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                        <title>The Express Tribune</title>
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			<title>Policing polio</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1089413/policing-polio</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1089413/policing-polio#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 21 Apr 16 18:34:27 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[zoha.waseem]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1089413</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Countering this form of violent extremism is insufficient if it simply entails the deployment of the police or Rangers]]>
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				<![CDATA[In October 2014, under a World Health Organisation initiative, and after much undue delay, Sindh became the first province to notify the establishment of the Emergency Operation Centre to supervise anti-polio campaigns. In November 2014, the Sindh police set up separate teams of policemen to guard polio workers. The separation of a police team designated for such a task appears to be more abstract than real, as there is no clear indication of how such a team prepares for concerned security duties. Last January, there were separate attacks on polio teams in Nazimabad and Orangi Town, Karachi, resulting in at least two police fatalities. According to open sources, between 2012 and 2015, 68 polio workers and police officials were killed. Other estimates tally that the total number of deaths of polio workers and the police deployed to protect them has now surpassed 80 since 2012.



Earlier this year, on separate occasions, the Sindh police ordered “foolproof” security for polio workers. The security measures entailed providing “extraordinary security” to all polio teams during the immunisation days. According to news reports from January, between 4,000 and 8,000 police personnel from the Special Security Unit, Rapid Response Force, Sindh Reserve Police and other departments would constitute the total strength of security tasked with the protection of these teams. These measures were presented to the local media through pressers and officials reports. The practice was repeated in February, when “stringent security measures” were announced with the alleged promise of deploying 12,000 security personnel from multiple forces and agencies. Reports on this week’s drive suggested that 5,000 police personnel were assigned on security duties for over 6,000 health workers in Karachi.

Insecure watchdogs, whose actual numbers during deployment are difficult to verify regardless of what is reported prior to the launch of each campaign, are routinely assigned to such security duties in a hasty and often unorganised fashion to an already insecure and vulnerable health campaign. Earlier this week, this year’s fourth anti-polio campaign was launched across the six districts of Karachi. On April 20, seven policemen were killed in attacks in Karachi by eight militants on motorbikes in two separate incidents, leading to a temporary suspension of the anti-polio drive in affected areas, further stalling the eradication process, limiting city-wide drives and compromising the entire campaign.

The policemen deployed on these security duties are often recruits from interior Sindh and are generally untrained to protect polio workers in volatile areas of this congested city. They become, involuntarily, securitised objects. This refers to the idea that both soft targets — the polio workers and policemen — face an existential threat and the traditional measures to counter this threat are no longer working. By the time armed, motorcycle-borne militants ride up near a vaccination camp and start emptying their magazines onto a team of workers, it is unlikely that the lathi-bearing police-walla, without a bulletproof vest, pulled from the reserves and made to stand at a location on the orders of the designated thana-in-charge, will be able to respond in kind, let alone in hot pursuit. It is, simply, a flawed policy and practice that endangers both cops and polio workers.

Countering this form of violent extremism against anti-polio teams is insufficient if it simply entails the deployment of the police or paramilitary personnel. Countering it must begin at the roots, where the anti-polio narrative consists of irrational arguments, such as: ‘polio vaccinations are anti-Islam’; ‘they are part of a Western conspiracy’; ‘they are a tool for espionage’; ‘they lead to infertility in Muslim men’. This narrative is still being manufactured, propagated and ingrained by radical elements within our society. Countering this narrative is not a task we realistically can, or even should, entrust to a bleeding police force that has lost at least 550 officials due to various acts of violence in Karachi in the last four years (on average, 130 cops a year).

In order to change this particular narrative from the bottom-up, we need to start prioritising human security as much, if not above, the security of the state. In Pakistan, efforts towards human security have been ad hoc, superficial and reactive at best, rather than preventive or pre-emptive. Until a shift in priorities — from the state to the civilian — does not take place within the individual, community and national consciences, the unfortunate relationship between public health (a crucial element of human security) and violent conflict (terrorism, political or structural violence, or even armed warfare) will not be adequately understood, let alone broken.

There is no point in statistically presenting the results of the Karachi operation every few months or discussing ‘logical conclusions’ and our advances towards them, if neither can incorporate human security, inclusive of development, human rights, access to public health, gender equality and food, water and environmental security as primary indicators of stability and growth. Unfortunately, human security falls low on the priority list for developing countries suffering from terrorism. The latter is still largely understood as a threat that must be neutralised militarily, and thus any form of violence associated with it — such as the targeted killings of polio workers — must be addressed similarly. This association may not be incorrect, but the application of the same countermeasures to both threats is faulty and short-sighted. The human condition cannot be expected to improve through traditional, militarised policies.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22nd,  2016.

Like Opinion &amp; Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.]]>
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			<title>Seven policemen guarding polio team gunned down in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1088614/four-karachi-police-officials-injured-as-vehicle-comes-under-fire</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1088614/four-karachi-police-officials-injured-as-vehicle-comes-under-fire#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 16 09:47:04 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[agencies]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1088614</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two attacks took place within 600 metres of each other near a market in Orangi Town, police say]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[At least seven police officials were killed in two separate attacks as unidentified armed men opened fire at them in Karachi's Orangi Town on Wednesday.

The attacks took place within 600 metres (650 yards) of each other near a market, a senior police official said.

"One took place at the three policemen who were escorting a polio team, the policemen were on foot when they were attacked," said the official, Ali Asif. "In the second incident, four policemen in a police van were targeted."

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group Jamaatul Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sindh Home Minister Anwer Siyal said eight armed men carried out the attack.

"The policemen sacrificed their lives to protect the polio workers," he told a private TV channel.

Polio drive begins in Karachi, Hyderabad and Kotri tehsil

Abdul Kareem, an official in Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the bodies were taken, also confirmed the casualties.

Following the attack, polio workers called off the vaccination drive despite the home minister's order for it to be continued according to schedule.

A four-day polio vaccination drive was launched in all six districts of Karachi, Hyderabad and Kotri tehsil of Jamshoro on Monday.

The ‘sub-national polio supplementary immunisation campaign’ in Karachi, being supervised by the emergency operation centre (EOC) for polio, was formally launched by commissioner Asif Hyder Shah when he administered polio drops to children at a maternity home in PIB Colony.

At least 15 killed in suicide blast near polio centre in Quetta

A total of 6,200 health workers were to perform their duty in Karachi’s 188 union councils. To ensure their security, the police provided 5,000 personnel.

In January, a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a polio vaccination centre in Quetta, killing at least 15 people, mainly police, officials said.

The policemen had been gathering outside the centre to accompany polio workers on the third day of a vaccination campaign which are frequently targeted by Taliban and other militant groups in Pakistan.

Sindh CM announces reward

Moments after the attack, a high-level meeting announced Rs5million reward to the person providing information on the attackers.

The reward was announced by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who also directed DG Rangers General Bilal Akbar and Sindh Police IG AD Khawaja to launch a vigorous operation against the perpetrators.

"I am approving Rs5 million reward for the person who would give information about the killers," the chief minister said, while also announcing Rs2 million for the kin of each killed policemen, and two jobs for their heirs according to their qualification.

Shah also asked the Sindh IG to continue the salaries of the fallen policemen and “count on them as if they are among your force”.]]>
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			<title>Police personnel shot dead in Swabi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1005683/police-personnel-shot-dead-in-swabi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/1005683/police-personnel-shot-dead-in-swabi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 15 17:24:15 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=1005683</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Two motorcyclists open fire at CTD official, killing him instantly]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Armed assailants on a motorcycle shot dead a constable in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Monday evening, a day after three people were gunned down in the area.

Constable Fazliqadr of the counter terrorism department was in his native village Shehwa Kali when two unidentified men fired at him, killing him instantly.

Following the attack, Tarmoli police station registered an FIR.

Two traffic constables gunned down in Swabi

Earlier on Sunday, three people were killed in separate incidents in the district, with one of the occurrences apparently relating to old feud.]]>
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			<title>Targeted attack: Former soldier shot dead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/944732/targeted-attack-former-soldier-shot-dead</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/944732/targeted-attack-former-soldier-shot-dead#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 25 Aug 15 19:30:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=944732</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The former army personnel was regulating traffic when the incident occured]]>
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				<![CDATA[A former army personnel was shot dead and his companion was critically wounded in an act of target killing on Tuesday.

The two former army personnel, Muhammad Ibrahim and Abdul Qayyum, were regualting traffic near Aqsa Masjid at Dawood Pota Road within the limits of Preedy police station when the incident took place.

Witnesses and police officials said that at least four assailants, riding two motorcycles, were behind the incident. Both these retired army men were recruited in the police department and were posted to the Police Headquarters, Garden, from where they had been dispatched to control traffic in the area.

Read: ‘Attack on Rashid Godil conspiracy to disturb peace'

"They had no arms," explained Preedy SHO Amjad Kalyar. "They were regulating the traffic as per routine when the assailants targeted them." The officer said that all four assailants were wearing shalwar kameez and prayer caps and fled the scene immediately after the incident.

Both the victims were shot multiple times. Ibrahim died on the spot while Qayyum was admitted to Civil Hospital, Karachi, with critical injuries.

The officer said that the police have also found at least eight empty shells of the murder weapon, adding that the police was also trying to obtain the footage recorded by the closed circuit cameras. Sindh home minister Sohail Siyal also took the notice of the incident and announced Rs2 million as compensation money for the heirs of the victim.

Separately, a young man was shot dead in an act of target killing in Korangi within the limits of Zaman Town police station. Police officials said that the deceased, identified as 30-year-old Saleem Mian, was associated with the fish business, adding that the incident took place when he left home for work.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2015. ]]>
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			<title>Imambargah's trustee gunned down in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/926375/imambargahs-trustee-gunned-down-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/926375/imambargahs-trustee-gunned-down-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 25 Jul 15 14:44:42 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=926375</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A social worker killed in Pak Colony, while police recover four bodies from Abdul Hassan Ispahani Road]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The trustee of an Imambargah was gunned down in within the limits of PIB Colony police station on Saturday. A social worker was also killed in a different part of the city in a separate incident.

Raees Ahmed Jafri, 50, son of Khalil Ahmed Jafri, was shot dead in Morton Quarters, within the limits of PIB Colony police station.

He was shot at least three times and died on the spot. His body was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsy before being handed over to his family for burial process.

Read: Target Killing: Sub-inspector shot dead

DSP Nasir Lodhi said that the deceased was the trustee of an Imambargah in Rizvia Society. He added that the deceased was named in a couple of cases in addition to being included in the fourth schedule.

The official said that Jafri was killed when he was travelling to the Central Jail when unidentified armed motorcyclists ambushed him near Morton Quarters and shot him.

DSP Lodhi added that they were trying to draw up a sketch of the attackers, adding that one of the assailants wore helmet during the attack.

Read: Police arrest killer of Allama Abbas Kumaili's son

No case has been registered so far while further investigations are underway.

Earlier in the day, a social worker was shot dead in an act of target killing in Jahanabad area, within the limits of Pak Colony police station.

The deceased was identified as Abdul Majeed, 42, son of Abdul Amin.

He was shot multiple times and died at the spot. His body was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi for medico-legal formalities.

SHO Aslam Baloch said that as per witnesses, the deceased used to live in Lashari neighbourhood of Pak Colony. As the victim was returning home, some unidentified armed men riding on a motorcycle shot and killed him.

The motive behind the incident has yet to be ascertained.

Separately, police recovered the bodies of three women and a child from a residential apartment in Sacchal on Abul Hassan Isphani Road.

The police found the bodies after a tip off from locals.

The bodies were later shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsies.]]>
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			<title>City-wide arrests: Three alleged target killers held</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577826/city-wide-arrests-three-alleged-target-killers-held</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577826/city-wide-arrests-three-alleged-target-killers-held#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 17 Jul 13 00:38:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=577826</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rangers claim to have arrested about half a dozen suspects, including 3 alleged members of Lyari’s gangster group.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Crime Investigation Department’s (CID) Anti-Extremism Cell claimed to have apprehended three political workers allegedly involved in over a dozen cases of target killings.


Acting on a tip-off, the CID personnel raided the suspects’ hideout in Buffer Zone and, after an exchange of fire, managed to arrest the culprits. AEC chief SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan said that the arrested suspects belonged to a political party but he did not disclose the name. The identities of the suspects have also been kept hidden.

Separately, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, also claim to have arrested about half a dozen suspects, including three alleged members of Lyari’s gangster group, during targeted raids in parts of the city, including North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Hassan Colony, Gulshan-e-Bihar and Machar Colony. A Rangers spokesperson said they have recovered weapons from the suspects’ possession. The suspects were not handed over to the police as further questioning was under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>June was Karachi's deadliest month with 313 killings: HRCP</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577360/june-was-citys-deadliest-month-with-313-killings-hrcp</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/577360/june-was-citys-deadliest-month-with-313-killings-hrcp#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jul 13 20:12:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=577360</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Report challenges Rangers claims that fatalities have dropped in the past three months.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[There was no respite from killings in the city during the first six months of the year 2013, as 1,728 casualties were reported in different incidents, according to a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report released on Monday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

MQM                              104

PPP                                12

Sunni Tehreek               20

ANP                               9

Jamaat-e-Islami            8

PML-Functional             1

PML-Nawaz                   4

PML-Quaid                    2

MQM-Haqiqi                  4

ASWJ                              4

JSQM                              1

PTI                                 2

Non-political                  545

Total                              719

source: HRCP

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Judges want families of target killing victims looked after by government</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511772/judges-want-families-of-target-killing-victims-looked-after-by-government</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/511772/judges-want-families-of-target-killing-victims-looked-after-by-government#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 24 Feb 13 00:36:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=511772</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SHC bench was hearing a petition to help families of missing persons.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the provincial chief secretary to establish separate committees to financially support the families of the missing persons but also those of the victims of target killings.


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

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

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

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



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

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

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

The relevant departments will submit their report by March 7.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 24th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Fear in Karachi: Factory executive gunned down in target killing</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/509901/fear-in-karachi-factory-executive-gunned-down-in-target-killing</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/509901/fear-in-karachi-factory-executive-gunned-down-in-target-killing#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 19 Feb 13 22:40:55 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[The SHO refused to confirm if the killers were extortionists.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Target killings in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi continued unabated on Tuesday, claiming a further eight lives, including a top executive of a factory.


Arshad Pervez, the Managing Director of Pakistan Machine Tool Factory was killed and the factory’s general manager Kashif and the driver were wounded when unidentified gunmen fired on his car in Behns Colony within the limits of Shah Latif police station. The incident occurred as they were driving to Pervez’s home in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Station House Officer (SHO) Ali Hassan Sheikh, quoting Kashif and the driver, said that the attackers were on a motorcycle. Sheikh added that Pervez was shot once in the chest and the bullet traveling across his body and striking Kashif’s arm.

The SHO refused to confirm if the killers were extortionists, saying that Pervez was the target, while the police had not received any complaints about extortion threats. He revealed that the factory was bankrupt and the potential motive could be related to that. No arrests have been made.

4 people killed in Shah Latif, Sharifabad Goth

Separately, at least four people were shot dead and four others wounded in shooting incidents in Shah Latif and Sharifabad Goth.

The deceased were identified as Saeed Khan, Shah Jahan, Mohammad Siddiq and Arshad. The injured were identified as Zeeshan, Jawwad, Taufeeq and Mohammad Ali.

Police officials said that a lone criminal, Ismail, was responsible, adding that he first killed his brother Saeed at his cell phone shop in Amin Mobile Market in Shah Latif and wounded Zeeshan and Jawwad.

Ismail continued his killing spree in Sharafi Goth where he resorted to indiscriminate firing on shops on Moinabad road, killing Shah Jahan, Arshad and Siddiq and injuring Taufeeq and Ali.

Several people gathered at the site and tried to catch the killer. But a heavy contingent of police reached the site and managed to rescue him from the mob.

Shia man gunned down

A man belonging to the Shia community, Safdar Ali Kazmi, was killed near Chohta Gate within the limits of the Airport police.

He was on his way to the sit-in protest in the airport area when two armed men on motorcycle targeted him.

Elderly man killed

Ejaz Ahmed Siddiqui, an elderly man, was shot dead in Awami Colony.

Siddiqui was returning from his sister’s house when two armed men on a motorcycle opened fire on his car.

1 MQM worker killed, 1 injured

In yet another targeted attack, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) worker was gunned down in Orangi Town. Tauqeer Ashrafi was sitting at a meat shop when he came under attack by two armed men.

Asim Jafari, another MQM worker belonging to the Shia community was injured in Nazimabad area.

Three more people were also injured in a targeted attack in Baldia Town.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 20th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Crime-monitoring report: Target killings most deadly last week</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503251/crime-monitoring-report-target-killings-most-deadly-last-week</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/503251/crime-monitoring-report-target-killings-most-deadly-last-week#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 13 05:00:00 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=503251</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Around 73 people were killed across the country in one week, says Fafen report.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[As many as 73 people were killed across the country in 43 incidents of violence during the last week while another 20 were injured and one was kidnapped.


This week, target killings claimed the most lives, with 25 people being gunned down in Karachi alone. Terrorist activities were the second most violent, with 13 incidents across Pakistan, killing 16 people and injuring 18 others.

The statistics were released in a weekly monitoring report prepared by the Free and Fair Election Network (Fafen) that collected data from January 26 to February 1, 2013.

Civilians remained the most affected, constituting 77% of the total victims — a 14% increase from last week’s 63%. The fatalities of security forces dropped from 30% to nine per cent, while those of militants went up from seven per cent to 14%.

Compared to last week’s, the number of incidents doubled from 27 to 43. Twenty people were injured in these incidents, down from the preceding week’s 21.

Region-wise statistics show that as many as 38 people were killed in Sindh and four were injured in target killings, sectarian violence and attacks on political party workers and leaders.

In Balochistan, 21 people were lost to target killings, terrorism and tribal conflicts, while 16 were injured and one was killed in sectarian violence. One was kidnapped in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, according to the report. A counter-terrorism operation in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) killed 13 militants.



There were attacks on a government-run school in Khyber Agency, the office of the deputy election commissioner in Khuzdar, the office of the National Database and Registration Authority in Qilla Abdullah and a high-transmission line in Charsadda.

Another seven people were killed in Karachi in attacks on political party leaders and workers. Gunmen shot dead three workers each of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Sunni Tehreek and the Pakistan Peoples Party.

A counter-terrorism operation in Orakzai Agency killed 13 militants. A tribal conflict also claimed six lives in Dera Bugti while an ethno-political attack in Karachi left a member of an action committee dead.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.]]>
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			<title>Target Killing: PML-N leader among 17 killed in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497795/target-killing-pml-n-leader-among-17-killed-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/497795/target-killing-pml-n-leader-among-17-killed-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jan 13 00:09:29 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=497795</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A former MS of Sindh Government Hospital and a former SHO were also shot dead in targeted attacks on Tuesday night.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh’s joint secretary Mian taimoor and his father Mian Arbab were shot dead in Defence phase VI area of Karachi, Express News reported.

They were brought to a private hospital in Defence phase I, where they succumbed to their injuries. Police and leaders of PML-N are present in the hospital.

According to witnesses, unidentified men riding motorcycle and a car opened fire on Taimoor’s car from both sides.

The motive behind the shooting is still unclear. Police said that the initial finding suggests that it could be an incident of targeted killing.

Sindh hospital MS shot dead

A former medical superintendent (MS) of Sindh Government Hospital and a former SHO were among three people shot dead in separate targeted attacks in Karachi on Tuesday night.

Former MS Hassan Alam was shot and killed near UP Mor in North Karachi. He was on his way home from his private clinic when two unidentified men riding a motorcycle shot him once, killing him on the spot, according to police officials.

New Karachi division SP Salman Hussain said the motive behind the murder had not yet been ascertained and a case has not been registered.

The former SHO Alamgir was also killed in North Karachi, near Nagan Chowk. Police said he was shot once in his chest as he was leaving a tyre shop.

Arif Rajjar was shot dead earlier in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal area. Rajjar and his companions were the prime suspects of a firing incident at a party in a bungalow in Khayaban-e-Rahat.

He was reported to have been shot six times by unidentified assailants

Overall law and order situation of the city remained precarious throughout the day, 17 people had been shot dead in the city.]]>
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			<title>Having lost faith in govt, doctors plead ‘target killers’ to spare them</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/465286/having-lost-faith-in-govt-doctors-plead-%e2%80%98target-killers%e2%80%99-to-spare-them</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/465286/having-lost-faith-in-govt-doctors-plead-%e2%80%98target-killers%e2%80%99-to-spare-them#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 12 01:36:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=465286</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Hospitals will observe one-hour strike in protest against the murder of Dr Nisar Sehto.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The doctors in the city have lost faith in the government’s security measures and have requested the target killers to spare them.


Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) Sindh president Dr Samrina Hashmi made the request claiming that target killers seem to roam around the city at will. “Targeting doctors is easy,” she said. “They can be readily identified and killed.”

Members of PMA Sindh, Pakistan Paramedical Association, Sindh Doctors Welfare Association, Pakistan Nursing Association, Peoples Paramedical Association and Sindh Paramedical Association gathered at Lyari General Hospital on Tuesday to condemn the killing of the hospital’s resident medical officer, Dr Nisar Sehto, on Monday. He was shot dead allegedly by two men who came to his clinic disguised as patients.

The police initially claimed that the doctor might have been killed over personal enmity Dr Hashmi suggested that the attack might be related to extortion. “There is a general perception that doctors earn a lot of money, and that has led criminals to demand extortion,” she said. “The problem is that when you give [protection] money to one group, the other comes knocking at your door.” Pakistan Islamic Medical Association spokesperson Dr Zeeshan Ansari said adding that Sehto’s murder was proof of the insecurity faced by doctors in Karachi.

Dr Hashmi added that doctors recognise the fact that clinics are spread all over the city and that providing adequate security to each of them was not an easy job.

According to the medical association, over 2,000 doctors are planning to leave the country due to the deteriorating law and order situation. Another 4,000 health professionals had emigrated from the country last year, an official claimed, adding that over 100 doctors have been killed in the past few years.

The officials also announced that hospitals across the province will observe one-hour strikes, from 10 am to 11 am, for the next three days. If the government fails to arrest the culprits, then they will eventually close down all the hospitals.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 14th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Another bloody day: Two ASWJ men among 10 more shot dead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464748/another-bloody-day-two-aswj-men-among-10-more-shot-dead</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464748/another-bloody-day-two-aswj-men-among-10-more-shot-dead#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 12 23:45:24 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=464748</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[An activist of MQM and a general physician were also gunned down.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Two workers of a religious outfit and two political activists were among 10 people who fell victim to drive-by shootings on Monday in Karachi.


In North Karachi, the area in-charge of Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ), formerly the outlawed Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, was shot dead by unidentified assailants.

Twenty-eight-year-old Irfan Ishaq was shot three times by two armed motorcyclists outside his house, Khawaja Ajmer Nagri SHO Chaudhry Afzal said. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Another man associated with the ASWJ was gunned down in a targeted attack in Gulshan. Maulvi Farooq, 40, was sitting at a tyre puncture shop in Block-7, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, where two armed motorcyclists shot him dead, police said. The shop owner, named Ismail, was also wounded in the attack.

In Orangi Town, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist, who was nominated in the murder case of a Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) worker, was gunned down.

Two armed motorcyclists fired a volley of bullets at 32-year-old Shamshad Abdul Haq alias Bohra at the Bangla Bazaar, killing him on the spot, said SHO Ghulam Nabi Afridi. Police has found six empty 9mm shells from the crime scene. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The victim lived in Durrani Goth and was associated with the MQM’s Unit 121. Bohra was booked in FIR No. 135/12 about the murder of PPP’s Javed Bihari.

An activist of the PPP was shot dead by assailants in Orangi Town’s Ghaziabad neighbourhood. Pakistan Bazaar police said that 35-year-old Basheer alias Chotta was associated with the ruling party. The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In Lyari, two unidentified attackers shot dead a general physician. Forty-five-year-old Dr Nisar Ahmed was sitting inside his clinic when an armed man came inside and shot him twice, Lyari division SP Sarfaraz Nawaz said. His body was taken to the Civil hospital.

The doctor also worked at the Lyari General Hospital in night shifts. He was from Khairpur and lived in Defence. Police have linked his killing to a personal enmity as no evidence of robbery or extortion has been found.

In Yousuf Goth, a 65-year-old faith healer was killed and his daughter was injured in a targeted attack.

At least five armed men reportedly came to Zainul Abideen Bengali’s house and fired a volley of bullets, killing him on the spot, Saeedabad police said. The victim’s daughter, 24-year-old Yasmin Shafi, was wounded. The victims were taken to the Civil hospital.

Initial investigation suggests the attack was carried out over a land dispute, SHO Gulshan Junejo said.

In Malir’s Memon Goth, two armed men on a motorcycle targeted 50-year-old Mohammad Din and his son-in-law, Abdul Shakoor, 28. Their bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for medico-legal formalities.

Another man, who has to be identified yet, was shot dead in Sultanabad within the Manghopir police precinct. The body was shifted to the Edhi morgue after medico-legal formalities at Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The trussed up body of a young man was found from Iqbal Market in Orangi Town. The body was stuffed in a gunny bag. The victim, who has not been identified yet, was badly tortured before being shot dead, police said.

Suspects arrested

More than two dozen suspects were taken in custody by Rangers and police in separate raids. The suspected criminals were picked up by law enforcers from Lyari, Malir, Ancholi, Gulbahar, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Soldier Bazaar.

Weapons were also seized from a few suspects, who have been shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation, sources in police told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Widow’s weeds: A ‘targeted killing’ claims more than just a life</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464754/widow%e2%80%99s-weeds-a-%e2%80%98targeted-killing%e2%80%99-claims-more-than-just-a-life</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/464754/widow%e2%80%99s-weeds-a-%e2%80%98targeted-killing%e2%80%99-claims-more-than-just-a-life#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 12 20:43:57 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rabia.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=464754</guid>
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				<![CDATA[In Katti Pahari, the women are left to pick up the pieces.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[For Humera Zaman, a middle-aged widow who lost her husband to Karachi’s targeted killings, life is a series of humiliations.

When she steps out from her house in a veil and a chador, men in her neighbourhood shower scorn on her. They are yet to get the money back that she borrowed from them.
When Humera goes to a nearby store to buy essentials, the shopkeeper ridicules her and calls her a beggar. He refuses to give her anything until she has cleared previous dues.

The woman pleads but fails. She returns home empty-handed.

“I am constantly thinking about how to feed my nine children,” she said. Two years ago, her husband Bakhsh Zaman was killed in the oft-volatile area of Katti Pahari.

Social activist Abdul Waheed says that violence in the area has impacted around 250 women. At least half of them were widowed. “Life for these women is extremely harsh especially when they don’t have any other man in the house.”

While the men work as labourers, drivers, waiters at roadside cafes or as guards, the women are not allowed to work because of cultural norms. The only way the widows can survive is to live off charity or borrow money.

Like Humera, they live in rented houses. After her husband’s death, Humera managed to make some money by selling off a charpoy, a fridge and even the doors of her bedroom. The family is down to one meal a day. She has accrued a debt of Rs70,000. “I don’t mind working outside but if I do people will raise fingers at my character. I keep on asking people for money but am never able to pay it back.”

Her newly married daughter’s dowry comprised ‘three sets of clothes’. But she was sent home by her husband. Humera says he “won’t accept her” until she brings a sizeable dowry.

Some younger widows have been married to the brothers of their late husbands, while others move to their parents’ house. When Zahida’s husband was shot dead in last July’s violence, she relocated to her parents’ house in the same locality. Zahida, 23, had only been married for nine months. “My life seems finished. I feel like a burden on my parents.” she said. “I wish that the wives of my husband’s killers also become widows. My husband was innocent; his ethnicity became the motive for his killing. What was his fault?”

Widows from other ethnic communities in Kati Pahari fare slightly better, as they are able to work.

Four years after her husband was killed in Banaras Colony when armed men opened fire at his mobile shop, 54-year-old Surraya Bano has started working at a private welfare school as an administrator.

“At this age when I should have been resting, I am forced to work,” Surraya Bano says. She is supporting two daughters, and paying off her husband’s debt.  “My husband would keep all problems to himself. He would have cried to see me in this state,” she said. Abdul Hai of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan says that women and children are the worst hit by violence. “Families are finished financially when the man of the house is killed,” he said. Women living in localities where they are not allowed to work end up becoming ‘mentally disturbed’, he said. “Financial burden and everyday violence troubles them. How they are leading their lives without money amazes me.” Hai called on the government to provide these women with financial aid.

Surraya Bano has learnt the value of women in the workforce. Her husband, she says, wanted to make a big house, and get their daughters married. “But now I want them to study so that they can support themselves.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Targeted: Two Shia PPP workers gunned down in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/462126/targeted-two-shia-ppp-workers-gunned-down-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/462126/targeted-two-shia-ppp-workers-gunned-down-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 07 Nov 12 08:39:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[faraz.khan]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=462126</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Bodies shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Two men belonging to the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) were killed when unidentified men opened fire on them at a restaurant in Orangi Town on Wednesday.

The men, identified as 23-year-olds Jahangir and Raza, were sitting in a restaurant when unidentified men opened fire on them, killing them instantly.

Both men were identified as Shia and belonging to the PPP.

The bodies were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In different incidents of violence across the city, two vehicles were torched in the North Nazimabad area, while another was burnt in the Buffer Zone area of the city.

Security personnel have been deployed in the area, however, no arrest has been made as yet.

Police have also recovered weapons hidden in a bus near Super Highway.

Meanwhile, the three gunny-bagged bodies recovered from Karimabad on Tuesday with bullet wounds to their heads were also identified as members of the PPP.

The three men were identified as Gulzar Jadoon, Fazal Rabi Jadoon and Farhan Jadoon.

Incidents of violence and target killing have been on the rise in Karachi but no concrete measures have been taken in this regard.

Taking notice of the worsening law and order situation in Karachi and Hyderabad, the prime minister has directed the provincial government to start targeted operations against the suspects involved.

Unidentified men set alight a truck in Bufferzone and a bus was set ablaze in the Sakhi Hassan area on the same day.

Sectarian killings are also on the rise in the city, with prominent Shia leader Allama Aftab Ahmed Jaffery - the deputy secretary general of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) as well as the chief of the Palestine Foundation of Pakistan - being shot dead just the previous day.]]>
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			<title>Targeted attack: ANP leader shot dead in Charsadda</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461452/targeted-attack-anp-leader-shot-dead-in-charsadda</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/461452/targeted-attack-anp-leader-shot-dead-in-charsadda#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 06 Nov 12 05:21:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mureeb.mohmand]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=461452</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Sabiullah died on the spot, while Zahid succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The senior vice president of Awami National Party’s (ANP), Charsadda chapter, Sabihullah Khan was shot dead on Monday in the latest wave of attacks against political figures and peace militia leaders.


Three assailants opened fire on a car carrying Sabihullah and his relative Zahid in the Sarekh area of Shabqadar while they were returning home from a party meeting, SHO Saeed of Battagram police station told The Express Tribune.

Sabiullah died on the spot, while Zahid succumbed to his injuries on the way to the hospital.

Police and locals believe the murders could be a result of personal enmity.

Sabihullah was a prominent political leader of Charsadda. He also contested elections for tehsil naib nazim in 2002, but did not win.

He was a member of ANP’s provincial executive council and a close aide to adviser to K-P chief minister Syed Masoom Shah.

ANP’s district general secretary Qasim Muhammad Zai condemned the incident and demanded immediate arrest of Sabiullah’s killers. Police have registered an FIR against the three gunmen, but did not divulge their names.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>The killing fields</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/460666/the-killing-fields-2</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/460666/the-killing-fields-2#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 04 Nov 12 18:27:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[kamal.siddiqi]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=460666</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The writ of the state continues to be challenged in Karachi, the last frontier in the war against militancy.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The Supreme Court has ordered the Sindh police chief and other authorities to submit a report on the infiltration of Taliban activists in Karachi and the release of convicts on parole. The comments came during proceedings of a five-member SC bench in a suo-motu case related to killings in Pakistan’s largest city.

The proceedings as well as the comments of the learned judges should shed some light on what ails the city and its corrupt and inept administration. The SC has taken to task the city’s law enforcement administration, currently in the hands of an inspector general of police and a DG Rangers who both insist that all is well. The proceedings have laid bare the abuse of power and cluelessness of our civil and political administration to work towards ensuring peace in Karachi.

We have heard how billions of our money is spent by President Asif Ali Zardari on his personal security, including the state encroachment of a main city boulevard, so that his personal house can remain safe. We see how our police flouts their own rules — many cars driven by police officials have no number plates.

I am reminded of a time when an active member of civil society was called by then police chief Shoaib Suddle to explain some of the problems the city’s traffic faces. This courageous man, who will remain unnamed, said that charity begins at home and that the city’s main police officers are driving in cars that have illegal number plates and tinted glasses. Some of the cars, he added, are also stolen. The man who protested the most on these comments is today the police chief.

The Sindh home department and its shenanigans have also come to light. How are officials enjoying an army of guards and countless official facilities while police stations and government offices struggle to find money to meet legitimate expenses? In the backdrop of these proceedings, the killings in Karachi continue. Senior members and activists of the ANP as well as members of the Pakhtun community (which we are reminded ad nauseum are larger in number in Karachi than in Peshawar) are being targeted. What we are not hearing is how many people who opposed religious extremism and as a consequence fled to Karachi are being killed as well as those who refuse to pay protection money. Karachi is the last frontier in the war against religious extremism and militancy. And so far, the writ of the state continues to be challenged.

It was at the Sindh Governor’s House where I asked then prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilani why the government was not taking action against public hate speeches by leaders of banned religious organisations and why no notice was taken against those who threatened supporters of Governor Salmaan Taseer. With a straight face prime minister Gilani said that the only hate speech he had heard had come from outside the country.

That is why I wonder when President Zardari tells a foreign audience how difficult it was to find a lawyer for Governor Taseer. Some things simply don’t make sense. And to my mind, the government of  “democracy-is-the-best-revenge” seems to be giving ground every day.

In all this, the Malala incident comes to mind. The MQM has called for a referendum asking people whether they want a Pakistan that the Quaid-e-Azam envisaged or a Pakistan run by the Taliban. To give them credit, theirs is the only party that has spoken publicly against religious extremism. In response, the Taliban has declared war on the MQM and threatened to kill its leaders.

The government has, predictably, remained silent. The apologists of the Taliban have come up with a counterargument. They ask why so much hue and cry is being raised about one child when every day, so many children die in drone attacks. Some even say that the whole thing is a drama staged to gain world attention. The only good, if at all, that has come out of the Malala attack has been how this innocent and brave true daughter of Pakistan has gained support from all over the world. The public show of support should be a source of strength for us. In response, our reluctant fundamentalists continue to cause doubt and sow fear.

One can only hope for a more focused approach on how to deal with terrorism and extremism. So far, we have only seen confusion.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Karachi unrest: Justice Khilji proposes sending Rangers back to borders</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459244/sc-orders-sindh-police-to-submit-comprehensive-report-on-target-killings</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459244/sc-orders-sindh-police-to-submit-comprehensive-report-on-target-killings#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 12 07:04:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category><category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=459244</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Only 3000 traffic police to control 2.7 million vehicles in the city, DIG traffic tells SC.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that rangers have produced no results in their 18 years in Karachi and should be sent back to safeguard the borders, Express News reported on Thursday.

The larger bench was hearing the case pertaining to the implementation of the court’s orders in the verdict given last year after the Supreme Court took suo motu of violence and unrest in the province.

The case is being heard in the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry.

The report on target killings presented in court today stated that there were a total of 2,381 important cases including murder and out of them; only 661 suspects had been arrested while more than 3,500 remained at large.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked saying that the Rangers had been performing their duty in Karachi since 18 years and a hefty portion of the budget was being spent on them but added that the rangers had yielded no results.

He remarked that either the police should be removed from Karachi and only the Rangers be stationed here or send them back to safeguard our borders and use their portion of the budget on the police instead.

Unregistered vehicles

The Supreme Court had summoned the DIG traffic police in today’s hearing. The DIG appeared in court and upon being questioned about the state of traffic, informed the court that there were only 3000 traffic police officers in Karachi.

He said that there were around 15000 public transport vehicles in the city and around 2.7 million vehicles in total. He also informed the court that there were only 1500 police wardens available per shift to control this huge amount of traffic.

The court then issued orders to stop from operation and take action against vehicles which were unregistered, non-duty paid, internationally registered or in poor condition.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said that cage atop public transport buses should be removed too and remarked that there was no alternate system of public transport available for the public and that not even 10 percent of public transport drivers were licensed.

The court also ordered submission of details on unregistered government vehicles.

Target killings

Rejecting the report presented during today’s hearing, the larger bench ordered Sindh Police to submit a comprehensive report on target killings in the city over the past year.

The larger bench stated that while the police were fighting against terrorism, police officers were issuing mere Rs100 challans to unregistered vehicles and those without registration number plates.

The court asked how the situation in the city would improve at such a pace.

Sindh Government’s Finance secretary appeared in court, as did AIG Sindh Police Bashir Memon, who presented the report as directed by the court earlier.

The court was dissatisfied with the report.

Justice Khilji Arif Hussain remarked that every murder creates panic in the city and added that 90% of the people are now victims of psychological stress.

Despite this, said Justice Khilji, unregistered vehicles with flags were being driven around the city but no one was stopping these.

The court then ordered for a comprehensive report of target killings over the past year.]]>
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			<title>Targeted killing?: Three ANP workers gunned down in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459162/targeted-killing-three-anp-workers-gunned-down-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459162/targeted-killing-three-anp-workers-gunned-down-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 01 Nov 12 04:59:36 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=459162</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Four others were injured in the attack in Sherpao Colony.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Three party workers belonging to the Awami National Party (ANP) were gunned down while four others were injured in a targeted attack in Karachi late on Wednesday evening.


The deceased were identified as Saleem Khan, Abid Khan and Sajid and the injured were identified as Abdul Razzaq, Fahim, Niaz Yosufzai and Arif.

According to an initial report, the police said the ANP workers were standing near their party office in Sherpao Colony when they came under attack. SHO Amanullah Marwat, while quoting witness accounts, said at least six assailants riding three motorbikes came close to the victims and opened fire.

The injured activists were taken to the nearest private hospital, where three of them succumbed to their injuries. The injured were later taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for autopsy and medical treatment. The SHO said the police was investigating whether militant elements were behind the incident, adding that investigation were underway.

An ANP spokesperson said Saleem Khan was the president of ANP Sherpao Colony ward, while Niaz Khan was the coordinator for ANP lawmaker Amir Nawab. The spokesperson added that the culprits targeted the ANP men shortly after a meeting had concluded at the party’s office in Sherpao Colony.

He condemned the attack and demanded the government to arrest the culprits. No case had been registered till the filing of this report.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Targeted killings: Protect instead of compensating, says SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459070/targeted-killings-protect-instead-of-compensating-says-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/459070/targeted-killings-protect-instead-of-compensating-says-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 12 21:16:11 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=459070</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[“We will be happy if you can keep the people alive instead of giving compensation [to their heirs],” remarked...]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Instead of compensating families of the victims of target killings, it would be better if the government could protect the citizens.


“We will be happy if you can keep the people alive instead of giving compensation [to their heirs],” remarked the judges, as the apex court resumed the hearing of the suo motu case on Karachi violence.

The home department’s additional chief secretary, Waseem Ahmed, had told the court that the government had invited families of 76 people, who fell prey to target killers during the past one year, to collect the compensation money.

Killing of trader

The judges also castigated the Sindh IGP Fayyaz Leghari for denying the killing of a sacrificial animal trader by extortionists in a statement given to the media.

When the police chief insisted that no such incident had taken place in the city, Justice Amir Hani Muslim waved clippings of some newspapers, saying: “I can produce the statement of the injured [man] and the SHO and the SP concerned.”

The judges added that, “once you make a statement in media, it has to be a responsible one”.

As the bench warned of ordering an inquiry to clear the facts, Karachi police chief Iqbal Mehmod intervened to save his boss. “Twelve armed motorcyclists had shot at some people sitting at the Bismillah hotel in Lyari. One man, who was injured in the incident, later expired,” he admitted.

The victim was reportedly an animal trader and was killed over not paying the extortion money.

To a question regarding action taken against the attackers, Mehmood said a police party chased the suspects who escaped in the narrow lanes. The police officer also admitted that there was no entry of the incident in police records, which the bench observed was necessary.

The SP of the area also confirmed receiving a phone call about the incident.

Even the sacrificial animals market was not set up in Joria Bazaar this year as the traders were asked to pay extortion, the judges observed. “Every second trader is crying out for security and pulls down shutters every fourth day in protest but the police and Rangers claim everyone is safe. The businessmen are moving to Bangladesh due to security concerns and many people are losing their livelihood,” observed Justice Khilji Arif Hussain.

Compensation for policemen killed in 1990s operation    

Sindh Police IG Fayyaz Leghari assured the court that compensation cases of seven deceased policemen, who took part in 1992 and 1996 operations, would be reconsidered by his department.

He said that the Sindh prisons department and Intelligence Bureau had also asked for compensation to heirs of two cops from their departments. The SC bench suggested that police department should consider the seven cases on humanitarian grounds and ensure compensation payment from its own funds. IG was ordered to finalise the cases as soon as possible.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>No respite: ANP leader, policeman among five killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/458512/no-respite-anp-leader-policeman-among-five-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/458512/no-respite-anp-leader-policeman-among-five-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 30 Oct 12 19:48:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=458512</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[A 66-year-old-man, Mian Jan, was shot dead in Orangi Town.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least five people, including a local leader of Awami National Party (ANP), were killed on Tuesday in separate incidents across the city.


A 66-year-old-man, Mian Jan, was shot dead in Orangi Town, within the jurisdiction of the Pirabad police station. He was the vice president of the ANP’s union council 6 in Orangi Town. SSP Amir Farooqui told The Express Tribune that the victim was on his way to a mosque near his house to offer Fajr prayers when two armed men on a motorcycle intercepted and shot at him. He died at the spot and the body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. SSP Farooqui said that the motive behind the incident was yet to be ascertained.

Mian Jan’s funeral prayers were offered at the Masjid-e-Aqsa. A large number of people, including ANP leaders Bashir Jan and Ameer Nawab Khan, attended. Bashir Jan told The Express Tribune that Mian Jan was the second member of the party who had been shot since Eidul Azha.

In an unrelated incident, police constable Shuja Hussain Shah was found dead near Civil hospital, within the jurisdiction of Eidgah police station. Police officials said that Shah was posted at the complaint centre at the Central Police Office (CPO) and lived at Kalakot Police Line. He had been kidnapped on Monday night and shot by his abductors.

Separately, a 45-year-old man, Kaleemullah Butt, was gunned down during clash between two groups in Nazimabad. Law enforcers said that Butt lived in Mujahid Colony in Nazimabad and was killed during crossfire between two groups.

Bodies found 

The body of a 35-year-old man, identified as Rizwan Akhtar, was found near Crown Cinema, within the jurisdiction of the Kalri police station. Police officials said that deceased lived in Agra Taj Colony, Lyari and was kidnapped on Monday night as he was returning home after visiting his parents in Baldia Town.

Another body of a young man, who has yet to be identified, was found from Sector 7-A, within the jurisdiction of the Orangi Town police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: If the city is so safe, the IGP shouldn’t need an escort, says SC</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455938/karachi-violence-if-the-city-is-so-safe-the-igp-shouldn%e2%80%99t-need-an-escort-sc</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455938/karachi-violence-if-the-city-is-so-safe-the-igp-shouldn%e2%80%99t-need-an-escort-sc#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 12 19:17:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=455938</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[On day one of the hearin­gs, judges grill the admini­strati­on over how far it was able to bring down the crime rate.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The police and Sindh officials tried their best on Tuesday to persuade the Supreme Court that they had acted on its recommendations from a year ago to successfully bring down Karachi’s crime rate - but the judges would have none of it.

If the situation has improved so much, then the chief of police should make at least four visits around the city without protection, remarked Justice Gulzar Ahmed. “If the police officers [themselves] need escorts, then common citizens need more security,” he said.

The five-member bench, headed by Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali, was assessing how far the SC’s recommendations had been followed after Karachi went through one of its bloodiest summers in 2011. The bench includes Justices Khilji Arif Hussain, Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Amir Hani Muslim and Gulzar Ahmed.

At the outset, Sindh Advocate General Abdul Fattah Malik submitted a report from IG Fayyaz Leghari, claiming that the law and order situation had remarkably improved because of action taken by the force. They had tracked down nearly 168 suspected target killers and a large number of illicit arms had been seized. Officers had even lost their lives in the line of duty.

But then, Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali remarked: “Had the situation improved after the orders passed by the court, then there would be no need to hear this case. On the contrary, the crimes rate has gone up.”

Karachi is such a big city, replied AG Malik, thousands of people from all over the country come here. This includes criminals and foreigners. It is not easy to identify and track them down, he added.

Justice Gulzar Ahmed questioned what action the law enforcement agencies had taken to identify and arrest criminals. “If Karachi had become a floodgate for criminals, are the law enforcement agencies supposed to welcome them,” he asked.

Indeed, Justice Khilji Arif Hussain said: “Today the residents of Karachi feel so unsafe that they’re scared of leaving their homes. The children of officers might be safe, but the children of ordinary citizens are not.”

As an example of the absence of the writ of the law, the judges pointed out how a number of vehicles with Dubai number plates or simply Applied for Registration (AFR) were roaming around the city without anyone checking. “We have to apply the law,” stressed Justice Jamali.

De-limitation of areas

A change of government was the excuse the AG gave when it came to answering whether the administration had been able to alter the boundaries of Karachi’s administrative units, like police stations, to avoid the creation of no-go areas. The SC had ordered the same for different constituencies. He gave a long explanation on a ground survey which had to be shared with the crime branch and meetings that had not taken place.

“We are not interested at all in the paper work,” said Justice Jamali. “The fact is that no improvement has been made.”

Taking notice of the absence of Election Commission officers, the SC directed Malik to submit a map of city, clearly showing the dominance of political parties.

No-go areas

Major Ashfaq from the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, submitted his report on what they had done with the police force to eliminate no-go areas, which he said don’t exist any more as far as the entry of any law enforcement agency was concerned. He admitted, however, that neighbourhood barriers had been put up but that didn’t mean they were no-go areas. If anyone complains, the Rangers will act.

Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali observed, however, that “The whole of Karachi had turned into a no-go area for poor people, as [someone from one area] cannot enter another area after [dark].”

There was pin-drop silence as the judges went over their understanding of the actual situation. Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany observed that people being killed in no-go areas were not falling prey to sectarian violence, but these were political killings. Who is responsible for them?

Action against police
officers

Deputy police chief Bashir Ahmed Memon, who appeared on behalf of the CCPO, focused on punishment for officers, who failed to control crime in their areas. Major penalties were imposed, some were demoted and others even suspended. Justice Amir Hani Muslim remarked that 80% of the SHOs in Karachi would go home, if indiscriminate action was taken against them.

All extortion cases had been addressed, AIG Memon went on to claim. Around 19 policemen and two officials each of Rangers and Frontier Constabulary had been killed in the line of duty. “We must appreciate them [the martyrs] because you have already been demoralised,” said Justice Gulzar Ahmed.

AIG Memon also disclosed that a man named Ghafoor Bugti had emerged as a big name in kidnapping for ransom.

Referring to a recent incident of extortionists killing sacrificial animals, Justice Hani added that people had even stopped entering the city to sell their animals because extortionists kill them.

“[We will only be satisfied] when people are safe; they’re going to college and school, they are opening their shops and doing their business,” he said. “Today, a person [doesn’t even know] whether he will return home alive or not.”

The hearing will continue today. The court said it expected the chief secretary and director-general of the Rangers, provincial election commission officers to be present.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: Judgement day today as Sindh govt, police in the dock</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455448/karachi-violence-judgement-day-today-as-sindh-govt-police-in-the-dock</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/455448/karachi-violence-judgement-day-today-as-sindh-govt-police-in-the-dock#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 23 Oct 12 01:14:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[naeem.sahoutara]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=455448</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Did the administration and force follow the Supreme Court’s recommendations for stemming the tide of blood?.]]>
			</description>
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				<![CDATA[The Sindh government, police and rangers have had a year to swallow the bitter prescription from the Supreme Court to clean up Karachi. Today, they will have to answer for their performance.


The SC is scheduled to take up today the case that stems from suo motu proceedings started by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry after he read the horrifying newspaper reports on August 22 last year. This was when the city went through one of its bloodiest summers. Five judges held lengthy hearings in Karachi, reserved their order on September 16 and announced it in Islamabad on October 6, 2011. The recommendations were clear and detailed on what they had to do.

Justices Anwar Zaheer Jamali, Khilji Arif Hussain, Sarmad Jalal Osmany, Amir Hani Muslim and Gulzar Ahmed will now hear answers from the province’s top brass, from the home secretary to the Rangers director-general, who have been summoned today.

Sindh High Court Chief Justice Mushir Alam supervised the monthly follow-ups and a review committee’s sealed report has been given to the SC, The Express Tribune has learnt. It appears that the report card is going to be disappointing.

“The Rangers DG used to submit ‘traditional’ reports while the police chief verbally complained that unnecessary political interference was a hurdle in the implementation of the orders,” sources said.

Indeed, the SHC CJ had repeatedly spoken about the lack of cooperation from the Sindh government to enforce the writ of the Supreme Court.

The SC has also issued notices to the Attorney General of Pakistan, Advocate General of Sindh, chief secretary, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and president of the SHC Bar Association.

For its part, the provincial government has felt it has implemented 85% of the recommendations. Information Minister Sharjeel Memon added that the government has set up a commission under Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Alvi to assess the loss of lives and property and compensation to be paid. He highlighted how they had passed an anti-encroachment law and prepared a bill for the protection of witnesses.

 Police appointments  

The force came under fire for appointments that were politically backed, up to 30%, according to Wajid Durrani who disclosed this to the court as IGP. Durrani was replaced by Mushtaq Shah, who tasked the police’s special branch with verifying this claim. But after some scrutiny, the special branch submitted a report to Shah stating that it had not found any authentic evidence.

For what it is worth, current IGP Fayyaz Leghari has decided to go over the police force again to ferret out political appointments.

Wasay Jalil of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement said, “We honour the SC’s verdict that 40% of the police force has been recruited on political grounds, but want to say that not a single cop has been appointed in MQM’s tenure.” There was ban on recruitment whenever MQM ministers were given the portfolio.

The political parties, which have always denied their involvement in extortion, encroachment and homicide, were exposed when the SC held them responsible last year. Not much has changed on that front.

“People in our party are not sacred. We have taken action against dozens of our workers involved in crime,” said Senator Shahi Syed of the ANP. “We are patiently looking to the other parties where a criminal mindset prevails from the grass roots to the organisational level,” he said.

Wasay Jalil said that the MQM was the only party that had expelled more workers from its rank and file for suspicious activities.

The report card

SC recommended                   Implemented?               Status



Sindh govt has to find a legal solution
X
Govt claims all bills are under process to be moved in Sindh Assembly


Depoliticise and strengthen the police force
Partly
Police conducted scrutiny but did not find any evidence; 5,000 vacancies


Political parties should denounce affiliation with criminal groups
Barely
Parties say they have thrown out criminals, but police arrest criminals affiliated with parties every day


Boundaries of administrative units like police stations should be altered to avoid no-go areas. Undertake delimitation of constituencies too
Partly
EC says election will be held under existing delimitations as no census held. Police structure changed by appointing 20 divisional SPs


Karachi has to be cleansed of weapons
Barely
LEAs seize weapons daily, but appears not to dent homicide rate


All licensed arms genuinely required must be registered with NADRA
Partly
Strangely, from June 2012, manual licences issued by abolishing cell for computerised licences linked to NADRA


Legislate to eliminate and punish land grabbers
Partly
Law passed but implementation a challenge


Sindh government to assess loss to lives, property, pay compensation
Continues
Justice (retd) Zahid Qurban Ali heads the commission, compensation given to families


Eliminate no-go areas, Rangers should take action if reported
X
No-go areas persist


Across the board operation without political interference
Done
A large number of political activists involved in targeted killings and extortion cases arrested, prosecution tricky due to witnesses/evidence


Create an independent and depoliticised investigation agency
?
No special cell but IGP separated investigation, operation wings


Witnesses must be protected
Partly
Bill still pending


NADRA, IGP to set up joint cell to identify, deal with illegal foreigners
Done
Special branch tasked with it, along with NARA, NADRA and Rangers


IGP shall present records of disappearance/elimination of police from 1992, 1996 operations, were families compensated
Done
Report has been submitted and the families were also compensated


Sindh govt shall protect businesses
X
Sept 21 rioting a case in point


Govt should create a committee to ensure forces take action indiscriminately, meet once a month
X
No committee formed



with additional reporting by Hafeez  Tunio and Faraz Khan

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Targeted killings: Political activist among three shot dead in the city</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/454541/targeted-killings-political-activist-among-three-shot-dead-in-the-city</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/454541/targeted-killings-political-activist-among-three-shot-dead-in-the-city#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 21 Oct 12 05:20:01 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police arrest two suspects over the murder of three ASWJ men.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Three people, including a political activist, were shot dead on Saturday in Karachi.


A worker of the Muttahida Organising Committee, a sub-wing of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, was gunned down in Korangi.

Thirty-year-old Mohammad Aqeel Naseer was standing outside his home when two armed men on a motorcycle fired at him, killing him on the spot, Zaman Town police said. The victim was shot thrice.

His body was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for an autopsy, said SHO Liaquat Ali. Naseer’s family has termed the murder a political one and told the police that he had no enmity or disputes with anyone. On the complaint of the victim’s brother, Ismail, police have registered the case (545/12) against unidentified suspects.

In Orangi Town, a private bank employee was shot dead. Irfan Abdul Waheed, 40, had gone out to buy milk from a shop nearby his home when at least two armed attackers on a motorcycle targeted him, Pakistan Bazaar police said. His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and handed it over to his family after medico-legal formalities. Initial investigation suggests Waheed was murdered over a personal enmity, SHO Ghulam Nabi Afridi said.

Separately, the tortured body of an unidentified youth was found by the Ferozabad police from Shahrah-e-Quaideen. The body was wrapped in a plastic bag and covered with a blanket, police said. The victim was shot once in the head and had several torture marks on his body. The body was shifted to the Edhi morgue at Sohrab Goth.

Two arrested

Two suspects allegedly involved in the targeted murder of three activists of a religious outfit have been picked up by the police for interrogation.

On Friday, three student activists of the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ), formerly banned Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, were shot dead in Gulshan-e-Iqbal when they were returning from a protest held against targeted killings of their colleagues.

The two suspects - Mumtaz and Jabbar - were arrested with the help of the footage of closed-circuit television cameras installed near the crime scene, Mobina Town police claimed. The alleged accused live in the same area and were present at the crime spot when the students were shot dead.

Confirming the arrests, SHO Saleemullah Qureshi said the suspects were being interrogated and nothing could be said for now. Police are waiting for the victims’ families to register the case as they are busy with the funerals, he added. The combined funeral of Azizur Rahman Ghaffar and Shahzad was held at Darul Khair Madrassa after Asr prayers. Later, they were buried at the Natha Khan Goth graveyard. A number of ASWJ leaders and workers participated in the prayers.

The body of the third victim, Qari Mauvia Mujahid, was sent to his hometown in Rahim Yar Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Targeted?: Bohra man shot dead near Hyderi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/454406/targeted-bohra-man-shot-dead-near-hyderi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/454406/targeted-bohra-man-shot-dead-near-hyderi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 20 Oct 12 17:20:09 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=454406</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Victim identified as Ali Asghar. Police yet to ascertain motive behind the killing.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A young man, belonging to the Dawoodi Bohra community, was gunned down near Hyderi on Saturday evening.

The victim, identified as Ali Asghar, aged 40, son of Murtaza Ali, was shot in the head and died on the spot.

Asghar’s body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Superintendent of Police (SP) North Nazimabad division Latif Siddiqui said that the deceased was travelling in his car when two armed men on a motorcycle shot and killed him, near his home.

Siddiqui added that the motive behind the killing was yet to be ascertained.]]>
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			<title>Sectarian killings: Five ASWJ men gunned down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/451917/sectarian-killings-five-aswj-men-gunned-down</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/451917/sectarian-killings-five-aswj-men-gunned-down#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 16 Oct 12 03:12:59 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=451917</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The armed attackers came on at least seven motorcycles and fired a volley of bullets at the victims.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Five Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) activists were among eight people gunned down on Monday.


In a targeted attack near Abul Hassan Ispahani Road in Mobina Town police limits, four ASWJ workers were shot dead by unidentified assailants.

The armed attackers came on at least seven motorcycles and fired a volley of bullets at the victims, who were sitting at a perfume shop near the Siddiq-e-Akbar mosque. The attackers used 9mm pistols with silencers, police said.

Omar Haq Nawaz, 30, Qari Abdul Shakoor, 28, Imran Gul Karam Khan, 22, son and his elder brother, Asadullah, 28, were killed on the spot. Their bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

District West DIG Shahid Hayat confirmed the victims were associated with the religious outfit and may have been killed over sectarian differences.

“The targeted killing of our party men is a conspiracy to destabilise the country,” alleged ASWJ spokesman Maulana Taj Muhammad Hanafi.

Another ASWJ activist had earlier in the day been shot dead in Gulberg.

Two armed men on a motorcycle killed Abdul Hannan, 28, while he was sitting at his refrigerator repair shop.

In New Karachi, a Sunni Tehreek activist, Usman Qadri alias Lara, 26, was shot dead at the party office by two armed motorcyclists, Bilal Colony police said.

In Gulshan-e-Ghazi, a 45-year-old police constable was targeted.

An activist of Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi was killed while two others were wounded in a targeted attack within Landhi police remits.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Spike in violence leaves 16 dead across city</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/448493/spike-in-violence-leaves-16-dead-across-city</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/448493/spike-in-violence-leaves-16-dead-across-city#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 08 Oct 12 00:46:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=448493</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[At least 16 people, including six alleged gangsters of Lyari, were killed.]]>
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			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least 16 people, including six alleged gangsters of Lyari, were killed in the city on Sunday, police said.


Nehal Akhtar, 28, a former in charge of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s unit 118-A, and Noorul Huda, 30, were shot dead in Chishti Nagar in Orangi Town. Police said that they were shot by at least four men on two motorcycles.

A minibus driver, Raheem Zaib, 20, was sprayed with bullets by two motorcyclists near Qazzafi Chowk in Orangi Town.

DSP Rustam Nawaz said that the deceased was a Pashto-speaking resident of Qasba Colony and was not affiliated with any political party. An alleged drug peddler, Shabbir, 35, was shot dead near his house in the same area.

Another Pashtu-speaking man, Jamal Nasir, 31, was shot dead at Sector 1-D. Mohammad Nazeer, 50, was shot dead outside his home at Kunwari Colony. Rafiq, 24, son of Ghulam Haider, and Burhan Ahmed were shot in Liaquatabad as a wedding procession was reportedly passing nearby. Rafiq died on the spot.

Police said that the participants of the wedding had been firing in the air.

An undertaker at the Paposh Nagar graveyard, Munir Hussain, 38, was shot dead by unidentified men. Nizam, 40, was gunned down near Khuda ki Basti.

Munawar Ali, 42, was shot dead in Khamosh Colony. Bodies of two unidentified men were found from a garbage dump near the New MA Jinnah Road and another was found from a residential apartment in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

Two more bodies were found by the police near the Mewashah graveyard while another was found from the Lea Market area.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Militants behind murder of two jailers, suspect officials</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/444954/militants-behind-murder-of-two-jailers-suspect-officials</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/444954/militants-behind-murder-of-two-jailers-suspect-officials#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 30 Sep 12 23:31:16 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=444954</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Jails to remain closed for mourning till Thursday.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A day after the Malir Jail Deputy Superintendent Abdul Razzak Abbasi and Juvenile Jail Assistant Superintendent Pir Masood Jan Sarhandi were shot dead, police and jail officers believe that this was a targeted attack by terrorists.

Given the earlier threats to blow up jails and news of attacking convoys while transferring prisoners, it is not hard for the jail officers to believe that the killings took place to intimidate them.

“They [militant groups] simply want to scare us by unleashing a series of attacks,” said Malir Jail Superintendent Nazeer Hussain while talking to The Express Tribune on Sunday.

His subordinate, Abbasi, used to be at the Hyderabad jail and was posted at the Malir jail seven months ago. “Abbasi and Sarhandi had no enmity with anyone,” he said. “They were both dedicated to their work.”

Hussain complained that despite threats, there was no security provided to the men.

An official of the Central Jail, Aurangzeb Kango, also said that they had received threats of deadly attacks.

“No one was particularly pointed out but we all knew that our lives are in danger,” he said.

As precautionary measures, officers are reluctant to leave the vicinity of the prisons without reason. Most of them live at the staff colony of the Karachi Central Jail.

The bodies of the two officers were sent to their hometowns on Sunday after the funeral prayers. Sarhandi’s body has been sent to Shikarpur and Abbasi to Sehwan Sharif. An FIR has been registered at the Gulshan Police Station against unknown persons. SHO Rana Haseeb said that the two men were on the way to Malir when they were gunned down by two assailants on a motorcycle. The attackers used 9mm pistols.

Mourning

To observe two days of mourning, jails across Sindh will remain closed.

They will open on Tuesday. During the closure, no visitors will be allowed and no prisoners will be presented in courts.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Former MPA gunned down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/441027/former-mpa-gunned-down</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/441027/former-mpa-gunned-down#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 23 Sep 12 06:03:30 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[rabia.ali]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=441027</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Malik Ata Muhammad was a builder and police suspect a personal enmity led to his murder.]]>
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				<![CDATA[A former member of the Sindh Assembly was gunned down in Mehmoodabad on Saturday morning.


Malik Ata Muhammad, 57, was overseeing construction at one of his residential projects when two armed men on a motorcycle shot him dead. The assailants pumped three bullets into his chest and one in his head.

“There were two labourers [standing] with my father but the attackers did not do anything to them,” his eldest son Malik Waqar told The Express Tribune. “They directly went for my father. He was targeted.”

The SHO of Baloch Colony police station, where the case has been registered, saw it as a case of personal enmity. “We are looking into the matter,” said Murtaza Majeed. “The family suspects a personal enmity.”

Ahmadi or not?

Ata Muhammad was the last parliamentarian to be elected on a reserved seat for Ahmadis under the separate electorate system in 1993 and 1997.

While he had contested and won the reserved seat for Ahmadis, confusion lingers on his faith. Was he really an Ahmadi? And if not, then how did he become a member of the Sindh Assembly on a minority seat?

The former MPA’s family, his fellow parliamentarians and the Ahmadi community categorically denied that he was an Ahmadi.

Ata Muhammad’s son said that the family was Sunni and their father had just contested on a reserved seat. Concurring, the spokesperson of the Jama’at Ahmadiyya Pakistan, Saleemuddin, rejected claims that Ata Muhammad had any affiliation with the community. “He was never an Ahmadi and neither did he become one,” he said. “The government should have taken notice of this when he had contested elections using our name.”

Ahmadis do not stand for elections nor do they vote.

A minority MPA claimed that Ata Muhammad had contested the elections by acquiring a fake certificate. “Since Ahmadis did not contest the elections, influential parliamentarians forced non-Ahmadis to contest on their reserved seats so that they do not go to waste.”

Inter-faith harmony

Ata Muhammad was a strong believer of inter-faith harmony. The tent outside his residence in Mehmoodabad was a testimony to this as mourners from different religious communities condoled with the family.

He openly raised a voice for the rights of the Ahmadi community and the injustice meted out to them. He was also the vice chairman of the National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony and Human Rights.

Michael Javed, a former MPA, who was with Ata Muhammad in the assembly, recalls him being vocal about minorities and not letting anyone else interrupt him. “He was at the front when we all passed a resolution for the exclusion of the religion column in CNICs in the assembly,” he said. “When he spoke, officials were scared and asked him not to speak so openly in the assembly.”

Another former parliamentarian, Bherulal Balani of the Hindu community, considered Ata one of his closest friends. “We became friends when we were not in the assembly,” he said. “Religion never came between us.”

Three days before his death, Ata Muhammad called him to get ready as they were going out but he got busy and couldn’t come, Balani said. “And now I am coming to his house for his funeral.”

Ata was an active social worker and every month, around 50 women would come to receive rations from him. “He was very helpful. Just before he was murdered, a family had come to him, asking for money to buy a pedestal fan for their daughter’s dowry. Ata said he would donate three fans,” said Dr Harish, a minority representative of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional.

With his wife passing away in 1997, Ata Muhammad also played mother to his six children. “He wanted all of us to settle in Germany,” said Malik Waqar, crying. “That was why he was constructing a building and planned to sell it off [and move away]. But now he’s gone.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Former Sindh MPA gunned down in Mehmoodabad</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440833/former-sindh-mpa-gunned-down-in-mehmoodabad</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/440833/former-sindh-mpa-gunned-down-in-mehmoodabad#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Sep 12 05:39:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=440833</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Four men on motorcycles opened fire on him.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Former Member Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sindh Malik Atta was killed when unidentified men opened indiscriminate fire on him near Parsi Gate in Mehmoodabad, Express News reported on Saturday.

Police said that there were four men on two motorcycles.

The former MPA’s body was shifted to Jinnah hospital.

Earlier, Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat (ASWJ) leader Allama Ahmed Ludhyanvi announced a day of mourning over the deaths of six party members.

On Ishq-e-Rasool Day, 20 people were killed and 103 others were reported injured in the city.

Police officials said a 100 people had been arrested.]]>
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			<title>MQM’s former sector in-charge among nine people shot dead</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434596/mqm%e2%80%99s-former-sector-in-charge-among-nine-people-shot-dead</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/434596/mqm%e2%80%99s-former-sector-in-charge-among-nine-people-shot-dead#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Sep 12 00:31:03 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=434596</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Aleemullah, 30, a former Muttahida Qaumi Movement sector in-charge, was shot dead on his way back home from a mosque.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Around nine people, including two activists of the Sunni Tehreek, were killed in the city on Monday. 


Aleemullah, 30, a former Muttahida Qaumi Movement sector in-charge, was shot dead on his way back home from a mosque by unidentified men riding on motorcycles in Sector 11 1/2, said the Orangi Town police.

District west SSP, Amir Farooqui said that Aleemullah, who worked for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

In Gulshan-e-Ghazi, a transporter identified as 58-year-old Khan Pasand Khan and his nephew Raees Khan, 32, were gunned down by unidentified suspects, said the Mochko police. SHO Imtiaz Jutt said that Khan Pasand owned the G-7 route bus stand and Raees worked with him. He added that the men were killed over a personal enmity.

Thirty-year-old head constable Ejaz, 30, was shot and injured near Hassan Square, said the New Town police.

In an unrelated incident, 35-year-old Syed Mohtisham was killed in Orangi Town. The police suspect that he was killed over a financial dispute. In Hassan Square, ASI Farooq Mustafa Lassi was shot and injured by two men on a motorcycle, said the New Town police. They claim that Farooq was on his way home from work, he was on duty at Zardari House, when the incident took place.

However, DSP Nasir Lodhi claimed that Farooq worked with the Anti-Car Lifting Cell and was shot dead near his father’s house.
Rait Khan, 45, and his 40-year-old wife were shot dead inside their house in Madina Town, said the Shah Latif police.

Tehseen and Imran, activists of the Sunni Tehreek, were shot dead in Orangi Town. SHO Naeem Khan said that they were residents of  Baldia Town.
A man identified as Amir Ali was shot and injured on his way home from work, said the Solider Bazaar police. They claimed that he worked for the Sindh Building and Control Authority and lived in Kalakot. He was taken to Aga Khan University Hospital.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Suspect questioned over advertising icon’s murder</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/433723/suspect-questioned-over-advertising-icon%e2%80%99s-murder</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/433723/suspect-questioned-over-advertising-icon%e2%80%99s-murder#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 08 Sep 12 20:11:49 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=433723</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Police confirm Mukhtar Ahmed Azmi and his son were killed in a sectarian attack.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[After running into a blind alley, the police, with a little help from their friends in the intelligence wing, have managed to arrest a suspect in the twin murders of advertising icon Mukhtar Ahmed Azmi and his son. He was taken to an undisclosed location for questioning.


Investigators claim that the suspect was affiliated with the militant group of a rival sect. Initially, the police were unable to collect forensic evidence from the crime scene and could not record witness statements as no one was stepping forward. They did gain access to the CCTV footage but claimed that it was useless.

“We cannot discuss the arrest yet,” said a senior police officer. “We plan to arrest more suspects from the information we gather from this man. During the initial investigation, this suspect told us that his accomplices had been released from jail a few days before the incident. Some suspects who are in the fourth schedule will also be questioned.”  The fourth schedule is a process through which the police keeps an eye on recently released inmates.

The police claim that two unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at Azmi, Baqar and his grandson Ahmed, as they were on their way home from work.

The investigators told The Express Tribune that they could not find any evidence to link the attack with a personal enmity or an attempted robbery. Azmi’s family confirmed that he did not have any enemies and had not received any sort of death or extortion threats.

“Now we are clear that this was a sectarian attack,” said Gulshan SP Investigation Naveed Khawaja. “The police have failed to gather any leads from forensics and CCTV footage. This is a high-profile case and we are using new methods to solve it.” He added that none of the witnesses was prepared to give a statement and they were unable to get fingerprints from the car.

SP Khawaja confirmed that a suspect was detained in connection with the case. “The suspect in question was arrested in a raid,” he said. “Hopefully he will help us find out who was behind the attack. We have also approached mobile phone networks for calling data and geo-fencing reports.” He added that they needed calling data for an hour before and after the incident took place.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Ex-income tax commissioner shot</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/432683/ex-income-tax-commissioner-shot</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/432683/ex-income-tax-commissioner-shot#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 12 21:25:45 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=432683</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[An Ahmadi school teacher among six people killed.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At 8:50am on Thursday morning, Mumtaz Sheikh’s family heard gunshots outside their house in DHA Phase IV. Little did they know that Sheikh, 66, who had just stepped out for work, was dead.

Sheikh, a former income tax commissioner and member of the local government revenue department, was in a black Toyota Corolla with his driver when four men in a gray Cuore drove up to the car, held the driver at gunpoint and opened fire at Sheikh, said the Gizri police.

According to SHO Ismail Lashari, the driver had told him that the suspects were parked 50-feet from the house. Initial investigation and statements suggests that the suspects wore shalwar kameez and were carrying Kalashnikovs. The SHO said that the driver was safe, but in shock at what had happened.

An investigation team is being led by District South SSP Asif Ejaz was formed with Clifton SP Ashfaq Alam, DSP Sheraz Asghar Sheikh and SHO Ismail Lashari on board.

When contacted by The Express Tribune, SP Alam refused to comment. He said that although they had a couple of leads, they were too busy investigating the case and could not share details.

Investigators suggest that they found three Kalashnikov bullet shells at the scene of crime and had sent them to the forensics department.

SHO Lashari said that Mumtaz Sheikh was shot four times, including the neck and chest. “We found out about this incident very late,” he said. “When the family found the body, they brought it inside and then took it to PNS Shifa Hospital. By the time we found out and got to the crime scene, all we found were the empty bullet shells.” He added that Sheikh’s family was not cooperating with the police and were busy making arrangements for the funeral.

DSP Sheraz said that the police had asked the family to give them the CCTV footage to help with the investigation. Sheikh and his neighbours had installed CCTV cameras in the area. He refused to comment if Sheikh was killed in a sectarian attack.

In an unrelated incident, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement activist identified as 28-year-old Irfan Ahmed was shot dead on Wednesday, said the Napier Road police. He was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi. SHO Imdad Khawaja said that Ahmed was shot twice by two unidentified men on a motorcycle.

A man identified as 24-year-old Omair was killed while two of his friends, Najam and Khizar Hayat, were injured on their way home after collecting the admission form for Jinnah Polytechnic College, said the North Nazimabad police. SHO Saleem Naz said that three men on two motorcycles on the three men. In Sultanabad, a man identified as 38-year-old Iqbal was shot dead near his house, said the Manghopir police. They claim that Iqbal was on his way out when unidentified men opened fire at him. The body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Two people were also shot dead in Orangi Town.

Ahmadi school teacher gunned down

Thirty-six-year-old Abdul Ghaffar, a government school teacher and resident of Saeedabad, was gunned down in Lyari, said the Chakiwara police. He was taken to Civil Hospital, Karachi. They said that Ghaffar, an Ahmadi, was shot dead on his way home from work by two men on a motorcycle. According to a spokesperson from the Ahmadi community, Ghaffar was the father of four children and had worked at the school for 15 years. “It was a targeted attack,” he said while talking to The Express Tribune. “We have told all our community members to be careful but no precaution seems to be enough.” He added that this was this was the second time such an incident had taken place in two months.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Police official among seven killed in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/431761/police-official-among-seven-killed-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/431761/police-official-among-seven-killed-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 05 Sep 12 09:39:22 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=431761</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Uniden­tified men opened fire in North Karach­i and killed Assist­ant Sub-Inspec­tor (ASI) of Police.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[A police official and six others were killed in different incidents of violence in Karachi on Wednesday, Express News reported.

Unidentified men opened fire in North Karachi and killed Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) of Police, Abdul Ghafoor and a tailor, Muhammad Hussain.

According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police West Naeem Akram Bharoka, the deceased official was posted at Manghopir Police Station.

DIG Bharoka also revealed that it was not a targeted murder, but a case of personal enmity.

A person named Sarfaraz and his son Gul Nawaz were shot dead in Baldia Ittehad Town.

A strangled body was found at the Qayyumabad graveyard.

Another body was recovered from Napier Road which is reported to be of 25-year-old Zakaria, who was kidnapped and then shot dead. An unidentified body was found in the Khadda Market area of Lyari.

According to the police, the body was mutilated after abduction.

Three people died in different incidents at Jehangir Road, Mawach Goth and Landhi Export Processing Zone.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/431761-sindhpoliceafp-1346837668/431761-sindhpoliceafp-1346837668.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Targeted: Son, 3 nephews of former peace committee leader killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/423792/targeted-son-3-nephews-of-former-peace-committee-leader-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/423792/targeted-son-3-nephews-of-former-peace-committee-leader-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 18 Aug 12 07:52:35 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[mureeb.mohmand]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[K-P]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=423792</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Army arrests nine in search operation following incident.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Four family members of former Tarakzai peace committee leader Haji Salam were killed when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them in the Michni area of districk Ekkaghund.

An official told The Express Tribune that the family had received a call the previous night upon which a son and three nephews of the former leader, armed, went to a house in Gul Tabar. There, unidentified men sitting in waiting opened fire on them, injuring them severely.

The men succumbed to their injuries and when locals reached the spot in the morning, they were all dead.

Following this, the politicial administration of Kasadar, along with the army, initiated a search operation and arrest nine suspects.

The reason for the target killing is yet to be ascertained.]]>
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			<title>Day after chief minister claimed killings reduced, senior party man gunned down</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/412205/day-after-chief-minister-claimed-killings-reduced-senior-party-man-gunned-down</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/412205/day-after-chief-minister-claimed-killings-reduced-senior-party-man-gunned-down#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 12 19:42:07 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=412205</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Five more fall victim to target killers as killings go on in Ramazan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[There seems to be no respite in targeted killings in Ramazan, as five more people, a senior activist of the Pakistan Peoples Party and a shopkeeper, were gunned down on Monday.


Only a day before, the Sindh chief minister had claimed targeted killing incidents have reduced “because of effective steps taken by the government”.

Since the start of Ramazan, at least 17 people have been shot dead across Karachi. The trend continued on Monday, as Sardar Imam Bakhsh Baloch, 70, a member of PPP Sindh Council, fell victim to gun-toting gangsters. He was targeted in his car near Gulshan-e-Kaneez Fatima Society in Sacchal police limits late on Sunday. His driver, Aqeel, was also injured in the attack.

The police said that two men on a motorcycle shot Baloch at least four times.

The PPP leader lived in Gharibabad and was a well-known figure in the area. The victim’s brother, Sardar Majeed Baloch, said that the deceased had no enmity with anyone and the family itself was trying to figure out the reason behind the murder.

The PPP activist’s funeral was held outside the Baloch Masjid, and was laid to rest at the Essa Nagri graveyard. Condemning the incident, President Asif Ali Zardari has called for an inquiry into Baloch’s murder.

“The killing of PPP leaders, workers and supporters in Karachi is a conspiracy to provoke the party against its rival political organisations,” claimed PPP District Central leader Sohail Abidi.
At Joria Bazaar in Lyari, a trader was gunned down. Qasim Shah Baloch, 28, was sitting outside his house when two armed men shot him.

SHO Chand Khan Niazi said the victim had no political or religious affiliations. A police official, identified as Fazal Mehmood, was shot dead in Orangi Town. District West Zone SSP Amir Farooqui told The Express Tribune that the initial investigation has led law enforcers to believe that at least five armed men riding a motorcycle shot and killed Mehmood when he was on the way to a mosque to offer Isha prayers.

In a separate incident, a young man, identified as Waheed, was gunned down in the Doli Khata area.

A body was found with the jurisdiction of the Garden police.

Arrests

Mauripur police claimed to have arrested six suspects and seized weapons and narcotics during a raid in 500-Quarters and Ali Village. SHO Shafiq Tanoli said the targeted operation was against two notorious target killers, Mohammad Shah and Mehram Rustam, who were wanted by the police in more than 25 cases.

Meanwhile, police also arrested a suspect involved in the Sohrab Goth shootout on Saturday. DSP Iftikhar Lodhi said that Tariq Gul and his accomplice were arrested from Jannat Gul Town and two pistols were seized from them.

Tariq was allegedly involved in the killing of four people during a clash with a rival group at Sohrab Goth.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24th, 2012.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Target killings in Karachi have decreased, says CM</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/411773/target-killings-in-karachi-have-decreased-says-cm</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/411773/target-killings-in-karachi-have-decreased-says-cm#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jul 12 19:36:10 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=411773</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[He also said that action will be taken against profiteers in Ramazan.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Even though 10 people died on the first day of Ramazan in Karachi, this did not stop Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah from claiming that “target killings in the city have been minimised because of effective steps taken by the government.”


While talking to the media on Sunday at Sukkur airport, he claimed that the incident in which four people were gunned down on Saturday in Sohrab Goth, Karachi was not an act of target killing but an armed clash between two rival groups. Four target killers have also been arrested, said Shah. “The law and order situation is improving,” he said. “Rangers have been ordered to conduct effective raids so that better results can be achieved.”

Talking about the price hike in Ramazan, the chief minister said that on Saturday, he visited some markets in Karachi and directed the authorities to take action against the profiteers. “The government has given a subsidy of Rs2.5 billion so that people can purchase commodities at low prices during Ramazan,” he said. When asked why the government makes effort to provide relief to the people only in Ramazan, the chief minister claimed that since the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) has come to power, it has been trying to alleviate the miseries of the people all year round.

Referring to the recent induction of politicians and influential people to the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Shah said, “Those leaving PPP and joining PML-N are political orphans and don’t have the support of the people.” Later, Shah and some ministers of his cabinet left for Kandhkot, where he is scheduled to chair cabinet meeting. He will also listen to the grievances of the citizens and party workers there.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 23rd, 2012.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Busted: CID arrests alleged target killers</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/402051/busted-cid-arrests-alleged-target-killers</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/402051/busted-cid-arrests-alleged-target-killers#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jul 12 01:09:39 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=402051</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Apprehended seven men allegedly involved in over 100 cases of crime.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Crime Investigation Department said on Sunday that it conducted separate raids on a tip-off and apprehended seven men allegedly involved in over 100 cases of crime, including target killing, extortion and kidnapping.


SSP Fayyaz Khan added that the suspects were affiliated with two political parties and were arrested during separate raids within the jurisdiction of the Korangi Industrial Area, Risala, and Jackson police stations.

The arrested men were identified as Hassan Ali, Fahim Akbar, Mohammad Saleem, Abdul Rauf aka Lamba, Mohammad Danish, Azadi Khan and Syed Salik Siraj. Law enforcers also seized one Kalashnikov, six pistols, 500 kilogrammes of hashish and two stolen cars from the suspects. SSP Khan added that the suspects had killed at least five men from a rival political party and further investigation is under way.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2nd, 2012.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>CID arrest seven target killers in Karachi</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401966/cid-arrest-seven-target-killers-in-karachi</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/401966/cid-arrest-seven-target-killers-in-karachi#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jul 12 14:38:31 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=401966</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Alleged killers confessed to killing five Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers: CID.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Sunday arrested seven allegedly politically affiliated target killers in the city along with weapons, Express News reported. 

According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) CID Fayyaz Khan, the arrested include Hassan Ali, Fahim, Salim, Abdul Rauf alias ‘Lamba’, Danish, Azadi Khan and Syed Salik Siraj.

CID officials also recovered a heavy cache of weapons from the arrested, including one Kalashnikov, six TT pistols and 320 cartridges along with 500 grams of heroin and three stolen cars.

The SSP said that during interrogation, the alleged killers had confessed to killing eight people in different areas of the city, including five Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers.

The names of the killed were Peshimam Qari Jameel, Arshad, Hanif Qadri, Hameed, Jaffar, Kashif, Haji Farid and Syed Gul.]]>
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			</item><item>
			<title>Taking action: Alleged target killers arrested</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400185/taking-action-alleged-target-killers-arrested</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/400185/taking-action-alleged-target-killers-arrested#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jun 12 01:45:32 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=400185</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[SSP Asif Sheikh said that law enforcers had arrested a suspect, Abdul Rehman.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[The South Zone SSP Asif Ejaz Sheikh said at a press conference in his office that law enforcers had arrested a suspect, Abdul Rehman, who was allegedly involved in the targeted killings of at least three people.  However, he did not disclose the political affiliation of the arrested man.


A young man, identified as Zainul Abideen, was arrested by the Malir City police for his alleged involvement in the murder of a seminary student a few months ago in Malir. DSP Rao Iqbal said that the suspect was arrested in a raid conducted on a tip-off and further investigation is under way.

Another alleged target killer, identified as Siraj, was apprehended in Surjani Town by the Special Investigation Unit of the police. Law enforcers said that the suspect was involved in about one dozen cases of target killing, including that of a police officer.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Brothers killed, uncle injured in Quetta attack</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394206/brothers-killed-uncle-injured-in-quetta-attack</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/394206/brothers-killed-uncle-injured-in-quetta-attack#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Fri, 15 Jun 12 09:50:40 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Balochistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=394206</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[The deceased were identified as Zeshan and Bilal and the injured as Abdul Jabbar.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Two people were killed and one was injured when unidentified men on motorcycles opened fire on them in the Tail Godown area of the city, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) reported on Friday.

Police sources confirmed the reports and added that the deceased, who were brothers, were standing outside their house when the assailants attacked them.

Both brothers died on the spot whereas the boys’ uncle was injured. The assailants fled the scene.

The deceased were identified as Zeshan and Bilal and the injured as Abdul Jabbar.

The police, while quoting preliminary investigations, said that no cause of the attack could be ascertained as yet.

A case was registered and a probe into the incident was initiated.]]>
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				    <img src="https://i.tribune.com.pk/media/images/394206-targetkilling-1339753407/394206-targetkilling-1339753407.jpg" class="featured_image"/>
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			<title>Protest: Law and order takes centre stage at Sindh Assembly</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/390252/protest-law-and-order-takes-centre-stage-at-sindh-assembly</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/390252/protest-law-and-order-takes-centre-stage-at-sindh-assembly#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 12 22:20:05 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[Hafeez Tunio]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=390252</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[MQM stages a token walkout as MPAs question the government’s willingness to take action.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[As the bodies pile up in the morgue and traders take to the streets to protest against extortionists, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) walked out from the Sindh Assembly session on Thursday to protest targeted killings and extortion demands in Karachi.


The MQM legislators said that ‘hidden hands’ in the government were supporting suspects of the Lyari gang war and said that the state was reluctant to take action against them.

On the other hand, lawmakers of other parties criticised the operation in Lyari and demanded that similar action be taken in other areas.

Speaker Nisar Khuhro initially refused to let any MPA raise points of order, but the MQM MPAs requested a few minutes. MPA Tahir Qureshi rose to speak and blamed criminals for killing MQM workers and Urdu-speaking people in a systematic manner. According to Qureshi, business activity has come to a standstill because of the increase in demands by extortionists, who warn of dire consequences if they aren’t paid. “No one other than the criminals of Lyari gang warfare is involved in the massacre of our workers, kidnapping for ransom as well as the extortion culture in the city,” he said.

Qureshi said that 83 MQM workers and supporters have been killed since January, and alleged that 20 traders were being kept hostage in Lyari.

“People want to know why action is not being taken. Please expose those patronising criminals who kill people and fire rocket launchers and hand grenades at police stations,” he said. Qureshi said that while the provincial government allocates billions of rupees on security, the police and Rangers are silent spectators. Minister for Religious Affairs and MQM MPA Abdul Haseeb said that around 10 party workers had been killed from June 1 to June 6.

MQM MPAs staged a token walkout after Qureshi’s speech.

Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Rafique Engineer, a provincial minister who was elected from Lyari, said that innocent people, especially labourers, were being killed in Lyari, Malir and other areas of the city. But he ruled out that a single ethnic group was being targeted. Nusrat Seher Abbasi of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional criticised the recent operation in Lyari and demanded that similar action be taken in other areas. “We want to know why action was only taken in Lyari,” Abbasi said.

“There is no home minister to look after the law and order situation. The portfolio is with the chief minister. Who should be held responsible for the killing of innocent people? The police inspector-general had promised the same action in other areas... but all in vain,” she said. Abbasi also recalled the recent attack on the Awami Tehreek’s rally and said that no action had been taken against those responsible.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Bhatta business: Police warned as trader’s killing sparks protest</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/390251/bhatta-business-police-warned-as-trader%e2%80%99s-killing-sparks-protest</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/390251/bhatta-business-police-warned-as-trader%e2%80%99s-killing-sparks-protest#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Thu, 07 Jun 12 22:14:21 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[shaheryar.mirza]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=390251</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Capital worth Rs70 billion has left the market as more investors pull out by the day.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[Traders continue to fall prey to targeted attacks in the city. In the past three days alone, three traders were murdered.


The latest victims were Shamsuddin and Naeem Qureshi. Shamsuddin was killed at his shop in Kharadar on Thursday while Qureshi was injured in an attack in Jama Cloth on Wednesday. These attacks sparked violent protests by the traders of both the areas on Thursday afternoon. Their protest seemed to have prompted the chief minister, Qaim Ali Shah, to offer early (forced) retirement for the police officers who fail to fulfill their duties. An SHO and a DSP from Kharadar were also suspended after the killing.

He announced this while talking to journalists after meeting top officials of city police at the Central Police Office (CPO). “My orders are straightforward. Anyone who doesn’t carry out his duties will be offered a premature retirement.”

According to the Karachi Traders’ Action Committee (KTAC), in the past 72 hours seven traders have been killed in Kharadar, Garden West, Sharifabad, Jama Cloth, Golimar, Liaquatabad and Shershah areas.

In fact, Siddiq Memon, the KTAC chairman, said that Shamsuddin was killed in the presence of police protection. “The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee and the police had been informed that Shamsuddin was being threatened. The police had deputed a police officer for protection,” Memon said. “But three men came to the shop on a motorcycle and opened fire. The policeman did put up a fight but was critically wounded.” The murder took place at around 11:15, about half an hour after the market opens for business.

A similar event took place in Jama Cloth on Wednesday, when another trader Naeem Qureshi was shot at, but he managed to escape. Eyewitnesses said that even though a police and a Rangers’ vehicle were present in the area, the law enforcers didn’t act or chase the assailants.

Memon said that most of the attacks seem to be taking place in the old city areas. “Not only are people being killed but at least 15 to 16 traders have also been ‘picked up’ by the extortionists.” ‘Picking up’ is a strategy which the extortionists use to instill fear in them. They pick them up and drive around for a couple of hours before dropping them off.

Shah said that he has ordered a greater presence of law enforcers. He also wanted the IG, AIG, and DIGs to be in the field and make their presence known. CPLC said that 25 businessmen have been kidnapped from the city so far this year.

Monetary fallout 

The KTAC is not satisfied with the security arrangements and sees most of these efforts as futile.

One of the biggest problems,  it says, is when the army chief came to Karachi and met members of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, industrialists, corps commander and the chief minister, it resulted in the deployment of 500 policemen only in the SITE area.

“The sad part is that small traders are being totally neglected,” said Memon. “The other 550 markets in Karachi pay Rs25 million in extortion money every day without deployment of any security personnel.”

He said that situation was so bad that about 20 per cent of the shops had shut down, rendering 35,000 people unemployed. “Most of these shopkeepers don’t invest their own money in businesses,” Memon said. “The investors and importers are pulling out by the day. This has caused capital worth Rs70 billion to leave the market over the last six months. According to our calculations, 175,000 people used to visit markets every day but now that number is only 35,000.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>MQM activist, another man killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/389864/mqm-activist-another-man-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/389864/mqm-activist-another-man-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 06 Jun 12 21:10:46 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=389864</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[On Wednesday, trader Naeem Qureshi survived a murder attempt after he refused to pay extortion.]]>
			</description>
			<content:encoded>
				<![CDATA[At least two people were killed in targeted attacks on Wednesday while parts of the city’s older areas remained volatile in the aftermath of an ethnic clash and protests.


The two dead included a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activist, who was shot in Korangi. In another attack, Waqar Ahmed, alias Khurram, was shot in Federal B Area but the police said he had no political affiliation and may have been killed over personal enmity.

The body of a 26-year-old Mohammad Yasin was found in a gunny bag near the Baitul Mukarram Masjid in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. Police said that his limbs were tied with rope and he had been shot in the head before his body was dumped. Police suspected that he had been killed over personal enmity.

Attacks and threats to traders continued. On Wednesday, trader Naeem Qureshi survived a murder attempt after he refused to pay extortion.

Two men shot at his car in Sharfabad but Qureshi escaped. He said that the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee and the police were informed about the threats to his life.

In Garden West, traders and shopkeepers closed down their businesses to protest the murder of trader Javed Sattar, who was shot dead inside his shop on Tuesday.

Ethnic clash

Fighting between two ethnic groups resulted in the partial halt of business activity in the areas of Garden, Dhobi Ghat, Usmanabad and Faqir Mohammad Durra Khan road. A rickshaw and three vendor stalls were set on fire while the windows of several houses were shattered because of in the intense firing in the area.

A large contingent of the Rangers and police was put on high alert at in the areas.

Kalakot DSP Nasir Lodhi said that the clash between two ethnic groups – Baloch and Mohajir - took place over a kidnapping issue.

He said that the clash took place at the road between Faqir Mohammad Durra Khan Road, a Baloch-dominated area and Dhobi Ghat, which is mostly populated by the Mohajir community.The kidnapped man, Adnan, was released after the Rangers and police intervened.

In another ethnic-driven conflict, two men riding a motorcycle threw a hand grenade near the KMC Workshop on Nishtar Road. The Bomb Disposal Squad defused the grenade. Lodhi said while the events were unrelated, both were driven by disputes between ethnic groups.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: Four MQM men among 10 killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388756/target-killings-four-mqm-men-among-10-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388756/target-killings-four-mqm-men-among-10-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jun 12 22:18:27 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=388756</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Murders linked to ethnic tensions; several others reported missing.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Ten people, including four  activists of a political party, were killed and five others were injured in separate areas on Monday. Several people were also reported missing and feared dead.


Business activities came to a halt in the Old City areas as unidentified armed men attacked Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers in Kharadar, Napier Road and Garden.

On Sunday night, a group of 10 to 15 motorcyclists attacked MQM workers in the Paan Mandi area, said the Risala police. A party activist identified as Irfan was killed, while three others, Asghar Yousaf, Abdul Waheed and Hanif Moosa, were injured. The suspects then moved towards Kamil Gali in Kharadar and opened fire at some more MQM workers. Two men identified as Zubair and Sher Alam were injured. They were taken to Civil hospital.

Two men, identified as Sharif, 45, and 25-year-old Anees, were attacked near Azeem Plaza in Dhobi Ghat on Monday afternoon, said the Garden police. They were taken to Civil hospital, where Sharif was pronounced dead. The police claimed that the men were affiliated with MQM’s Unit-32. Sharif was a rickshaw driver and was waiting for passengers with Anees.

In the Paper Market area in Kharadar, 32-year-old Mansoor Siraj was shot dead while his friend Sohail Sikandar, 28, was injured in the attack. Both the victims were stated to be MQM activists.

The assailants then struck Bihar Colony in Chakiwara and gunned down 35-year-old Hakeem Asif inside the Ehsan Dawakhana. Asif was also associated with the MQM. The police said that 9mm pistols were used in all five incidents of target killings.

SSP South Zone Nasir Aftab told The Express Tribune that the murders were linked to the ongoing ethno- political tensions between the MQM and banned Peoples Amn Committee.

“Target killings of political activists and the bodies found are all linked,” he said. “The people targeted since last night were all MQM supporters and not office-bearers, as they are easy targets.”

Five more people, including two security guards, were killed while another MQM activist was injured. The police also found a body from Sohrab Goth.

In Orangi Town, 45-year-old Muneebullah was shot dead in Islamia Colony. The Pirabad police said that the victim was sitting outside a mosque after Fajr.

In Gizri, two men on a motorcycle killed a security guard, identified as 65-year-old Gul Roz, near Nisar Shaheed Park. Another private security guard deployed at the main gate of Memon Nagar Society was shot dead by unidentified men. Suleman Khan, 53, was killed by the motorcyclists when he tried to stop them from entering the residential colony.

A driver, identified as 60-year-old Mohammad Rafiq, was killed when armed men attacked his car near the Jheel Park, said the Ferozabad police. A man was killed and another was wounded in a firing incident on Nishter Road, said the Soldier Bazaar police. The body of an unidentified man was found near Super Highway. Another MQM activist, identified as 40-year-old Munawar of party’s unit-58/A, was injured in an armed attack near the Old Sabzi Mandi, the PIB police said.

The MQM and PAC are accusing each other for the day’s violence while the police claims that the incidents were linked.

Law and order: Major reshuffle in Sindh police on cards   


A major reshuffle in the police department is on the cards to deal with the ongoing incidents of targeted killings and violence in the city.


The Sindh police department has sent a proposal to the provincial government regarding the transfer of at least three DIGs and four SSPs.

According to the proposal, Commandant Shaukat Ali Shah, is likely to be appointed as new commandant for the Police Training Centre, Saeedabad. DIG East Zone, Tahir Naveed, is likely to be the new chief of the Crime Investigation Department. DIG Establishment, Shahid Hayat, may be posted as DIG East Zone. While SSP Farooq Awan is likely to be transferred and posted to the East Zone. Asif Ejaz Sheikh to be transferred to South Zone, Nasir Aftab will be posted to the Crime Branch II and Ahmed Yar Chuhan to Crime Branch I.

According to the sources, another reshuffle is expected at a later stage. DIG Shaukat Ali Shah told The Express Tribune that the proposal was sent to the authorities concerned but nobody knows whether the government would approve it or not.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Balochistan violence: Policeman among six killed in Quetta</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388148/balochistan-violence-policeman-among-six-killed-in-quetta</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388148/balochistan-violence-policeman-among-six-killed-in-quetta#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 Jun 12 09:20:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
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				<![CDATA[Four victims were inside the shop whereas the other two victims were passersby, police sources said.]]>
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				<![CDATA[At least six people, including one policeman, were killed when unidentified men on motorcycles opened fire on a shop on Sirki Road, Express News reported on Sunday.

Four victims were inside the shop whereas the other two victims were passersby, police sources said.

A heavy contingent of police reached the crime scene and cordoned off the area. A search operation is underway.

Bodies of the victims were shifted to Civil Hospital where relatives of the deceased staged protests.

Police sources said that this appeared to be an incident of target killing.

Earlier, two Balochistan Levies personnel were killed in an attack on a check post, and a Hazara community member was shot dead, in separate incidents of violence.]]>
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			<title>Karachi violence: Target killing claims six lives</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388144/karachi-violence-target-killing-claims-three-lives</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/388144/karachi-violence-target-killing-claims-three-lives#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 03 Jun 12 08:46:12 +0500</pubDate>
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				<![CDATA[web.desk]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=388144</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Three of the victims were found in gunny bags in different parts of the city.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The spate of target killings continued in Karachi, claiming six more victims in different areas of the city, Express News reported on Sunday.

Bodies of two people in gunny bags were recovered from Orangi Town No. 7. Both victims had multiple bullet wounds.

Another body in a gunny bag was found in the Liaquatabad area. The victim was kidnapped and subjected to torture before being killed.

All three victims could not be identified.

In another incident, a woman and a man were shot dead inside their house by unknown men in the Gulbahar area, while a child was seriously injured.

A tortured body of a young man was also found in the Sohrab Goth area.

Earlier, two former activists of a political party were shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and two bodies were also found in different parts of the city.]]>
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			<title>Target killings: ANP man among five killed</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384339/target-killings-anp-man-among-five-killed</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/384339/target-killings-anp-man-among-five-killed#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sat, 26 May 12 00:42:54 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=384339</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[Rangers arrest six members of banned Peoples Amn Committee.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Five people, including a political worker, were killed in the city on Friday. An activist from the Awami National Party (ANP) was gunned down in Bilal Colony, Korangi. The victim was sitting outside his house when unidentified men shot him. He was taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre where he died.


Korangi Industrial Area SHO Malik Ayub said that 25-year-old Abdul Shakoor Bengali was a bandit and was killed by his gang members over a monetary dispute. However, the ANP, claimed that Bengali was affiliated with the party.

In an unrelated incident, a man was shot dead during a robbery at Jamaluddin Afghani Road in New Town. The police said that 24-year-old Faisal Memon was resident of Garden West and was going to Sharfabad in his car when two armed men on a motorcycle tried to snatch his cell phone and shot him upon offering resistance. The victim was taken to the Aga Khan University Hospital where he died during treatment. There were reports that the deceased was a bookie, but the case inquiry officer, Sub-Inspector Ashraf Baloch, said that Memon worked at the Karachi Stock Exchange. The police have registered a case (FIR no. 222/12) against two unidentified suspects on the complaint of Memon’s uncle.

In Ayub Goth, 22-year-old Imtiaz Gopang was stabbed to death during a fight between two poultry shop owners, Sohrab Goth police said. Gopang was killed by another poultry shop owner, named Zahid, who was also injured during a squabble, which erupted over differences on selling rates for meat, said DSP Iftikhar Lodhi. The suspect has been arrested and further investigation is under way. The body of an unidentified man was found from Sector 2½, Korangi.

Zaman Town SHO Dilawar Jhokio said the body was shifted to the Edhi Morgue, Sohrab Goth for identification.

A 20-year-old man identified as Ahmed was gunned down in Orangi Town, said the Pakistan Bazaar police. They claim that he was sitting at home near Madina Colony when two men on a motorcycle opened fire at him. He was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

Arrests

At least six alleged gangsters from Lyari were arrested by Rangers during a raid in Mawach Goth. According to a source in Rangers, the arrested suspects were affiliated with the banned Peoples Amn Committee (PAC). Six hand grenades, two Kalashnikovs, five pistols, 950 bullets and a significant quantity of narcotics were also recovered from them.

The arrested men were identified as Hakim, Ameer Hamza, Murad Baloch, Waqar Pathan, Muzammil and Haider. The Rangers have not handed over the suspects to the police as they are being interrogated. PAC leader Zafar Baloch confirmed the news, saying details about the arrests were being gathered.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Balochistan Unrest: Two killed in incidents of violence</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381517/balochistan-unrest-two-killed-in-incidents-of-violence</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/381517/balochistan-unrest-two-killed-in-incidents-of-violence#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Sun, 20 May 12 04:46:41 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
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			<category><![CDATA[Pakistan]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=381517</guid>
			<description>
				<![CDATA[One man killed in drive-by, one bullet riddled body found.]]>
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				<![CDATA[Imtiaz Rasool, the chief warden at the district jail, was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Saturday. According to the police, Rasool was attacked by two men on a motorcycle near the prison facility.


The miscreants fled from the scene after committing the crime. Rasool’s body was shifted to the provincial Sandeman hospital for autopsy. “It can be a case of target killing,” said police official Mohammad Aslam.

Meanwhile, the bullet riddled body of a missing person was found near a bus stand in Khuzdar district on Saturday.

According to police sources, some passersby spotted the body and informed the nearby police station.  The person was identified as Abdul Qudus, son of Abdul Wahab. He went missing on July 21, 2012, from the Arbab Complex area of Khuzdar.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2012.]]>
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			<title>Drive-by shootings: As 10 more people die, CM gives families compensation</title>
			<link>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379982/drive-by-shootings-as-10-more-people-die-cm-gives-families-compensation</link>
			<comments>https://tribune.com.pk/story/379982/drive-by-shootings-as-10-more-people-die-cm-gives-families-compensation#comments</comments>
			<pubDate>Wed, 16 May 12 21:46:50 +0500</pubDate>
			<dc:creator>
				<![CDATA[our.correspondent]]>
			</dc:creator>
			<category><![CDATA[Sindh]]></category>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">https://tribune.com.pk/?p=379982</guid>
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				<![CDATA[Nine people were injured in a grenade attack just off Quaidabad Bridge.]]>
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				<![CDATA[The vice-like grip of violence has tightened on Karachi again as seven people died in targeted attacks and one more in a grenade attack on Wednesday. On the other hand, the chief minister distributed compensation cheques to the families of targeted killings.


The killings 

An alleged gangster identified as Aslam Niazi, alias Commando, was gunned down near Niazi Chowk in Lyari. SHO Safdar Mashwani said that he was associated with the Lyari gangsters and the Peoples Amn Committee.

The law and order situation in Malir, Saudabad, Orangi Town, Baldia, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and PECHS was disturbed as seven more people, including three Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers, were killed in drive-by shootings.

In Malir, two motorcyclists shot and killed 45-year-old Khursheed Iqbal in Saudabad. SHO Imdad Solangi said that Iqbal was the former MQM nazim of union council No. 5.

Another MQM activist, 34-year-old Zubair, was shot dead similarly early in the morning in Liaquat Market.

Hasnain Malik, 35, another MQM activist was gunned down in Durrani Goth, Orangi Town. The police said that he was sitting at a teashop near his house when he was shot dead. SHO Sabir Hassain said that the victim was a real-estate agent and had recently left Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and joined the MQM. His son, Altaf Malik, had also been killed similarly on April 2.

Meanwhile in Baldia Town, two brothers, Saeed and Mujeeb, were gunned down in Gulshan-e-Mazdoor,  Saeedabad. SHO Tariq Islam said that they were killed over personal enmity.

A 41-year-old Sardar Hussain, was killed near Banaras when he was  standing at a bus stop.

Another unidentified man was killed near Mir Alam Road. The police said that the victim was abducted by about four men who blindfolded him and then shot him dead in an abandoned place.

The funeral of the former union council No.7, Anwar Alam, kept PECHS, Tariq Road, Tipu Sultan Road, Khalid bin Waleed Road and Sharah-e-Quaideen on the edge. Alam was killed on Tuesday evening in PECHS. A rickshaw driver was also gunned down in Saddar.

Grenade attack 

A young waiter died and eight others were injured in a grenade attack when two motorcyclists hurled a grenade from the Quaidabad Bridge as they drove by.

The grenade exploded near two teashops called Allah Malik Hotel and New Quetta Noorani Hotel. The injured men were taken to Jinnah hospital where 33-year-old Wajahat died. He hailed from Quetta and worked as a waiter at Allah Malik Hotel. Others were identified as Faizullah, Yasir, Nasir, Mohammad Sadiq, Bashir Ahmad and Javed.

The arrests 

Sindh police’s Crime Investigation Department has claimed to have nabbed an alleged militant, Nawaz Khan, alias Shah Jee, affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. According to SSP Fayyaz Khan five kilogrammes of explosive material, three detonators, seven metres of detonating wire and a TT pistol were seized from him.

Compensation 

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah distributed compensation cheques worth Rs0.2 million on Wednesday among the legal heirs of the victims of targeted killings in Karachi. According to an inquiry commission set up by Sindh government, around 476 people were targeted in 2011. The provincial government has sanctioned over Rs90 million for compensation.

Although a large number of families and heirs were present at Chief Minister House, only 16 families were paid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 17th, 2012.]]>
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