For peace in Karachi: PM asks MQM, PPP to bury their differences
Sindh CM forms judicial commission to probe killing of MQM workers
Sindh CM forms judicial commission to probe killing of MQM workers. PHOTO: INP
KARACHI:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to bury their mutual misgivings for the sake of peace in the provincial metropolis.
“It is important that besides the two major political parties any other party having any stake in the city join hands to help address the situation,” he said while chairing a high-level meeting on Karachi’s security situation at the Governor House.
The prime minister flew into Karachi in the wake of Thursday’s shutter-down strike by the MQM against the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of its worker, Sohail Ahmed.
He stressed that the law and order situation in Karachi had an impact on the entire country. In this context, he said sincerity of purpose was needed to achieve results desired for peace and tranquility. National challenges could be overcome with political unity, he said. “I want to serve this nation and my services for all the provinces are always available.”
The prime minister directed the authorities, including IGP Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali, to thoroughly investigate the killing of three MQM workers and bring the culprits to justice. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure justice in the society.” Sources said IGP Jamali was also directed to meet families of the deceased MQM workers.
Later in the night Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on the instructions of the prime minister, constituted a judicial commission to probe into the alleged extrajudicial killings of the MQM workers. The commission, led by Justice (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Korai, has been directed to submit its report within 10 days.
MQM delegation meets PM
The prime minister also met an MQM delegation, comprising Qamar Mansoor, Dr Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and Haider Abbas Rizvi as well as families of slain MQM workers Sohail Ahmed and Faraz Alam, which complained against the role of law enforcement agencies in the ongoing Karachi operation.
The delegation also shared details of the missing MQM workers. According to sources, the premier assured the MQM delegation that the federal government would not support anyone involved in such killings. Rizvi said the prime minister assured the delegation that no law enforcer would make any arrests in plainclothes. “The prime minister has assured us that no arrests will be made by officers in plainclothes,” he added. “If that continues, it will be a violation.”
NAP implementation in Sindh
Discussing the National Action Plan (NAP) against counter terrorism, the Sindh chief minister informed Premier Nawaz that the anti-terror plan was being implemented in the province. “The provincial authorities are discussing all terrorism cases to be sent to the military courts for trial,” he added.
The prime minister was informed that 40 religious seminaries in the city were being run by foreigners, including Afghan citizens as well as Bengali and Burmese nationals. He was told that students in these seminaries were not taught in Pakistani language. The premier ordered an investigation into the sources of funding of these seminaries. The Sindh chief minister also raised the issue of Rs3 billion budgeted for the Karachi operation. The provincial government has not received the amount from the federal government, he said. The prime minister directed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to resolve the issue immediately.
He also expressed ‘satisfaction’ over the security situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi city, saying the credit goes to the head of the operation – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Nawaz at KSE
Nawaz showed his satisfaction over the performance of the Karachi Stock Exchange, which he also visited. He said the situation was better as compared to last year.
“Pakistan’s economy is improving and heading towards success,” he said, while speaking to media persons. He suggested that an all parties’ conference should be convened over economy. He also indicated that the prices of petroleum will go down further next month.
Shikarpur blast condemned
The prime minister strongly condemned the bomb blast at the Shikarpur Imambargah and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He sought a report into the incident and said his government was committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country. He also said steps were being taken to improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2015.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday urged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to bury their mutual misgivings for the sake of peace in the provincial metropolis.
“It is important that besides the two major political parties any other party having any stake in the city join hands to help address the situation,” he said while chairing a high-level meeting on Karachi’s security situation at the Governor House.
The prime minister flew into Karachi in the wake of Thursday’s shutter-down strike by the MQM against the ‘extrajudicial killing’ of its worker, Sohail Ahmed.
He stressed that the law and order situation in Karachi had an impact on the entire country. In this context, he said sincerity of purpose was needed to achieve results desired for peace and tranquility. National challenges could be overcome with political unity, he said. “I want to serve this nation and my services for all the provinces are always available.”
The prime minister directed the authorities, including IGP Sindh Ghulam Haider Jamali, to thoroughly investigate the killing of three MQM workers and bring the culprits to justice. “It is the government’s responsibility to ensure justice in the society.” Sources said IGP Jamali was also directed to meet families of the deceased MQM workers.
Later in the night Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, on the instructions of the prime minister, constituted a judicial commission to probe into the alleged extrajudicial killings of the MQM workers. The commission, led by Justice (retd) Ghulam Sarwar Korai, has been directed to submit its report within 10 days.
MQM delegation meets PM
The prime minister also met an MQM delegation, comprising Qamar Mansoor, Dr Farooq Sattar, Babar Ghauri and Haider Abbas Rizvi as well as families of slain MQM workers Sohail Ahmed and Faraz Alam, which complained against the role of law enforcement agencies in the ongoing Karachi operation.
The delegation also shared details of the missing MQM workers. According to sources, the premier assured the MQM delegation that the federal government would not support anyone involved in such killings. Rizvi said the prime minister assured the delegation that no law enforcer would make any arrests in plainclothes. “The prime minister has assured us that no arrests will be made by officers in plainclothes,” he added. “If that continues, it will be a violation.”
NAP implementation in Sindh
Discussing the National Action Plan (NAP) against counter terrorism, the Sindh chief minister informed Premier Nawaz that the anti-terror plan was being implemented in the province. “The provincial authorities are discussing all terrorism cases to be sent to the military courts for trial,” he added.
The prime minister was informed that 40 religious seminaries in the city were being run by foreigners, including Afghan citizens as well as Bengali and Burmese nationals. He was told that students in these seminaries were not taught in Pakistani language. The premier ordered an investigation into the sources of funding of these seminaries. The Sindh chief minister also raised the issue of Rs3 billion budgeted for the Karachi operation. The provincial government has not received the amount from the federal government, he said. The prime minister directed Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to resolve the issue immediately.
He also expressed ‘satisfaction’ over the security situation in Sindh, particularly in Karachi city, saying the credit goes to the head of the operation – Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
Nawaz at KSE
Nawaz showed his satisfaction over the performance of the Karachi Stock Exchange, which he also visited. He said the situation was better as compared to last year.
“Pakistan’s economy is improving and heading towards success,” he said, while speaking to media persons. He suggested that an all parties’ conference should be convened over economy. He also indicated that the prices of petroleum will go down further next month.
Shikarpur blast condemned
The prime minister strongly condemned the bomb blast at the Shikarpur Imambargah and offered condolences to the bereaved families. He sought a report into the incident and said his government was committed to eradicating the menace of terrorism and extremism from the country. He also said steps were being taken to improve the capacity of law enforcement agencies.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 31st, 2015.