DHA wants end to Mustafa Kamal’s political activities

Notice sent to owner of premises where former MQM leader and others housed

KARACHI:

The Defence Housing Authority (DHA) has served a notice to the owner of the house where Mustafa Kamal and his comrades are residing for illegally indulging in political activities, The Express Tribune learnt on Tuesday.

According to DHA by-laws, political activities in residential areas are not permitted. The order was enforced in 2011 as part of a security plan to close down offices of political parties, remove pickets of private security guards outside homes, and ban political activity in the society.

DHA administrator Brigadier Zubair Ahmed told The Express Tribune that political activity at Kamal's house and placing of posters and banners was illegal, and thus violates the authority's by-laws.

"The owner of the house has been served a notice. We usually give a week to caution them, serve two to three notices, and then take action," he said, claiming that the action would be taken in accordance with the law.



Ground zero

Upon their arrival in Karachi, former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) nazim Kamal and party leader Anis Kaimkhani announced to form their own political party.

The duo picked House 75, 32nd street in Phase-V, Khayaban-e-Sehar as their residence and party office, which according to Kamal is a rented premises.

Outside the house, large banners inscribed with political slogans such 'Salute to Mustafa Kamal' and pictures have been put up. The gate, meanwhile, is adorned with stickers and small posters. The national flag, which has been adopted as the party flag, is seen all around the premises.

'It used to be a peaceful neighbourhood'

Neighbours, though irked by the recent commotion, choose to remain anonymous when complaining. "This was such a peaceful area. Now my son can't study because of the all noise outside," said a woman who lives a few houses away.

According to her, people coming to 'Kamal House' are creating a nuisance for the neighbours.

Young men on bikes are involved in hooliganism, female workers sit on the road, dhol wallahs welcome hordes of supporters, people park their vehicles in front of houses which causes a traffic gridlock, complained residents.



Female residents said they have stopped going to their terraces and balconies as men stare at them, while water tankers and domestic servants are told to use alternative routes as they are not allowed to enter the street from the point near Kamal's house.

"I called the Rangers, and they said that they were helpless to do anything," said a resident living in the area for the last twenty years.

"Kulfi and gola ganda vendors are now a common sight in the area, while bikes and rickshaws are parked everywhere, posing a security threat," he added.

The residents are also disturbed by the large presence of media. A number of DSNG vans are parked outside their houses 24/7. "The generator of the vehicle runs from 8am to 2am. My head hurts because of the incessant noise," said a resident.

"We feel insecure since Mustafa Kamal has come here. Considering the kind of statements he's making, if someone throws a cracker at his house it might harm neighbours too," he added.

Last week, some residents also protested outside Kamal's house, and say they have delivered Kamal a letter regarding their complaints, which he has yet to answer.

The provincial lawmaker from the area, Samar Ali Khan of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, said there should be no inconvenience to residents and all political activity should be done away with.

What complaints?

When contacted, Kamal's spokesperson Iftikhar Alam said they had received no such notice from the DHA. "If such a notice has been issued, show us the copy or receiving slip."

Alam, a former leader of the MQM, claimed no neigbours were disturbed by them, and in fact they were providing food and water to visitors as well as media personnel.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 23^rd,  2016.