Pakistan Peoples Party’s Humera Alwani and former Sindh information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon received the threats, which were also issued to Sassui Palijo, the minister for culture, and Rai Naz Bozdar.
Memon, who is currently in Dubai, told The Express Tribune on the phone that they were from the same ‘Mohajir Suba Liberation Army’ and in his case, had been sent to his Karachi address. He said that Tipu Sultan, who identified himself as a leader of the ‘liberation army’, had told him to either leave the city or face the consequences. “I will come to Karachi soon and wait to see these people leaving instead from Karachi which is my own city,” he said, adding that the government would not let these elements get away and would expose them soon.
Meanwhile, another MPA, Humera Alwani, distributed copies of the letter at the Karachi Press Club. She said that some people were delivering phone threats as well and following MPAs who had signed the resolution on March 9. “We have informed the CM, home minister and police as well,” she said. “All of them assured us they would investigate the matter but no results have come.” The letter bears the address and name of a group leader as well.
Sindh govt orders investigation
The Sindh government has ordered an investigation into the threatening letters sent to ministers and MPAs on the issue of so-called Mohajir province.
This was stated by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah who thought that “some people are exaggerating the issue,” and added that “it is neither so serious an issue nor are we taking it lightly. We have also ordered forensic experts to look into the matter.”
He was talking to media after a meeting with Pir Pagara at Kingri House here on Monday.
Shah’s reaction went, however, against the stance he had earlier taken on the issue. He had claimed that his government had all the information about those who were involved in the conspiracy for a Mohajir province in Sindh. Speaking to the media on Sunday in Hyderabad, Shah had said, “We know who are involved in issuing threatening letters to MPAs and are contemplating the division of Sindh, we will expose them soon.”
About his meeting with Pir Pagara, the CM said that he had come to discuss the overall political situation of the province. He said that present Pir Pagaro agrees with the government policy aimed at promoting harmony, unity, development and progress. The ruling PPP is trying to take all parties on board on different issues in the larger interest of people, he said adding that there would be no blackmailing by any group or party.
Replying to a question about any operation in Lyari, the CM said that none were being undertaken but raids had been conducted against criminals and extortionists.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 27th, 2012.
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