![mqm has machinery for violence in karachi asma jahangir mqm has machinery for violence in karachi asma jahangir](https://i1.tribune.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/246385-AsmaJahangirONLINE-1315313950.jpg)
Speaking during today's suo motu hearing on Karachi violence, she said the reports not only showed how they carried out the operations, but also how their cells were operating.
The SCBA president said that bhatta collection had been there before the MQM but had become more sophisticated when the party was founded.
She said the situation in the city was very complex and members of the judiciary themselves had experienced that during the May 12 incident.
Jahangir said families of the victims were looking towards the court for justice.
She read out names from a special report and said that all political and religious parties were involved in the collection of fitra, zakat and hides during Eid. Jahangir said there were names of over 200 people who belonged to political parties in the report but no action had been taken against them so far.
The chief justice then asked Additional IG Sindh Saud Mirza in what state of mind the police had recommended the code of conduct for forceful collection and that any such act was a crime under the Pakistan Penal Code.
“The government needs to understand they serve the people. Fundamental rights are for the people and not for political parties,” she said.
She informed the court that criminal groups in Lyari had support from certain political parties.
“Zafar Baloch of the Peoples Amn Committee has the support of the PPP and Arshad Pappu and Waseem Baloch have the support of MQM-A and the Katchi Rabita Committee.”
COMMENTS (74)
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agreed with asma jehangir and salutes u on such a bravo statement
I not had the chance to read the report so I can not comment on it. I have firm believe that all political parties especially in Karachi have their own arm groups and they are very active. And I think time has come when everyone need to come clean and should distance themselves from their arm groups also with their leaders who are involved.
I am sure everyone will agree with me that whoever is involved or orders these killings are not human.
I am not sure someone is out there who will resolve this but someone who has the stomach and fear of Allah. There will be blood and sacrifices to fix this once for all.
@Haris Farooq Punjabis who accept that they discriminate against each other for being Christian or Barelhvi or Shia or Ahmandi or Deobandi have no right to lecture the people of Karachi. You discriminate because of sect in your territory because such is your social dynamic. In Karachi and Sindh ethnic-lingual differences are more important, such is the social dynamic here. Just understand this, accept this and move on.
A citizen of Karachi I accept that MQM is not a party of saints but unlike their opponents then have a stake in the development of Karachi and have made good on their electoral promises in the past, unlike the ANP or PPP who have not done much for KPK or Sindh respectively. I have seen the face of Karachi change under Mustafa Kamal and I cant turn my back on that.
And the reality of life in Pakistan is this, that the educated middle class prefers to have on their side groups of killers who protect their community interests. This applies not just for the MQM, ANP, PPP and the Karachi dynamic but this also applied to the whole country. This is just the way things are in Pakistan. The country has not been making a profit for decades and different communities are now fighting for scraps.
@Haris Farooq , you are soemwhat right .
Urdu speaking live in peace and harmony in Punjab , as their is no such discrimantion like Urban /Rural Quota to name a few .
Even in Karachi , there had been seldom any major rift between the two communities solely becase the cultural barrier is too low to become an obstacle .As a matter of fact in Karachi the matrimonial ads for both the communities read " Either Urdu speaking or Punjabi '.
There are a huge number of Punjabi speaking people living in Karachi along with the Urdu speaking , and it is almost impossible to identify them as Punjabis and there are so many intermarriages that it is hard to identify whose fuffis taayas mamoo was a Punjabi or not .lolzzzzzzzz. This really is a very pristine omen and ample example of harmony .
And I personally ,just love to speak Punjabi elders of my apartment ,in Punjabi with who I am proud I have very cordial relationship .
I dont know why people in Sindh and Karachi like to divide each other on ethnic basis? I was born in Bahawal Nagar in late 60s. Being a bordering town we had a large population of urdu speaking, I grew up among the urdu speaking and still have lot of friends. Also in other cities of Punjab a large number of Urdu speaking people got settled after 1947. But later on they got mixed with others, even inter marriages are common. What to talk of killing there are no tension among the various ethinc communities living here. You cant have any discrimination in jobs or socialising among a Punjabi, Kashmiri or a Mohajir in Punjab and also in Islamabad. I dont mean that Punjab is highly tolerant, yes they are not tolerant towards minorities and other sects. But such vast killing merely on the basis of ethnicity is unthinkable. And once we say "urdu speaking" then we must keep in mind that almost all Urban area Punjab speaks urdu and prefer there children to talk in urdu. Why cant we have same situation in Sindh, whether Urban or Rural?
@bhai Jan:
The coming election could conclude this not all of us.....it was a conspiracy of ZM to break and reduce the votebank of MQM...let see how effective will it be and he has a put a serious allegation over MQM without raising to SC till now...
ZM please go to SCourt and show how truthful you are.
@Arzoo:
Aasma Jehangir did not raise a voice against culprit who were locked and burned inside the minibus....could not see mass migration in baktar band in kati pahari.... No ranger NO police during 4 days of bad situation in kati pahari....
Please check records and then say something logical.
In which capacity you are saying this ? As a pakistani or as per your designation ?
@Adil , so the cat is out o the bag atlast . You are one the netwarrior of Imran the huff-puff-but-not-enoug-dharna Khan . That says it all .Instead of trying to fish in the murky water of Karachi , ought you not be demanding your patron d'arch to visit Karachi to share the grievances of the affected human beings at least . Where is he , btw ?
@Shayan: My problems is very simple and I will write it down in bullet points;
1) I do believe people have a right to live.. any race, creed, or colour without fear practice their religious beliefs 2) I believe respect for mandate is key to democratic norms... 3) I do believe remaining in a union or not and right to struggle for it also universal right of people. Be it Sindhi, Baloch, Mohajor or Pakhtun 4) I believe Nation States especially artificially carved out one's are more an exercise on power wielding than anything else. Artificially carved out I meant Pakistan. 5) I believe Karachi is in an artificial union with Sindh and it dragging it down. 6) I do believe Karachi with more self governance or as independent city state would rise to the occasion and will be alot more successful than it is right now. 7) I believe decisions of Karachi have to be made by people of Karachi not anyone from outside. 8) I also consider all what is happening to be more a symptom like organ rejection in the final stages of comatoses 9) I do believe we are a nation in vegetative state for more than 64 years.
Finally to satisfy all... You can brand me delusional and call me as many name as you want...
@Born Again Pakistani:
As sam have mentioned, you have got a delusional mindset...thinking that in Pakistan everyone thinks about toppling,abusing and marginalizing Urdu Speakings. If Ayub Khan was such a racist person then how come he played an important role in quickly settling 75,000 refugees from India. Please see the following clip and then decide
Watch is esp. from 1:00 to 1:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLgMJqFyQGs&feature=related
My dad is a huge fan of both Ayub Khan and Parvez Musharraf.
And I am in no way trying to justify military intervention in our politics. Infact I admire many good works of the latest military dictator Musharraf too despite being a supporter of PTI.
@JAMIL Same old paranoia and rhetoric. Read the recent comments of Hafeez pirzadar a well known lawyer, 300 Urdu speaking were massacred in 1964. I don't need to convince you anyway, you should learn the history of Pakistan and Karachi that since 1964 who is killing whom. Whose communities were attached and who attacked them I don't want to name any particular ethnic community I blame the bias leaders, govt., administration. Where were the army and courts in 1973 when several Urdu speaking were killed, Where were the army in 1986 when 600 Urdu speaking were massacred. It's ideal to write loose comments from the comfort of your bed room. Where were Asma Jahangir last month when innocent Urdu speaking people were butchered and filmed during torture, these videos were made public have you not seen any?. There are always two way of looking into any things, from where you are looking you might have different opinion but where we are standing its different you need put yourself in our shoes then you will be able to see the story of both side. Just imagine if people of Karachi come out on streets to protest against their grievance and army or rangers open fire and kill 1000 innocent people you will see what's happening in Libya then it will be all over. Do you think International community will let this opportunity go NO my friend.
@Tariq Bashir: And the feelings of millions from Karachi are of no value to larger Pakistan...
Asma Jahingir have reflected the sentiments of millions of people. Her father was the champion of the opperessed and she supported Fatima Jinnah in 1964 against dictator Ayub on the streets of Karachi. She is the iron lady of Pakistan.
@Khan of Karachi .Kudos ! hats off to you .
@Khan of Karachi - superb man - bias people are just looking at one side of the picture. They never ever raised voice when poor urdu speaking people were killed in past. Their biasness is now crystal clear infront of the nation.
@gp65: No I didnt till I pressed SEND... I am sick of branding... I really am sick of the way we are treated in Pakistan. I lost rationality at that point in time.
@Khan of Karachi Want some ice ? Two wrongs dont make 1 right. So instead of making a "tanzia" commentary better comment on what Asma said. NOT on what she didnt say. Everyone knows that all 3 political parties are involved but everyone knows equally well that the culture of bullet and bhatta was started by MQM and its MQM which showed ANP and PPP that there is no chance they can win in KHI by peaceful means
@Born Again Pakistani: You said to Khan of Karachi: "I have never read more delusional statement in my life…"
You do realize he was being sarcastic - right?
Khan of Karachi --> exactly my thoughts dude!
@lLOL Asma only cited the JIT and it is not here personal comments. she is a lawyer and used JIT as a reference.
@ Mani and JAMIL
Same old phobia and paranoid thinking...I always knew/felt that MQM supporters and sympathizers would finally resort to labelling Asma Jehangir as anti-Karachi, prejudiced and so on.....Go and read about the life and career of Mrs. Jehangir and learn how she rasied voice against religious extremism and injustices faced by women of Pakistan especially in rural areas.
And this is could be your perception that everyone living elsewhere in Pakistan is an illiterate who loves to live in a feudal culture. Karachi has been known as the city of lights even before MQM was formed, and the city has got a culture of education, growth and diversity. Plus Muhajirs/Urdu Speakings have always been known because of their distinct culture,education and background ever since Pakistan's creation. Kindly check your own thoughts before calling anyone else bias or racist etc....
Plus, how many Muhajirs/Urdu Speakings were killed before MQM started its politics? I am an Urdu Speaking too but think that MQM itself has turned the word Muhajir or Urdu Speaking into some sort of an abusive word...sometimes, I even feel ashamed to call myself an Urdu Speaking.
Asama jahangir shout keep her establishment mouth shut.do her duty in lawyers community not in politics.
@Mani: The blood of an Urdu speaking is very cheap and their respect is also not to be done because they are the children of people who created pakistan. When my forefathers were struggling people in this part of India were voting for unionists. Every person who worked for Pakistan was branded.. first bengalis and now Urdu speaking... I think we are now being led to another repeat of the debacle.
@bhai Jan: Bro... Karachi will still vote for them. I know it hurts to hear but we will...
@AMJAD MEHBOOB: How do you know? Have you experienced it witnessed it or just heard it.
@Ameer Hamza: Well your leaders have accused MQM of conspiring to the break the country.. do you really think that if they have that plan they care if they can get Punjab they will focus on the prize rather than aim for something else.
Bhatta... bro in a country or a system that does not support political parties financially like in Europe or Canada there are two ways to fund a party... Plunder or go and ask for chunda... or in cases from businesses bhatta. I want to know what is the source of income of PPP, JI, PTI or PML N either they are in plunder or in donation. When JI local government was in power they took 10 rupees daily from thela walas in my area... MQM asked for 100 rupees a month (can be verified) JI remained the saints and MQM villified.
I can accuse anyone of anything the real test is to prove. All of you are commenting from Punjab is on heresay. In a country where a rape victim has to show 2 adult muslim males who have witnessed the crime nation is subjecting the whole system without complete assessment on an unverified claim...
This lady is a puppet of establishment and anti Karachi as big mouth wadera made the whole Pakistan fool by his hate against the MQM which has the mandate of the people of Karachi. In all past elections MQM has been winnning the majority parliamentary seats of Karachi and WHY THEY WOULD LIKE TO DESTROY THEIR OWN CITY. They are the true representative of poor and middle class of Karachi and proved their ability by making Karachi one of the fastest developed city in the world when they had been given a chance to serve the city and Pakistan.
@Khan of Karachi: My friend it is like that you are speaking behalf of me, gr8 Job and keep up the good work.
Truth is what everyone in people of Karachi knows, Killing of Urdu speaking started since 1964 in relation of casting their votes for Fatima Jinnah and still continuing. These Jagirdars don't have any vision if you travel to interior sindh its all dust no road, schools, hospitals and poor Sindhi's travel hundreds of miles to come to Karachi for treatment "that's the truth" and they don't want Pakistan to prosper. It's 65 years since Pakistan came into being and we are still fighting on ethnicity. "NO ONE" is MUSLIM OR PAKISTANI". People of Karachi are deprived of their basic rights Quota system in jobs and education is in place for highly educated people because of their ethnicity this term is used as "Strategic denial" means you are not allowed to use your own resources and outsiders come and loot and plunder for example Iraq has 2nd largest resources of oil but people of Iraq has to queue for hours. Anyway its a long debate but what is happening in Karachi is a collective punishment to Urdu speaking community since they voted for Fatima Jinnah since 1964. Gohar Ayub son of Pakistani president Ayub Khan has never been arrested for the killing in 1964 no court has every taken any Suo Moto notice. People of Pakistan have never accept the Muhajirs. May Allah save pakistan.
Asma Jahangir's staement is also crucial when she appears to have critcised all parties but she has much more to say against MQM.At least she has taken long to come out with this statement.She is supposed to be a human rights activist or she has given up that role?
Dr Zulfikar Mirza has opened the pandora box and now we will see genuine support for him in the next few weeks..He has managed to criticise almost all stake-holders involved in running the country. It is now the duty of the supreme court to find those responsible I am sure people of Karachi are sick to their teeth to see this ongoing violence,murders,target killing,arms and land mafia which has taken the lives of thousands of innocent people in Karachi.
I seriously doubt integrity of this lady, people praising her should see her dubious conduct over last three years. an opportunist and always looking for cheap publicity. we are much better off without such hypocrites.
@Tanzeel:
Finally, MQM supporters have shown their old claws once again i.e. playing ethnic cards to gather support and sympathy. Now you are dividing human rights' activists too on the basis of Karachites vs non-Karachites...wonder if you know the history and career of Asma Jehangir and the fact that Jehangir is the current president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA). It's her duty and right to talk about injustice taking place anywhere in Pakistan.
You said it all which is true but missed to name our Police which is equally partner in these crimes. Anyhow it is a blessing for our country to have a lady of your caliber. We need more like you who are brave and clear on what ever they say.
@Khan of Karachi: i second ur opinions dude!
Aasma jehangir has spoken the truth..but only half of the truth,...everybody knows that alot of political parties are backing the violence in karachi..there are alot of players in this game with various hidden and open interests,,,pointing out only one party and highlighting a single player is NOT a solution ...it will only breed more hatred and more reactions.ALL the parties who are involved should be brought to justice
Time to let the past go, Asma. For now, at least!
Long live asma jehangir!!!!1
Truth coming from one of the boldest human rights' activists of Pakistan. What remains to be seen is that what would CJ do about this and how far is the government willing to go.
they are gonna make chinese language compulsory from 2013. they should rather introduce the subject 'character building'. that wouuld help the country much more.
She is trying to be next prime minister or less law minister, but she has to learn lesson from aitaz ahsan. They all have the same moto except with difference!
Just think... people who were hypothetically killing for MQM were caught do you think that people who are ready to kill for a party will come and confess everything in one go in court? They technically have written their lives off... I dont believe these guys actually are hard core MQM people and they are stating all what others want to hear...
This is just the first stage... people came and recorded statements... processof putting a guilty verdict is yet over.
@Khan of Karachi: I have never read more delusional statement in my life...
@bhai Jan: Do you really believe so? This is not the first time this has happened
MQM is losing their popularity. Wonder what will they do now?
@sam: I did read what you have pointed out. My main concern is that people in Pakistan are averse to truth and we see things only from our rose-colored glasses. If we are Mohajirs we tend to see MQM as innocent and if we are Sindhis we think all the ills are because of MQM and the list goes on. What we need to see is that we are all brothers and we should not differentiate a tiny bit in going after the criminals no matter what their ethnicity or language or religion is. Only then our people can be safe and secure. Since the report points out that mainly MQM is responsible people will have the tendency to think that it is the only party responsible. I do not want to minimize MQMs role but I want to point out that others are equally culpable. I have seen days when Karachi was safer than London and New York so I long for those days again and for the first time I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Asma jahangir is perhaps the Pakistani version of Margaret Thacher or Indira Gandhi.
Unfortunately, she's not in politics.
She only cited the JIT report which has been discussed in different forums and subsequently reported in the press for some time. It has also been reported in the JIT earlier that parties like ANP, PPP, MQM, MQM-H, some religious parties are also involved in violence. Asma Jehangir only emphasised MQM involvemen or the concerned reporter angled it this way. However, this is a fact that being a mini Pakistan a number of political parties and groups have vested interest here.
She told truth, which everybody knows, but nobody speaks when time comes. Learn from her not.
strengthen civic law enforcement agencies by diverting the provincial funds being wasted on rangers posted in karachi 4 over 10 years now, i believe.
Yes and add more truth to the list.
1) MQM has always won election from Lyari not PPP and it is the most peaceful place of Karachi. 2) ANP doesn't say that weapons is their ornament. 3) Zufliqar Mirza never said he distributed 300,000 Arms during last 3 years and didn't hire a single policeman from MQM 4) 40,000 cars snatched from Karachi and transferred to Quetta were shifted by MQM 5) Murtaza Bhutto was also killed by MQM 6) Zulfiqar Mirza was in Jail during 1996 to 2006 due to MQM and Rahman Daikat was also MQM's friend. 7) What MQM gave to Karachi during 2002-2008 was just garbage, all the development is just done by PPP,PMLN and the rest. 8) You will not find a single weapon in Al Asif Square or Kati Pahari area. No Rocket Launchers, No Sophisticated weapons, nothing.
Long Live Pakistani.
God bless the few honest people left in this country. Thank you Asma for being an inspiration.
What Asma Jahangir said is absolutely true and needed to be said long ago. Now that thousands of people have lost their lives and families have been devastated this is coming out, but better late than never. However what should not be repeated is the usual custom in Pakistan which is to flow with the wind and give a blanket statement to accuse one party for all the ills. Fact of the matter is, and the article does state it in the end, that PPP and ANP are no less involved in the killings in Karachi. Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza fully backed the PAC when MQM was shouting at the top of their lungs that Aman Committee members are involved in violence. Equally true is the fact that segments of Taliban and other extremists from KPK & FATA are also present in Karachi in sizeable numbers and ANP is blamed for their deeds even though ANP is a victim of these extremists in KPK. In other instances ANP may itself be involved in the violence. So Karachi's situation is not so simple, yet it is not also hopeless. We should be grateful to the Supreme Court for these suo moto hearings to unveil the truth.
Finally the IRON LADY speaks . . . A credible voice like Asma (not only in PAK but at international level) should make MQM ponder seriously about its image
Truth and nothing but the truth. Everybody knows.
May the word of one the few sane, honest people in power set into motion a cleansing phase.