Full Release - IRmep

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complexity ofconflict. Sindhis are calling for a Sindhi state; the mohajirs, led by the MQM, are
seeking a separate state around the provincial capital, Karachi; and there are sectarian differences
~tween'the majority Sunni and minority ShiJite Muslims. The proximity ofthe Afghanistan war has
fed the violence by providing weapons. crimina) elements, including drug traffickers, and reported
foreign support for Muslim extremism. From June 1992 to November 1994 the Pakistan Army was
deployed in a major, and ultimately unsuccessful, operation to control Karachi and after the anny.
withdrawal, police and paramilitary troops contributed to a rising toll of·shooting deaths in the city­
Following earfy 1997 elections, the MQM joined the majority Muslim League in the national and
Sindh provincial governments. A month after the MQM walked out ofthe provinCial government
coalition in late 1998, the then federal prime miQister. Nawaz Sharif, declared Govemor1fl Rule (a
state ofemergency) in Karachi, called out the anny to quell the violence, and announced the
establishment of military courts for the city_ Since a coup in OCtober 1999, the Pakistan government
has been controlled by the military under General Pervez Musharraf and sectarian violence has
declined. The Pakistani government intensified its crackdown on militant sectarian groups following
the 2001 US invasion and occupation ofAfghanistan , fueling further resentment between the
extremist groups and the government Several attempts have been made in r~t years on
President Musharraftii life.
QCJn Slndh, open gun battles between the Muhajlr Qaumi Movement (MQM), which represents Urdu-epeaJdng migrants from India ,
S1ndhllandlonllashkars (private milltfas) and the anny are daily occurrences. The MQM has begun to."..b'the sepAt8tJon of
Karachi tram the rest ofthe provfnce. VIolence threatens 10 pamlyze the capital. even though the anny has had dlr8c:t msponslbtRty
for Its administration slnce June. 1992. A plan announced recently to replace the miIitaty presence with police and rangers Is unlikely
to ease tensJons.-(-au:CJty w:"on'"> J