End terrorism or lose public support in next elections, Altaf warns govt
MQM chief urges people of Karachi to take steps to protect themselves from terrorists.
KARACHI:
As the sun set on the bomb damaged Rangers complex in Karachi on Thursday, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain issued a fresh warning to the federal and provincial government that if they failed to clamp down on terrorism and security situation did not improve, they risked alienating the public in the upcoming general elections.
Addressing workers at the MQM headquarters via telephone, Hussain said that both federal and provincial governments had failed to implement strategies to end terrorism and protect the lives and property of citizens.
Offering ‘brotherly advice’ to the government, he said that the government should be open in conveying their problems to the people, and that if they could not guarantee an improvement in the situation, should leave the government.
Hussain said that he had alerted the nation about the Taliban infiltrating Karachi and planning operations long ago, but no one paid any heed to his warnings then. But today, the Supreme Court was warning about the presence of Taliban in Karachi.
“I repeatedly appealed to people from all walks of life to secure their areas and form vigilance committees in order to protect themselves, but to no avail," the MQM chief lamented.
“If there was a ‘watchmen system’ setup in every street of Karachi, then not even a single Taliban member could have entered the city.”
In a ominous warning to the people of Karachi, Hussain added, “It is still not too late [to take action] and one should fear the day when terrorists would kidnap your children from your homes and you will be left at their mercy!...hence take measures to secure yourselves right now.”
Talking about the attack on Rangers complex on Thursday, he said that terrorists have carried out suicide attacks earlier as well. He added that had the suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden vehicle into the building instead of a tree, the casualty figure would have been significantly higher.
He advised that law enforcement agencies and concerned authorities should work with the people to end terrorism.
As the sun set on the bomb damaged Rangers complex in Karachi on Thursday, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain issued a fresh warning to the federal and provincial government that if they failed to clamp down on terrorism and security situation did not improve, they risked alienating the public in the upcoming general elections.
Addressing workers at the MQM headquarters via telephone, Hussain said that both federal and provincial governments had failed to implement strategies to end terrorism and protect the lives and property of citizens.
Offering ‘brotherly advice’ to the government, he said that the government should be open in conveying their problems to the people, and that if they could not guarantee an improvement in the situation, should leave the government.
Hussain said that he had alerted the nation about the Taliban infiltrating Karachi and planning operations long ago, but no one paid any heed to his warnings then. But today, the Supreme Court was warning about the presence of Taliban in Karachi.
“I repeatedly appealed to people from all walks of life to secure their areas and form vigilance committees in order to protect themselves, but to no avail," the MQM chief lamented.
“If there was a ‘watchmen system’ setup in every street of Karachi, then not even a single Taliban member could have entered the city.”
In a ominous warning to the people of Karachi, Hussain added, “It is still not too late [to take action] and one should fear the day when terrorists would kidnap your children from your homes and you will be left at their mercy!...hence take measures to secure yourselves right now.”
Talking about the attack on Rangers complex on Thursday, he said that terrorists have carried out suicide attacks earlier as well. He added that had the suicide bomber rammed his explosives laden vehicle into the building instead of a tree, the casualty figure would have been significantly higher.
He advised that law enforcement agencies and concerned authorities should work with the people to end terrorism.