KARACHI:
Law and order dominated proceedings at the Sindh Assembly for the second consecutive day as MPAs lashed out at the Rangers and police for crime in Karachi. The assembly also passed a resolution recommending that the government take “strict measures”.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Moin Aamir Pirzada said that criminals openly kill people, but law enforcement officials are usually seen gossiping instead of taking action. The resolution he moved stated that that there has been an “unprecedented increase” in episodes of target killing, extortion and murders of those who refuse to pay extortion.
“Such cold blooded murders by the terrorists will compel the business community to go on a shutter down strike if the law enforcing agencies fail to provide security and protection to the traders and take prompt action in next 72 hours,” the resolution stated.
He also said that the phone calls made by extortionists to traders are not being traced and claimed that most of this activity takes place in the old city areas.
The MQM’s Shoaib Ibrahim said that more than two dozen businessmen have been kidnapped in Karachi in the last 12 days, and the areas from Tower to Numaish are the worst-hit. “No only chits, but extortionists also send a bullet in an envelope demanding extortion from well-off people.”
The Awami National Party’s (ANP) Amanullah Masood claimed that his party workers are also being killed and asked the government to establish a cell to curb target killings. MPA Farzana Baloch of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) questioned the targeted attacks on the Baloch community.
“Some people are patrolling on bikes in Malir and track people from the Baloch community. Recently, these people severely tortured a few Baloch young men after ascertaining their identification. This has created a fearful situation and people cannot go from one area to another,” she said.
Farzana Baloch requested lawmakers from all political parties to play their role in controlling the situation.
Sindh Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ayaz Soomro acknowledged that terrorist attacks, target killings and extortion cases have shot up in the last four years. “This is a conspiracy against the PPP government. Whenever we come to power some elements including extremist groups start hatching a conspiracy against us,” he said.
Forced conversion
Two PPP MPAs raised the issue of forced conversion of women from minority faiths. Saleem Khursheed Khokhar and Pitanber Sewani stressed the need for a resolution against forced conversion suggesting strict punishment. However, Soomro pointed out that since there already was a law against it, there was no need for such a resolution. The two MPAs differed with him and insisted that they wanted to go ahead. Acting Speaker Shehla Raza then issued a ruling calling on the law department to convince the minority members and report to the Sindh Assembly after the budget session whether there was a law on forced conversions.
The Sindh Assembly also passed a resolution paying tribute to the soldiers who died in the recent avalanche in Siachen.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 9th, 2012.
COMMENTS (2)
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In simple words PPP and its allies failed to control law and order situation. They are fooling people by blaming each other. All of us knows that MQM ANP and PPP have a largest collection of weapons.
Lol. Hypocrisy at its best, You yourself don't allow the law enforcement agencies to take action against target killers, bhatta khors, khaal chors ete. yet yelling at them at the same time? It's FUNNY!