Altaf asks people to brace for revolution

The News
Altaf Hussain said if US decided to release Dr Aafia,we would try to convince families of people to accept blood money n forgive Davis
Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said a revolution of patriotic Pakistanis on the pattern of the French Revolution is knocking on the door of the country, and asked “patriotic army generals” to get ready to save the sovereignty of Pakistan.

He has further said that if the US agrees to release Dr Aafia Siddiqui, the heirs of the two young men shot dead by American national Raymond Davis could be requested to pardon him.

Hussain was delivering a telephonic address to a huge audience gathered to welcome former Test cricketer Sarfraz Nawaz at ë90’ in Azizabad on Friday.

Nawaz was accorded a rousing welcome as he was received by MQM Rabita Committee members headed by Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar. The party workers were chanting “Altaf, Altaf” slogans and waving MQM flags.

On the occasion, Hussain asked Nawaz to work with dedication and, as like his impressive bowling, he was supposed to bring the wealth looted by the corrupt elements back to the country.

The MQM chief advised the former Test cricketer to work like any other MQM worker and shed his ego since he had now joined the Muttahida.

Nawaz responded by saying that he would serve the MQM just like an ordinary worker under his (Hussain’s) leadership.

The MQM leader once again said that the corrupt people should not be allowed to escape and they should be hanged publicly. He said that the people should now understand that the time had come to eliminate corruption from Pakistan and for this a revolution had been knocking on the door of the country.

He once again reiterated that all those corrupt army generals who led the country’s disintegration and gave powers to feudal lords should be hanged publicly, adding that all those generals who caused the country’s disintegration would have to face a situation similar to that in Egypt.

He said that the majority of army generals had become a liability on Pakistan and a burden on the people.

“Our army generals had joined hands with feudal lords, entrepreneurs and elements involved in looting the national exchequer and forged a relationship with these corrupt people, thus constituting one family,” he said, adding that the country had been facing the worst economic crisis and all the people needed to join hands to steer Pakistan out of the present morass.

”Karachi is an economic hub of the country; therefore, peace has to be restored in this city at all costs,” Hussain said and appealed to all the political and religious parties to join the MQM before it was too late to save this country.

He said that the wealthy class had been enjoying all kinds of privileges and was considered as above the law, but if a revolution of middle and poor segments of people came, then those who had looted the country would be held accountable without any discrimination.

Hussain said that negative propaganda was being launched against the MQM only because it raised the voice for the poor and middle class people as well as for getting rid of the inherited political culture of feudal lords.

He said that despite negative propaganda against the party, the MQM had been continuing Jihad against the two percent privileged class of the country.

Referring to the under-trial US citizen, Raymond Davis, the MQM founder said that the US should wait for the court decision and stop putting pressure on Pakistan in this regard.

However, he added that if the US handed over Dr Aafia Siddiqi to Pakistan, his party could request the heirs of the two men killed by Raymond Davis to forgive the US citizen and accept compensation in return.Former test cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz said the country will one day see a prime minister from the the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The former test cricketer, who has recently joined the MQM, said he needed a party which was against corruption, saying he had been attacked in the Punjab Assembly for having raised his voice against corruption.

He said the MQM would now enter the Punjab with a new spirit which would subsequently spread all over the country.

Dr Farooq Sattar said on the occasion that the MQM was emerging as a third option in the politics of the country.

Sarfaraz said he was moved by the love and affection he received during his visit to Nine-Zero on Friday.

He said he had been observing the performance of the MQM for the last four years, raising its voice for the poor and the middle classes and this made him join the party.

Sarfaraz said that the feudal lords had plundered the country, and to get rid of such corrupt elements, the people should come under the flag of the MQM.

He said his leader, Altaf Hussain, wanted a Pakistan that was free from corruption where the people were genuinely empowered.

Cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz joins MQM

Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Former test cricketer Sarfaraz Nawaz on Tuesday announced to venture into politics by joining the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM).

He announced this at a press conference at the National Press Club, Islamabd, where he was accompanied by MQM’s senior leaders Dr Farooq Sattar and Babar Ghauri.

“We warmly welcome Sarfaraz Nawaz in the party,” Sattar said, adding that the MQM will soon emerge as a major national party.

Nawaz met MQM chief Altaf Hussain around four years ago. He has also served as the sports adviser to the Punjab government, Sattar said while giving a short introduction of the cricketer-turned-politician. Sattar also extended Nawaz an invitation to visit Nine-Zero.

“I had met Altaf Hussain four years back in London. I was impressed by the policies of the party and so decided to join the MQM,” Nawaz said.

When asked whether he joined the MQM in rivalry of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan, Nawaz questioned Khan’s political standing while Babar Ghauri clarified that the MQM has no enmity with anyone.

Farooq Sattar said that Nawaz’s inclusion in the party was a good omen as people from different walks of life have started joining the MQM. “The MQM is actively working for the downtrodden sector of the society,” he added.

Answering a question about rejoining the cabinet, he said that currently the MQM was prioritising taking up economic issues with the government and does not think this is the right time to join the cabinet.

PPP, MQM agree on magistracy system

Tribune

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement have agreed on revival of magistracy system in Sindh province. The two parities reached the consensus in a meeting held at Chief Minister House here on Sunday. The PPP was represented by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and provincial ministers Pir Mazharul Haq and Muhammad Ayaz Soomro while Deputy Convener of the MQM Coordination Committee Dr Farooq Sattar and provincial minister Sardar Ahmed represented MQM.

According to the sources, important and decisive dialogue took place between the coalition parties about the revival of the magistrate system. MQM insisted its point of view that the powers should be given in magistrate system to elected representatives and local body officers instead of concentrating them in a single person’s hands. The local body officers can effectively use these powers in checking overpricing.

The meeting agreed that Syed Sardar Ahmed will prepare a consensus summary in coordination with law minister Muhammad Ayaz Soomro and Secretary Law that will be presented to Chief Minister Sindh who will approve it and send it to the federal government.

Syed Sardar Ahmed told journalists that the two parties have reached a consensus on revival of magistrate system under the Sindh Local Bodies Ordinance.

MQM comes up with 9-point charter of economy

MQM comes up with 9-point charter of economy

Dunya News

MQM has announced its 9-point charter of economy. And it would be presented in the second round of meeting with the economic team of the government.
In a news conference in Islamabad, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that it is inevitable to implement the charter of economy to avoid the Egypt-like situation in the country. Sattar said that IMF delegation told him that condition of imposing RGST was not asked by the IMF instead it was presented by Pakistani team. He said that it is demanded in the charter to impose tax on 6,000 landlords, sugar mafia and the affluent class. He said that demand of land reforms and reforms in public sector enterprises were also included in the charter. He said that additional resources of worth Rs 1000 billion can be attained by implementing the charter of economy.

Altaf calls ‘Generals’ burden on society

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain Monday said that ‘Generals’ instead of doing service in return for their motherland, have become burden on its population, Geo News reported.

Addressing via telephone a luncheon hosted in honour of journalists here at Lal Qila Ground near MQM Headquarters, Altaf Hussain said if his death could bring revolution in the country, it would be an honour for him.

He called upon what he said literate, honest and disciplined people from poor and middle classes to come forward and salvage the country from the current crisis.
“It was establishment and its paid writers who mislead and incited innocent people against MQM,” he said, adding, now ‘Generals’ have not only joined hands with capitalists and feudals but also made family relations with them.

The MQM Chief said: “I am a Jatt (a crude man) who utters whatever comes to his mind.”

MQM’s Qaumi Unity Conference : Agencies warn of attacks on rallies

Tribune
Violence could lead to a spate of target killings, ethnic violence, officials fear

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s efforts of showing that it is quintessentially a national party may be marred by security concerns. Intelligence agencies have warned of possible attacks on the participants at its Qaumi Unity Conference to be held on Sunday (today) at Jinnah Ground, Azizabad.

People from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds living in Karachi — except those belonging to Urdu-speaking families — will participate in the conference where MQM chief Altaf Hussain will address the assembly by telephone. He is expected to express his views on the national issues that have gripped the country.

Scores of people are expected to gather for Qaumi (national) Unity — as its name suggests — from different parts of the metropolis in the form of rallies, processions and reception camps that have been set up across Karachi.

However, security agencies have cautioned of an expected attack on the rallies and processions as well as the reception camps. All town police officers have also been directed to take extraordinary security measures, officials revealed.

A senior police official told The Express Tribune that the police have information of threats ranging from crime to terrorism. “The culprits might target the rallies and reception camps by firing,” said the officer. It is also feared that any untoward incident might provoke ethnic violence and targeted killings in the city, he added.

Security forces have also declared some areas most sensitive, including Bin Qasim, Shah Latif, Sachal, Gadap, Surjani, Orangi town, Keamari, Mauripur, Baldia and Neelum Colony.

Meanwhile, an MQM leader, requesting anonymity, said that keeping in view that this public meeting will be attended by non-Urdu speaking people, it will have its uniqueness and it will amply demonstrate the MQM as a political party that has transcended beyond caste, colour, creed and ethnicity. “It is not for the first time when MQM has [received] threats. We have been facing threats [ever] since MQM chief Altaf Hussain openly spoke on extremism and Talibanisation,” he said. “Any third party would be responsible if target killing or ethnic violence began after this conference.” MQM deputy convenor Dr Farooq Sattar also visited camps that have been set up to welcome rallies arriving from different parts of the city for the convention. He praised the efforts of MQM activists on duty at the camps.

Despite the looming fear, text messages are also being circulated that are also fuelling panic among those who want to participate in the conference.

Altaf asks Gilani to take action against extortion mafia in Karachi

Daily Times


KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain called Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani and discussed with him the overall political situation in the country and the dwindling law and order situation in Punjab. Hussain informed the PM about the concerns of the business community in Karachi over the rising incidents of extortion. He said the PM that antisocial and criminal elements of Lyari gang-war were threatening the business community to pay extortion money or face dire consequences. He said those who do not comply with the demands of the criminals are threatened that they and their family members would be abducted and murdered. He demanded of the prime minister to exercise his authority to rid the business community of Karachi from the clutches of the criminals. PM Gilani assured Hussain that no one would be allowed to intimidate the business community of the industrial and commercial hub of Pakistan. He said that the government would solve this issue on priority basis.

MQM workers join hands with sacked KESC workers

The Nation

Karachi Electricity Supply Company (KESC) closed down its administrative offices as protest against the sacking of thousands of workers continued here on Friday.

KESC authorities said that they had to shut their offices to ensure security of their workers.

An MQM rally comprising hundreds of people joined the protesting workers of the KESC in their sit-in in front of the company’s head office at Gizri, reported a private TV channel.

Addressing the suspended workers, Labor Union leaders announced that the sit-in would continue till their restoration.

Meanwhile, several workers fell ill due to severe cold conditions they had to face during the sit-in last night.

MQM to Hold Convention of non Urdu Speaking in Karachi on 30 January

MQM Official Website
KARACHI:
Muttahida Quami Movement has announced to hold large public meeting in Lal Qila Ground Azizabad on 30^th January 2011 in which will be attended by people from all ethnic and cultural entities other than Urdu speaking people. MQM Founder and Leader Mr Altaf Hussain will address the meeting telephonically. This was announced by members of Co-ordination Committee of the MQM Yousuf Shahwani, Ashfaq Mangi and Gulfaraz Khan Khattak in a press conference at Khursheed Begum Memorial Hall Azizabad, Karachi on Thursday.  They said that the meeting was being held to dispel the perception that MQM was a political party of Urdu speaking people only.

Yousuf Shahwani said that the success of public meeting would demonstrate that MQM was political parties of all the depressed and deprived people of Pakistan irrespective of the language and cultural barrier. He said that MQM has office-bearers from all ethnic entities. He said that MQM had been nominated non Urdu speaking people in the general elections as well.  He said that MQM had organizational structures Punjab, Khyber Pakhtoonkhwah, Sindh, Baluchistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan with sizeable number of workers throughout the country. He said that the successful and huge publics meeting at Bhit Shah amply demonstrate that MQM had representation from all the people of Pakistan.

MQM Founder and Leader Altaf Hussain urges KESC to restore dismissed employees

SAMAA


KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain on Thursday announced to start a movement for the restoration of more than 4000 dismissed employees of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC).


The MQM chief said he demanded the KESC administration to restore the employees without delay otherwise the party will launch a peaceful movement.


Hussain said the movement will last until every dismissed employee is not restored.


The MQM chief asked the dismissed employees to be patient and do not destroy or damage KESC’s offices and other things.

More deaths across Karachi

Rangers patrol the streets of Khi as target killings continue. 

TRIBUNE

KARACHI: Violence has claimed six more lives in gunshot incidents in different areas of Karachi, despite ongoing search operations and Rangers being given additional powers in the metropolis.

Shootings were reported in Orangi town, Lyari, Manghopir, Aslam Barohi Colony and Sohrab Goth today (Thursday). Rangers were called in to administer matters of security in the city and a partial curfew has been imposed.

A provincial level All Parties Conference (APC) will be held in Karachi next week to discuss the law and order situation. The APC will discuss efforts and means for improving the law and order situation in the violence-hit city.

The decision to hold the APC was taken during a high-level meeting held at the Chief Minister’s house in Karachi. It was attended by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah and Home minister Zulfiqar Mirza. The three leaders have decided to meet every fortnight to ensure close coordination. Police and Rangers will be coordinating with the Sindh Home Department to implement measures to combat violence in Sindh.

Rana Sanaluahh criticizes MQM, PTI and JI

SAMAA
LAHORE: In a scathing attack, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that MQM is a name of mafia, not any political party. 

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said Karachi will soon be freed from the MQM. 

To a question, Sanaullah said that Syed Munawar Hasan is the Gorbachev (a former USSR statesman) of Jamaat-e-Islam (JI).

He said that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan has nothing to do with politics and that he should do charity work only.

MQM submits Deweaponisation Bill to Senate Secretariat

SAMAA


ISLAMABAD: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Tuesday submitted a bill to Senate Secretariat, seeking to cleanse Pakistan of illegal arms.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Senator Babar Ghauri said that party’s coordination committee will decide whether or not MQM will rejoin the federal cabinet.

The MQM, he said, has conveyed its apprehensions to the government.

“Under the prevailing circumstance, it is necessary to deweaponise the entire country,” he said.

“The government can restore its writ if it wants to do so.”

Overall all political parties and human rights organizations have supported our decision to submit the deweaponisation bill, he said.

On Monday MQM submitted the same bill to National Assembly Secretariat.

Time to de-weaponise Pakistan: Sattar

Sattar says the MQM envisages a complete prohibition
of the illegal manufacture and trade of weapons.

Tribune

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar on Monday said that his party had submitted the draft of a de-weaponisation bill in the National Assembly.

He was talking to the media in Karachi.

Sattar said that the MQM envisaged a complete prohibition of, and the proper implementation of this prohibition, on the illegal manufacture and the illicit trafficking of weapons and arms. He said they wanted to encourage the parliament to respond to their call and also assess what flaws were present in the laws already in the books.

He said they would also present the bill in the Senate and appealed to all parties to support them on the bill, adding that the vision behind the step to submit a bill was to encourage the parliament to play its role in preventing the weaponisation of society.

The MQM leader said the country was facing many problems due to rising crime and violence. He said the greatest factor behind the rising crime and terrorism in the country was the proliferation of weapons, particularly illegal weapons, in the country.

Curfew fears: Residents worry about routes, CNICs and ruthless law enforcers

The areas where a ‘partial’ curfew is likely to be imposed
due to the worsening law and order situation in the city.

Tribune

KARACHI: As the death toll in Karachi continues to climb, residents chalk in the newest addition to the obstacles in their daily life: a ‘semi-curfew’.

“The school driver has refused to pick and drop my children,” said a worried Zeenat Bibi, who lives in Aligarh Colony. The situation in her area is already tense because of the almost daily firing bouts. Her husband and son are already finding it hard to hang on to a job and the imposition of a curfew would just add to her problems, especially if the curfew lasts for a few days, added Zeenat.

The government’s tentative announcement that a temporary curfew would be imposed in the most sensitive areas of the city has created anxiety across the city.

While details have yet to be finalised, the residents in the affected areas have been advised, or warned, to carry their computerised national identity cards (CNICs) at all times. Patrolling and snap checking would be increased and aerial surveys would be carried out. In case of police encounters, law enforcement agencies would be transported via helicopters. Meanwhile, pillion riding (double sawari) would be banned at night, from 9 pm to 5 am.

Changed routes

Zareen, who lives in Block-14, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, said that life in that area is already disturbed. “All the bus routes have changed,” she said, adding that while it is only some areas that are constantly under fire, such as Pehlwan Goth and Hazara Goth, the rest of the locality too is affected because schools have to be shut down, vans have to take different routes and residents cannot even go out to buy groceries.

The university student said that she was off for a few days because of exams but the rest of her family was sure to be bothered by the curfew. Her father, who works at the PIA International cargo department, used to take an inside route that passes from Rabia City to get to the airport but now he has to take the longer route from Sharae Faisal.

Meanwhile, Farhan, a young man who lives in Block-10 Gulistan-e-Jauhar, has worries of his own. “I’m really forgetful, how will I remember to carry my CNIC all the time!” he fretted. He lives just five minutes away from the notorious Pehlwan Goth and felt that the curfew would ruin their daily routines. “I could often hear the sound of bullets in my bedroom but I know that with this curfew, life will be worse for us ordinary people,” he said. Farhan said that those responsible for the constant violence have political backing and they would not be affected by these new strategies.

Daily-wage labourers

Several residents expressed their reservations on the decision, saying that this is just going to be another excuse for the law enforcement agencies to harass people.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Amjad Qureshi of Qasba Colony said that people living at the junction of Kati Pahari and Qasba Colony Chowk are already suffering due to the perpetual ethnic conflicts in the area. He was of the opinion that a curfew would not solve anything and it would only make it harder for the common man to find work. The worst-affected would be the daily-wage labourers, he added. “The government should ensure that people are not hurt because of this curfew and the elected representatives should stay in constant contact with the residents of the affected areas,” he said.

Anwar Zeb, who runs a cloth shop in Ali Garh, Orangi Town, agreed. “Many of the residents in Orangi are daily wage labourers, who earn Rs500 a day if they can find work. If a curfew is imposed, their children will suffer because they will not be able to make any money,” he said.

Tahir Yusaf, a school teacher in the Frontier Colony, also condemned the decision. “Already schools are shut down too often and there is very low attendance,” he said, adding that a curfew would only worsen the state of education.

Meanwhile, residents might also have trouble when it comes to health facilities.

Dr Sher Bacha, 40, runs his clinic in Bukhari Colony and said that if a curfew is imposed then he will have to close his clinic. The doctor said that curfews are imposed when a government fails to control the law and order situation in an area. This only serves to add to the people’s problem, he said. “The government knows who the killers are. Why doesn’t it arrest them directly?”

Fahim Sheikh, a resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, recalled that during the last curfew,  law-enforcement agencies had “behaved brutally”. Residents had felt like they were under a siege and the police had taken innocent men to undisclosed interrogation spots. The authorities should know who is to blame and only the suspects’ houses should be raided, said Sheikh. He also suggested that the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan should be taken on board to prevent any unjust action on behalf of the law enforcement agencies.

Optimists

However, not everyone met the decision with apprehension and fear.

“I think imposing a curfew is a good idea because the law and order situation in the city has deteriorated drastically under the current government. It’s about time someone comes in to control the situation, even if it means taking measures that are inconvenient for residents of the area where they will be imposed. “Every night, we hear gunshots at all hours and I worry about my children who come home late from work,” said 40-year-old Tanveer Hassan, resident of Nazimabad.

Additional input from Samia Saleem, Sohail Khattak and Rida Sakina

Musharraf open to any coalition partners

Tribune

LONDON: Former president Pervez Musharraf said on Sunday that he was open to any coalition partners who wanted to join him, and described Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) as “a good party” with whom he had no differences of opinion.

Musharraf who is planning to return to contest elections due by 2013 was speaking at his London home during an interview with Reuters.

Musharraf declined to fix a date for a return to Pakistan, which he left after stepping down as president in 2008. But he said he aimed to establish offices for his new political party in all the country’s provinces by March.

He launched his All Pakistan Muslim League in London in October. The former military ruler, who could be risking assassination or legal cases if he went home, said he would build up support for his party first. “Obviously I wouldn’t be able to pack a suitcase and buy a ticket and reach Islamabad.”

“Therefore, while I have decided that I must be there well before the next elections, whether they are mid-term or end-term, the exact date will have to be according to the environment we are able to create.”

He said many people had met him or talked over the phone, and that “anyone who wants to join into a coalition is welcome”.

Political analysts say he faces an uphill struggle to win enough support, and would need coalition partners from the fragmented opposition to have any chance of success.

Among possible candidates could be smaller parties with whom Musharraf has worked in the past, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), whose leader Altaf Hussain lives in exile in London, and the Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q).

Musharraf declined to name likely coalition partners, saying he aimed to create a national party. But he said of the MQM: “They are a good party and I have no differences with them.” He said he had met with MQM leaders, including Hussain, while many PML-Q politicians were in contact with him.

Asked if he expected support from the army, he said that the military were not supposed to become involved in politics. “However, having said that, I have been in this army for over 40 years … the troops and the whole army knows me … I can never even imagine that this army which I have served for 40 years will be against me.

“I am very sure they will be supportive, but if you are meaning active support against other political parties, no, I am not expecting that; it would undermine the whole process.”

‘Prevent blasphemy law misuse’

Musharraf said, rather than amend the laws, Pakistan needed to find ways to make sure they were not misused. He also condemned the killing of Salmaan Taseer and said it was wrong for anyone to take the law into his own hands.

“Therefore the killer of the governor, he is a culprit, he is a criminal, he must be tried and he must be punished,” he said.

He said blasphemy was an extremely sensitive issue for the people of Pakistan. “Therefore doing away with the blasphemy law is not at all possible and must not be done,” he told Reuters.

Kashmir roadmap

Musharraf, who has been criticised by Washington for failing to crack down harder on the Taliban when he was in power, said the West had missed a tremendous opportunity to reach a political settlement in Afghanistan in 2002-2004.

But he said there was “some sense” now in talking to the different parts of the Taliban movement, including its leaders. “Any one of them who is for peace, giving up confrontation, I think we should deal with them.” But this was not going to be easy since “we are speaking from a position of weakness”.

He also said he believed a road map for peace in Kashmir that he agreed with India in 2007 could be revived. “We were in the process of drafting an agreement, obviously there were differences on the wording and the expressions …” He said it was hard to tell if they were within six months of a deal, “but we were making fast progress, that I know”.

However, he also accused India of using its presence in Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan. Pakistan accuses India of supporting separatists in its Balochistan province, while India accuses Pakistan of backing militant attacks on Indian targets in Kashmir and elsewhere. He said the two countries’ intelligence agencies had been in confrontation since independence in 1947.

“This tit-for-tat has been going on over the last 60 years,” he said. “I think India and Pakistan need to sit down and stop this confrontation.”

Nawaz pushed MQM to the wall, says Musharraf

The News


Nawaz Support Haqiqi against MQM and use gangs against MQM : Musharraf


LONDON: Pervez Musharraf has alleged that Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif can be blamed for today's gory situation in Karachi, for he had ignored the military's advice and tried to corner the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (Altaf faction).

Speaking at the launch of his party's London chapter here Saturday, Musharraf, a globe-trotter who is avoiding to enter Pakistan as he faces opposition from the government as well as political and religious parties, said he had advised Nawaz Sharif against his policy of cornering the Altaf-led MQM, but Nawaz Sharif didn't pay heed to his words of caution and pushed the party against the wall and thought that the original MQM's breakaway faction, known as MQM-Haqiqi, would prevail.

I had advised against the policy of encouraging gang warfare in Karachi, but my advice was not acted upon, said Musharraf.

Musharraf said that ill-conceived policy bred a lot of resentment and today's situation in Karachi can be seen in that context.

Answering questions by The News, he lashed out Sharif brothers and called them closet supporters of extremism and sectarian groups and said both cannot be differentiated as none of them were taking any stand against extremism and hard-line forces.

Musharraf challenged Sharif brothers to make their stand clear on extremism and come clean on it and alleged that they retained links with dubious people and groups in Jhang. He said he knew from the beginning that Nawaz Sharif and his party were just scoring political points when they put the government on ultimatum.

"They (PML-N) have stakes in this system, and they will never destabilise this setup because it suits them. They bluff, huff and puff when they issue ultimatums and statements, it doesn't mean anything, other than political grandstanding," he said in reference to PML-N policies at the national level.

Musharraf said Salman Taseer's murder showed Pakistani society is polarized, and hysteria ruled the national discourse. He said blasphemy law is a necessity, and it should be seen in the rationale perspective, but there was an urgent need to stop its misuse and the element within the law that allowed the miscarriage of justice must be revisited and amended. He said he had amended the Hudood laws and made some changes in the blasphemy law itself to tighten it up but conceded that more needs to be done.

He called for a strict punishment for Mumtaz Qadri, Salman Taseer's killer, who fired 27 bullets in the governor's neck and was garlanded by right-wingers.

"Punishment is the sole responsibility of the State. Mumtaz Qadri should be punished because he challenged the writ of the government," Musharraf demanded.

Musharraf said he was continuing with his lecture to parties and think tanks in Europe and elsewhere and was happy that Diaspora Pakistanis were flocking to his party.

Mushararf denied ever telling Hamid Mir, famous Geo political show host, that he would like to kill Altaf Hussain if ever he found the exiled MQM leader.

"Hamid Mir has never said any good thing about me. I cannot trust him. I have met Altaf Hussain many times, and we have been on fine terms."

Karachi killings: No curfew, says Sharmila Farooqi

Tribune

KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister, Sharmila Farooqi on Sunday said that a partial curfew will not be imposed in any area of Karachi.

Farooqi said that an operation will only be carried out in the areas affected by violence.

Earlier, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had announced that a partial curfew would be imposed in some parts of Karachi starting today.

Speaking to the media after a meeting with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Malik also said that pillion riding would be banned in those areas affected by the violence.

Malik did not explain what he meant by “semi-curfew”, but Sindh province home ministry spokesman Sharfuddin Memon told AFP “it is for the authorities to decide for how long they would like a troubled area to remain under curfew.”

“It is responsibility of the federal and provincial governments to protect the people,” Malik said, justifying the decision to impose the partial curfew, without disclosing which areas would be affected.

Malik also said, without elaborating, that there was “a third element trying to deteriorate the situation in Karachi.”

Updated from print version (below)

Karachi killings continue: Violence triggers political turmoil

The reverberations of the continuing violence in Karachi caused a stir across the national political stage on Saturday, with parties calling for a debate on the fresh flaring up of violence in the metropolis.

As the 48-hour death toll in Karachi hit 27, including the killing of a Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader, parties belonging to both the opposition and treasury benches submitted adjournment motions in the parliament to debate the violence.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, the government’s specialist troubleshooter, also sprung into action and held a number of meetings with different stakeholders, including two with the MQM, after rushing to Karachi.

In the two meetings held at the Sindh Governor House between MQM leaders and Malik, the former complained about the targeting of its activists and leaders.

Disgruntled, the MQM delegation, which included Deputy Convener of the MQM’s central coordination committee Farooq Sattar, is reported to have stressed that promises made to the party by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani only a few days ago during his visit to their headquarters were not being fulfilled.  Sources toldThe Express Tribune that the MQM wanted to meet Gilani once again to remind him of his ‘promises’.

Malik is also said to have called MQM chief Altaf Hussain to assure him that those involved in the killing of party activists would be arrested soon.

“On one hand our workers are being killed, on the other police and law enforcement agencies are arresting our activists,” said a source quoting the discussion that took place at Governor House.

The sources added that the MQM had handed over a list of suspects allegedly involved in the targeted killings as well as areas in which to launch an operation to stop the violence.

The federal interior minister is reported to have said: “We are going to establish permanent Rangers check posts in sensitive areas to deal with the target killing incidents”.

Since Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was out of the city Senior Minister Pir Mazharul Haq, represented the  PPP and assured coalition partners that all issues would be resolved and that even the local bodies system would be restored after consultations with the MQM.

Another meeting is expected today in the Chief Minister House with Qaim’s return to the city.

Parties seek debate

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif on Saturday sought a debate in the National Assembly on the Karachi violence. Stressing that it was the need of the hour, he asked the government to convene a session and also called for action against those responsible for the killings.

Meanwhile, the Awami National Party, which is a coalition partner of the PPP, submitted an adjournment motion in the Senate to debate the Karachi killings. Party senators Azim Khan and Afrasiab Khattak filed the motion in the Senate secretariat, while Jamaat-e-Islami’s legislators in the upper house of parliament also filed separate adjournment motions to discuss the issue in the next session.

Similarly, Amir Muqam of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) filed an adjournment motion in the National Assembly secretariat to hold debate on the subject.

Former town naib-nazim killed

The killings continued in Karachi, with the latest victims including the former SITE Town naib-nazim Badshah Khan. He was gunned down while getting into his car outside his house in Orangi Town in the limits of the Mominabad police station. He was hit by four bullets and died on the spot. Fifty-year-old Khan had been affiliated with the MQM since 1993 and won the local bodies election in 2005. His funeral, held at the KMC ground in Baldia Town, was attended by a large number of MQM leaders and workers.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain has condemned the assassination and termed it as an attempt to stir more violence in the city. He said that all political parties in the city needed to exercise restraint and unite against elements conspiring against peace. He made a passionate appeal to the people of Karachi to see through the conspiracy.

Moreover, in a press conference at the Khurshid Begum Memorial Hall, the MQM coordination committee has asked president, prime minister, interior minister as well as the governor and chief minister of Sindh to ensure the arrest of the killers of innocent people, including Badshah Khan.

Member of the MQM Coordination Committee Gulfraz Khan Khattak said that concrete steps need to be taken for the protection of the life and property of the people.

Separately, Ziarat Khan, aged 35, was shot dead outside his home in Surjani police limits. Three people were hurt in firing in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and one in Baldia town.

Saeed, who was said to be a member of Sunni Tehreek, was killed and at least five people injured in a firing incident in Ranchore Lane late Saturday night.  In the Mominabad police limits, two PPP activists, Zubair Kala and Tahir Baloch, were gunned down in firing near Urdu Chowk.

Police claims arrests

Capital City Police Officer Karachi Fayyaz Leghari while talking toThe Express Tribune said that around 4,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city, adding that the situation on Saturday was much better due to the security measures.

He also claimed to have made major arrests in connection with the violence.

“We are conducting raids in parts of the city and the raids will continue where necessary,” the city police chief said. He further said that six arrested persons were involved in firing on a passenger bus, an attack on an ANP leader, the killing of a journalist and various other incidents of targeted killing.

ANP blames Malik, Mirza

Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh chapter chief Shahi Syed holds Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza responsible for the targeted killings in the city.

Talking to The Express Tribune Syed said that, “governments are responsible for the targeted killings in the city; when there was target killing during Pervez Musharraf’s regime, we held him responsible and protested against him – and now the present government is responsible. Syed added that the intelligence agencies of the country are under Rehman Malik and the Sindh security is with Zulfiqar Mirza, so both are responsible for the situation.

Syed said that inquiries should be conducted into the killings of party workers – even if it means starting from the killing of MQM activists.

When asked about the main reason behind the target killings in the city, Syed answered, “Reconciliation is the main reason behind the target killings, which is another word for ‘begharti’ (unscrupulousness)”.

Meanwhile, the interior minister during a meeting with Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman asked him to play his role in stopping the violence in the metropolis.

The interior minister also discussed the prospects of JUI-F’s rejoining the government as a coalition partner. A JUI-F legislator said his party chief has declined to join the government, but expressed readiness to play a role in bringing peace in Karachi.