Flle photo of Farooq Sattar. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) deputy convener Farooq Sattar has stated that his party's military supervision in Karachi demand is lawful and democratic, Express News reported on Tuesday.
Sattar's statement comes in response to Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khursheed Shah.
He quoted numerous articles from the constitution while emphasising Article 149 Clause 4 stating that a demand military administration in Karachi is legal.
Sattar said that over the last 25 years, the provincial government in Sindh have imposed Rangers in accordance with Article 149. If military supervision is against democracy then the existence of Rangers in the province is also undemocratic since they are not a civilian force, he said.
He reiterated that the Sindh government had failed to control violence in the city and that military supervision in such a situation is necessary.
Commenting on the ongoing violence in the city, he said that Karachi residents are compelled to migrate to other areas as a result of extreme violence.
He further said that if police and rangers cannot provide protection then who else can be requested to control the situation.
He highlighted Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Kayani’s statement that the real threat to the integrity of Pakistan is not from abroad but from within. He mentioned that the former statement has been given multiple times and it is justified to say that rangers and police have failed to provide protection in the city.
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COMMENTS (52)
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The very first time I liked MQM's any activity to call army in Karachi to control the extortionism and target killing.The most exact and accurate demand of MQM.....
When would Sindh governor resign for his complete failure to help Karachi people while being in power for 15 long years? Others people came and gone but under this governor Karachi has been going down the tube. The MQM and its governor have been in power longer than any other party but they behave as if they were in opposition. The governor wants to remain in power to bring governor rule with the help of army which is their only way back to power. Some parties cannot survive without power.
This is not voice of MQM in fact this is the every resident of Karachi the one who are opposing might not have confronted the "Fruits". Sind government is totally failed in safeguarding the karachittes from robbers theft target killers and kidnappers the violence is at it peak . Go Army GO pls secure the helpless in their own homes
Before the Zia created division of Sindh it was the most peaceful city in the union. Now it has degraded to the most unsafe city in the country? There should be accountability but not selectively or on the call of the main party. The army should take full control of Karachi on the following conditions: They immediately start de-weaponization in Karachi and Hyderabad. All cases of murders, terrorism and torture that are inactive due to NRO become active. Thousands of such cases are swept under the rug. The May incident of terror and murders must be investigated when CJ tried to visit Karachi. In addition the attack on SHC should also be investigated. Army has a hotline 24/7 to complaint against perchi, bhatta, and presence of arms. Also they take prompt action on all such complaints. All no go areas, banners, posters and Qabza be dismembered. All signs of divisions and partision of the city be eliminated.
There is no problem deploying Army personal in Karachi, in one condition, the operation would start from de weaponsing the political parties run militant groups! it should be lawful, clearly written verdict, from SC with electronic media evidence! Cant trust these crooks…
Karachi is the financial hub, all economic activities emanate from the metropolis, but Karachites are dispossessed, deprived and dispensable, and so far it has worked to bite the hand that feeds the country. So far it has worked to treat the place as a colony, but not anymore. The madness require some method now.
@fahad: Remove Altaf Hussain Dear Brother Fahad, Unfortunately you have no idea what a blessing an altruistic leader is, so it is easy to make such profane suggestion. For the past 3 decades the powerful have been suggesting a minus Altaf formula, which has been thwarted by the undying love people have for him and continue to have, a demonstration of which is visibe in the by-election. So keep your suggestions to yourself
@SM: Supreme court differs from you
@aaaaa: Like it got finished in 1992
MQM is the reason for the violence and unrest in Karachi and now they claim they are the peacemakers and want the army to step in? Weren't they the same people that cried wolf when the army went in the last time in 1992?
@Zulfiqar: You're wrong, and clearly do not keep up with news. http://tribune.com.pk/story/223402/mqm-anp-call-for-army-deployment-in-karachi/
I am predicting that the MQM will just be a sad footnote in the history of karachi. A brief but terrorising footnote, quickly forgotten but always hated for the suffering it caused.
Yes, Army should be called in Karachi and its should eliminate all terrorists and terrorist organizations. Start from MQM.
MQM demand is hundred percent justified as it is the biggest stake holder of uraban Sindh. Human lives are precious than every other thing. If peace can come through army deployment than let it come and play its role. After all the same army has been deployed in polling stations, was used for checking of voters lists in the same city.So now what--------------!
Every Time opposition or other Political Parties asked for Army in Karachi, Regardless wehther it was for a targetted orperation, or operation accross the board. MQM, always supported the cause. This time again Karachi has been left on the mercy of terrorists and clearly PPP Govt, has not interest to resolve it. My reason to support MQM is further justified.
Military must not fall into this trap. Dr. Farooq Sattar, whom do you think you are fooling? Yesterday we saw you on 'Capital Talk' where you were talking about sharing 'intelligence information' with India.
Whoever is not supporting MQM for this... they do not belong to Karachi and does not know the ground realities of Karachi... well yes they can all hate MQM but We, the people of Karachi does support MQM for this issue because we live in Karachi and faces the troubles. Calling Army to Control Law and Order situation is a MUST for Karachi. ""I know you guys have lots and lots of data against MQM but do not use this data for this Issue Please!!!!""
It's easy to give suggestion for everyone here who is living outside of Karachi. I am not always in favor of Army in Karachi but the situation here is worsening day by day. People are getting killed on daily basis, militant wings from different political parties are working hard to show their presence and influence among the poor and business class. More and more youngsters are dragged into this war, so that they can build their wings strong. Kindly bring army inn this time other wise this city will finished in maximum 2 years.
@Luciferous: Take it easy
Same people who are opposing MQM now were against MQM when they were against military action. Its not just politicians who change, common people change too. In case of MQM, people oppose MQM for reasons other than rationality.
Which military? British or Indian? May be MQM wants reincarnation of Zia or is nostalgic about Musharaf's days when CJ could be summoned? Altaf "bhai's infatuation with uniform and long boot is no secret...how he advocated Musharaf's uniform when there was demand for him to cast it off. Who could forget "bhai" sahab's famous mocking "wardi utaro vardi utaro.....kia dekhna chahte ho ("remove the uniform remove the uniform...what do you want to see?) Wondering what "bhai" saw under the uniform!!!
Army in Karachi to bring peace? Since its inception, MQM has been in power in Karachi one way or the other and have always opposed army rule in Karachi. For last 12 years they have their own imported (self-exiled) governor running Karachi. If one party to be blamed for misery of Karachi is then it is MQM.
For the last few months when they are not in power they have change of heart and want army rule in Karachi. Is that really what MQM is after, or a ploy to sabotage PPP government?
Why is it being made to look as if this condition in Karachi is something new................its been so now for at least a few years. Introducing the army into this is almost a cosmetic gesture or rather a political move to exert leverage. As for the people they will keep suffering because the leaders of Karachi have betreayed them.
Why wasn't military requested to come in between 2008-2013?
Bhatta and Kidnapping for Ransom is an industry now. This has many beneficiaries including those who are bound by law to curb this menace and even top civil and armed services people. Solution is Governor Rule and prosecution of current CM, Ministers, IG etc.
As stated many times in the past, Karachi's law and order issues are political in nature. Therefore, involving Army or military administration would prove to be more damaging. If political parties really think Karachi needs 'peace', then why don't they disband their own militant wings in the first place?
Yes when they were in govt and ANP & other parties demanded that, at that time they were deadly against it! Funny how positions change and nobody questions it.
No military was called up when MQM was in government... now they want it, because the local body bill was passed without MQM !!
For once, I agree with him... the situation in Khi is simply out of control... that too due to all the political parties and their dirty politics :(
History is repeating it self upside down.... they were against military action some times back....just two decades ago...
WHTY DID MQM NOT ASK FOR ARMY FROM 2008-2013 when they were in power? and daily 10s of people were being killed?
Though its is not the job of the Army... but in this case, failure of our police and other law enforcement agencies has left the people with no other choice but to look towards the army.
It's the plea of every honest, simple, karachite to have the army deployed with a definate task and fixed framework. The sind govt have failed to do any thing positive.
Why should the military go to Karachi? So that HRCP can write another report on how the military is terrorising the poor law abiding citizens of the city? No thanks. The military should stay well clear of the mess these politicians have created in Karachi. They created the mess, they should own it. . If MQM is so concerned about security in Karachi, then it should work with other political parties to de-politicise the police. But it won't do it, we all know why.
Can't help but agree with MQM on this one, as Karachi has again been left at the mercy of these inept Sindhis.
Evidently the provincial government has failed to provide security to citizens of Karachi.Business is suffering. So if army control of Karachi for limited period under law can ensure safety and security of citizens,I say let it be. It is Pakistan Army providing protection to citizens of Pakistan.