MQM-P decries 'state within state' during culture day violence

Criticises silence of Sindh govt, inaction of police and judges for 'defending suspects'

KARACHI:

Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) senior leader Dr Farooq Sattar on Wednesday accused armed groups of fostering a "state within a state" in the metropolitan city under the cover of Sindh Culture Day celebrations on December 7.

Addressing a press conference at the party's Bahadurabad office alongside Ali Khursheedi and other leaders, Sattar said the city had witnessed violent clashes, vandalism and even the torching of ambulances during rallies in which some participants allegedly brandished weapons and raised anti-Pakistan and hate slogans. He said the MQM-P "strongly condemns this shameful and disturbing conduct".

Sattar criticised the Sindh government for what he termed its "mysterious silence", claiming it suggested a "premeditated agenda" against Karachi's peace. He further alleged that although the police registered terrorism cases, "more than half the suspects were allowed to escape from the police station with help".

The MQM-P leader also took exception to the judiciary's conduct, terming it "most alarming". He accused some judges of treating the suspects as "innocent" while reprimanding police officials for including terrorism charges in the FIRs. This approach, he claimed, amounted to courts acting as "defence counsel", which he warned could destabilise the city. He urged the judiciary to take notice of the situation.

Recalling past ethnic tensions, particularly the killing of student Bushra Zaidi, Sattar warned that similar attempts were once again under way to pit communities against one another. He cited a recent incident in Gulshan-e-Iqbal where a group of lawyers allegedly attempted to illegally occupy the home of a resident living there for four decades, purportedly targeting him on linguistic grounds.

He also condemned the abusive slogans and threats reportedly hurled against Governor Kamran Tessori, a day after the governor had celebrated Sindhi Culture Day inside the premises. Sattar warned that if the government failed to act, it would bear responsibility for any fallout when Mohajir youth mark their own culture day on December 24. "This is the time for reforms, not sowing hatred," he remarked.

Speaking on the occasion, Ali Khursheedi said the people of Karachi "cannot afford further unconstitutional and anti-state actions", adding that "none of the govt's spokespersons bothered to address this serious national issue."