The much awaited verdict of the Karachi suo motu case elicited a spectrum of reactions from the political fraternity, ranging from incensed to appreciative, hopeful to dismissive.
“The Supreme Court’s verdict has really hurt us,” said Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Taj Haider while talking to The Express Tribune. “It has maligned our party which has given sacrifices for the independence of the judiciary.”
In his reaction to the verdict, Haider, who is also the PPP general secretary of Sindh, said the Supreme Court cannot blame the party for being involved in extortion.
“If an individual in the guise of a PPP worker demands extortion, the whole party cannot be maligned,” he said.
MQM applauds verdict
The judgment was “balanced,” said Dr Farogh Naseem, who represented Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) at these proceedings.
The MQM coordination committee also supported the verdict, and in a press release said that “the MQM chief has time and again made it clear that there is no room for criminal elements in the party and that the MQM will continue to play its role for peace and harmony in the city”.
ANP glad that Mirza’s points were noted
The Awami National Party (ANP) welcomed in particular the verdict’s inclusion of a reference to former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s allegations against the MQM.
He said that the report submitted before the SC carried names of terrorists belonging to a ‘particular political party’ and hence, it was the duty of the present government to submit a reference to the court in this regard.
Action has been taken against three ANP workers accused of violence he added.
Jamaat-e-Islami ‘disappointed’
Spokesperson for the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sarfaraz Ahmad told The Express Tribune that the verdict has “disappointed the nation”. People expected that the SC would issue direct orders for the elimination of targeted killings and extortion activities, but no such thing has happened, he complained.
He added that the entire nation was aware that political and ethnic groups were behind unrest in Karachi, yet only suggestions were provided as opposed to real action being taken.
Unreliable information used: Sunni Tehreek
Sunni Tehreek (ST) leader Sarwat Ejaz Qadri expressed concern over the verdict, telling The Express Tribune that the police and other law enforcement agencies had submitted lists carrying criminals’ names but had not provided FIRs. At the same time, he said that the ST welcomed the verdict and would continue to support the judiciary.
Govt must implement judgment: PML-N
“If the government does not implement this judgment, we will be left with no option but to utilise every available forum to make sure it’s implemented,” said Information Secretary Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Senator Mushahidullah Khan.
While quoting the judgment, Khan asked, “Is there any moral justification in keeping the Sindh government intact?” (With additional input by Qamar Zaman from Islamabad)
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2011.
COMMENTS (1)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
I think the decision is not as clear as it was expected. People of Pakistan have focused on Supreme Court of Pakistan as their last hope, so it was presumed that a crystal clear deicision against alleged persons shall give some relief to common men. However, if mutually agreed to by all the stakeholders, we can take a u turn and do something for well being of Karachi and Pakistan. May God Bless my country!!! Ameen.