Petition challenging pillion riding ban

KARACHI: Comments were sought from the Sindh Home Secretary regarding the ban on pillion riding in Karachi division limit by a division bench of the SHC comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Bin Yamin here on Wednesday. The bench, issuing notice to the respondents for July 6, ordered them to file comments by the next date of hearing. The petition was filed by a NGO Human Rights Network, Karachi through its president.

Advocate Syed Abdul Waheed, the counsel for the petitioner, appearing before the bench submitted that the petitioner filed an identical petition a few months back when a similar ban was imposed. The home secretary was summoned and Special Home Secretary Kamran Dost appearing for the Home Department on April 10, 2009 stated that government was not extending the ban. A bench of the SHC disposed of the petition after this statement by the respondents but after a month, the ban was imposed again for an unspecified period.

The ban violates the provisions of Constitution of Pakistan and was imposed with mala fide intentions by the authorities. The ban was imposed after securing huge bribe from the transporters, the counsel for petitioner maintained adding that white collar people and poor workmen who could not afford other modes of transport use motorcycles. He relied on figures pertaining to crime rate and submitted that figures show that crime rate climbed up despite ban on the pillion riding and the ban appears to have no positive affect as far as law and order in city is concerned and therefore could not be justified. He submitted that instead of taking other administrative measures and making police effective for curbing crimes, ban on pillion reading is illegal, ab-initio and thus void. The petitioner prayed to the court to declare ban on pillion riding as illegal. The bench after hearing initial arguments by the counsel for petitioner issued notice to the Sindh home secretary for July 06.

STPP announces blocking Sindh-Punjab border on June 17

Party against settlement of IDPs in Sindh: Dr Qadir Magsi

KARACHI: Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP) chairman Dr Abdul Qadir Magsi said yesterday that his party was going to observe a sit-in at Sindh-Punjab border in order to block it for one day to put a halt to entry of internally displaced persons into Sindh.
Addressing a news conference here at the Karachi Press Club, he said his party is against settlement of IDPs in Sindh. He demanded of the government to set up IDP camps near the areas from where these people are being displaced owing to military operation.
“I recognize that displacement of over three million people from Northern Areas is a great humanitarian crisis but their settlement in Sindh is not an appropriate this time. We are ready to provide them relief goods if they would stay in the camps near their localities,” Magsi said.
Karachi has become city of ethnic conflict, and killing of average 10 persons a day in this city has become a routine matter.
We fear that militants might enter our province in guise of displaced persons, he added.

MQM demands independent inquiry into target killings

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi movement (MQM) has demanded of President, Prime Minister and Interior Minister to order for an independent inquiry into the targeted killings of 12 MQM workers and supporters in Karachi including the killing of Islami Jamiat Tulaba District central Nazim Mohsin Akhtar.
This was stated by MQM MNA Haider Abbas Rizvi while addressing a press conference here at Khursheeed Memorial Hall yesterday. He also said that “Haqiqi’s terrorist activities should be curbed immediately who are bent upon to disturb the peace of Karachi.
He said that Haqiqi terrorists are actively involved in the target killing of MQM workers they should be arrested with immediate affect and they also have enmity with each other and they are killing their own workers.
Rizvi lashed out at Jamat-e-Islami and Islami Jamiat Tulaba and demanded that they should not blame MQM and presented a copy of Daily Jasarat which stated that Mohsin was killed by ANP activist.
He said this report, which was published in daily Jasarat has also claimed that police under the influence of an MPA released accused Habib Shah who was caught red handed.
Rizvi said this report was published not any where but in daily Jasarat, despite this Ameer Jamat-e-islami Syed Muanwar Hasan is putting all blame on MQM of killing their workers. He said by doing so their only aim and objective is to put blame on MQM for target killings of activists in order to tarnish the image of MQM.
Haider Abbas Rizvi strongly condemned the attitude of JI leaders and urged them to respect Islamic values and teachings by refraining from raising allegations and accusations against MQM.

Rangers fully alert: DG Rangers

Director General of Rangers Major General Liaquat Ali said Tuesday that he Rangers are fully alert and the secret network is fully functional.

He warned the miscreants against disrupting the peace of the city, adding the Rangers are fully capable to cope with any task the City Government gives them.

Prime Minister to Chair Meeting on law And Order : Karachi

KARACHI: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani will chair a meeting today to review the law and order situation in Karachi after incessant incidents of target killing in the metropolis.

The prime minister yesterday took stern notice of the killings in Karachi.

The meeting today, will discuss over the steps to prevent the incidents of target killing. Chief Minister of Sindh and provincial officials will present their reports to Gilani about the law and order.

TTP man with Qaeda link held in Karachi

* Police seize suicide jackets, weapons and other equipment used in terror activities

KARACHI: The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of the Sindh police has arrested an Al Qaeda operative here who is associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and claimed to have seized suicide jackets, weapons and other equipment used in terror activities.

The arrested Taliban was identified as Mohammad Naeem Rehmani, son of Qadir Bux Rehmani and was arrested on June 5 in Lyari Town following intelligence information received by the CID.

CID Additional Inspector General Javed Bukhari while speaking at a press conference said during initial investigation, the arrested person revealed that he and his associates were planning to carry out major terror activities in Karachi, including suicide attacks, and therefore they had stocked a huge cache of weapons and explosives.

Offices of intelligence agencies, top government officials, CID officials and high-profile personalities were among their targets.

The CID official further said that Naeem was associated with TTP chief Baitullah Mehsud. Five suicide jackets containing 60 kilogrammes of explosives, five unprepared suicide jackets, ten hand grenades, two Ak-47 assault rifles, six detonators, ten fuse detonators and 200 bullets were recovered after the arrested men identified various locations where they had hid the weapons.

The arrested terrorist confessed that his group sent its associates to Afghanistan for training. “Several of them are receiving training in Afghanistan,” the official added.

Investigators also revealed that the arrested Taliban had links with Al Qaeda and was working as its operative in Karachi.

He is an expert in making suicide jackets, the official said.

Over a dozen killed in last 24 hours, Political murders continue in city

KARACHI: Killing of political activist goes unabated in the city and over fifteen political activists were gunned down in the last 36 hours in the city. About a dozen were killed in the last 24 hours and city remained under the grip of uncertainty, fear and panic.
Activists belonging to Mohajir Qaumi Movement (H) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement were the main targets while one each of Jamat-e-Islami, Awami National Party and Pakistan Peoples Party were also killed in the recent wave of target killing incidents reported in the city.
According to yesterday’s details, one Saleemuddin 47 was shot dead, while his daughter Sehrish and wife Fareeda were injured, by the firing of unidentified armed men in Jamshed Quarters police limits. Police sources said that the deceased was the resident of H-25, Jehangir Road, Martin Quarters. Jameel 40 was shot dead in Khokharapar police limits. The deceased was resident of Saudia Colony, an activist of MQM-H.

A tortured and bullet riddle body was found from Gillaniabad, Khokharapar. The police said that the deceased was still unidentified.
Amir Khan’s chief security officer Zeeshan along with his mother Naseema were injured, while his brother Noman was killed who was also an activist of MQM-H, in Malir City police limits.
In another incident unidentified assailants shot dead MQM-H Buzurg committee member Abdul Jabbar in Korangi Police limits.
In Landhi police limits, an activist belonging to MQM-H was shot dead by armed men. The police said that, deceased was identified as Shahzad alias Manoo.
In Saudabad police limits, Naseem Ahmed an activist of MQM-H was shot dead by armed men when he was traveling with his wife Saeema in his car, in the incident his wife was wounded critically.
An activist of MQM-H, Imran lost his life while, Shakeel was injured in outskirts of Bilal Colony Police limits.
Moreover two more political activist were reportedly gunned down in jurisdiction of Alfalah and Shahfaisal Police limits. However their names could not be known till the filing of this report. Unidentified armed men shot dead Nadeem an activist of MQM in the outskirts of Awami Colony police limits. According to police the deceased was the resident of Zamanabad, Landhi-36B.
Faqeer Mohammed and Razaullah were shot dead by armed men in Eidgah police limits on late Saturday night. Faqeer Mohammed was a transporter by profession and an activist of MQM. (NC Report)

Reckless driving takes three innocent lives

KARACHI: Mob torched an intercity bus here yesterday when it killed a woman and her two daughters yesterday. As per details, a speedy intercity bus coming from Hyderabad killed a 50-year-old woman and her two daughters at Teen Hatti Bridge within the limits of Jamshed Town police limits. After the accident, angry mob burnt the vehicle. However, police arrested the driver.

CAR LIFTERS’ GANG LEADER APPREHENDED: Korangi police conducted a raid near Noorani Basti Qabarstan Road in Korangi and arrested the leader of a car lifting gang. A SSP Korangi office release said that police had received information that a car lifter gang was involved in snatching vehicles, particular vans, on gunpoint and then shift them to Peshawar for the use of militants. On the directives of SSP Korangi Town, Athar Rashid Butt, a police team headed by SPO Korangi Shah Nawaz Khan conducted raid and apprehended the accused Gulab Khan after exchange of fire. The police also recovered a TT pistol from his possession. His two accomplices, Lal Khan and Imran, managed to escape.
KILLED: One Ghulam Hyder, 50 was killed and his daughter 17-year old Sheher Bano received serious injuries when a hit-and-run vehicle knocked their motorcycle, at Defence Kyaban-e-Rahat. In yet another incident, a 28-year-old unknown motorcyclist was killed when unknown speedy vehicle hit him at Maripur Road near Crown Cinema. The injured was taken to Civil Hospital for legal formalities. Adam Khan, 25 s/o of Zaman Khan was stabbed to death by his friend after verbal quarrel in Madina Market, Malir 15 in the limits of Al-Falah police station. The investigation officer of PS Al-Falah said Adam Khan was killed by his friend Matiullah who stabbed him to death and fled. He said that after exchange of hot words over some personal issue, Matiullah stabbed his colleague to death. Body of the deceased Adam Khan was sent to Quetta for funeral while Al-Falah police have registered an FIR no. 153/09 against the accused Matiullah who is absconding. In another incident, Sher Khan, 45 s/o of Hameed Khan Sugarcane wholesale was shot dead while his colleague Fida Muhammad, 36 was seriously injured in an attack on them on Super Highway near New Sabzi Mandi within the limits of Suhrab Goth police station. Sher Khan received four bullets and died on the spot. Sohrab Goth Police have registered a case against unknown culprits. Two former activists of MQM-H who were associated with PPP for last couple of years were gunned down in New Karachi Sector 5-E near Sindhi Hotel when four unidentified gunmen sprayed them with bullets in the limits of Bilal Colony police. (NC Report)

Bomb Blast In Karachi, MNA Yapoob Bazanjo Injured

KARACHI: MNA Balochistan National Party (Awami) from Balochistan Yaqoob Bazanjo was injured among his four family members and two servants as an explosion occurred in his residence in phase 6 of Defense Housing Authority on Friday.
Edhi and other rescue teams reached the bungalow and shifted the injured to Agha Khan Hospital.

Police have arrived on the scene and cordoned off the area.

According to SSP Ashfaq Aalam, the bomb was apparently packed in a parcel delivered to residence of the MNA.

Power tariff hike for Karachi on the cards

KARACHI: Electricity consumers in Karachi may soon be subjected to yet another tariff hike, this time of around Rs2.90 per unit, with Karachi Electric Supply Company CEO Naveed Ismail saying the move is being considered after the federal government decided to withdraw its subsidy on electricity.

Mr Ismail was speaking at the utility’s daily briefing on Wednesday.

The withdrawal of the subsidy is likely to be reflected in the government’s upcoming budget. Currently, the average per unit tariff for electricity is Rs6.55, but after the removal of the Rs2.90 per unit subsidy, it would rise to Rs9.45, he said.

He said the final decision would be determined on the basis of the KESC’s fuel costs and the cost of electricity purchased from independent power producers and Water and Power Development Authority.

The KESC CEO said that if the government subsidy was withdrawn, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) would decide the new tariff and consumers would have to bear the burden.

He did not give any details regarding the KESC’s petition to Nepra regarding a quarterly tariff increase.

It is worth noting that in February this year, the KESC sought a tariff adjustment for the Oct-Dec 2008 quarter. This request was based on the contention that the utility had experienced variations in fuel costs due to fuel price variation.

Through a letter dated Feb 23, 2009, an adjustment of Rs6.754 billion was also sought, to take into account a loss in revenue due to the four per cent cap not being allowed by the authority in a previous determination for quarterly adjustment in tariff (July-September).

Mr Ismail said the first meeting of the special ministerial committee on KESC affairs was held on June 1 in the federal capital, adding that the matter of Rs13-14 billion in subsidies that the utility had not received was taken up, among other things.

The KESC CEO claimed that an average of around 22 to 24 per cent of the total electricity supplied by the KESC was being ‘misappropriated’, and a total of three million MWh had been stolen in Karachi during the last nine months from September 2008 to June this year. He said this caused both power outages and financial losses to the company.

Replying to a question, he said that a number of KESC employees had been subjected to disciplinary action on charges of involvement in electricity theft and other such allegations, and inquiries had been initiated against 138 persons.

So far, the services of 58 KESC employees have been terminated, while 20 others have been issued warnings or have been demoted.

Some 7 to 7.5 per cent of KESC consumers were on average billing, and this number should be decreased, he said. The KESC CEO said that at present 20,000 temporary hook connections were provided by the KESC to provide electricity to its new consumers.

Mr Ismail said that about 7,500 applications for new electricity connections were already present when the new management took over and about 2,500 new applications had been received.

Out of these, 6,500 cases were under process, he added.

The KESC CEO said that the utility’s transmission and distribution systems had been facing eight main cable faults in different areas, affecting electricity supply to Gizri, Federal B Area, Bahadurabad and other areas.

He informed media persons that against 2,184MW of demand of electricity at around 3 pm on Wednesday, the KESC had been doing power load-shedding of around 78 MW. The power shortfall faced by the utility was mainly due to tripping of Unit II of the Bin Qasim Thermal Power Station, he said. To meet the demand of over 2,000MW, the KESC was getting 630MW from Wapda before 3 pm. Supplies from WAPDA later surged beyond 700MW.

Meanwhile, residents of Sea View had complained that KESC staff members in Badr Commercial area were not acting to restore one phase since 1 am. Residents of many streets of Khayaban-i-Badban were also without power for several hours due unattended faults. Residents of PECHS Block II had to endure the heat without electricity after midnight. Block VI residents experienced similar problems. Parts of Gulshan and Gulistan-i-Jauhar areas around Safoora Goth were also affected.

Residents of Garden, Nishtar Road and Ranchhore Line also complained of outages at least five times during the day. They also complained that KESC staff was ‘asking for bribes’ to have unattended faults rectified. (Dawn)