MQM, ANP trade barbs over Karachi target killings

Senators from both parties blame each other for the target killings during a debate on law and order situation.

ISLAMABAD: The Awami National Party (ANP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday swapped allegations over the unrest in Karachi.

During a debate on the law and order situation in the Senate on Monday, senators from the two parties blamed each other for the target killings.

ANP’s Abdul Nabi Bangash alleged that the MQM was responsible for the killings, particularly of Pakhtuns, in Karachi. He claimed that a ‘militant wing’ of the party was responsible, as had allegedly been found out by an “authentic investigation report prepared by the agencies”.

He said that the report was also presented to the interior minister in May but despite the passage of five months, no action had been taken to stem the target killings.

“Pakhtuns are being targeted for the sole reason that a particular political party considers them an obstacle in its efforts to take control of Karachi. If Sindhis, who are owners of the province, had tolerated Pakhtuns on their land, then who are they (MQM) to eliminate Pakhtuns from Karachi?” asked the ANP senator.

He also took a swipe at both the federal interior minister and the Sindh home minister and alleged that they were covering up the activities of the MQM.

However, Ports and Shipping Minister Babar Khan Ghauri rejected the allegations, saying the MQM as a political grouping wants an independent inquiry into the target killings.

“We have tendered sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan. You are the ones who opposed the creation of this country,” he said and asked the ANP leadership to sell its properties in Dubai if it really wanted to serve the country and the Pakhtuns.

“Don’t be a ‘thekedar’ of the Pakhtuns. If you really want to work for the cause of the Pakhtuns then condemn the drone attacks in Waziristan as well,” he remarked.

He also accused the ANP of ‘double standards’, saying it was unjustifiable to oppose the Taliban in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and support them in Sindh.

Ghauri, however, said that the country was passing through a critical situation and all the political forces must make efforts for harmony and avoid confrontation.

Azeem said that the law and order situation in the country was deteriorating, particularly due to the target killing incidents in Karachi. Business activities and investment, according to Azeem, were showing a downward trend due to the unrest and the government has not yet taken adequate steps to improve the situation.

Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party’s (PMAP) Dr Abdul Malik said that efforts were being made to derail the democratic system in the country, which had been restored after rendering many sacrifices. He stressed the need for resolving the issues according to the constitution, saying that there will be serious consequences for any unconstitutional adventure.

PPP’s Sabir Ali Baloch said that instead of levelling allegations against each other on target killings, everyone should work together to foster and maintain peace in Karachi. He also pointed out the incidents of kidnapping in Balochistan by government agencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2010.