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Is it possible to contain Target Killings?
April 15, 2011
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Finally, ending all the suspense, controversies, blame game, accusations and some very severe dents in the coalition governemnt of Sindh, the resignation of Provincial home minister, Zulfiqar Ali Mirza has been demanded. His ‘crime’ being his outspoken, and candid revelations regarding the issues of target killings and extortions. Addressing an emergency press meeting at the Karachi chamber of commerce and Industries KCCI, on 10th Dec 2010, he had openly disclosed the long hidden and secretive facts about Target killings /killers in which he had indicated MQM, an active terrorist, fascist mafia factor as being fully involved in heinous and anti-State acts of terrorism, extortion and mafiaism. The security and law enforcement apparatus had arrested 60 target killers, during past few months, out of which 26 are said to belong from the biggest 9otherwise political concern) of the City, MQM.
It was also disclosed that kidnappings for ransom were not only being exercised in Lyari alone, but target-killing outfits have also been unearthed and arrested from the locale of Liaqatabad; while the sector incharge of MQM is wanted in connection with commanding these ruthless and anti-society outfits. The factor accounts for the irony that coalition partnership is very fragile indeed and was not exactly cooperating with it’s official partner.
Ever since these public disclosures, MQM took a very strong exception to the presence of Zulfiqar Ali Mirza in the Provincial cabinet, and it constantly kept its pressure on governemnt for his immediate expulsion from Provincial cabinet. It was this very pressure to which the coalition’s senior partners succumbed, with Zulfiqar Ali Mirza tendering his apologies by publicly taking his statement back on 18th Feb 2011. It forced such a heavy official delegation including the federal interior minister Rehman Malik, CM Qaim Ali Shah and local bodies minister, Agha Siraj Durrani to personally venture to MQM HQs of Zero-9; which despite leaving quite an optimist impressions, left all the bitterness and irony intact
Another statement of Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, delivered on 10th March 2011 fully endorsed the PPPP’s henchmen of ‘People’s Aman Committee’ as ‘a socially oriented and accomplished’ setup; which obviously, adding fuel to already simmering fires, fell ill-at-ease with MQM. This statement started a new spate of media and political wars, alongwith an increased incidence of target killings. It was during this very turmoil that a renowned terrorist and notoriously dangerous target killer, by the name of Ajmal Pahari was arrested by security concerns, alongwith a host of other target killers. During unconfirmed reports of arrest of Ajmal, 12 persons fell prey to heinous and notorious acts of target killings, while four vehicles, 4 vendors’ push carts, and nine encroachers were torched. To add the fuel to fire the successful call of PPPP for Provincial strike cleared all grounds for forced resignations of the much controversial Provincial home minister.
In the aftermath of indirect termination of Zulfiqar Ali Mirza from his Provincial portfolio, there was a spate of controversially contradictory statements from PPPP elements regarding the issue. Referring to the issue, the PPPPP Sindh general secretary Taj Haider denied that Zulfiqar Mirza had been sent packing home, while another Provincial minister Shehla Raza reasons that Mirza Sahib had not been pressurized to resign, while federal interior minister Rehman Malik has said that Mirza had not been sent packing home, but has been advised rest by physicians. But the very persons all are /were trying to protect openly rebuffed all his well-wishers by admitting his termination stating that ‘ he has been forced to pay a very low price for his party affiliations’.
His expulsion was followed by a series of jubilations observed in various parts of the City; while those representing the adult franchise of the urban Sindh, instead of lauding the very role of the Provincial home minister, preferred to mute down their sentiments in face of political expediencies.
The arrest of Ajmal Pahari in face of all previous failed attempts is a big issue, as he has been known to have been involved in murders of major figures of the State and society. The notorious killer, belonging from the South African setup of target killers of MQM, had already earlier been released on parole by former President Musharraf regime , while all cases a against him were also waived , in accordance with NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance).
Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza was about to arrest the target killers, but due to his termination from his office, Police Officers, who were playing an active role against the terrorists, are under feelings of uncertainty. It is worth mentioning here that before the dismissed Minister for Home Department Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza, these Police Officers arrested Ajmal Pahari and other dangerous terrorists.
Some political sections have the view that if Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Mirza remained in power, then it would be possible to counter the target killers in Karachi. But unfortunately our government again disappointed the people of Karachi by terminating from his office. But it is regrettable that the so-called claimers of peacemakers are not actually in favor of peace in Karachi. As always all peace making efforts are being discouraged.
Then question arises that why PPP-led government comes under pressure to its coalition partner MQM and why the people of Karachi are being treated indiscriminately? Might be there are certain reasons and government’s own compulsions.
To quote the statement of former Federal minister for Information Nisar Memon, who said in his interview to Daily Ummat that “whatever is happening or will happen in Karachi, it’s not routine exercise rather I would like to talk about the near past incident which happened on 10th Muharram, I don’t think so it was a continuity of terrorist activities which occurred in Peshawar, Lahore and Islamabad. In fact, it was a deep and far-reaching conspiracy, which was started, to implement and after that other incidents are also part of this conspiracy”.
Responding to another question Nisar Memon maintained that there are some international organizations, which intend to attack on Pakistan, damaging its interests and to create uncertainty in it. But they know that they cannot succeed in their aims and objectives until its atomic assets will be saved. They want to take over the Pakistani atomic assets; therefore, they are trying to create uncertainty, fear and panic among the masses and targeting Karachi.
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