Kutchis, Baloch agree to bury the hatchet

Peace to be supervised in Lyari by three-member committee headed by commissioner.

KARACHI:

The Kutchi Rabita Committee (KRC) and the Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) reached an agreement on Monday to end their ongoing conflict at a meeting chaired by Karachi commissioner Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui.

The meeting was attended by top police officials and leaders of the business community, including those belonging to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The participants decided to form a three-member committee responsible for maintaining law and order in Lyari. The committee will be headed by the commissioner. The meeting also decided that both sides will recommend suggestions for permanent peace in Lyari.

Top police officials, area elders and leaders of PAC and KRC will visit the areas affected by violence on both sides today (Tuesday) to demonstrate solidarity and unity. “The talks were successful,” said Zafar Baloch. “Balochs and Kutchis are brothers and don’t want to fight against each other and we are hopeful there will be no bloodshed in the future.”

Akhtar Kutchi, the leader of KRC, said that success lies in walking the talk. “We have held talks in the past but in vain. We hope the government will resolve our issues sincerely this time around.”

It was also agreed to set up additional police and Rangers pickets in the area and ensure that those who left are brought back besides initiating development projects in underdeveloped areas.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2013.