Violence in Karachi continues; 24 more dead

Sindh Minister for Home Affairs, Manzoor Hussain Wasan initiated a peace mission for Karachi. - File Photo

KARACHI: At least 24 people were killed on Monday as incidents of violence continued through out the city, DawnNews reported.
Unidentified men also set fire to a number of motorcycles parked outside a factory in Gulshan-e-mamar area.
Violence today started when unidentified men opened fire on a tea shop in Guilistan-e-Jauhar which killed one and left two others injured.
Police found two dead bodies from the Pak Colony. Two people were also shot dead in the Baldia town.
Sindh Minister for Home Affairs, Manzoor Hussain Wasan in his mission fore peace in the city visited the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in Azizabad.
He met with members of the MQM Rabita Committee, Convener, Dr. Farooq Sattar and other members of the body including Syed Mustafa Kamal, Dr. Sagheer Ahmed, Wasey Jaleel and Raza Haroon, said a statement issued by MQM.
Wassan lauded MQM’s role in maintaining peace in the metropolis.
MQM Chief Altaf Hussain also talked to Manzoor Wasan via telephone and welcomed him as well as assured him full cooperation on behalf of his party to maintain peace in the city.
During the meeting, fateha was also offered for the victims of violent incidents in the city.
Incidents of violence have increased in Karachi over the period as more than 300 people were killed in July alone.

18 killed as violence spreads in Karachi

People shouting slogans against the killers of Advocate Mukhtar Abbas during his funeral prayer at Abbas Town, Karachi on Sunday. – Online Photo

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik ruled out any ‘operation’ in Karachi on Sunday, but talking to newsmen after a renewed wave of target killings left at least 18 people dead and several others wounded said that police and Rangers would work together to restore order.
The daylong violence caused the authorities to once again impose a ban on pillion riding that Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan had lifted about a fortnight ago.
While the situation had been tense in Malir and Landhi amid gunbattles between groups going on for the past few days, violence spread to other parts of the city with attacks on a restaurant and a sweetmeat shop on Sunday.  There were reports of two rocket attacks in Malir.
Commercial areas were shut and residents stayed indoors with several localities reverberating with gunfire.
The worst-hit areas were Malir, Landhi, North Karachi, Surjani, F.B. Area, Baldia, Lyari and Orangi.  The law-enforcers stayed away from trouble spots and were seen only on main roads.
Mr Malik said President Asif Ali Zardari had summoned a meeting to review the law and order situation in the city and other parts of the province.
The meeting has been called amid allegations by MQM leaders about patronage of criminals by some ministers and an appeal made by the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (Haqiqi) to the president to take notice of what it described as “the political aggression and terrorism against the MQM-H and its members” and to provide them security.
There is a possibility that some decisions would be taken at the meeting about deployment of law-enforcement agencies in the city to address people’s concerns.
Mr Malik said all parties would have to work hand in hand to restore peace.
According to sources, development projects in Lyari are likely to be given priority at the meeting and a package is expected to be announced.
Meanwhile, federal Minister Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Sunday. The minister said the federal government would extend all possible assistance to the province in its efforts to maintain law and order and political harmony.
According to a statement issued after the meeting, the two leaders agreed that the entire country needed restoration of law and order in Karachi.
The chief minister also presided over a meeting held to review the situation in the city. He asked the Sindh Rangers and police chiefs to take ruthless action against miscreants and maintain peace and tranquillity.
Additional Chief Secretary (home) Waseem Ahmed said the ban on pillion riding would remain in force till further orders. He said senior citizens and women would be exempted from the ban.

MQM to cooperate govt. while staying in opposition: Altaf

Friday, July 15, 2011  LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain has assured President Asif Ali Zardari that his party, while staying in the opposition, would not only welcome positive measures of the government but also extents its full cooperation, Geo News reported on Friday. Altaf Hussain welcomed positive steps mentioned in the statement issued from the President House. In a statement issued here, MQM Chief assured the President that MQM while staying in the opposition would not only welcome positive measures of the government but also extents its full cooperation, adding that for strengthening of democracy, elimination of extremism and economic stability his party would welcome government’s positive measures.

MQM office attacked in Lyari: Sources

By Express / Irfan Aligi

Published: July 11, 2011

MQM MPAs have submitted five adjournment motions for the Sindh Assembly session to be held on July 13. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/FILE

KARACHI: An office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) came under attack on Monday as criminal gangs fought in Lyari, bringing life to a standstill in the area.
The MQM has so far not given any official confirmation, but independent sources confirmed that an attack did take place on the office.
Two groups clashed in Lyari leading to a complete shutter-down of Lee Market, Baghdadi, Moosa Lande and Khadda Market.
The Rabita committee has also expressed concern over the situation in Lyari and blamed it on the Amn Committee. They alleged that those involved in terror activities in the area had instructions from government officials.
Sources have also said that all unit offices of the MQM have been asked to shut down and limit their activities.
The MQM general worker meeting in Karachi and other areas in Sindh has also been postponed as a result of the law and order situation in the country. MQM chief Altaf Hussain was to address the gathering.
The party will announce a new date shortly.
MQM MPAs have submitted five adjournment motions for the Sindh Assembly session to be held on July 13.
The adjournment motions are on law and order, Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) and electricity load-shedding, gad load-shedding, embankment breaches and price hikes.
Muzammil Qureshi, Heer Soho, Khalid Iftikhar and Amir Moeen Peerzada submitted the adjournment motions.