PM brokers ‘truce’ between MQM, ANP

PM Yousaf Raza Gilani managed to broker a 10-point code of conduct between the ANP and the MQM on Saturday.

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Saturday managed to broker a 10-point code of conduct between the Awami National Party (ANP)  and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), aimed at containing the unceasing wave of target killings in the city.

“As per the code of conduct, the coalition partners have agreed to sit together and stop hurling allegations against each other. Now, we will formulate a strategy to permanently control this menace which afflicts Pakistan,” Prime Minister Gilani said while addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister House. The prime minister also denied earlier claims made by Interior Minister Rehman Malik about the army being called out in Karachi to handle the situation. The premier said that the political parties are “mature enough” to deal with the issue. The signing of the code of conduct comes at a time when life seems to have returned to normalcy in most areas of the metropolis.  However, at least three people were killed while some others were injured in a few incidents of firing on Saturday.

The code of conduct was prepared at a joint meeting of representatives belonging to the PPP, MQM, and ANP. As per the code of conduct, the coalition partners have resolved to take extra care in keeping the political environment conducive. Also, the Sindh government is to immediately constitute a high-level judicial commission to investigation into the murder of MPA Raza Haider, and all the other people who lost their lives as a result of target killings. As per the agreement, those found guilty shall be punished without any discrimination while the participants also agreed to compensate the families of all the victims. However, no procedure or compensation amount has been announced in the code of conduct.

Although the prime minister claimed that the political parties have “joined hands” in combating target killings, he avoided replying to various queries about the causes and role of coalition partners in the killings. “I have already told you that this is the first step to convince the coalition partners to sit together and not to fight each other. Now, we are going to resolve the core issue (targeted killings) with short, medium, and long term steps”, he said. Prime Minister Gilani stated that a third force, that he called a “terrorist force”, was responsible for the situation.

A participant of the meeting, wishing not to be named, told Online that during the meeting, the MQM and ANP leaders kept accusing each other for worsening the law and order situation in Karachi. The MQM blamed the ANP for patronising Taliban, and agents of land and drug mafia, which according to it, were behind the targeted killings. The ANP, while rejecting the allegations, alleged that MQM activists are involved in the murders of innocent Pashtun drivers, labourers, watchmen and handcart owners, following the assassination of MQM MPA Raza Haider. The two parties also presented lists of party workers, who have been killed during the last four months. Online quoted its sources as saying that the prime minister intervened at this point, and requested both the parties to stay united at this crucial juncture.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 8^th, 2010.