Targeted killings: It’s a war for territorial gains, says CM

Qaim Ali Shah claims the murders are not politically motivated.

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah argues that the recent spree of targeted killings in the city is not politically motivated. Instead, he claims that it is a turf war between criminal gangs who are out to occupy each others’ territory in show of might.

Addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister House on Tuesday, Shah said, “Every murder cannot be attributed as targeted attacks. There is no politically motivated murder, but there is a conspiracy for giving air to ethnic and sectarian violence in Karachi.”

Promising strict action against those involved in criminal activities, he said that 60 to 70 per cent killings were due to personal enmity while the rest could be attributed to ethnic and sectarian divide. But he claimed that “these sectarian and ethnic killings have been controlled to some extent”.

Brushing aside the concerns over daily targeted killings in Karachi, the chief minister said that the conflicts between warlords and gangs of criminals were a common practice in the world. Claiming that government is making all out efforts to control the situation, he also announced that the government will give compensation to the heirs of the innocent people who fell prey to the killings. He also alleged that besides sectarian and ethnic violence, the land mafia was also involved in the violence.

The chief minister lauded the role of police and Rangers in combating the law-and-order situation but was critical about the media. “The media also creates hype by calling an honour killing a target attack.”

Referring to the concerns of the business community about law-and-order, Shah said that he had ordered to enhance security in the SITE area of Karachi by establishing check posts and increasing police patrolling.

“Being the chief minister and the in-charge of home department, it is my responsibility to control law and order. I own my responsibly, but no one should underestimate our efforts to contain the situation,” he said.

Replying to a question about the construction of Thul Canal, Shah said, “Not only we, but our leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto struggled against the Thul Canal project. We will not allow any anti-Sindh scheme.” However, he evaded questions about the allocation of funds for the canal in the federal budget of 2012-13. When asked about the Thar Coal Project, Shah said that Rs10 billion will be allocated in the upcoming budget to build canals to provide water to the coalfield and electricity to initiate the proper work.  “For the first time in 60 years, the present government has proved how the Thar project is significant to resolve the energy crises.”

Earlier in the press conference, the chief minister also announced the joining of Pakistan Peoples Party by two prominent figures of Malir area, Jam Abdul Karim and Jam Bijar. He said that their popularity in Thatta district and Malir was commendable.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2012.