Controlling crime: Pagara calls for imposing ‘mini martial law’ in Karachi
PML-Q leaders visit Kingri House to seek mediation with dissidents.
KARACHI:
Pir Pagara, the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), has once against called for the imposition of a ‘mini martial law’ to control the law and order situation in Karachi.
“My suggestion is not a new one. There has been (such a) precedent. Martial law was imposed over just one city: Lahore was given under the army control in 1973,” he said.
He was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders at the Kingri House and was accompanied by Chaudhary Shujat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain.
When he was reminded that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had been opposing the idea of army intervention in the city, he said that it was the “best option” in view of the situation in the city. He said that people there were constantly living in fear of being mugged and most of them preferred to remain in their houses, adding that it was also needed to curb incidents of targeted killings.
Stressing the need for taking strict action against criminal elements involved in targeted killings, he said, “Between a martial law (over Karachi) and civilian action, I support martial law.”
He said that he was not calling for imposing martial law across the country, but it “is necessary to give the city under the army’s control” in view of the prevailing situation in Karachi.
Referring to the politics of Nawaz Sharif, he said, “Mian Nawaz Sharif should quit politics and start (looking after) his business, because politics is (a) very tricky trade.”
Commenting on the possibility of the involvement of a ‘third force’ in the deteriorating law and order situation, he said, “I don’t know about any (extraneous) force, but I assure you that my force is not involved in it.”
The spiritual leader of the Hurs reiterated that the government would not complete its tenure and insisted about the formation of a caretaker government by the “end of this year”.
Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain said that there was no rift between the PML-Q and the so-called like-minded group, “but there are differences (over some issues) which can be resolved”.
He said that they had invited Pir Pagra to visit Lahore and he would soon tour the Punjab metropolis.
Sources privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune that one of the issues discussed during the meeting was how to bring back the PML-Q faction led by Saleem Saifullah to the main party fold.
Chaudhary Shujaat is learnt to have requested Pir Pagara to play his role.
Sources said that leaders of the like-minded group are also coming to Karachi on Sunday and they are also likely to meet Pir Parga.
“Pir pagara has assured that he would visit Lahore and arrange a meeting of the leaders of the two factions,” sources said. Sources said that there was a “deadlock” over the move to reunify all Muslim League factions despite concerted efforts in this regard for well over a year.
The main hurdle in this regard was the splinter PML-Q group and Chaudhary Shujaat had expressed his concern over the issue.
Talking to reporters, PML-Q General Secretary Mushaid Hussain said that since PML-N preferred to remain confined to Punjab, there was a need for a pan-Pakistan Muslim League to work for the betterment of the country, adding that people could soon get “good news” in this regard.
Meanwhile, the PML-Q delegation also visited the ANP headquarters in Karachi and held a meeting with Shahi Syed, the party’s provincial president, and other leaders.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Haleem Adil Shaikh, PML-Q General Secretary said their recent visit was mainly aimed at meetings with various stakeholders in the city to discuss the security situation, especially targeted killings, in Karachi.
He said that they have also met leaders of the Sunni Tehreek and one of the factions of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam to discuss local problems and how to resolve the situation.
The PML-Q leaders have already visited Nine-Zero, the MQM headquarters.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.
Pir Pagara, the chief of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional (PML-F), has once against called for the imposition of a ‘mini martial law’ to control the law and order situation in Karachi.
“My suggestion is not a new one. There has been (such a) precedent. Martial law was imposed over just one city: Lahore was given under the army control in 1973,” he said.
He was talking to reporters after holding a meeting with a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League-Q leaders at the Kingri House and was accompanied by Chaudhary Shujat Hussain and Mushahid Hussain.
When he was reminded that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had been opposing the idea of army intervention in the city, he said that it was the “best option” in view of the situation in the city. He said that people there were constantly living in fear of being mugged and most of them preferred to remain in their houses, adding that it was also needed to curb incidents of targeted killings.
Stressing the need for taking strict action against criminal elements involved in targeted killings, he said, “Between a martial law (over Karachi) and civilian action, I support martial law.”
He said that he was not calling for imposing martial law across the country, but it “is necessary to give the city under the army’s control” in view of the prevailing situation in Karachi.
Referring to the politics of Nawaz Sharif, he said, “Mian Nawaz Sharif should quit politics and start (looking after) his business, because politics is (a) very tricky trade.”
Commenting on the possibility of the involvement of a ‘third force’ in the deteriorating law and order situation, he said, “I don’t know about any (extraneous) force, but I assure you that my force is not involved in it.”
The spiritual leader of the Hurs reiterated that the government would not complete its tenure and insisted about the formation of a caretaker government by the “end of this year”.
Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain said that there was no rift between the PML-Q and the so-called like-minded group, “but there are differences (over some issues) which can be resolved”.
He said that they had invited Pir Pagra to visit Lahore and he would soon tour the Punjab metropolis.
Sources privy to the meeting told The Express Tribune that one of the issues discussed during the meeting was how to bring back the PML-Q faction led by Saleem Saifullah to the main party fold.
Chaudhary Shujaat is learnt to have requested Pir Pagara to play his role.
Sources said that leaders of the like-minded group are also coming to Karachi on Sunday and they are also likely to meet Pir Parga.
“Pir pagara has assured that he would visit Lahore and arrange a meeting of the leaders of the two factions,” sources said. Sources said that there was a “deadlock” over the move to reunify all Muslim League factions despite concerted efforts in this regard for well over a year.
The main hurdle in this regard was the splinter PML-Q group and Chaudhary Shujaat had expressed his concern over the issue.
Talking to reporters, PML-Q General Secretary Mushaid Hussain said that since PML-N preferred to remain confined to Punjab, there was a need for a pan-Pakistan Muslim League to work for the betterment of the country, adding that people could soon get “good news” in this regard.
Meanwhile, the PML-Q delegation also visited the ANP headquarters in Karachi and held a meeting with Shahi Syed, the party’s provincial president, and other leaders.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Haleem Adil Shaikh, PML-Q General Secretary said their recent visit was mainly aimed at meetings with various stakeholders in the city to discuss the security situation, especially targeted killings, in Karachi.
He said that they have also met leaders of the Sunni Tehreek and one of the factions of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam to discuss local problems and how to resolve the situation.
The PML-Q leaders have already visited Nine-Zero, the MQM headquarters.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 23rd, 2011.