The violence-weary people of Lyari have finally been afforded some hope as the Uzair Jan Baloch and Baba Ladla groups declared a ceasefire on Saturday. The groups pledged to end all hostilities and abolish no-go areas, besides a host of other measures to end violence in the area.
"Both sides have decided to stop fighting and there will no longer be any no-go areas in Lyari," declared Sindhi nationalist leader Ayaz Palijo, who brokered the peace, at a press conference. MPA Sania Mirza, representing Uzair's group, and Molana Abdul Majeed Sarbazi, representing Baba Ladla's, sat by Palijo's side as he read out the details of the agreement between the two sides to the media.
The peace talks between the two groups started over a week ago with the help of Palijo, who held a joint meeting with the two sides, during which he spoke to Uzair and Ladla over the phone. "Both of them have authorised me to lead the peace initiative for Lyari," he claimed. "They have also approved the decisions taken in the meeting." The representatives of both sides want an end to the bloodshed and hope to see Lyari prosper.
"Baloch was made to kill Baloch and Lyari's peace was being destroyed for political motives under a conspiracy," said MPA Sania Baloch, while also supporting the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi.
Sarbazi also lamented the bloodshed that the area has witnessed in recent times and said that Lyari happened to be a very peaceful area in the past."Whenever there was a curfew in Karachi, Lyari remained unaffected by it."
A 13-member 'Lyari Ittehad Committee' has been formed to uphold the promises that have been made. The committee comprises of five members each from the two sides as well as three members of Palijo's Qaumi Awami Tehreek.
According to Palijo, the committee has been tasked with an array of responsibilities. "If there is any disagreement [between the two sides], it will be brought before the committee for a peaceful resolution, rather than the sides resorting to violence," said Palijo.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 16th, 2014.
COMMENTS (4)
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Ayaz Palejo is used to staged this drama by PPP just after DG Rangers exposed PPP for backing these gangsters and murderers. PPP can't hide its dirty face they are responsible for the killings and law and order of Karachi, they thought they will do all this and put it on MQM shoulders but no one in karachi is blind or deaf. PPP sitting MPA representing one of the Killer Gang. This is true Sham face of PPP and its so called democracy. PPP using these gangsters in Karachi like they use Dharials in interior sindh. Those who are celebrating instead of celebrating should ask for the arrest of these gangsters who were killing innocent lyari Men Women and Children till yesterday.
Another drama of liyari butchers. Don't trust these thugs and murderers.
Thank you for bringing peace in Lyari. What successive Governments cant achieve, Mr ALP did it. Because where there is will and sincerity, there is way. I laud Mr.Palijo's effort to restore peace in Lyari. Lyari is heart of Karachi and it should not bleed. Many hidden hands wanted continuous mayhem in Lyari, so that they can play politics. We must now demand De-weaponization, De-politicization of Police and speedy trial of criminals in Karachi. Certain segment of media and even some Namloom afrad party workers may spit venom on this truce between two groups in Lyari. But Lyari has achieved peace, no one should care those hate-filled comments. Best wishes for Lyari and Mr.Palijo and Thank you for bringing peace.
It is proved now that these people are involved in terrorism, our SC should take suomoto and swift the operation this filth needss to be removed from Lyari. The world should notice how these politicians back and love the terrorists, they are the assets of PPP and anti Pakistan entities