q leader Mushahid Hussain said the delegation had come to review the situation in Karachi, saying that the government has failed to maintain peace in the city.

He said the federal and provincial ministers were fighting with each other and that the government’s writ only works against its opponents.

He said the fact that the interior and home ministers say they were not aware of the Karachi operation shows that the government is in a very sorry state. “The only thing they are good at is corruption and in using force against their opponents,” he said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) decided to form a sub-committee to address all outstanding issues between the two parties.

The meeting between the two parties was held at the Chief Minister’s House, and the leaders resolved to maintain law and order in Karachi, expressing concern over the recent violent incidents in Karachi.

Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, MQM leader Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and other leaders attended the meeting.]]>
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			<title>Action against Karachi violence: Govt pleads ignorance on Orangi operation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106549/i-was-not-taken-into-confidence-over-karachi-operation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106549/i-was-not-taken-into-confidence-over-karachi-operation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 21 Jan 11 02:00:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106549</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Interior, home ministers say they did not know about the operation; Rangers’ officials scoff at assertions.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[In a remarkable turn of events, the government’s top civilian security chiefs on Thursday declared ignorance regarding the massive operation launched by paramilitary forces in Karachi’s troubled Orangi Town.

The operation, on its first day on Monday, saw over 400 people arrested in pre-dawn raids by some 700 personnel of the Pakistan Rangers Sindh.

Somewhat taken aback by the authorities’ supposed ignorance, a Rangers brigadier said the paramilitary unit comes under the Ministry of Interior and no operation could be launched without the ministry’s knowledge. “Everyone, including the home ministry is consulted and obviously involved,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Sindh home minister Zulfikar Mirza, the province’s security chief, told the Sindh Assembly that he was not consulted on the Orangi operation. In fact, he also added that even the chief minister and Capital City Police Office were not aware of the raids.

While that assertion left some lawmakers baffled, a subsequent statement by federal security chief, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, bordered extraordinary.

“I agree completely with what Dr Zulfiqar Mirza said because neither I, nor the authorities, know anything about the action to which he is referring,” Malik told the media.

The interior minister said that these things could have happened after the police and Rangers were given the power to follow-up on any information that they have.

“I was in the UAE when this action took place and we will not allow such an incident to happen again. We will make sure that in any operation carried out by the police or Rangers, the authorities will remain subservient to the Sindh authorities, chief minister and the home minister,” Malik said.

About the target killings in the city, Malik said the killers were planning to target senior leadership of the MQM, ANP and PPP. “There were three major incidents that were avoided, one such incident involved an improvised device plus firing in the Sindh Assembly. I personally called the MPs and directed them on how to manage the  situation,” he said, adding that they planned to attack some journalists.

“It doesn’t matter if they are from South Africa or Bajaur or Balochistan, they all have the same agenda: to break down Pakistan, to destabilise us,” he said.

Amidst all the confusion, a Pakistan Rangers major said the process is pretty straightforward. The provincial government sends a request to the Ministry of Interior, which then directs Rangers to go ‘in aid’ of the police. “Also, if prior orders are given to Rangers by the ministry that it must act whenever called in by the provincial government, then it follows those directives whenever such a request is sent,” he said.

The major said the current game being played was nothing but ‘political point scoring.’ He said they should have known that Rangers would act impartially in an operation and would pick up any criminal no matter what political affiliation they have. “Their vote bank gets affected by such operations, so it’s very convenient that they’re putting the blame on us,” he said.

Meanwhile, SP Orangi Khurram Warid told The Express Tribune that the number of suspects held in the on-going operation had exceeded 100. He said he wasn’t acting on his own. “Obviously, the police officers are carrying out the operation after being given orders by the CCPO and PPO,” he said. He added that the operation was expected to end by 31st January.

Earlier on Thursday, the Supreme Court also commented on the volatile situation in Karachi. During a hearing of the Hajj scam case, the Chief Justice of Pakistan Ifthikar Muhammad Chaudhry said the violence in the city had claimed the lives of at least 75 people in the past month alone.

The court questioned why key posts in the city were being awarded on a contractual basis, including that of Sindh’s Inspector General.

Meanwhile, the Sindh government has decided to convene an all-parties conference on January 26 to tackle outbreaks of violence in the city.

PPP and MQM leaders met at the CM House in Karachi and decided to from a sub-committee to discuss and resolve issues between the two parties. The members of the committee will be nominated soon.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah.

WITH ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY HAFIZ TUNIO

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: ANP senator stands by statements on report</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106732/karachi-violence-anp-senator-stands-by-statements-on-report</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106732/karachi-violence-anp-senator-stands-by-statements-on-report#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 19:53:14 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106732</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rehman Malik denies giving report to the Prime Minister.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Awami National Party’s Senator Haji Adeel has reiterated that intelligence agencies, including the Central Investigation Agency (CIA), the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Military Intelligence (MI) and the Intelligence Bureau together, drew up a report on Karachi’s violence - from May 12, 2007 till the year 2009 - and submitted it to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

He said this while talking to Express News host Munizae Jahangir on the telephone on Thursday on her show Pakistan Poochta Hai. She asked him to comment on federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik’s denial concerning the report. Malik said to the media at the Karachi airport after Wednesay’s show that: “Trust me I submitted no such report to the ANP or to the prime minister. I have a good mind to sue them in court, who ever they are; they can’t just make up imaginary reports and publish articles about them in the newspaper.”

In response to this, the senator told Jahangir that one copy of the report was given to the Senate chairman by ANP senator and central information secretary Zahid Khan. “This report was given to the prime minister,” he repeated.

We asked the government to get the records of the people who arrived at the Karachi airport over the last six months and had returned after a day or two, he added. “My speech in the Senate - where he [Malik] was present - is on record.”

Adeel said, however, that Malik did not admit that people from South Africa and Nigeria come to Karachi to perpetrate target killings. “He admits very little,” added Adeel, on a lighter note.

“But he did assure us that he will check the records and inform us about the findings soon.” The senator said as Malik is the interior minister, the record of people coming to and going from the country must be with him.

“I have not contacted him and he has not contacted me,” he said when Jahangir asked Adeel if any attempts had been made to clear up the ‘misunderstanding’. At the Karachi airport on Thursday, Rehman Malik had spoken to the media about Senator Adeel’s comments on the show.

“I respect him and he can say whatever he wants as he is the interior minister. I have not heard his statement about me, though.” When Jahangir informed him that Malik wished to take him to court, Adeel replied, “He can file a case against me.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Arrests: IG issues list of held suspected target killers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106728/arrests-ig-issues-list-of-held-suspected-target-killers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106728/arrests-ig-issues-list-of-held-suspected-target-killers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 19:53:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[munawar.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106728</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sindh police arrested 89 men on target killing charges from January 1, 2010 to January 19, 2011.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh police arrested 89 men on target killing charges from January 1, 2010 to January 19, 2011. The men were wanted by the police in 254 cases of murder and other heinous crimes.

A Sindh police spokesperson said that 68 of the arrested suspects have been challaned and have already been presented in court while the rest of the cases are still pending. Sixteen of the suspects are currently in police custody while most of them are in jail. At least eight of the accused men have been granted bail, out of which one died of natural causes.

Only two of the suspects on the list issued by the IG Sindh have ‘target killing’ written in their information section. The details of all other accused do not specify whether they were arrested on charges of target killing or in a different murder case.

These suspects also include the nine men accused of killing 14 people in the Shershah scrap market massacre.

The police stations that had the most prominent role in making these arrests include Shahrae Faisal, Pak Colony, Pirabad, Nazimabad, Saudabad, Pakistan Bazaar and Ferozabad police stations. The CID arrested 11 men while the SIU detained 16 of the suspects.

The list released by the Sindh Police is as follows:

Habib Ur Rehman, Maulana Anayatullah Hazarvi, Omar Farooq, Mohammad Zikaria, Sultan alias Couple, Dawood Video Wala, Jamal Abdul Nasir, Tahir Ali alias Topchi, Asim Hussain, Zaheer Ahmed alias Zahira, Imran alias Irfan Lamba, Shariq Nafees alias Sheri, Atif Rasheed alias Ghora, Ikram alias Aakoo, Abdul Mannan, Nasir Qadri, Mohammad Shoaib, Azhar Ali alias Uncle, Abdul Aziz, Anus Bin Haroon, Waseem Ahmed alias Barudi, Mohammad Abdullah alias Taimor, Hafiz Ikhlaq, Mansoor Ahmed, Azbadar Gul, Syed Abu Irfan alias Urfi, Mohammad Ishtiaq alias Suleman, Imran alias Appi, Naseem Haider alias Feron, Asif Rasheed alias Dumba, Rasheed Alias Bangali, Nawaz Khan,Syed Shah, Jameel Cheepa, Waseem Alias Cheeta, Muhammad Umar alias Shahabdullah, Abdullah alias Anwar,Lal Muhammad Magsi, Mohammad Yaseen, Syed Ali Mehdi, Lal Mohammad Magsi, Ghulam Mustafa, Maqbool Hussain alias Maqboola, Doctor Mohammad Zubair , Syed Tanveer Abbas Rizvi alias Jawed, Syed Abrar Rizvi, Mohammad Bilal, Khan Zaman, Ghulam Mohammad Muddasir Bhai, Syed Murtaza Shah and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killing: Lyari hospital ENT specialist targeted on way to clinic</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106730/target-killing-lyari-hospital-ent-specialist-targeted-on-way-to-clinic</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106730/target-killing-lyari-hospital-ent-specialist-targeted-on-way-to-clinic#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 19:52:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[saher.baloch]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106730</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Dr Imran Wasi was shot down as his car slowed down on a speed breaker.]]>
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				<![CDATA[An ear, nose and throat specialist from Lyari General Hospital was gunned down near Lea Market on Thursday.

Dr Imran Wasi, 55, was heading to his clinic in Ranchore Line when he was killed. As his car slowed down over a speed bump, two men on a motorcycle shot him several times and hit his temple, cheek and shoulder.

He was taken to Lyari hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead. Later, his body was taken for an autopsy to Civil Hospital, Karachi, where several members of his family had gathered.

Duty officer Muhammad Israr believed that this was not a case of snatching or theft as the doctor’s personnal belongings, such as wallet, mobile phone and his watch were not stolen. The investigations are still going on and nothing can be said for sure at the moment, he said.

Dr Wasi, a resident of Hamid Square in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Block-3, had been working at Lyari General Hospital for the past 15 years. His family said that his murder was a case of target killing and the perpetrators wanted to target an Urdu-speaking doctor. “He never discussed any fears with me but he used to be worried,” said Dr Wasi’s brother, Rehan Wasi. “A lot of times, he hinted in passing that he wanted to have himself transferred from the Lyari hospital.”

Immediately after the murder, Rehan said he was very angry with the police. “There was utter chaos as these people [the police] had no clue what had happened,” he recalled. “Later on, I calmed myself because it is a known fact that the police are there just to fill registers after such incidents and cannot really nab the culprits.”

Rehan added that the police station was located only 100 yards away from the place where his brother was targeted. “There is a ban on pillion riding every other day but the killers are still roaming around freely without anyone taking notice of them,” he said.

The family of the victim has yet to lodge an FIR. Dr Wasi is survived by his wife.

Last year, six doctors were killed in Karachi in a month. Police Senior Superintendent Khurram Waris was deployed to investigate the killings of doctors. He admitted that he was “close to solving the case” but three months ago he was transferred to Orangi Town.

Doctors protest

Doctors have already been meeting through the Pakistan Medical Association over being targeted. But now they have decided to shut down the Out-Patients Department (OPD) of Civil hospital, Lyari General Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre to condemn the killing of Dr Wasi.

“We will only deal with emergency cases but our OPDs will remain closed,” said Dr Idrees Adhi, president of the PMA. The association is holding talks with the management of Qatar Hospital and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. “We have been pushed to the wall many times. There is a limit after which we will not tolerate anymore of this,” said Dr Samrina Hashmi, former general secretary of PMA.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (Pima) Karachi chapter president Dr Salman Ghouri summoned an urgent meeting at Pima House in which the participants condemned the murder and demanded the arrest of culprits.

They also asked the government to pay compensation to the doctor’s family. They also offered Surah Fateha for him.

Health minister condemns murder

Sindh Minister for Health Dr Sagheer Ahmad has also condemned the target killing of Dr Wasi. It is a conspiracy against doctors and paramedics, he said in a statement issued on Thursday.

The people of Lyari have been deprived of the services of an ENT specialist, who was an intelligent doctor and served people with zeal, said the minister. He gave his condolences to the family.

Additional input by PPI

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21st,  2011.]]>
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			<title>More deaths across Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106570/more-deaths-across-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106570/more-deaths-across-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 12:14:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106570</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Violence has claimed six more lives in incidents across Karachi. Political parties call conference on issue.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Violence has claimed six  more lives in gunshot incidents in different areas of Karachi, despite ongoing search operations and Rangers being given additional powers in the metropolis.

Shootings were reported in Orangi town, Lyari,  Manghopir, Aslam Barohi Colony and Sohrab Goth today (Thursday). Rangers were called in to administer matters of security in the city  and a partial curfew has been imposed.

A provincial level All Parties Conference (APC) will be held in Karachi  next week to discuss the law and order situation. The APC will discuss efforts and means for improving the law and  order situation in the violence-hit city.

The decision to hold the APC was taken during a high-level  meeting held at the Chief Minister's house in Karachi. It was attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief Minister  Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Home minister Zulfiqar Mirza. The three leaders have decided to meet every fortnight to  ensure close coordination. Police and Rangers will be coordinating with the Sindh Home  Department to implement measures to combat violence in Sindh.]]>
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			<title>Pillion riders: Courts free over 120 men</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106275/pillion-riders-courts-free-over-120-men</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106275/pillion-riders-courts-free-over-120-men#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 05:24:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[ppi]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Riders freed after they submitted a solvent surety of Rs5,000, 2 suspects remanded into judicial custody.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Over 120 men arrested for violating the ban on pillion riding (double sawari) were released by judicial magistrates in Karachi on Wednesday. A day earlier 350 men were released.

Most were freed after they submitted a solvent surety of Rs5,000 while two suspects were remanded into judicial custody. Hundreds of men were arrested on Monday and Tuesday by the police and Rangers on charges of violating the ban which was imposed under Section 144 because of the worsening law and order situation.

In the Malir district court, the police presented over 50 suspects before judicial magistrates while in district east, the courts dealt with over 40 cases. In district west, at least 14 suspects were freed while in the south over 15 men were freed. Two young men were remanded into jail custody by a judicial magistrate in district central. The Sir Syed police station investigation officer had sought physical custody but the magistrate remanded them to jail custody.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Slain reporter: Pakhtun students demand security</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106138/slain-reporter-pakhtun-students-demand-security</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106138/slain-reporter-pakhtun-students-demand-security#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 05:20:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106138</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Pakhtun Students Federation demand govt provide justice to Wali Khan Babar and provide security for journalists.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Members of the Pakhtun Students Federation (PSF) Sindh demanded the government provide justice to the slain news reporter, Wali Khan Babar, and provide security to other journalists who have been threatened.

Wali Khan Babar was the former deputy general secretary of PSF but was snatched away by extremists, said PSF Sindh president Raza Jadoon. He was speaking at a news conference at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday.

“A man takes decades to reach the place where Wali Khan Babar was. If the people who carry our voice are not safe then how can we say that we will get justice?” he questioned. He warned that the federation will decide their future course of action if the situation in the city does not improve and Wali Khan is not given justice.

Having a hit list of journalists is a matter of concern for both the media organisations and the present government, said Jadoon. “We demand that both media companies and the government provide security.”

Condolence meeting for Wali Khan Babar

A condolence meeting for Geo News reporter, Wali Khan Babar, will be organised by the University of Karachi’s international relations department on January 20 at 11:30 am in Room 1.

The department’s chairperson, Prof Dr Shaista Tabassum, announced on Wednesday that the students’ orientation day had been dedicated to Babar as he was the department’s alumnus and graduated in January 2007.
with additional input from aPP

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Faqir Colony raid : The boot in the face, the brute at dawn</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106270/faqir-colony-raid-the-boot-in-the-face-the-brute-at-dawn</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106270/faqir-colony-raid-the-boot-in-the-face-the-brute-at-dawn#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 04:50:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106270</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Men rounded up in Orangi are wondering what the operation achieved except for their humiliation.]]>
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				<![CDATA[There is nothing like a raid at the crack of dawn to humiliate and scare a neighbourhood.

The rumbling trucks, the door banging and the masked men with punishing boots are an awesome sight for families curled up on the floor. Nearly 400 men, shivering in their cotton shalwar kameezes, were rounded up like criminals in Orangi Town’s Faqir Colony on Tuesday in the six-hour operation. And if the government officials who ordered the swoop wanted to send a message about target killings, it went through quite clear. The only problem is that this isn’t a one-way street.

“We have decided to retaliate if it happens again. Yesterday’s operation created a good image of the law enforcers and a bad image of the people,” said one man, who did not want to be named. “Not just our families and neighbours, but everyone in Karachi saw that we were being treated like criminals.”

The anger is perhaps understandable for the scores of men who were all released, except for two, after being declared innocent after questioning on the same day. The freed men are now asking what the point was.

“I do not think it was an achievement as the criminals easily escaped before the operation was launched and innocent people were arrested in exchange,” said a rickshaw owner.

“Honour is everything for the Pakhtun but yesterday I lost face in front of my wife, children as well as dozens of people from the area.”

It was a first for many of them who spent the hours in custody.

“Am I a criminal that I would evade arrest,” asked one of the detainees who was later released after he was declared innocent during questioning. “Detaining me in front of my wife and children was embarrassing.”

All their data was recorded, which is why the men did not want to be named if they talked about the experience. “What do you want?” asked one of them when requested to comment on the raid and give his name. “Do you want us to be arrested again? They [the Rangers] have our names and addresses and they will arrest us again if we talk against them.”

Wasn’t it enough that their names were on the list of detained people? “I spent the whole day and night in custody which not only upset me but also my family and relatives,” he said. “We were blindfolded and different officers kept arriving and questioning us.”

They asked for names, addresses, affiliations with political, religious and criminal gangs and later freed them after discovering there was nothing to worry about.

“I don’t really know why they picked me up,” said anothe man. “I did not know where they would keep me and what they would do to me.

While sitting in the truck, I thought that I knew that they would not kill me but I feared that they would torture us. But thank God they did not torture us.”

The men were provided food and blankets and were not beaten. “We too are human beings and know very well how to deal with innocent people,” said a Rangers official, who did not want to be named as he was not speaking in an official capacity. They were just following orders. “We provided food to the criminals because they are also human beings.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Third force &amp; target killings: ANP, MQM trade allegations</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106269/third-force-target-killings-anp-mqm-trade-allegations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/106269/third-force-target-killings-anp-mqm-trade-allegations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 20 Jan 11 04:31:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=106269</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Both parties on the same page as far as investigation, information is concerned.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After Interior Minister Rehman Malik blamed a covert “third force” for the target killings in Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party — whose activists have been hit the hardest — insinuated that the third force is sponsored by either party.

During the television show, ‘Pakistan Poochta Hai’ [Pakistan Wants to Know] hosted by Munizae Jahangir on Express News on Tuesday night, ANP’s Senator Haji Adeel claimed the third force was not indigenous to Karachi. The third force includes foreigners “who are imported” to spread violence in the city, he said. “When we raised this issue, [Rehman] Malik admitted in the Senate that visitors arrive in the city from South Africa, do their work and escape on the next flight back within 24 hours. Who are these people? Who pays for their ticket? Who provides them arms?”

Meanwhile, Khawaja Izharul Hassan, the MQM’s representative, explicitly said “militants” residing in ANP-strong neighbourhoods were behind the target killings. He explained that in the MQM-strong vicinities, there are identified people: an identified voter, an identified supporter and an identified MQM mob. However, parties such as the ANP, who are working on an ethnic and religious agenda in Karachi, do not have an identified mob and they do not have identified voters, Hassan added. “Are there Pakistanis residing in their vicinities?”

He supported his argument by saying that 81 high-profile, most-wanted criminals were not arrested from MQM areas but from ANP areas.

Army or no army?

The show was aired on Tuesday, the day of the Rangers operation in Orangi against alleged target killers. At least 400 men were arrested during the operation.

Senator Adeel expressed the ANP’s disapproval of the way the operation was being conducted. The operation should not be held in one area but it needs to be “across the board”. “The operation needs to be in the whole city, simultaneously, under the supervision of the army,” he said.

Suspects escape to other, safer areas when an operation is being conducted in one area and return once it is over, Adeel explained. “An operation, like the one conducted in Swat, needs to be done in Karachi.”

‘The names’

Both party representatives agreed that investigations have been completed and the police and Rangers have the names of the perpetrators. “The Inter-Services Intelligence and the Intelligence Bureau had prepared a report on target killers and listed the organisations they work for, that was handed over to Malik, who then presented the report to the prime minister,” Adeel declared.

MQM’s Hassan also had similar information. “FIRs have been registered in the presence of Rangers and on behalf of the Rangers. We have given Rehman Malik a list of 150 people. We have even seen the police report and the DIG (East) resigned after submitting it. He has written [in his report about] where these militants are residing.”

Both party members agreed that even after submission of many reports, nothing has been done.

Compiled by Neha Ansari

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi’s trouble spot: Orangi under siege</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105528/karachi-violence-400-suspects-arrested</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105528/karachi-violence-400-suspects-arrested#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 11 02:10:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=105528</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rangers round up over 400 ‘suspects’ in massive pre-dawn swoop.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[As many as 700 personnel of the Pakistan Rangers Sindh descended upon Orangi Town early Tuesday morning, arresting over 400 hundred suspects during a sweeping unannounced search operation.

Dozens of weapons and ammunition were also reportedly seized. However, most of the detainees were later released after they were found innocent. Around 50 people remained in custody and were being questioned.

The operation began at around 6 am and ended around noon. Reports suggest that, before the house-to-house search, Rangers detained people on their way to work in passenger buses, motorcycles and private cars, as well as onlookers who did not have CNICs on them. Soon after, transport was suspended and areas were sealed off to launch a door-to-door operation, in which Rangers used ladder to jump into houses.

The Rangers later released most of the detainees after their families submitted their CNICs.

Interestingly, while the operation was under way, the government issued a notification regarding the extension in special powers of the Rangers for another three months.

The search operation created panic and chaos among the residents. People were confined to their houses until they could produce their CNICs.

Official sources said that the operation was conducted in collaboration with the local police. However, the police did not participate and were only there to assist, similar to the time the Rangers raided Kunwari Colony in Manghopir. Reports claim that the Rangers carried out the operation on the directives of the Sindh home department following the current wave of  violence in the city, especially in parts of Orangi Town. A greater contingent is reportedly being called in for another house-to-house search operation in the area.

“The operation was not only carried out to target the killers but also to keep a check on lawlessness, the drug mafia and street criminals,” an official of the Sindh Rangers told The Express Tribune on the condition of anonymity. “The operation was also carried out on the pointation of suspects arrested during the recent violence.”

The detainees were hauled into trucks and shifted to unspecified locations. The official said that almost 70 to 80 per cent of the detainees were released shortly after they were found innocent.

The areas of Faqir Colony where the operation was carried out included Omer Baloch Mohalla and Mikati Para.

Aerial monitoring was also conducted during the operation to avoid the possibility of a suspect escaping.

Omer Baloch Mohalla is a Baloch dominated area of the Faqir Colony which falls under the jurisdiction of Mominabad police station. People from all ethnic backgrounds – but a majority of them Pakhtun, – live in the parts where the operation was conducted.

Area residents also protested against the large scale arrests. They claimed that the operation was one-sided and that the Rangers misbehaved with families and with females.

“Before launching such operations, the LEAs must have a list of the criminals and should only search those houses where they have information,” Haris Wakeel, a resident of Omer Baloch Mohalla said. “The LEAs tackled our mothers and sisters as though they were criminals.”

Resident Fazal Din, a daily wage earner, said the people of the area were already crippled by acute poverty, and found it extremely difficult to get work these days with the power and gas crisis under way. “I could not go to work due to today’s operation and I have to run my family at any cost; I do not have any money for my family today. Now who will pay me?” he said.

Another resident, Aman Khan, who was detained while on his way to work and then later released, said that he was arrested by the Rangers because he did not have his CNIC on him. “We avoid carrying CNICs and other documents with us because of looting incidents in the area,” he said. “It was an unannounced operation which is why I did not have my CNIC.”

On the other hand, residents of the surrounding areas were happy with the operation and were full of appreciation. “There are lots of criminals present in these localities and most of them are involved in the narcotics business,” said Lal Din, a resident of Urdu Chowk. “We are not just worried about the clashes between ethnic groups, we are troubled by the drug mafia and so we welcome the Rangers in this regard.”

Hidden identities: The men with black masks


Rangers’ officers and their guards covered their faces with black cloth masks, and also removed their nametags from their uniforms before entering Orangi town for the search operation.

A Rangers official told The Express Tribune that some personnel wore the black masks in order to protect their identities. In the past, there have been incidents when law enforcement authorities have been targeted.

“This is just a precautionary measure,” the Rangers officer said. He added that the mask served no other function as protecting one from gas shells.

He added that there was nothing odd about it because even commando units wear such masks when they conduct missions. He denied that this was done only to protect a few officers of the Rangers who went to the field to supervise the search operation.


Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Pillion riding: Scores of motorcycle riders released</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105782/pillion-riding-scores-of-motorcycle-riders-released</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105782/pillion-riding-scores-of-motorcycle-riders-released#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 11 19:41:08 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=105782</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Up to 350 men freed, some on personal bond, some on bail.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[A nightmare ended for 350 men who were released on Tuesday after being arrested for double-sawari or pillion riding on motorcycles that was banned midnight Monday.

Different judicial magistrates across Karachi were busy processing the paperwork for the men who were rounded up by the police who cracked down willy nilly after the midnight ban was announced. Unfortunately, for the men who were arrested, the news had not reached in time.

The magistrates quashed cases against men who proved they were students. The courts declared that their arrests were illegal.

About 150 men were released on personal bonds and the remaining were set free after they furnished a surety of Rs5,000 each.

The Sindh home department issued an incomplete notification on the pillion-riding ban, which led to the arrests. According to the January 16 notification, pillion riding was banned from 12 am onwards. This notification failed, however, to clarify how it was to be implemented and who was empowered to arrest violators.

Before the year 2001, only a district magistrate or deputy commissioner had the authority to penalise people violating the ban. When a court pointed out this loophole in the notification, the home department was forced to issue another one on January 18, according to which Section 195 (1)(a) was imposed and station house officers at police stations were empowered to file cases.

Lawyer Nasir Ahmed told Daily Express that he would file a petition against the police and the home department for the illegal arrests of residents. He said that he had started collecting evidence to support his case.

Four more people gunned down 

While this was going on, the killings continued. The bullet-riddled body of a young man was found from the roof of a private school in Korangi ‘K’ area within the jurisdiction of Awami Colony police station. The body was sent to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where he was identified as Shabbir, 35, son of Haji Abdul Qadir. Two empty shells at the crime scene suggested he was shot. The victim was a resident of Qadhafi Town and a labourer by profession.

Separately, 63-year-old Gul Hassan Magsi was shot dead in Juma Goth, Malir within the jurisdiction of al Falah police station. He lived there and was attacked on the way to a friend’s house. Magsi was from Balochistan and had recently arrived in Karachi.

Similarly, a young man was shot dead and two others were injured in an attack near Disco Bakery. The attack took place in Block 4 of Gulshan-e-Iqbal early Tuesday. The victim was identified as Hewand Khan, 23, and he was accompanied by friends Ehsan and Talha. They were sitting outside Ehsan’s house when the drive-by shooting took place. The men were taken to a private hospital where Hewand died. A security guard was shot dead in Federal B Area. The victim, 23-year-old Noor Mohammad, was on duty in Block 18 when men on motorcycles shot him and took off. He was shot twice. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 19th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Deweaponisation bill: Weapon-free Pakistan?</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105034/time-to-de-weaponise-pakistan-sattar</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105034/time-to-de-weaponise-pakistan-sattar#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 11 02:09:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[irfan.ghauri]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=105034</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM submits sweeping bill in the National Assembly Secretariat.]]>
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				<![CDATA[In the backdrop of fresh violence in Karachi, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) submitted on Monday an elaborate and ambitious draft bill in the National Assembly Secretariat seeking to rid the country of weapons.

The ‘Deweaponisation of Pakistan Bill of 2011’, filed as private members’ bill, calls for banning the production, proliferation, smuggling, import and use of firearms and ammunition and explosives “to restore public order in the country”.

Yet, experts and analysts are sceptical about the fecundity of the bill.

MQM’s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar said that his party would also introduce the bill in the Senate on Tuesday and contact other parties to secure endorsement for it.

The bill provides “measures for banning the unauthorised production, illicit trafficking, possession and use of arms and weapons, so as to eradicate killings, kidnapping for ransom and extortion by terrorists, criminals and anti-social elements for waging guerrilla war against the state, indulgence in vandalism, mass destruction, suicide bombing, desecration of places of worship, killings of innocent citizens, and to restore peace, tranquility, sanity and public order in the country,” the MQM leader said reading from the bill.

Highlighting statistics, he said that between 2006 and 2009, terrorists and criminals had struck 6,894 times using illicit arms across the country, killing 9,643 people, injuring 18,788 more, besides kidnapping thousands of citizens for ransom.

The bill, if passed, will be applicable in four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) but it would not apply on arms, ammunition in the possession of  armed forces and law-enforcement agencies working under government control.

Reaction by experts and analysts

The Express Tribune contacted analysts and experts for comments on the bill, and its possible out­come.

Ejaz Haider, Contributing editor for The Friday Times and columnist for The Express Tribune: “Officially, Pakistan goes by the UK framework, that no one except authorised personnel of the military or police can carry weapons. The other paradigm is the US where everyone can. So while formally Pakistan follows the UK model, de facto we’ve allowed arms to proliferate. You have MNAs, MPAs and senators with quotas to buy weapons and you can also get illegal arms here. In the US, they do not allow people to buy automatic weapons. In Pakistan, you can find Uzis or Kalashnikovs, which are essentially used by armed forces.

“The funny thing is that the last time I checked, the interior ministry had three different figures for the number of arms licences issued. So if you don’t have an exact figure that’s a problem. It’s difficult to have a guesstimate but whatever the number of legal weapons is, multiply it by at least 10 and that’s the amount of illicit weapons. I had also suggested to the interior ministry that one way to check this is to start tracing the ammunition. It gives you a trail to what kind of ammunition this was and where it was produced. If illegal arms are coming in then obviously the law enforcement officials are also involved.

“The last three to four times they tried to do this deweaponisation plan they badly failed. It also has to be evenhanded. You can’t target specific people or areas – the whole idea of prosecution becomes lopsided.”

Imtiaz Gul, analyst, author of The Al Qaeda Connection: “This is a very complicated matter and it is not in the hands of the government, but of the political parties. The PPP, ANP, MQM and Jamaat-e-Islami all have militants in their fold – any law you bring about would be ineffective if it is not enforced on them. The parties don’t seem to have the political will. Even if they did have the political will, it would take quite a lot of time for the weaponry that has been amassed to be dug out.”

Mosharraf Zaidi, analyst: “Deweaponisation programmes haven’t been that successful in Afghanistan – which is geo­graphi­cally closest to us – and that was a sponsored, funded campaign. The top line issue here is that in a society where laws do exist and are misused or not used at all, what value does a new law have.

“So a new law is a probably a good first step, but a miniscule step. The idea of deweaponising Karachi – let alone Pakistan – is a big deal. It is ironic and interesting that the MQM is the one to sponsor the bill. If implemented, this would be the first time since in the mid-1960s that Karachi would be free of weapons. It is a good initiative, but there is a bigger structural problem in Pakistani society – a lack of respect for existing laws. Traditionally, where we’ve seen deweaponisation programmes work is not really on a national level but on a smaller one – towns and villages and so. The other key issue is finances – it is a really expensive programme to run and the only incentive you can offer people is to give them an above market value for the arms. Given the quality of public policy in the country, I doubt that this is a consideration for the interior ministry and any of the provincial home departments. Will the government have the wherewithal to challenge political interests that have weapons – to go after stores that supply to political parties? That’s a big question - so if it happens, hallelujah, but it doesn’t seem possible.”

Former interior minister Moin­uddin Haider: “There is al­ready a law in the country to deal with weapons. Now if you can’t implement that, then what use will it be to have a new law? In Pakistan there is a huge proliferation of arms right now, everyone from the security guards with women shopping to policemen are armed. Whether it is the UAE or the UK, it is hard to find police officials who are armed like they are here. You need to create a culture to carry out a programme like this. When we implemented it during General Pervez Musharraf’s time, there was a lot of resistance. We ran campaigns for the general public and educated policemen on it as well. The idea was that, till 15 days after the campaign was initiated, people could hand in their weapons to the police and there would be no questions asked. It was so successful that we received 80,000 illegal weapons and we were asked by the provinces to extend the deadline by a few months but we refused to because it would mean we would go back on our word. After the deadline, we carried out raids and implemented the law very strictly. I do not think anyone in Pakistan is serious about deweaponisation right now. These look like political tactics to show that ‘we are peace loving’ etc.”

Propositions: Salient features


Ban on issuance of licence:

No arms licence shall be issued by the government to any person with effect from the commencement of this act.

Punishment

Whosoever contravenes, such arms will be seized and forfeited by government and he shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than seven years and not more than 12 years and shall also be liable to fine up to Rs5 million. In case of default, he shall be liable for a further imprisonment period of three years.

Surrender and seizure of arms and weapons:

All persons who are in possession of arms, ammunition, and weapons without any authorisation or valid licence, would be required to surrender them to the authorised person or agency designated by the government  in the district where they ordinarily reside, within three months.

The licences of all arms and ammunitions issued to individuals, companies and dealers by the government prior to the commencement of this Act shall stand cancelled without any notice after three months from the enactment of this law.

Prohibition on illicit manufacturing of weapons:

No person shall manufacture, produce and assemble arms and ammunitions illicitly anywhere in Pakistan after three months from the commencement of this Act.

Contravention of illicit manufacture:

Whosoever contravenes the provisions of Section 10 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than twelve years and shall also be liable to fine not less than ten million. In case of non-payment of fine he may be punished with further imprisonment up to a period of three year.

Prohibition of illicit trafficking in arms and weapons:

Whosoever indulges in the illicit trade or trafficking in firearms, ammunitions, weapons and their parts and components within the territories of Pakistan shall be punished with imprisonment for a term not less than nine years and shall also be fined not less than rupees seven and a half million and in default of such payment shall undergo imprisonment for a further period of three years.

Prohibition of display of arms:

Whosoever displays new, operational, old or ancestral non-operative arms or weapons in public shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding seven years and fine not more than rupees five million only.

Disposal of arms, ammunitions and weapons deposited by licencees:

All licenced arms, ammunition and weapons deposited under Section 8 of the act shall be sold to government agencies at market price and the proceeds so received shall be paid to persons who had held the licence and owned the said arms and weapons.

Committee to supervise whole process

An 11-member committee headed by a retired judge of a High or Supreme Court will supervise the whole process of implementation of the law and give its recommendations to fulfill the objectives of the law.


Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Pillion riding: Over 220 men held for violating ban</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105272/pillion-riding-over-220-men-held-for-violating-ban</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/105272/pillion-riding-over-220-men-held-for-violating-ban#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 11 19:43:02 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=105272</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Around 220 people in the South zone were detained for violating the ban on pillion riding.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Around 220 people in the South zone were detained for violating the ban on pillion riding while 30 were arrested in the East zone and more than 50 from the West zone.

On Monday, the Sindh home department issued a notification banning pillion riding for the next seven days, due to the rising number of target killings. Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza ordered the Sindh police to ensure strict implementation of Section-144, which includes a ban on display of weapons, aerial firing, wall chalking and pillion riding.

Women, senior citizens, disabled persons, children under 12 years of age, journalists and personnel of law-enforcement agencies would be exempt.

Most of the men arrested on Monday claimed that they were on their way to work when they were arrested. They said that they were not aware of the ban, which was announced late on Sunday. Some of these men were released by the courts after they submitted sureties. In Orangi, the town police booked around 24 people for violating the ban. All of them were taken into custody and later cases were registered against them. Orangi Town SP Khurram Waris said that these people would be produced in front of magistrate today (Tuesday).

Published in The Express Tribune, January 18th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: Body count rises</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104881/karachi-violence-%e2%80%98semi-curfew%e2%80%99-to-be-imposed-for-search-operations</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104881/karachi-violence-%e2%80%98semi-curfew%e2%80%99-to-be-imposed-for-search-operations#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jan 11 09:50:34 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Despite the ongoing violence, Express 24/7 reports that security deployment has not increased in sensitive areas.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Five people have been killed in firing incidents in different areas  of Karachi during the past 24 hours.

Due to the ongoing violence, rangers have been given police powers to conduct search  operations, set up check points and detain and investigate suspects in Karachi.

The killings took place in Hussainabad, Saddar, Malir, Memon Goth and  Garden Dhobi Ghat areas. The situation in also tense in Banaras, Mominabad, Pirabad and  SITE. Two people have been injured in firing at Hussainabad, while two other killed in Nanakwara area of Saddar.

The Sadar SP told Express 24/7 that the dead belonged to a political party.

Updated from the print edition (below).

Confusion prevailed after authorities talked about slapping a ‘semi-curfew’ ahead of launching search operations in volatile areas of Karachi to curb rising violence. However, no timeframe was given for any police action.

But as restrictions on pillion riding were re-imposed in the city on Sunday, there were expectations that the police operation would commence soon after.

And yet, the steps had no effect on the killings in the city as six more people are said to have fallen prey to targeted killings on the fourth consecutive day of violence. This brings the death toll during the same period to 33.

The targeted killings, which have continued in the wake of failed political dialogue, speak volumes about government strategy and the performance of law-enforcement agencies.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik first coined the term ‘semi-curfew’ at Karachi airport before leaving for Islamabad.  He later clarified that a “curfew-like” situation “would be enforced in  sensitive parts of the city” to curb violence.

The clarification was necessitated after security personnel were confused over the usage of the term “curfew” and panic broke out in violence-hit areas.

Authorities have decided to increase police and Ranger presence in violence-prone areas. This was decided at a meeting held by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, which was attended by the federal interior minister.

According to the strategy, aerial surveillance would be intensified and helicopters would be used to airdrop police commandos to contain armed conflicts.

Law-enforcement agencies have also been asked to take action against users of stolen or snatched cellular phones.

People living in affected areas have been asked to keep their CNICs with them and they will only be allowed to go about their work after proper scrutiny.

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is also tasked to keep an eye on possible movement of suspicious elements at Karachi airport to stop them from escaping from the city.

At Karachi airport, Rehman Malik appreciated the security agencies’ performance and said that recent arrests would help reduce violence in the city.

“The government will not allow anyone to disrupt Karachi’s peace. Motives behind these killings are being evaluated,” Malik said. “A third force, which wants to start a confrontation between coalition partners, is involved in (these) shootings. Some elements are trying to hatch a conspiracy to trigger a clash between the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP), but they will not succeed.”

Commenting on Rehman Malik’s assertions about ‘semi curfew’, adviser to the Sindh chief minister Waqar Mehdi, told The Express Tribune that restriction would only be imposed in areas where a crackdown against criminal elements is conducted. “Restrictions will be applicable in sensitive areas and will be similar to those encountered during curfew,” Mehdi said.

During the operation, he said no one would be allowed outside their homes and the entire area would be sealed during the duration of the operation, adding that vehicles would not be allowed on roads and shops would be shut.

Local residents, he said, would only be allowed into the area or leave their homes in case of an emergency if their CNICs check out.

Lists of wanted assassins and criminals, compiled on the basis of intelligence reports, have been handed over to the police and Rangers officials, who “will decide the timing of the operation”.

Stressing the need for maintaining the element of surprise in conducting the crackdown, he said: “It was decided that the operation will be conducted in a lightening-like manner. No timeframe will be announced. Maybe it will start from Sunday night, maybe later.”

He said a crackdown would be carried in Orangi Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Pehalwan Goth, Rabia City, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, North Karachi and some parts of Korangi, Landhi and Malir.

Panic again prevailed when some news channel aired news about the ban on pillion riding in Karachi between 9pm and 5am. However, the Sindh government was not aware of any such decision.

Meanwhile, an MQM political worker, Kashif, and a sympathiser, Jaffer, were shot dead on the Chand Bibi Road in the limits of the Risala police station.

Both of them were shot dead outside their homes.

A bullet-riddled body of a teenage boy named Ghulam Murtaza, 17, was found in Memon Goth police precincts.

A middle-aged social worker named Mohammad Ahmed was killed and another Ilyas was injured in firing on their social welfare office in Azizabad.

The body of a young man bearing torture marks was found from Dhobi Ghat in the remits of Pak Colony police station. Separately, an ANP worker named Mohammad Ajmal, who was wounded on Saturday in Al Falah police limits, succumbed to his injuries at Jinnah hospital on Sunday.

Separately, security forces said that they have captured an alleged killer from the Saddar area.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Deadly business</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104678/deadly-business</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104678/deadly-business#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jan 11 16:38:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Editorial]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=104678</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wali Khan Babar, gunned down in Karachi, is the first Pakistani journalist to die in the line of duty in 2011.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Wali Khan Babar, 29, gunned down on the streets of Karachi during the latest spree of targeted violence in the city, became the first Pakistani journalist to die in the line of duty in 2011. Will he be the last? The omens are not good. Last year, eight media professionals were killed in the country; more than twice that number were injured. Most became victims of bombings or other acts of terrorism carried out with the purpose of maiming or murdering indiscriminately. The nature of journalism demanded, of course, that they be close to the place of action in situations rife with tension. This made them especially vulnerable when the bombers struck.

According to the Committee for the Protection of Journalists, a US-based watchdog body, Pakistan emerged as the world’s deadliest place for members of the profession in 2010. There are no indications that this will change, unless far greater commitment is demonstrated by various groups. The government needs to devise policies in this respect. What is perhaps even more imperative is that media bodies work out a code of conduct to protect journalists. In an age when fierce competition poses its own perils, an agreement is needed that cameramen, reporters and others on the frontline of action will keep a safe distance when covering events involving terrorism. Preventing death is more important than bringing images into living rooms. Organisations running newspapers or TV channels should put in place work guidelines and also insurance policies for members of staff. Protective gear could help in some cases. Among those most at risk are stringers based in conflict-torn areas, who do not have the protection offered by large offices and who are often based within strife-torn communities. Special attention needs to be given to their plight.

The fact that so many dangers now face journalists stems also from the failure to penalise those responsible for violence in the past. Several high-profile cases of murder remain unsolved; suspicions of agency involvement heighten the threat — and this only leaves others in the field in a great deal of danger.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: City loses more residents, some areas close down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104424/target-killings-city-loses-more-residents-some-areas-close-down</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104424/target-killings-city-loses-more-residents-some-areas-close-down#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 16 Jan 11 07:30:58 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=104424</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Over 20 suspects rounded up in a search operation in Orangi Town.]]>
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				<![CDATA[As the city lost more residents to target killings, some areas closed down in protest and people resorted to aerial firing all through Saturday.

At least 24 people, including political activists, were injured in sporadic incidents of violence. The situation in the city turned from bad to worse when a news reporter was gunned down in Liaquatabad on Thursday night.

Neighbourhoods in Orangi Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, North Nazimabad, North Karachi, Qasba Colony, Kati Pahari, Pirabad, Manghopir, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Pehlwan Goth, Sharae Faisal, Malir, Saudabad, New Karachi and other areas were tense on Saturday. Businesses remained partially closed and frequent gunshots forced people to stay indoors. The worst affected areas were Orangi Town and Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Traffic on main arteries also remained thin following the target killing of two more people. A heavy contingent of law enforcers was deployed around these neighbourhoods with orders to enhance patrolling and snap-checking.

More than 20 suspects were detained in a late-night search operation in Orangi Town and its adjacent areas. The operation was carried out by the police and Rangers, who claimed that they seized weapons from the suspects as well. The police officials said that the operation was carried out to arrest target killers. Later, the suspects were moved to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Police officials also claimed to have arrested around six accused allegedly involved in the attack on the Awami National Party leader, Bashir Jan. The suspects who fired at a passenger bus on Qasba Morr and killed seven people, were also arrested, the police claimed.

Two of the suspects are detained in injured condition from Qatar Hospital, Orangi Town, after they were arrested in separate raids in Orangi Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal.  Officials added that some more search operations would be carried out soon.

Violent start to a new year

Over two dozen people, including activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Pakistan Peoples Party and Awami National Party, have been targeted and killed in the city since the assassination of the news reporter. Since the start of the year, around 17 people, including a policeman, have lost their lives.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement lost its joint sector incharge  Syed Adil Jaffery, a former unit incharge, Yawer Abbas and at least three more activists, Shakir Ali, Adil Sattar and Sajjad Ahmed, were killed in Manghopir on January 12. The Awami National Party lost two activists, including their al Falah ward president, Aziz Sahir Khan, and his assistant, Tariq and three more activists on January 12. The Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi also lost an activist.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Terror and chaos in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104329/terror-and-chaos-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104329/terror-and-chaos-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Jan 11 18:21:19 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[editorial]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=104329</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[reconciliation between PPP, MQM in Karachi over accusations made about target killings.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Even after reconciliation between the ruling PPP and MQM in Karachi over accusations made about target killings, people kept dying at the hands of killer gangs. The toll on January 14 was a shocking 22 dead in 24 hours. Indications persist that violence continues to emanate from political, religious and ethnic causes. The ruling trio — the PPP, MQM and ANP — are engaged in a three-way war of accusations and are hardly in a position to find a solution to the downward spiral of a city that is the economic heart of the country.

The killers have become sensitive to media reporting too, murdering Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar before shooting and injuring ANP leader Bashir Jan in Orangi Town. As if to indicate the triangular nature of the urban war, victims included the PPP’s secretary district west, Naveed alias Noori, two MQM workers, Hammad and Zafar Sheikh, while two from the ANP had been attacked earlier.

Karachi has ample evidence of terror linked to the activity of bhatta (protection money) by criminal gangs who use murder as an instrument of persuasion. The reign of terror at Pehelwan Goth was still fresh in the minds of Karachiites when the courts exonerated those accused of killings, allowing them to walk free because of lack of evidence. The police have frequently used sign language to make the case that their work is greatly hampered by the fact that ruling politicians are involved in this score-settling homicide; yet the killing patterns reveal the presence of organisations other than the linguistic-ethnic ones. The last surge of target killing took place in mid-December, putting an end to the impression that killing stops every time federal interior minister Rehman Malik visits the city bearing an olive branch from PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari. This time the olive branch was bigger in size than ever before; yet the triangular spree of violence has swelled instead of going down. Pakhtun-dominated settlements — Sohrab Goth, Quaidabad, Banaras, Keamari, Jangabad, Luqman Colony, Machar Colony, Yasrab Colony, Maymar Complex, Decent Complex, Al-Asif Square, Gulshan-e-Akakhel, Quetta Town and New Sabzi Mandi — have often seen violence, indicating that the ANP doesn’t control and direct the entire Pakhtun community, most of whom originate not in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa but in Mehsud-dominated South Waziristan.

Sectarian killing is also rampant and recently the reverse-trend of killing Sunni doctors alerted the stricken people of Karachi to the rise of Lashkar-i-Muhammad. In 2008, the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) boasted that it had the capacity to control and rule Karachi. Its linkages to the madrassa network of Karachi are well-known. And madrassa-linked religious ‘high threat’ groups in Karachi, too, are known to the outside world: al Qaeda (Qari Zafar Group), the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and the Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan. The medium threat groups are: Sipah-i-Muhammad Pakistan (SMP), Harkatul Mujahideen al Alami, Harkatul Jihad al Islami, the Tehreek-i-Islami Lashkar-i-Muhammadi and Jandullah.

Ethnic politics has solidified in Karachi and social scientists say ethnic-based conflicts take a long time dying off. But two other developments starting in the 1980s have complicated the situation: the early quartering of al Qaeda in the city — a majority of the Arab terrorists surrendered to the US by Musharraf were caught from Karachi — and the pouring in of overseas money into the seminaries which proliferated and may stand at 3,000 today.

The pressure from the ethnic grassroots is such that the ruling trio has succumbed to it, instead of cooperating to put it down. All three political parties are secular in outlook and opposed to al Qaeda and the Taliban. When they are targeted by religious terrorists, other than in Karachi, they tend to stand up for them against one another. Benazir Bhutto was meant to die in Karachi, not in Rawalpindi, and the killers were directed from South Waziristan. A workable solution to this will only materialise when the three parties who rule the city can act in a non-partisan manner and purge their ranks of those in cahoots with various mafias.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi unrest: Death toll rises to 31</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104101/flaring-up-yet-again-karachi-enters-another-round-of-target-killings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104101/flaring-up-yet-again-karachi-enters-another-round-of-target-killings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Jan 11 15:55:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=104101</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Interior Minister says judicial commission will be formed to probe the murder of journalists in Karachi.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The death toll of the latest wave of violence in Karachi rose to 31 on Saturday, Express 24/7 reported. Most of the victims were Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party (ANP) workers. 

Both parties came out strong against the killings. The ANP submitted an adjournment motion against the violence in the Senate saying these killings are destabilising the city.

The MQM also denounced the violence, saying a stable Karachi is in the best interest of the country and that the killings are undermining the peace.

The MQM came out strong after one of its former union councilors was shot dead in Orangi Town earlier today (Saturday).

The Jamiat-e-Ulema-Fazl (JUI-F) also filed an adjournment motion in the National Assembly.

Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza said investigation teams should be set up to check the violence, adding that snap checking and operations should also take place.

The Sindh chief minister said target killings take place in all countries of the world.

More than 20 suspects were arrested in late night operations in Karachi on Friday, following a wave of violence that has kept the city tense since the attack on the ANP deputy general and the killing of journalist Wali Khan Babar.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that a judicial commission will be formed to probe the murders of journalists in Karachi.

Speaking to the media after meeting leaders of religious parties, Malik said that there were some elements looking to silence the media and that the government will control these elements.

Earlier, Malik had met JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to discuss the increasingly tense law and order situation in Karachi. He had announced that there was a third party involved in the target killings.

Fazl expressed his concern over incidents of target killings in Karachi and called for the immediate arrest of those involved in such crimes.

Updated from print edition (below)

Flaring up, yet again: Karachi enters another round of target killings

The city remained tense as the prevailing anarchy claimed at least a dozen more lives bringing the death toll to 22 in the last 24 hours. Around 19 people were also wounded in various shooting incidents across the city, according to police officials.

Meanwhile, in the backdrop of the violence that threatens to breakout into another politico-ethnic feud, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani was reported to have called up the chiefs of the Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to discuss the prevailing political situation in the country.

Although the law enforcement agencies’ personnel have been put on high alert and increased patrolling and snap-checking were witnessed across the city, the bloodshed continued unabated and no arrest was brought to notice of the media in this regard. Meanwhile no police official was ready to own the failure to curb the violence, nor has any action been taken against the security officials of the troubled areas. “After the Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar was killed, the culprits shot and injured the ANP leader Bashir Jan, prompting eruption of violence in Orangi Town and others parts of the city,” Karachi police chief Fayyaz Leghari told The Express Tribune.

“A joint investigation team led by west zone Deputy Inspector General Sultan Khawaja has been formed to probe the assassination of the reporter and subsequent killings,” said Leghari, adding that the police have nabbed some ‘real’ suspects involved in the target killings and violence in the city and promised they would be brought in front of the media soon.

One of the victims on Friday, 56-year-old retired Major Iqbal Kashmiri, was a pilot of the Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah’s helicopter and an employee of the Civil Aviation Authority. Kashmiri was killed by two unknown assailants in Gulistan-e-Jauhar while returning home from work. Other victims included the Pakistan Peoples Party’s deputy secretary district west Naveed alias Noori, gunned down in North Nazimabad, and two Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers Hammad and Zafar Sheikh, killed in Liaquatabad and Malir respectively.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Violence in the city: As the death toll climbs, the blame game restarts</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103992/violence-in-the-city-as-the-death-toll-climbs-the-blame-game-restarts</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103992/violence-in-the-city-as-the-death-toll-climbs-the-blame-game-restarts#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Jan 11 05:45:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[sohail.khattak]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=103992</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[ANP, MQM hold simultaneous press conferences.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least 22 people were killed in the last 24 hours in the city, including Geo News reporter Wali Khan Babar. Since then, the situation Karachi has been tense and the two main parties, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party, have once again resorted to verbal sparring.

For its part, the MQM, in a press conference on Friday to discuss the worsening law and order situation in the city, alleged that more than 21 Urdu-speaking men were targeted and killed in the last 24 hours.

Addressing the press conference at the Khursheed Memorial Hall, MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly Faisal Subzwari condemned the target killings and said the murders were a conspiracy to paralyse the city’s economy and to start a fresh wave of ethnic violence.

Condemning Babar’s murder and the attack on ANP office-bearer Bashir Khan, Subzwari demanded a “high-level impartial inquiry” into the murder of the journalist — who, he said, had reported the Pehlwan Goth violence and a clash between two Pakhtun groups there.

Subzwari claimed that Babar was murdered because he reported the clash between ANP and the Mudasir chief group.

“If we accept the allegations of the ANP leadership about the killing of Wali Khan Babar, then Mian Iftikhar should also accept the fact that Bashir Khan was targeted at the Micasa Apartments area, which is the centre of ANP workers,” he stressed, regretting the allegations of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa information minister against MQM.

He asked the ANP leadership to come clean about their interests in Pehlwan Goth. “The ANP has failed to control the law and order situation in Khyber-Pakhtunhwa and in an effort to hide their failings, they like to raise the issue of target killings in Karachi,” Subzwari said.

“Why does the ANP give a freehand to their activists who kill Urdu-speaking people in Orangi Town, Rabiya City, Banaras, Katti Pahari and other areas?” he asked.

ANP press conference

ANP Sindh chapter president Shahi Syed has demanded strict legislation to purge  Karachi of both licenced and illegal weapons and make the city safe.

Addressing a press conference at his residence, Mardan House, on Friday, he expressed concern over the murder of Wali Khan Babar and paid tribute to him. He demanded investigative agencies inform people of the “hidden facts” behind his assassination and expose the people behind it.

“Target killings have shot up during the last few days and the ANP has lost eight workers in the last 10 days,” he said. On January 13, our party’s acting general secretary and his guard was also attacked, he added. “We have asked the authorities to take the target killings seriously but they cannot do anything due to their political needs.”

According to Syed, the basic reason behind the target killings is extortion money.

The extortionists kill their rivals and innocent people to create terror so that they can achieve their aims easily. “As long are these extortionist groups and mafia are in the city, there is no chance of peace.”

The ANP appeals to the authorities and the Chief Justice of Pakistan to play their role and provide protection to the innocent people of the city, journalists and politicians, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Targeted killing: Slain journalist laid to rest in Zhob</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104071/targeted-killing-slain-journalist-laid-to-rest-in-zhob</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/104071/targeted-killing-slain-journalist-laid-to-rest-in-zhob#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 15 Jan 11 04:38:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Shezad Baloch]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=104071</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Wali Khan Babar laid to rest in his hometown Zhob on Friday amid protests and condemnation.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Slain journalist Wali Khan Babar was laid to rest in his hometown Zhob on Friday amid protests and condemnation.

The body of the young journalist was first brought to Quetta before it was shifted to Zhob in an ambulance.

A demonstration condemning the murder was organised by the Balochistan Union of Journalists and Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PMAP) on the Airport Road, disrupting traffic for hours.

Scores of protesters, including journalists, accused the government of “shielding professional killers” in Karachi.

Accusing the government of patronising the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), protesters said that the Karachi-based political party was resorting to “ethic cleansing of Pakhtuns, Baloch, Sindhis and the Punjabis”, adding that none of the perpetrators of such blatant targeted killings had ever been arrested or punished.

Journalists also held a protest demonstration in Gwadar and Zhob districts demanding the arrest of the culprits.

Meanwhile, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has condemned the killing Wali Khan and termed him a ‘Martyr of Journalism’.

The CPNE demanded that the government form an independent judicial commission to investigate the incident and award exemplary punishment to the killers, according to a statement issued by the council after a meeting.

The CPNE also called on the government, political parties and civil society to condemn the killing of Babar, threats to journalists and steps against editors, and at the same time ensure their unconditional support for freedom of the media.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: 21 killed in firing incidents</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103620/fresh-violence-at-least-8-killed-in-firing-incidents</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103620/fresh-violence-at-least-8-killed-in-firing-incidents#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 11 05:40:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=103620</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Killings took place after an attack on ANP Deputy General Secretary Bashir Jan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Twenty-one people have been killed and several have been injured in target  killing incidents in Karachi since Thursday night as parts of the city remain tense due to rampant violence.

Wali Khan Babar, a young reporter, was killed after being shot five  times near Liaquatabad market on his way home. DIG West Sultan Khawaja has appointed a team of three SSP's to  investigate the journalist's killing.

A bus  in Banaras was fired at, killing six commuters on the spot and two men were killed in separate incidents of firing in Liaquatabad and Banaras metroville, while another man was shot dead by unidentified  gunmen in Korangi Chakro.

Late at night in Orangi Town, a man was killed by firing, while  the body of an unidentified man was found near Jam Sadiq bridge Friday morning.

Meanwhile leaders from both parties, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) have blamed each other for the rise in target killings.

MQM leader Faisal Subzwari said that armed terrorists are on the loose in Karachi, who have the full support of the ANP, and appealed to the government to resolve the situation. He further said that the ANP leadership is giving reckless statements to worsen the situation in the city.

Earlier ANP President Karachi Shahi Syed said that eight of his party workers have been killed in the recent spate of violence. He said that steps have to be taken without any political bias involved to attain peace in Karachi.

Syed said that Karachi needs to be cleansed of all weapons and the army needs to conduct an operation for that.

Updated from print edition (below) 

Fresh violence: At least 8 killed in firing incidents

Fresh violence erupted in Karachi late Thursday, with at least eight people killed and over 15 injured in firing incidents in different parts of the metropolis.

The killings took place shortly after an attack on Awami National Party (ANP) Deputy General Secretary Bashir Jan in the Hassan Square area.

Most of the firing incidents took place in parts of Orangi Town, including Banaras, Bukhari Colony, Kati Pahari. One Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker Hammad, who was also said to be a relative of MQM leader Shoaib Bukhari, was shot dead in the Liaquatabad area.

Four bodies and eight injured were brought to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, three bodies and two injured to Civil Hospital Karachi and one body and seven injured to Qatar Hospital.

Law enforcement agencies were put on high alert following the incidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>Operation: Dozen suspects rounded up</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103252/karachi-violence-police-launch-operation-in-pehlwan-goth</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103252/karachi-violence-police-launch-operation-in-pehlwan-goth#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jan 11 05:25:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=103252</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police arrest 12 people after firing between opposing political groups intensified in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Law enforcement agencies besieged Pehlwan Goth and carried out a door-to-door search in the area on Thursday. More than 12 people were arrested and weapons and ammunition seized by the police.

The decision to carry out an operation was taken due to the worsening law and order situation in the area. Incidents of firing and target killing have been taking place in the area.

DIG East Commander Shaukat headed a police team of 300 commandos and Rangers that carried out the six-hour-long operation.

The suspects arrested included relatives of men nominated in several criminal cases but none of the accused were found. They were taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

According to the police, unidentified men fired at them when they entered the area. They blocked all entry and exit points to the area. Shops and businesses closed down while all residents stayed inside their houses.

Published in Express Tribune, January 14th,  2011.]]>
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			<title>ANP deputy general secretary injured</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103327/geo-news-reporter-killed-in-liaquatabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/103327/geo-news-reporter-killed-in-liaquatabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jan 11 19:10:56 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=103327</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Violence continues in Karachi. ANP deputy general secretary injured, GEO News reporter killed in separate incident.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Awami National Party (ANP) Deputy General Secretary Bashir Jan was injured in a firing incident late Thursday evening in Karachi.

ANP spokesman Qadir Khan confirmed that Bashir Jan  was hit with a bullet in his shoulder. The ANP leader has been shifted to Jinnah Hospital for treatment.

Earlier, Wali Khan Babar, reporter for Geo News, was shot dead in the Liaquatbad area.

Geo News reported that Babar was returning home when he was attacked by unidentified gunmen. The body was found from a car in the area.

Geo News has termed the murder as a target killing.

The deceased had been reporting on the Pehlwan Goth operation in the morning.  Police had arrested 12 people, as clashes between two opposing political groups continued in the area.

Pakistan was recently termed as the 'deadliest place for journalists' after it topped a list in a study by the Committee to Protect Journalists.

The study showed that 42 journalists had been killed around the world in 2010, Pakistan topped the list with eight, followed by Iraq with four and three each in Honduras and Mexico.]]>
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			<title>Traders accuse mafia of target killing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/102897/traders-accuse-mafia-of-target-killing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/102897/traders-accuse-mafia-of-target-killing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jan 11 19:34:52 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mohammad.yaseen]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=102897</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The country’s largest spare-parts market closed down as traders protest the killing of their colleague.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The country’s largest spare-parts market closed down on Wednesday as traders protested the killing of their colleague.

An auto spare parts dealer, Haji Irfan Khatri, was gunned down on Tuesday, when it appeared that he showed resistance to motorcycle thieves. The protesters alleged, however, that the shopkeepers were being threatened by the extortion ‘mafia’ for the last two years and they believed that Khatri was killed by them.

Meanwhile, at least eight people including three activists of the Awami National Party (ANP) and three Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists were gunned down in targeted killings on Wednesday.

All three ANP workers were separately shot dead in Pehlwan Goth. ANP spokesman Qadir Khan said the culprits first killed Khayal Wazir, the cousin of ANP’s ward president Liaquat Bangash, and then murdered Saleem Khan after kidnapping him. The third member, Shahid Ghani, was killed when he was going to attend the funeral prayers of Wazir and Saleem Khan.

Fifty-year-old Shakir Ali, an MQM worker, was killed and three other activists were hurt in Manghopir. Earlier, a bullet-riddled body of another MQM worker, Adil Sattar, was found from Khokhrapar police precincts.

Separately, head constable Rana Sohail alias Akhri Baloch, 38, was gunned down.Similarly, a Pashto-speaking man, Wali Hassan, was shot dead in the limits of the Mochko police station.

Another MQM worker, identified as Sajjad Ahmed, was shot dead near Jauhar Chowrangi within the limits of the Sharae Faisal police station. In another incident, an alleged drug peddler, Kamran, was shot dead in Azizabad.An unidentified man was gunned down in firing at a hotel in the Pirabad police station precincts.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>MQM press conference: ‘Shia members targeted’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101522/mqm-press-conference-%e2%80%98shia-members-targeted%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101522/mqm-press-conference-%e2%80%98shia-members-targeted%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Jan 11 19:55:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Salman Siddiqui]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=101522</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Conspiracy was in the works against the party aiming to terrorise its Shia workers, divide Sindh.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has highlighted a worrying trend in the current spate of target killings in the city according to which party workers belonging to the Shia sect are being singled out.

Addressing a press conference at Nine Zero — the party’s headquarters — on Sunday, Rabita Committee member Wasay Jalil said a grand conspiracy was in the works against the party aiming to terrorise its Shia workers and divide Sindh, especially its urban centres, on sectarian lines.

Jalil said many similar attempts had been made in the past, where people belonging to the Shia, Deobandi and Barelvi groups were killed. “But all such attempts failed to divide the people on religious lines.” However, this time the conspirators had adopted a new strategy, the MQM leader said.

Jalil said conspirators were deliberately killing office bearers of the party on purely religious lines in order to provoke a new wave — a more violent one — of sectarian violence in the city.

He believes the conspiracy began with the cold-blooded murder of the party’s Sindh Assembly member, Raza Haider, on August 2, 2010 in Nazimabad.

“Since that day, there has been a manifold increase in the killing of our workers on religious lines.”

He said the murders of Nazimabad joint sector incharge Adil Jafri on January 3 and senior activist Yawar Abbas on January 8 in PIB Colony were recent examples of the conspiracy. Another activist Asim Abbas from Hyderabad was battling for his life at a hospital.

While some people ‘shamefully’ blame the party for target killings, he asked, “Who is targeting our workers on clearly religious lines?” He urged authorities to take notice of the killings and immediately nab the killers.

Speaking with The Express Tribune, Jalil said authorities had nabbed two suspects involved in the Raza Haider assassination. Authorities had informed the party through unofficial channels that terrorists belonging to the proscribed Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan were targeting them, he said. “Extremists are after us.”

Without naming Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza, Wasay said the party would wait and see what steps the provincial government would take to improve the law and order situation. “We will highlight our concerns with the chief minister as well,” he added.

MQM claims that more than 200 people, who were either their workers, sympathisers or office bearers were killed last year and already three of their activists have been killed in the current year.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Three killed in Karachi violence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101089/target-killing-mqm-activist-gunned-down-riots-disrupt-city-life</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/101089/target-killing-mqm-activist-gunned-down-riots-disrupt-city-life#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 09 Jan 11 08:05:51 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=101089</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Three people have been killed and 30 injured during the last 24 hours of violence  in Karachi.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Three people have been killed and 30 injured during the last 24 hours of violence  in Karachi.

Two people lost their lives overnight when unidentified men opened fire in Liari  Kalri and Liaqat Abad areas. Express News Cameraman Imran Ali who was injured due to fuel tank  blast is in critical condition.

Updated from the print edition below.

Target killing: MQM activist gunned down, riots disrupt city life

A worker of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was gunned down in PIB Colony on Saturday.

In the resulting violence, at least three buses and a motorcycle were torched, while a dozen people were injured. The firing also caused an explosion in the petrol tank of a passenger bus and caused severe injuries to Express News cameraman and a policeman.

The victim, 38-year-old Yawar Abbas, son of Sardar Ali Jafferi advocate, was killed around 1:20 pm.

Witnesses said that Abbas was shot when he was sitting with his friend at a spare parts shop on Marton Road that falls within Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town. The police and ambulances also reached the site soon after the incident and took the victim to a private hospital but he died on the way. Later, his body was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for an autopsy. Abbas was buried at Bagh-e-Hyderi in Mewa Shah Graveyard.

Abbas, the only brother of four sisters, lost his father to target killings around seven years ago. MQM’s Haider Abbas Rizvi told The Express Tribune that the deceased was a former unit incharge of the party and currently associated with MQM Unit 57 as a senior worker. He added that he does not want to give additional comments on the killing and will address all questions at the party’s news conference today (Sunday).

Meanwhile, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza ordered law enforcement agencies to take strict action against the elements behind the violence.

“First, we are busy controlling the law and order situation. We will take action later,” said DIG Commandant east zone Shoukat.

Ten minutes after this incident, angry protesters gathered on the road and started pelting passing vehicles with stones. They also torched several vehicles.

A witness recalled that unidentified men first evacuated the bus and then torched it. The worst affected areas were Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town and several parts of Nazimabad.

The law and order situation worsened rapidly and caused severe traffic jams in the city. Sharae Pakistan was blocked for several hours.

In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, unidentified people torched a passenger coach near Jauhar Morr and two people were injured in firing. Various parts of the Nazimabad town were also badly affected during the riots where commercial life was suspended after aerial firing.

A man identified as Naeem was injured in firing near Hyderi shopping centre. Shahzad, son of Ghulam Muhammad, was injured in firing in Shah Faisal Colony while Zafar was injured in firing in Aziz Bhatti.

BDS defuses bomb planted on motorcycle 

The Bomb Disposal Squad defused a bomb carrying five kilograms of explosive on a motorcycle in Mawach Goth within the jurisdiction of Saeedabad police station on Saturday.

Police officials said the culprits planted the explosives in the battery socket of the motorcycle (BD-1868). The wires were connected with the ignition and may have exploded if the motorcycle was switched on.

“Someone called me and told about a suspicious motorcycle parked near the Mawach Goth bus stop number 2,” said SHO Jan Mohammad.

FIR No. 19/11 has been registered and further investigation is in progress to probe the matter, the officer said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Twenty injured after killing of political worker</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/100901/twenty-injured-after-killing-of-political-worker</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/100901/twenty-injured-after-killing-of-political-worker#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Jan 11 13:15:44 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=100901</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Following the shootout, workers take to the streets to protest the killing, resulting in severe clashes in Karachi.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Unidentified men gunned down a political worker reportedly belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the Teen Hatti area of Karachi earlier in the day, after which around 20 people were injured in separate incidences on violence in PIB colony.

Following the shootout, workers took to the streets to protest the killing, resulting in severe clashes. The angry protesters blocked the roads and set two buses on fire.

An Express News cameraman was among the 20 people who suffered burns after the fuel tank of one of the buses exploded.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) South Zone Fakharul Islam was also injured, as the protesters pelted the police with stones, while more police personnel have been called in to contain the situation.]]>
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			<title>Reward list for seven Sipah-e-Muhammad men issued just four days before their arrest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/99645/reward-list-for-seven-sipah-e-muhammad-men-issued-just-four-days-before-their-arrest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/99645/reward-list-for-seven-sipah-e-muhammad-men-issued-just-four-days-before-their-arrest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Jan 11 19:54:43 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=99645</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SIU says the suspects had earlier escaped from custody on Dec 18.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The notification announcing monetary rewards for seven of the eight militants that the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Sindh police claimed to have arrested on January 2 was issued just four days before their alleged capture.

On January 2, the SIU claimed to have arrested eight members of the force and had accused them of being involved in at least a dozen sectarian killings, including the assassinations of three doctors. This was disclosed by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Karachi Fayyaz Leghari in a press conference at the Old CIA Centre in Saddar.

Even before the CCPO’s briefing, the families of the arrested persons as well as Shia leaders had held press conferences and had told the media that the law enforcement agencies had started an alleged crackdown against Shias since Ashura. The agencies had allegedly picked up several innocent Shias during various raids in different parts of the city. The families have also filed a petition in the court on the matter.

The Express Tribune managed to obtain a copy of the notification which announced a head money on seven of the eight men arrested later. The notification was issued by the Sindh home department on December 29, 2010.

The list included names of some 10 persons, including the seven alleged target killers of the Mehdi force, which falls under the umbrella of the Sipah-e-Mohammad Pakistan (SMP). The seven included Syed Ibrar Hussain Rizvi, Syed Tanveer Abbass Rizvi alias Kashif alias Mehdi, Syed Sikander Rizvi, Syed Ali Mehdi, Syed Pervaiz Zaidi, Hasnain Abbass alias Faisal and Syed Rifat Raza Rizvi. Three other names including Hafiz Qasim Rasheed alias Ganja, Qari Abid Iqbal Mehsud and Malik Tasaduq were also placed in the reward list.

A total of Rs2.8 million was announced as reward money on these seven men.

SIU fends off the strange coincidence 

SIU chief SSP Raja Umer Khattab said that some elements wanted to create a bad image of the SIU and it is a conspiracy against them. The reward list was not just a justification for the arrests made earlier, he clarified, adding that the list included names of three Lashkar-e-Jhangvi men along with the SMP militants.

“It is just good luck that the SMP men were arrested soon after their names were put on that list,” he explained.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Investigation) Iftikhar Tarar, who leads the SIU, told The Express Tribune that there was no personal enmity between the SIU and the Mehdi force. Explaining the announcement of the head money, DIG Tarar said that the home department was asked to announce the head money on these hardcore militants after they managed to escape under the cover of firing in an encounter with the SIU team near Moti Mehal, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, on December 18, 2010. After which the home department announced the head money and luckily, within two or three days, the SIU officials captured them.

It is also interesting to note that the names of the Mehdi force militants were placed in the list under the title of criminal and dacoits. The SIU claimed that they were hardcore criminals and had been involved in around one dozen sectarian-based target killings so their crimes fall under high profile cases, not in the category of dacoits or criminals.

According to notification issued:



Name of notorious dacoits recommended for reward  money 
Amount of reward   money recommended


Hafiz   Qasim Rasheed alias   Ganja
Rs500,000


Qari   Abid Iqbal   Mehsood
Rs500,000


Malik Tasaduq
Rs500,000


Syed   Ibrar Hussain Rizvi alias   Mushtaq
Rs500,000


S   Tanveer Abbass Rizvi alias   Kashif
Rs500,000


S   Sikander Rizvi alias   Sajid/Muhammad
Rs500,000


S   Ali Mehdi alias   Bablo
Rs400,000


S   Parvaiz Ali Zaidi alias   Zubair
Rs500,000


Hasnain   Abbass alias   Faisal
Rs200,000


S   Riffat Raza Rizvi alias Jahangir
Rs200,000



Published in The Express Tribune, January 6th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killings continue: MQM-H worker, two others killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/99122/target-killings-continue-mqm-h-worker-two-others-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/99122/target-killings-continue-mqm-h-worker-two-others-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 11 19:40:26 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=99122</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Three more men gunned down in the city, bringing the death toll to nine in two days.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Three more men were gunned down in the city on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to nine in two days.

One of the victims, 25-year-old Sajjad, son of Dulhe Mian, belongs to the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi (MQM-H) unit 83 in Landhi. He received one bullet in the head in Sector 36-B, Bukhara Industrial Area. He was a resident of Sector 4-A.

The body was sent to Jinnah hospital and later handed over to the family after legal formalities. Inquiry officer ASI Safdar Butt said the deceased was also a member of a gang of bandits and they are looking into the cases registered against him in the past. The police have yet to register a case for the murder.

In another incident, a factory worker was shot dead in Jauhar Colony, within the jurisdiction of Pak Colony police station. The 28-year-old victim, Raza alias Sona, son of Shamshad, belonged to an Urdu-speaking family. The police said they have yet to ascertain the motive behind the murder.

His body was moved to Civil hospital for an autopsy and later handed over to the family. Pak Colony police have filed the case against unidentified men on the complaint of the victim’s brother, Aziz.

On Tuesday morning, unidentified men gunned down 30-year-old Gul Muhammad, son of Muhammad Urs, near Gujjar Nullah, within the jurisdiction of Sharifabad police station.

According to DSP Taufeeq Khan, the incident took place when unidentified suspects opened fire at a truck and later escaped from the site. The victim was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, Khan said. He added that the deceased hailed from Larkana.

The police have registered FIR No. 2/11 against unidentified persons on the complaint of truck driver, Ali Akbar, he added.

Funeral

Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) who were targeted and killed on Monday were buried on Tuesday amid tight security.

MQM Nazimabad joint sector incharge Syed Adil Akhtar Jaffery was shot dead near the party’s inquiry office while ANP’s al Falah vice president Aziz Khan and another activist, Tariq Khan, were killed in al Falah a few hours before Jaffery was shot dead.

Jaffery’s funeral prayers were offered at Rizvia Imambargah and he was buried in Yasinabad Graveyard near the MQM headquarters, Nine Zero. Party leaders, workers and the victim’s relatives attended the funeral.

The funeral prayers of ANP members were offered late Monday night in al Falah. Aziz Khan was buried at Jamia Millia Malir Graveyard while Tariq Khan’s body was sent to his hometown for burial.

Panic gripped Nazimabad, Gulbahar, North Nazimabad, Surjani Town, Paposh Nagar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Sachal, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Malir, Landhi and other areas. Fortunately, no major incident was reported in any part of the city during the funeral prayers and burial but the police and Rangers were put on high alert.

‘80 suspects arrested in target killing cases’

The men arrested in connection with target killings are simply criminals and criminals are not affiliated with any political or religious party, said Sindh IG Sultan Salahuddin Babar Khattak.

He said that the police arrested 80 suspects in target killing cases in 2010. Meanwhile, police in the city has been put on high alert after Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer’s assassination, he told media after the inauguration ceremony of a police hospital at the Garden police headquarters. The suspects were interrogated by joint investigation teams and then presented before the courts, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 5th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>‘PPP not worried about its power in Sindh’</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98706/%e2%80%98ppp-not-worried-about-its-power-in-sindh%e2%80%99</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98706/%e2%80%98ppp-not-worried-about-its-power-in-sindh%e2%80%99#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 11 19:28:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=98706</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM ponders over breaking alliance in the provincial government as well.]]>
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				<![CDATA[After the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) parted ways with the federal government, the next step, according to its leadership, might be a similar decision in Sindh, where they are also in coalition with the ruling party.

The MQM is serious when it says it wants to resolve public issues, said the MQM deputy parliamentary leader in the National Assemby, Haider Abbas Rizvi. Sitting on the opposition beaches was the second step, following the resignation of their ministers. Now they are considering that the third step might be breaking their alliance with the PPP government in Sindh, he said. Political analysts say their resignation in Sindh will make no difference, since out of the total 169 members of the house, the MQM has only 51 seats.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has 93 members, sufficient for a simple majority. Its other coalition partners include the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), which has eight seats, the National Peoples’ Party that has three and the Awami National Party (ANP) which has two seats. Meanwhile, among the 11 members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), a few members are willing to support the PPP for “the sake of democracy”.

The PPP is willing to accept most of MQM’s demands because running the district administrations, especially in Karachi and Hyderabad, will be difficult if the parties are confronting one another. “After withdrawing its support from the federal and provincial governments, the party [MQM] has to ask the governor to tender his resignation. Besides, administrators in different towns have been appointed under a mutual understanding,” said Tauseef Ahmed, an analyst and former chairman of the mass communication department in the Federal Urdu University. According to him, if the MQM was to join the opposition, the law and order situation in the city would deteriorate drastically. Moreover, student clashes in educational institutions would increase. Management of KBCA and the water board will also become a problem.

The PPP might not require any party’s support in the number game but they need MQM to help them run the government here, Ahmed added.

The PPP, however, seems less than worried. Talking to The Express Tribune, senior PPP leader Taj Haider said that the decision to part ways with the government is an attempt to destabilise the democratic government.

But PPP has already calculated how it will save democracy, he said confidently.  He ruled out speculations that the president wanted to remove the prime minister and that the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazlur Rehman’s demand was linked to it. “The prime minister has the full support of our party and no one opposes him,” he said.  When asked about the recent meeting of the prime minister with leaders of PML-Q, whom they used to call the “Qaatil League”, he responded that anything is possible to save democracy.

On the other hand, a senior PPP leader, who requested anonymity, said, “If Muttahida is really sincere about breaking away because of inflation and petroleum price hikes, then why does the Sindh governor not resign?” He said that it is nothing else but tactics to put pressure on the PPP to meet its demands, which include freeing MQM workers who have been arrested for alleged involvement in target killings, restoring the local government system and handing over of hundreds of acres of land off the Super Highway to the district government. “If the commissioner system is restored and the five defunct districts are reinstated then MQM will be confined to the central district and the PPP will get votes in Malir, Gadap, South and East zones,” he said, explaining why the MQM was opposed to the commissioner system.

Rizvi, however, has denied these allegations and said that his party broke away from the coalition simply in the public interest.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: 1 MQM, 2 ANP men killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98704/target-killings-1-mqm-2-anp-men-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98704/target-killings-1-mqm-2-anp-men-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 11 19:19:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=98704</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police have yet to confirm political affiliations of three other victims.]]>
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				<![CDATA[At least six men, three of whom were affiliated to political parties, lost their lives in target killings across the city on Monday.

Two of the victims, who were killed within the jurisdiction of al Falah police station, belonged to the Awami National Party (ANP). ANP al Falah ward president was sitting at his shop in Pathan Goth along with his friends when at least four men, on two motorcycles, opened fire at them.

As a result, 32-year-old Aziz Sahir Khan, his assistant, 35-year-old Tariq, son of Faiz Muhammad and his friend Muhammad Arif, sustained bullet wounds and were taken to Jinnah hospital. Aziz and Tariq were dead when they arrived while Arif was admitted for treatment, said a doctor.

The bodies were later handed over to the families, who have yet to register a case. ANP spokesperson Qadir Khan condemned the incident and demanded the government and law enforcement agencies stop target killings of its party workers and supporters.

In another incident, a joint sector incharge of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was killed near Inquiry Office, within the jurisdiction of Nazimabad police station.

The deceased, 35-year-old Syed Adil Akhtar Jaffery, son of Ali Akhtar, was passing by the Inquiry Office on his motorcycle when unidentified men shot him. Adil sustained three bullet wounds and later succumbed to his injuries at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The deceased was a resident of Khamosh Colony and was associated with the MQM Gulbahar Nazimabad Sector.

SHO Inspector Sohail said that a TT pistol was used in the assassination. The killing caused panic in the neighbourhood and all shops and businesses closed down as a result. A heavy contingent of law enforcers was deployed in the area to avoid any untoward situation, he said.

A large number of MQM officials and workers also arrived at the hospital and condemned the incident. However, the police have yet to file the case.

A 25-year-old man, Ehsan, son of Amin was shot dead inside bus (PE-2595) on route X-21 on Shaheed-e-Millat Road. The deceased was a resident of Landhi’s Sherpao Colony. Ferozabad police said they have yet to confirm if Ehsan was affiliated with any political party.

Meanwhile, 22-year-old Sohail, son of Afzal, was gunned down within the jurisdiction of Korangi police station. Police officials said that unidentified motorcyclists opened fire at Sohail as soon as he reached his shop as per routine. The shop is located in Korangi No. 4. The victim was taken to Jinnah hospital where he died. The police were unable to ascertain the motive behind the killing as no political party claimed affiliation with the deceased.

Separately, armed men intercepted a rickshaw and opened fire at the four passengers within the jurisdiction of Aziz Bhatti police station. The passengers, Faraz Ahmed, Salman, Omar Imam and Bilal sustained injuries and were taken to Jinnah hospital where Faraz died. Doctors said the remaining victims are in critical condition.

Target killings aftermath

Cases of violence were reported following the killings. A rickshaw and a passenger bus of route 2-K were set on fire in Nazimabad. According to the fire department, a vehicle was also torched near Suparco road.

Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik ordered Sindh IGP and Rangers director-general to form a joint investigation. He also ordered CCPO Karachi Fayyaz Laghari to submit an initial inquiry report within three days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Tri-city crime comparison: Terrorism was worst in Lahore, but Karachi tops the list for murder</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98236/tri-city-crime-comparison-terrorism-was-worst-in-lahore-but-karachi-tops-the-list-for-murder</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98236/tri-city-crime-comparison-terrorism-was-worst-in-lahore-but-karachi-tops-the-list-for-murder#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 11 04:32:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rana.tanveer]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=98236</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Which cities are safer depends on whether you’d live in a place that has more street crime or terrorist attacks.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Which of Pakistan’s larger cities are safer if we compare the crime rates for Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad? That depends on whether you’d live in a place that has more street crime or terrorist attacks.

A relative calm was experienced in Islamabad in 2010 after three deadly years during which seven suicide bombings took place in 2009 alone.

Lahore witnessed the worst year in its history in terms of terrorist attacks. Shrines, minority sects and ethnic groups were particularly targeted. According to data available with Lahore city administration, more than 250 people were killed in as many as 18 terrorist activities in 2010, compared to 115 deaths in terrorist attacks in 2009.

Karachi was not better off, either. A total of 133 incidents of terrorist activities, including arrests, surrenders, threats, explosions and killings were recorded in Karachi in 2010, against 45 in 2009. Karachi saw the brazen CID building attack and the bomb blast at the shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. And yet, despite the fears, the first ten days of Muharram, which were a crucial test for the police force of the country’s largest city, went by without any attack.

Cars 

Car theft cases rose in Islamabad was up by an alarming 75 per cent, from 400 cars stolen in 2009 to 700 in 2010. The number of cars stolen in Lahore and Karachi was higher, but not by much. In Karachi, 829 cars were stolen till September 2010, and 1,329 cars were stolen in Lahore. Factor in the difference in the city sizes and Islamabad fared much worse than Lahore and Karachi. (Lahore is roughly 10 times bigger and Karachi is roughly 13 times bigger than Islamabad, measured by population).

Murder

A total of 124 murder cases were registered in Islamabad in the first 11 months of 2010. This is 12 more than 2009. (The difference will be higher once the murder cases for December are tabulated).

In comparison, the Karachi police registered 1,100 murders in 2010, 265 more than 2009. Similarly 544 murder cases were registered in Lahore this past year. Again, Islamabad fares much worse when one factors in the sizes of the three cities.

Surprise record

Oddly enough, Islamabad emerged miles ahead of Karachi for the number of cases registered under the Zina Ordinance. A total of 137 cases were registered under the ordinance in 2010 (against 116 in 2009). In contrast only 34 such cases were registered in Karachi (down from 48 in 2009).

Ethnic violence, target killings

By now, unfortunately, Karachi has earned the ugly reputation of being the worst city as far as drive-by shootings are concerned. Locally referred to as target killings, these murders have an ethnic and sectarian colour as well.

According to a report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), as many as 711 people were killed in target killings in the first 11 months of 2010 in Karachi. This is an alarming 144 per cent increase in over the death toll the previous year (291, according to HRCP report for 2009).

Rapes, suicides and kidnappings

The number of cases of suicides and gang rapes witnessed a stark increase in Karachi this past year. There were only four cases of gang rape in 2009 but the figure rose to an alarming 25 in the first nine months of 2010, according to the official statistics of the Karachi city police.

The year 2010 witnessed an increase in the number of suicide cases in all three cities, particularly Karachi where 21 more cases of suicide were recorded by the police in the first nine months of 2010 as compared to a total number of 33 cases in 2009.

However, the real horror for the residents of Karachi and Lahore were the kidnapping-for-ransom cases. Over 40 people were kidnapped for ransom in 2010 in Lahore and 57 in Karachi, against three such cases in 2009.

Karachi recorded over 3,000 robberies and burglaries in 2010 which was almost same as 2009. In comparison, Islamabad fared better but there were still more robberies in 2010 than in 2009, with 500 being recorded. In Lahore too, the number of robberies was greater in 2010 than in 2009. From January to October, 2010,  1,156 robberies were reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: Doctor-killing ‘Mehdi force’ busted</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98230/target-killings-doctor-killing-%e2%80%98mehdi-force%e2%80%99-busted</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98230/target-killings-doctor-killing-%e2%80%98mehdi-force%e2%80%99-busted#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 11 04:17:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=98230</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Force accused of involvement in at least a dozen sectarian target killings, including the murder of 3 doctors.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Capital City Police has busted a key sectarian network, the Mehdi force, which operated under the umbrella of the banned organisation Sipah-e-Mohammad.

Chief of police Fayyaz Leghari called it a ‘major success’ at a press conference held at the Old CIA Centre in Saddar on Sunday.

SIU SSP Raja Umer Khattab said his team has nabbed eight hardcore militants of the network, including its mastermind Tanveer Abbas, along with a huge cache of weapons.

Tanvir Abbas alias Kashif alias Mehdi along with Abrar Hussain, Pervez Zaidi, Riffat alias Jehangir and Hasnain Abbas were arrested in the first encounter near NED University with a vehicle with fake official numberplates (GS-0022) early Sunday morning. Later, Sikandar alias Sajid, Ali Mehdi alias Bubblo and Kumail were arrested during separate raids. All eight suspects hail from the city and most of them were residents of Orangi town, Buffer zone, Malir and New Karachi.

They have been accused of being involved in at least a dozen sectarian target killings, including the murder of three doctors. The group targeted sympathisers and members of the banned Sipah-e-Sahaba, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and Jaish-e-Mohammad, because of which a strong backlash would occur and the attacked groups would retaliate against the Shia community more violently.

Describing the modus operandi of the Mehdi force, Khattab told The Express Tribune that it was a well-trained extremist unit that had various sources of funding.

“The mastermind Tanvir Abbas used to pay Rs15,000 as a salary to his men who would pull the trigger and Rs8,000 to those who conducted surveillance of the targets,” he said, adding that the suspect would also organise weapons and explosives training to the men at facilities in hideouts in the northern areas, including Parachinar and Gilgit.

The group was also alleged to be involved in numerous car snatchings and robberies.

According to the police, Tanvir Abbas had on the directives of another cell chief Ashraf set up the group in April 2009 and a total of Rs7 million had been spent on training and equipment.

Leghari took a cautious approach when asked whether another country could be involved in the group’s funding, saying that they were “still investigating that angle”. Sources within the SIU said, however, that leads were pointing towards groups operating in Iran.

Also, a clear link between the Mehdi force and Majlise Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), a local religious organisation has also been uncovered.

The MWM’s Karachi leadership is being led by Hasan Zafar and Punjab chapter by Raja Nasir. Both are under police surveillance.

The nabbed militants, Tanvir Abbas, Abrar Hussain, Pervez Zaidi, Riffat alias Jehangir, Hasnain Abbas, Sikander alias Sajid, Ali Mehdi alias Bubblo and Kumail had previously managed to escape when the police engaged them near Moti Mahal in Gulshan-e-Iqbal on December 18. However, this time with the support of an intelligence agency’s wiretapping facilities, they were caught.

Khattab said that another cell of the same network led by a person with the codename Ashraf remains at large and efforts were being made to bust his cell that includes Shafaat Hussain, Mohsin, Farhat, Danish and Zeeshan Ali Abbas. Arrests on December 2 led to clues. “Ashraf was in contact with two groups and often he visited Federal B area to provide them money,” the SP said. “Usually, they keep a Suzuki pick-up as backup for the motorcyclist target killers.”

The CCPO said a target list containing the names of 15 prominent religious leaders was also in their custody, but he declined to give names, citing security reasons.

The Mehdi force members have been charged with the murders of Dr Babar Mannaan (killed within Mominabad police station limits), Dr Javed Shakoor (Nazimabad), Dr Khursheed (Orangi), Mohammad Nisar (Godhra camp), Maawia, a son of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan central leader Maulana Ghafoor Nadeem  (Taimuria), Mukhtar Ali (Khuwaja Ajmer Nagri), Naeem Ahmed (Mominabad), Ashraf Haroon  (Orangi), Mushtaq Ahmed (Baloch Colony), Qari Iqbal (Surjani), Mohammad Imran (Shahrae Noor Jehan) and Mudassir Alam (Sir Syed).

The arms recovered from the suspects, included AK-47s, hand grenades, 9mm rifles and TT pistols, apart from large rounds of ammunition. CCPO Leghari has recommended promotions for the SIU staff.

Families 

Meanwhile, the families of the arrested men and the community leaders and clerics condemned the arrests and said that the media had already been informed that they had gone missing.

The families had held a separate press conference at the Karachi Press Club last week and had alleged that since the start of Muharram as many as 10 Shias had gone missing after raids by the law-enforcement agencies.

Following Sunday’s disclosure of the arrests at the press conference, the families condemned the police’s performance and said that everyone knew who was right as the media had already been informed about the “missing” men. However, SIU SSP Raja Umer Khattab told The Express Tribune that the families of the suspects as well as some clerics, including Maulana Hassan Zafar Naqvi, were trying to give the impression that the men were innocent and had therefore already held press conferences.

“Actually, some of them, including Tanvir Abbas, managed to escape during an encounter near Moti Mahal in Gulshan-e-Iqbal on December 18,” he said. “Later, in a bid to avoid arrests, they took their clerics into confidence and started holding press conferences to try and put pressure on the police to stop the raids.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2011.]]>
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			<title>Eight 'target killers' arrested</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98133/eight-target-killers-arrested</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/98133/eight-target-killers-arrested#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 02 Jan 11 15:04:37 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[express]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=98133</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[CCPO Karachi says suspects have confessed to the killing of 12 people, group active since March 2009.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Police officials arrested eight suspects involved in target killings in the city on Sunday.

Speaking to the media, Karachi Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Fayyaz Leghari said that the suspects had been arrested near belonged to a banned outfit and had so far confessed to killing 12 people. The CCPO said that the suspects had been arrested near NED University.
They were arrested this  morning during a police encounter near NED university, with a fake number plate of the Government of Sindh. Five suspects were arrested earlier and interrogation of them led to the arrest of three others. The name of the leader of this group is Tanvir Abbas.
He said that the men had received training in the northern areas and Rs7 million had been spent on their training and acquisition of equipment. According to the CCPO, the group, which has been active since March 2009 and has around 18 members, is active in the areas of Orangi, Buffer Zone, Malir and New Karachi. The suspects were hired as target killers and were paid regular salaries.

Leghari said that a list of targets had also been recovered from the possession of the suspects.]]>
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