MQM warns of a 1971-like scenario
The Sindh government is supporting extortion and murder conducted by Lyari gangsters, says Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui.
Deputy conveners, MQM Rabita committee Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui addressing the press conference alongwoth other rabita committee members. PHOTO: MQM
KARACHI:
Deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi can lead to 1971-like events, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) warned on Thursday.
At his first press conference since taking over as one of Rabita Committee’s deputy conveners, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said as sons of the soil they do not want separation from the country. However, in the wake of party workers being targeted, a 1971-like situation could be created.
“We would not be able to control the situation then,” he said, asking the people of the city to take steps for their security as they have no
other choice.
The deputy convener’s comments came when the party had declared a day of mourning across Sindh, in protest of the kidnapping and murder of three of their workers in Malir a day earlier. MQM had asked transporters to observe a complete wheel jam strike and traders to shut their businesses.
Siddiqui said that the country was running on Karachi’s revenues, and if it was left at the mercy of criminals, it would lead to a disaster for the whole country.
He requested the prime minister and the chief justice to take notice of MQM workers being kidnapped and asked them to save lives of eight of their men who have gone missing.
He said MQM workers were being targeted, and for many days they had observed an increase in incidents of kidnappings, killing and extortion in Karachi.
Siddiqui said Pakistan had embarked on a new democratic path, but it was unfortunate that the provincial government was patronising criminals of Lyari. Condemning the Sindh chief minister, the MQM leader said after taking his oath, he chose to visit the Peoples Amn Committee instead of paying a tribute to the Quaid.
“The Sindh government is supporting extortion and murder conducted by Lyari gangsters,” Siddiqui said.
He condemned law enforcement agencies and said when terrorists roamed freely in the city, they were targeting the MQM. “The PPP says Lyari is their hub. They are wrong – Lyari is a hub of criminals.”
At the press conference, workers of the MQM wore black armbands to express solidarity with the slain workers.
Siddiqui lashed out at other political parties that did not offer a word of condolence.
“Political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, were holding protests for re-elections but have not come out to the streets against kidnapping and extortion.”
Earlier, the Rabita Committee also announced the recruitment of two new members, Amin Ul Haque and Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui – taking the total number of its members to 25.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2013.
Deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi can lead to 1971-like events, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) warned on Thursday.
At his first press conference since taking over as one of Rabita Committee’s deputy conveners, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said as sons of the soil they do not want separation from the country. However, in the wake of party workers being targeted, a 1971-like situation could be created.
“We would not be able to control the situation then,” he said, asking the people of the city to take steps for their security as they have no
other choice.
The deputy convener’s comments came when the party had declared a day of mourning across Sindh, in protest of the kidnapping and murder of three of their workers in Malir a day earlier. MQM had asked transporters to observe a complete wheel jam strike and traders to shut their businesses.
Siddiqui said that the country was running on Karachi’s revenues, and if it was left at the mercy of criminals, it would lead to a disaster for the whole country.
He requested the prime minister and the chief justice to take notice of MQM workers being kidnapped and asked them to save lives of eight of their men who have gone missing.
He said MQM workers were being targeted, and for many days they had observed an increase in incidents of kidnappings, killing and extortion in Karachi.
Siddiqui said Pakistan had embarked on a new democratic path, but it was unfortunate that the provincial government was patronising criminals of Lyari. Condemning the Sindh chief minister, the MQM leader said after taking his oath, he chose to visit the Peoples Amn Committee instead of paying a tribute to the Quaid.
“The Sindh government is supporting extortion and murder conducted by Lyari gangsters,” Siddiqui said.
He condemned law enforcement agencies and said when terrorists roamed freely in the city, they were targeting the MQM. “The PPP says Lyari is their hub. They are wrong – Lyari is a hub of criminals.”
At the press conference, workers of the MQM wore black armbands to express solidarity with the slain workers.
Siddiqui lashed out at other political parties that did not offer a word of condolence.
“Political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, were holding protests for re-elections but have not come out to the streets against kidnapping and extortion.”
Earlier, the Rabita Committee also announced the recruitment of two new members, Amin Ul Haque and Ahmed Saleem Siddiqui – taking the total number of its members to 25.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2013.