Express News screengrab showing MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi addressing the media on Friday evening.
‘The day of mourning’ is being observed to highlight the extra-judicial killings of MQM workers in Karachi, said senior MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi.
He also said the MQM supports the targeted operation that the prime minister had sanctioned to establish peace in Karachi, but he added that this operation continuously targets innocent MQM volunteers and other citizens.
“People are going missing and the list of the missing persons keeps on growing,” he said. “This is a worrying situation.”
He alleged there were 10 extra-judicial killings of MQM volunteers over the past one year, and that 45 MQM volunteers have gone missing since the beginning of 2013. He added that the party had filed petitions with the High Court; however, no action has been taken on these petitions.
The Karachi Transport Union has announced that it will comply with MQM’s request to hold off transport operations on Saturday.
Bilawal's response
After the press conference Bilawal Bhutto tweeted that calling a strike will only lead to MQM losing good will among the people of Karachi.
lots of sympathy for MQMs legitimate concerns. But they will loss all good will if they take Karachi hostage again with strike politics.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) February 7, 2014
COMMENTS (44)
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Why people in Karachi and some parts of Sindh so obediently close down their businesses is not a rocket science for the citizens to understand? It is also well understood that torture is the only method used by our law enforcement agencies to get results in their favor because this is the easiest way no matter if one is innocent or guilty which should be stopped. Shutdown calls must be avoided because economy suffers in billions and ordinary citizen also suffers in variety of ways. This has now become habit of this party not realizing that they have already lost too much ground in previous elections. These tactics only bring miseries with no results in the end.
@Mohajir: Stop promoting hate words! By your definition 99.9% of the people of Pakistan have migrated from one place to another place. But 99% people hate to use the hate parochial words and the only exception is your gang!
The more the ScotlandYard delays conviction under Dr Imran Farooq's murder trial, the more the people of Karachi suffer. The economy of entire Pakistan suffers due to this attitude of London-controlled party. Justice delayed is justice denied!
Curious to know why action is not taken against extremist elements who defy law in Sohrab goth and Al Asif square etc. Anyone care to comment?
@Faceoff: Allow me to remind you of by elections august 22nd, 2013, pls check the election results. Lets see who has become history in the hope of making MQM a part of history example General Asif Nawaz
Baby Bilawal your dad gave you Sindh to play with, organize some more cultural shows and enjoy. you need 2 decades of training and maturity and stay in Pakistan to be able to suggest anything to MQM. Post partition, they world has not seen a phenomenon such as MQM, go have fun play acting with your sisters, sadly you have not taken after your mom at all
@Mohajir: It was utter foolishness on the part of our forefathers to struggle and sacrifice for the liberation of land they had never stepped on. From firing at the station entering from munabao in 1954, to kiilings for supporting Motarrama Fatima Jinnah in the presidential elections, to lingusitic riots in the eraly 70s, this is the treatment meted out those who fought to gain independence soon after inception of our great country
@hctib: It is always about the economy of Karachi and Karchites are dispensable, so kill at will We make massive contribution to the provincial revenue and the federal exchequer to feed the rest of the country. Totally support the day of mourning. More power to MQM
Its only MQM and its suppporters who can show solidarity on one call by its party, thats what hurts anti MQM population all over Pakistan.Good saying dont hate others strength.
i think all this crap about two men being held in pakistan be stopped, Ataaf hussain cant be so foolish that he would arrange crime as big as murder in the Uk! the people have these two men custody know very well who are the killers.also i am amzed just 5 hundred thousand pound is such a worry for scotland yard where is they ignore billions and billions of pounds assets of two main party leaders where as what ever mqm owns it is for the party
now if some can enlighten what else can be done for extra judicial killing be noticed by authorities.we mohajirs not equal citzens, we lost our rights os equal citizen ship in the whole of sub continent on 14th august 1947.in india children of traitors who didvided indian sub continent.in pakistan children of migrants and in bungladesh in camps, why was mqm worker killed in this manner justice required mqm wish to wake up authorities from its slumber.
@Hasan: Hasan Tasleem, Ayesha M. have no other option!
The irony is that a US citizen is calling strike in Karachi on the advice of British citizen! Doesn't the Constitution of Pakistan restrict the role of foreigners in the politics of Pakistan??
@ Normal @ Uza Dudes, get a life please! The economy of Pakistan suffers a loss of Rs 15 Billion a day due to strike. http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle09.asp?xfile=data/international/2011/August/international_August1161.xml§ion=international How many schools, colleges, universities and hospitals could have been built with this amount? How many people could have been employed if this money was put in some industry? Can you ever imagine that a daily wage earner goes back home without earning even a single penny for the day? How will he feed his family? How about the businessmen/exporters who have to deliver their orders? How can you expect foreign investment when there is shutter down in Karachi every other week?? Perhaps that's why people have been moving out of Karachi during the past few years when MQM was in the government and calling strike simultaneously!
Good, atleast MQM won't have to shut down schools forcefully.
So shutting nato trucks affects our economy but shutting Karachi is ok?
Please just once protest for someone who is not a member of your party
As a mohajir it pains me that our sacrifices have been looked down upon by Sindhis. Is this why we fought for independence from India?
MQM is headquartered in London at Edware, they should do the politics in London now. People of Karachi are sick and tired of MQM fascist, jingoistic ways, and politics of double play and double talk. Leave the people of Karachi alone, have some mercy, please.
@Uza Syed: by shutting down businesses and causing loss in economy?
Well within the right of the party to do so in a democratic manner.
MQM still unchanged, shabash will progress
@Uza Syed: Parochialism galore.
Please let us know if we should stay home. Is it a strike or only "peaceful mourning."
Much needed step by MQM. Totally support it.
@stealth: The transporters Union don't want there vehicles to be torched by wild MQM Hoodlums who are enemy of the State in such an act.
Veiled threats disguised as appeal. Everyone Knows MQM mafia now.
How could business activity not be affected? Saturday is a working day as far as shops and markets are concerned. A complete waste of time! Has any single day of mourning done any good to Karachi or its unfortunate citizens? @educated middle class: '
lol @ MQM
I think this step is taken for put pressure on Government, as today Pakistan received a letter from England about two man who were arrested at Pakistan's Airport, and now he is in Pakistan and Scotland yard looking for them for complete legal proceedings against Altaf, it is only for putting pressure.
Fascist party final swan song. The last ditch effort.
The Karachi Transport Union has announced that it will comply with MQM’s request to hold off transport operations on Saturday. Comply with the MQM's request or the MQM's order with disguised threat. More such strikes and the writing on the wall is clear.
But...but my cousin is getting married that day....what about that ??
MQM is history now. Karachites are now looking for a way out and a new leader and a party...Let's see who fills the gap.
Bilawal has talked about MQM loosing goodwill from people of Karachi due to Strikes...MQM has already lost the goodwill of the people of Karachi, the only thing which hold them back is the 'fear factor' and mafia style politics from MQM. The party is almost finished...ask any Karachite.
Good move by MQM to keep it on a holiday so that no business activity is affected.
i second it
Again the life in this city will be stopped by the Mafia on Saturday
drama start... this is something MQM is famous for.. If they are a democratic party then they should make a plea to the people of karachi what they want rather than saying traders should close down... it smells like warning .. "warna Bori"
Very good, MQM can not and should not forget its workers whose lives are being destroyed in the name of security whatever. All MQM voters must stand with MQM and show our disgust and anger at state terrorism. There has to be a day of protests to show our solidarity with our former President Musharraf. Such a disgraceful & humiliating treatment to a great & brave soldier of Pakistan must be condemned. MQM must stand with our brave soldiers at all times.