Rangers blame MQM for Karachi unrest

MQM reacts to paramilitary force’s statement

KARACHI: The paramilitary Rangers have vowed to continue indiscriminate action against miscreants in Karachi, where the paramilitary force has been involved in a large-scale crackdown since September 2013.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, a Rangers spokesperson, without naming anyone, blamed a political party for creating hindrances in establishing peace in the metropolis.

“In the past few days, a political party, whose leadership has been abroad, has issued controversial statements and incitement against state institutions. This has created a huge challenge and is an obstacle to peace,” the statement read.

Statements by certain politicians have instigated a certain group of people to target state institutions, media institutions, artists and businessmen, said the Rangers spokesperson.



The paramilitary force also advised the citizens to identify miscreants involved in disturbing peace in Karachi and contact the Rangers in case of any threats. “Security will be provided to all those who have received threats,” the statement read.

About the security measures for Eidul Fitr, the spokesperson said strict security would be ensured at shopping centres and other public places while political, media and business institutions would also be provided complete security.

Reaction

Though the Rangers spokesperson did not name any political party, MQM believed the paramilitary force was referring to their party. They said the Rangers were acting like a political party and blaming the MQM leaders for their own inefficiencies.

Speaking at a news conference, Dr Farooq Sattar said the MQM had no option but to address the media as they were continuously being pushed against the wall.

He also urged army chief General Raheel Sharif to make a military commission to gather evidence of MQM workers picked up by the paramilitary force.



Sattar alleged those arrested by the Rangers were being let go after cutting deals and joining Mustafa Kamal’s party and cited the case of an MQM worker, who had been missing for 11 months and had resurfaced at the house of Kamal in Defence.

“The gains of Zarb-e-Azb are being lost since the MQM has become the focus of the operation, benefiting the banned organisations,” Sattar said, requesting the Karachi corps commander and Gen Raheel to at least talk to the party leadership.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.