Federal Government orders crackdown against land mafia in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: Federal Government has constituted a high level committee to launch crackdown against land mafia in Karachi.

Federal Interior Minister Abdul Rehman Malik informed Private TV Channel the committee has been constituted after consultation with Governor Sindh Ishrat-ul-Ibad and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

The committee would be headed by interior secretary Syed Kamal Shah and DG Ranger Sindh, IG Sindh, DCO, Secretary Local Government and Member Revenue Board are included in it.

The committee would submit its report within 7 days before the Government and in the light of committee report action would be taken against the responsible.

The committee has been asked to determine those officials of Revenue department and Police officials who are assisting land mafia.

May 12 passes peacefully: Karachiites relieved!

KARACHI: The residents of Karachi heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday as the feared outbreak of violence did not materialise and no untoward incident was reported in any part of the city.

However, routine life remained suspended as shops and markets throughout the city remained closed and traffic remained thin, with public transport largely absent.

Although, mass bloodshed, ethnic clashes and rioting were expected, the day passed peacefully and earned the unique recognition as only the second day after the day of the February 2008 elections when not a single case of street crime was reported.

On Tuesday, roads remained deserted and contingents of Rangers and police staged flag marches. Even the traffic police had been armed and 5,000 additional police personnel were deployed in the city. Petrol pumps remained closed and a strike-like situation was witnessed. Attendance in offices and factories also remained low, as workers could not reach their destinations due to non-availability of public transport. While most industrial concerns too had allowed workers to stay at home, patients at various hospitals faced problems due to the absence of paramedical staff. Many areas faced an acute water shortage, as tanker services remained partially suspended.

It may be recalled that since 2008, several major violent incidents have taken place in the city, claiming hundreds of lives, as law enforcement agencies remained unable to deal with miscreants. However, for the second time since 2008, law enforcers were able to come up with a strategy to combat threats of violence.

On the other hand, Quran Khwanis were separately arranged by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party, while the Jamaat-e-Islami observed a black day in memory of the martyrs of May 12, 2007. On the directives of their respective party leaders, MQM workers hoisted national flags, while ANP workers hoisted black flags.

Visits Karachi Central Jail: CJP irked over poor facilities for inmates

* Protesters outside jail premises demand release of prisoners acquitted by court

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Sunday visited the Karachi Central Jail as his three Sindh day tour comes to end.

Justice Chaudhry was accorded a guard of honour by the prison guards in front of ‘Maari’ (the traditional entrance of the prison). After Sindh High Court Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali’s short briefing, Chaudhry was taken inside for a detailed visit to different parts of the century-old prison.

Although a request for coverage was made by the Assistant Registrar, Karachi Registry of Supreme Court of Pakistan, vide letter A.R (K) /2009 dated May 6, print, electronic and broadcast media was barred from coverage. It was similar to what happened last week at the CJP’s visit to Kot Lakhpat Prison, Lahore when the media was harshly treated. Journalists were kept waiting for hours and later turned back. However, as per officials of the police and the Sindh government seeking anonymity, the CJP summoned the records of old convicts, details pertaining to production of Under Trial Prisoners, health and food problems of inmates, as well as ailments including communicable diseases. According to sources, the CJP has ordered the release of five inmates.

Chaudhry expressed extreme displeasure over the poor emergency health care and poor quality of food, sources said, adding that the CPK superintendent was also taken to task by the CJP and asked to treat the inmates humanely. In this regard, the Sindh IGP has cancelled the contract of the present food supplier.

Meanwhile, about three dozen men, women and children staged a protest demonstration outside the central jail. Amomg the protesters were the family members of Rizwan, an accused in Sheraton suicide attack case who was acquitted a few day ago by the SHC, but his release didn't come into effect.

Demanding justice, the protesters alleged that despite court orders, their family members booked in false cases of terrorism were not being released by the prison authorities. Protesting in hot weather for some time, they dispersed peacefully.

Boiler Blast Landhi Factory in Karachi 3 killed

A factory boiler exploded in a factory in Landhi area here killing three persons and injuring three others.

A boiler of chipboard making factory in Landhi industrial area exploded with loud blast on Saturday setting the premises on fire. Three workers got severe burns were succumbed to their injuries in hospital while other three injured were being provided medical aid at the hospital.

Two fire tenders reached to the factory and extinguished the blaze.

Beach cleaning campaign concludes

The three-day beach cleaning campaign organised by DHA at Sea View beach concluded with fanfare here yesterday. Acting City Nazim Ms. Nasreen Jalil was the chief guest of the function. More than 3,000 students of DHA schools, 1,000 teaching staff and a large number of janitorial work forces participated in the massive cleaning of the beach with great zeal and enthusiasm.

The students reaffirmed the motto “do not litter, let Karachi glitter.” Ms. Nasreen Jalil speaking on the occasion appreciated the positive initiative taken by DHA to keep the beach and the city clean and beautiful. She said that CDGK would soon construct two sewerage treatment plants in the city. These plants would treat and clean the toxic sewer of the city before it is discharged into the sea.

PPP expedites efforts to defuse MQM, ANP tension

KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) has expedited its efforts to restrain both its allies, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party (ANP), from observing strikes on May 12, in a bid to avoid conflict in the city.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishrtaul Ibad Khan late on Wednesday evening at the Governor’s House in this regard. He left for the Governor’s House soon after attending a series of meetings with cabinet members belonging to the PPP at the CM’s House. He is likely to meet the ANP leadership in this connection.

No official handout was issued by the CM’s House about the chief minister’s lengthy meetings with some of his cabinet members. However, a spokesperson of the CM said that the meetings were related to the forthcoming budget. According to him, the chief minister had called some of the ministers and MPAs belonging to his party to discuss the current budget and the new fiscal year’s budget.

Sources privy to the matter told Daily Times that political issues, particularly the tense situation that is arising as May 12 approaches, came under discussion. The sources claimed that some of the PPP ministers advised the chief minister to declare an official holiday on May 12 to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion.

The sources said that some of the ministers also suggested for an early imposition of commissioner system in the province. They reiterated their stance and said that the present local government system has not only failed to deliver but it is also creating political problems for the provincial government. They referred to the initiatives made by the Punjab and Balochistan governments in this connection.

CJ to visit Karachi ahead of May 12: Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is scheduled to arrive on May 8 for a three-day visit of Sindh.

He is scheduled to arrive at Hyderabad on the evening of May 8. According to the schedule, the chief justice would attend the oath-taking ceremony of the Sindh High Court Bar Association. On the second day, he would leave for Tando Adam to inaugurate a judicial complex. On the same evening, he would arrive in Karachi via Hyderabad and meet the judges and lawyers here. On the third day, the chief justice is scheduled to visit the Karachi Central Prison besides attending other events. On the same day, he would leave for Islamabad.

It is pertinent to mention here that it would be his first official visit to the Sindh after his restoration. On May 12, 2007, while he was a deposed judge, he had made an attempt to visit the city which had resulted in large scale violence.

Zardari, Altaf on the same page against militancy

President Asif Ali Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain held an important meeting at Churchill Hotel in London on Sunday.
During the meeting, both the leaders discussed country’s security situation in general and of Karachi in particular. On the occasion, Altaf Hussain expressed his party’s reservations regarding some police officers of Sindh following violence in Karachi, a private TV channel, quoting sources close to the meeting, said.
Talking to newsmen after the meeting, Altaf Hussain said Talibanisation is a threat to Pakistan and it’s a conspiracy to break up the country. “We have to rise above party politics and join hands to meet this challenge,” he added.
He said there was a consensus in the meeting that militancy will be elimiated at every cost. He said law-enforcement agencies are working to crush Talibanisation. He regretted that Taliban had not surrendered their arms after the implementation of Nizam-e-Adl in Swat Valley.
He said situation in Balochistan is very critical. “We have to demonstrate unity to help our Balochi brethren.”
Responding to a question, Altaf said, “Nawaz Sharif should also be taken on board. I respect Nawaz Sharif’s reservations but the country at the moment needs unity and the PML-N Chief should support the government."
According to sources, CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed has also arrived in London.
Sensing the gravity of the challenges the country is currently confronted with, President Zardari and Altaf Hussain renewed their commitment to jointly take the country out of the crisis.

Transporters to observe wheel jam strike on 12th

National Transport Ittehad Karachi Chairman Salim Khan Bangash announced on Friday that transporters will observe a wheel jam strike in the city on May 12 against the killing of four transporters and the torching of public transport vehicles in the recent violence in the city.

Bangash said that during the recent mayhem, rioters gunned down two drivers and two conductors and also set ablaze nine buses, 24 minibuses and six dumpers, which caused a loss of about Rs 20 million to the transporters. “As many as 25,000 minibuses, 10,000 coaches, 5,000 local buses, 60,000 motor rickshaws and 25,000 cabs ply on different roads of Karachi on a daily basis. Around 95 percent of the private transport in

Karachi is owned by the Pakhtoons and their future after the recent riots, has been put at stake,” he said. He blamed that men of a particular ethnic group were involved in this crime however, the Karachi police has registered cases against unknown attackers despite our indication of the responsible elements.

“Taliban are not present in Karachi and only an ethnic group is propagating it in order to damage the interest of Pakhtoons. “Over 0.7million people of Swat and FATA have been internally displaced due to the fight between security forces and militants there. A large number of these displaced people are heading towards Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi to take refuge at the houses of their relatives who are already settled in these cities,” he said.

Pakthoons in Karachi are striving to earn their livelihoods and none of them are involved in terrorism. “Why are the transporters in Karachi being continuously harassed in the name of Talibanisation while they are plying their vehicles on the roads of Karachi to earn a livelihood for several decades?” he questioned. He said that not only were the vehicles torched, but also the shops and houses owned by the Pakhtoons torched during the recent violence.

‘Land mafia behind new wave of killings in Karachi’

By M. Ziauddin

LONDON: The Karachi land mafia is behind the new wave of killings in the city, Sindh Education Minister Pir Mazharul Haq has claimed.

‘The mafia is playing the three coalition partners, the PPP, the MQM and the ANP against each other with these blind, but broad daylight murders,’ he said while talking to Dawn.

The minister who was on his way to Germany via London to attend an education conference also claimed that the purpose of the land mafia was to keep the coalition government unsettled enough to be able to carry on its nefarious activities without let or hindrance.

‘They have the money and the fire power and Karachi’s land is gold mine. They buy people and those not on sale they terrorise and those who refuse to be terrorised they kill,’ he said.

But where is the government? He was asked. ‘We are doing our best. We have formed committees, there is a core provincial committee comprising five MPS each from PPP and MQM, and there is also one federal core committee comprising two MNAs each from PPP and MQM. We meet regularly and try to put out bilateral fires. We need to have similar arrangements with the ANP as well,’ he added.

He said every time Asfandyar Wali Khan and Altaf Hussain talked to each other on telephone it would be followed by a new wave of killings which he said indicated that there was a hidden hand which did not want the MQM and the ANP to reach an understanding.

He was not sure how the May 12 strike call given by the ANP and opposed by the MQM would play out and said he was keeping his fingers crossed, ‘I am sure the president would intervene and mediate between the MQM and the ANP’.

When his attention was drawn to the miserable plight of the education sector in the rural Sindh, he said he was aware of it and was trying to bridge at least the gap that has emerged in recent years between the rural and urban Sindh on the education front.

‘Recently I revived a multi-million-dollar World Bank programme which was discontinued in 2007 for recruiting teachers with the right qualifications,’ he added.

He also agreed with this correspondent that the physical infrastructure in the rural Sindh was in pathetic condition with even cities like Sukkur, Larkana having no suitable roads and there being no properly motorable link roads within the rural part of the province.

‘That is why many of our voters have started demanding that we hand over the rural Sindh towns as well to Mustafa Kamal,’ he said light heartedly.

He admitted that Mr Niamatullah Khan, the former Jamaat-i-Islami Nazim of Karachi, and the current one had done wonders with the city ‘and we hope those responsible for rural Sindh infrastructure would also do the same’.

‘You see most of the elected local councillors are not even matriculates and many are too unforgiving to govern even handedly. Some are said to have refused to issue death certificates to those whose family members did not vote for them. We cannot do much about them. They are protected under the sixth schedule which expires in August this year,’ he added.

He said the PPP was all for the revival of the deputy commissioner’s institution, ‘but the MQM says its does not want its extension to Karachi and Hyderabad. We are trying to get them on board’.

When asked why even meritorious students from the rural Sindh were not allowed admission in the prestigious institutions of Karachi like the Dow University of Health Sciences and the NED University, he said the provincial core group had taken up the matter with the governor.

‘We have proposed that a quota should be reserved in both the rural and urban institutions for students of the two parts of the province.

There is a rural quota in the Karachi institutions but it is reserved only for the city’s suburbs like Gadap,’ he added.

ANP expresses reservations over joint investigation cell

The Awami National Party (ANP) has expressed reservations over the establishment of the joint investigation cell to curb terrorism in the city.

On Sunday, Sindh Home Minster Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced the establishment of a joint investigation cell, comprising of officials from the police and intelligence agencies. In a statement issued on Monday, ANP Spokesman Qadir Khan said that the cell’s creation meant that the provincial government did not trust its police.

“The law and order situation in the city can be improved by the mutual collaboration by the public and the police force,” he said. He stated that his party did not trust the role of the investigation cell. “If the Sindh police cannot extract information from culprits in custody, how can people trust them then?” he asked.

Stating that the police should now look for criminals in its ranks and kick them out, Khan regarded the establishment of the joint investigation cell as a slap across the face of the police. He went on to say that if the police hand people over to the joint investigation cell just on suspicion it should be considered a violation of human rights.