Evidence found: RAW involved in Karachi unrest, says Sindh CM

Police register FIR over Safoora Goth killings four days after the incident

SUKKUR:

As police finally registered an FIR over the Safoora Goth killings, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah revealed that law enforcement agencies have found evidence that India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) is involved in the Karachi unrest.

Talking to the media after chairing a meeting at the Sukkur Commissioner’s Office on Sunday, the chief minister said secret agencies had already found evidence of RAW’s hand in terrorist activities being carried out in the country.

Expressing deep sorrow over the Safoora massacre, Shah termed the terrorist attack “unfortunate”. He claimed that investigations were moving in the right direction. “Some clues have also been found in the Safoora attack and the case will be solved shortly,” he added.

Commenting on the ongoing Karachi operation, he said that Pakistan Army was assisting the Sindh government in its crackdown against criminals and terrorists. He also vowed eradication of anti-social elements from society at all costs.

The chief minister said the Sindh police chief had handed the army chief a list of the modern weapons required by the police.

He expressed annoyance over him being frequently called the “captain” of the Karachi operation, saying real captains existed in the army. “I am the chief minister,” he said.

Talking about Zulfiqar Mirza, he alleged that he was being used as a tool against the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership. He did not, however, explain who was using the outspoken former home minister.

Commenting on the opposition’s demands for his resignation, Shah said when the opposition had nothing to talk about they demanded his resignation. “We are not ready to accept criticism just for the sake of criticism,” he said. “Those criticising us should look at themselves first.”

He chided Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan for lambasting the Sindh government’s performance, telling him to concentrate on his own province, where the law and order situation was worse than Sindh.

Shah also hinted at the presence of militants of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Balochistan Liberation Army in Ghotki. He added the militants were not only well-trained but also possessed modern weapons .

FIR registered

Sachal police on Sunday finally registered an FIR over the killings of 45 members of the Ismaili community in Karachi’s Safoora Goth area some four days after the grisly massacre took place. According to Deputy Inspector General East Munir Sheikh, the FIR was registered against unknown suspects under RW-7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and sections 247, 302 and 324/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2015.