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A watershed<br />
May 12 2007 will go down as a watershed event in Karachi’s history. It was the day<br />
when the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who was facing a<br />
presidential reference, was to attend the Golden Jubilee celebrations <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court.<br />
The day will be remembered, however, for murders and mayhem and generalized violence that<br />
was witnessed on the roads, streets and lanes <strong>of</strong> the largest metropolis <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. About<br />
fifty people lost their lives, hundreds were injured, and property worth millions <strong>of</strong> rupees was<br />
destroyed.<br />
The aftermath <strong>of</strong> the events <strong>of</strong> May 12 has been filled with recrimination and<br />
bitterness. There were mutually conflicting claims about responsibility and culpability, and<br />
attempts at initiating processes <strong>of</strong> legal and political accountability. This report does not<br />
presume to pre-empt or anticipate the outcomes <strong>of</strong> the processes <strong>of</strong> accountability that have<br />
been initiated in the courts and elsewhere. Its aim is more limited. It attempts to create a<br />
record based on newspaper reports, testimonies and accounts provided by eyewitnesses and<br />
affidavits relating to the events in Karachi on May 12. Much <strong>of</strong> the material used in this report<br />
is already in the public domain. In the politically charged atmosphere that prevailed in the city,<br />
“facts” became contested almost as soon as they were first reported.<br />
HRCP<br />
This report does not start with a particular brief for or against any actor. As a starting<br />
position, it takes at face value what was said, observed and reported. It tries to corroborate<br />
various factual accounts through a<br />
method <strong>of</strong> triangulation wherever<br />
possible. Where there appear to be<br />
unresolved contradictions between<br />
various accounts <strong>of</strong> the same event,<br />
the conflicting accounts are reported.<br />
The report does, however, provide<br />
analysis <strong>of</strong> events, patterns <strong>of</strong> action,<br />
and the responses <strong>of</strong> various players<br />
present or active in the events <strong>of</strong> May<br />
12. It is hoped that the factual<br />
reporting and the analysis provided<br />
here will be augmented, improved and<br />
corrected as more witnesses and<br />
stakeholders come forward and<br />
provide their inputs into the report. Nobody was afraid <strong>of</strong> displaying guns or using them.<br />
1
1. Leading up to May 12<br />
1.1 Rising Political Tension<br />
War <strong>of</strong> words:<br />
The period leading up to May 12 saw rising political tensions. The Chief Justice’s (CJ)<br />
programme to visit Karachi received wide publicity from around May 5 onwards when he<br />
made the 26-hour long road journey in a mammoth procession from Islamabad to Lahore.<br />
The chain <strong>of</strong> events in Karachi began to unfold after the announcement <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s visit to<br />
Karachi on May 12 th to address the Sindh High Court Bar Association in connection with the<br />
50 th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court. The chronology <strong>of</strong> events as it developed is as follows:<br />
The MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a party that is part <strong>of</strong> the ruling coalition in<br />
Sindh and at the centre and is generally considered as the government in Karachi) held a press<br />
conference and demonstration at the Karachi Press Club on May 5 th evening against what they<br />
claimed was the politicization <strong>of</strong> the CJ case 1 . In the press conference, MQM leader Shoaib<br />
Bokhari said: “This constitutional issue <strong>of</strong> the presidential reference has been converted into a<br />
political issue by the opposition parties and certain lawyers’ organisations which are trying to<br />
create a crisis-like situation in the country for their ulterior political motives,”<br />
The same evening, three independent television news channels went <strong>of</strong>f the air in<br />
Karachi, Hyderabad and Nawabshah, blocking the live coverage <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s caravan from<br />
Islamabad to Lahore. Officials <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra)<br />
denied any instructions had been issued to stop the transmission <strong>of</strong> the channels. They said that<br />
these channels were not seen only in southern parts <strong>of</strong> Sindh, and if Pemra had issued any<br />
instructions, the transmission would have been blocked all over the country. There were<br />
accusations that a political party in the ruling coalition had forced cable operators to stop<br />
transmission <strong>of</strong> the channels. However, MQM denied having played any role in the blocking <strong>of</strong><br />
the transmission 2 .<br />
HRCP<br />
On May 6 th , the Sindh PPP (opposition party) General Secretary, Nafees Siddiqui,<br />
stated in a press conference that ARD (Alliance for Restoration <strong>of</strong> Democracy, formed by<br />
opposition parties) and civil society organizations would accord a historic welcome to the CJ.<br />
The Sindh ANP (opposition party having strong influence among Pakhtuns who have a large<br />
population in Karachi) President, Shahi Syed also announced that the people <strong>of</strong> Sindh would<br />
warmly welcome the CJ on his arrival on May 12 and that a central reception camp would be<br />
set up at Natha Khan Goth from where their rally would proceed towards the airport 3 .<br />
On May 8 th , MQM founder Altaf Hussain addressed party workers from London and<br />
said: “… if conspiracies are hatched to end the present democratically elected Government<br />
then each and every worker <strong>of</strong> Muttahida Qaumi Movement … will stand firm and defend the<br />
democratic government.” He also announced the holding <strong>of</strong> an MQM rally on May 12 th , the<br />
day the CJ was to arrive.<br />
On May 9 th , Sindh Home Secretary Brigadier Ghulam Mohammed Mohtaram wrote a<br />
letter to the Registrar <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court requesting that the CJ postpone his visit to<br />
Karachi. The letter stated that the event, which otherwise would have been an event<br />
exclusively for the judiciary and the bar was drawing political interest; that all political parties,<br />
including those in the opposition and the government, were planning to hold rallies on that<br />
1<br />
Dawn May 6 (a)<br />
2<br />
Dawn May 6 (b)<br />
3<br />
The News 7 May (b)<br />
2
day; and that tension in the city was on the rise and law-enforcement and security agencies<br />
were unanimous in their assessment that there could be armed clashes and bloodshed. In<br />
response, the CJ’s chief counsel Aitzaz Ahsan reiterated that the CJ would attend the<br />
programme in Karachi as scheduled 4 .<br />
There followed a spate <strong>of</strong> statements by political leaders from all sides in the build-up<br />
to May 12. On May 9 th , PML-N (opposition party) Secretary-General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra<br />
declared that the lawyers campaign was a national movement for the independence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
judiciary and rule <strong>of</strong> law and nobody can stop it. He urged the MQM to change its May 12<br />
rally in order avoid any untoward situation. Later in the day, in an address to the Karachi Bar<br />
Association, Iqbal Jhagra warned the government that any obstacle in the way <strong>of</strong> the peaceful<br />
rally on the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice would not be tolerated 5 . Some MQM ministers, such as<br />
Babar Ghauri, were recalled from vacations for the party rally.<br />
On May 10 th , several opposition legislators in the National Assembly charged that there<br />
had been aerial firing throughout the night in Karachi and, expressing apprehensions about a<br />
clash on May 12, called upon the MQM to call <strong>of</strong>f their rally 6 .<br />
The MQM responded the next day. FarooqSattar, Deputy Convener <strong>of</strong> the MQM<br />
Rabita Committee, charged that the opposition rally on May 12 would be illegal and<br />
unconstitutional and accused the<br />
opposition <strong>of</strong> mischief 7 . He further said<br />
that the opposition had brought the<br />
CJ’s issue on to the streets and the<br />
MQM has only accepted the challenge<br />
and will show the world its strength 8<br />
The abject hostility <strong>of</strong> the<br />
MQM, one <strong>of</strong> the coalition partners in<br />
the Sindh government, to the CJ and<br />
the opposition had ominous overtones,<br />
as indicated by the choice <strong>of</strong> language.<br />
Even as the bloody day <strong>of</strong> May 12 was<br />
waning, Waseem Akhter, Advisor to<br />
Tansport as usual was a favourite target for rioters.<br />
the Sindh Chief Minister on Home<br />
Affairs accused the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> taking tea at the airport while people were being killed 9 .<br />
And his chief, Altaf Husain – speaking from London – said: “Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammed<br />
Chaudhry, the Sindh Home Secretary requested you to postpone your visit, but you didn’t<br />
listen. You stuck to your decision <strong>of</strong> coming here, and because <strong>of</strong> you, a number <strong>of</strong> people<br />
were killed. Are you satisfied now?” 10<br />
HRCP<br />
There were conciliatory statements too. MQM founder Altaf Hussain instructed his<br />
supporters to remain peaceful 11 . MQM Deputy Convenor Farooq Sattar said that there was no<br />
4<br />
Dawn May 10 (a)<br />
5<br />
Dawn 10 May (b)<br />
6<br />
The News 11 May (a)<br />
7<br />
The News 12 May (b)<br />
8<br />
Daily Times 12 May (b)<br />
9<br />
See Dawn, “ Riots disrupt Karachi calm”, May 13, 2007; Daily Times, “CJ responsible for deaths:<br />
Waseem”, May 13, 2007<br />
10<br />
Daily Times, May 13: 2007, “You were told not to come here but you didn’t listen: Altaf to CJP”<br />
11<br />
Jang 12 May (c)<br />
3
chance <strong>of</strong> a clash between the rival rallies. This was also echoed by PML-Q (the main party in<br />
the ruling coalition) President Chaudhry Shujaat 12 . On the other side, Bar association leaders<br />
announced that only lawyers should come to the High Court and that political party workers<br />
and the general public should maintain their distance from the lawyers’ contingent 13 . This<br />
appeared to be a concession to the MQM, whose main criticism <strong>of</strong> the lawyer’s movement<br />
was that it was being use by political parties for their own agendas. At the end <strong>of</strong> the day,<br />
however, it appears that conciliation failed to prevail.<br />
From words to action:<br />
By May 10 th , the war <strong>of</strong> words had graduated to limited action on the ground. Several<br />
incidents – some <strong>of</strong> them apparently unrelated to the rival rallies -- were reported that<br />
indicated rising tensions in the city.<br />
Early on May 10 th , unidentified gunmen fired on the house <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court Bar<br />
Association (SCBA) President. Munir Malik and bullets narrowly missed his daughter 14 . The<br />
same day, the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) sealed the private law <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong><br />
Munir Malik, President <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on the grounds that<br />
there were violations <strong>of</strong> building law regulations. The Sindh High Court promptly ordered the<br />
premises unsealed.<br />
The same day, two alleged terrorists were arrested from the Korangi area who said<br />
that they belonged to MQM Haqiqi and that their party had directed them to carry out terrorist<br />
actions on May 12. 15 . The “Pasban” organization called for a shutter down strike in parts <strong>of</strong><br />
the city on May 11 th to protest against power failures and street crime 16 . One person was killed<br />
in the Falaknaz Apartments area on Sharah-e-Faisal in a clash between those calling for a<br />
shutter down and those resisting it 17 . Malik Amir, a private security guard at a Western Union<br />
mobile shop on Shahra-e-Faisal was shot dead by 5 unidentified men when he refused to shut<br />
down the shop 18 .<br />
HRCP<br />
Police removed reception camps set up by opposition parties in connection with the<br />
rally <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice in parts <strong>of</strong> the city. Capital City Police Officer Azhar Farooqui said<br />
that the reception camps were removed under an administrative order by the home<br />
department. However, the Chief Minister’s Adviser on Home Affairs Wasim Akhtar said the<br />
reception camps were removed irrespective <strong>of</strong> party affiliations 19 .<br />
On May 11 th , there was also a drive-by shooting near Abbasi Market in the Model<br />
Colony area at three young men, who were setting up a reception camp. One <strong>of</strong> the men,<br />
Asghar Shah, died on the spot, while the other two – Shioz and Liaquat – were wounded.<br />
One report claimed that Ashgar Shah was a former activist <strong>of</strong> the Punjabi-Pakhtun Ittehad<br />
(PPI), another claimed that he was a worker <strong>of</strong> PML(N) 20 .<br />
The same day, at least 125 people – including members <strong>of</strong> the PPP, PML-N, MMA<br />
12<br />
Jang 12 May (b)<br />
13<br />
Jang 12 May (g)<br />
14<br />
The News 11 May (a)<br />
15<br />
Jang 11 May (a)<br />
16<br />
Dawn 11 May (a)<br />
17<br />
Express 12 May (b)<br />
18<br />
Daily Times 12 May (f)<br />
19<br />
Dawn 11 May (b)<br />
20<br />
Daily Times 12 May (f)<br />
4
and other opposition parties – were arrested for the “public good” 21 . In the early hours <strong>of</strong> the<br />
morning, one lane <strong>of</strong> Shahrah-e-Quaideen, leading to the Quaid’s Mazar, was found to be dug<br />
up. Area residents and shopkeepers claimed that there was no sign till Friday midnight that<br />
there was to be any earthwork on the road. Mohammed Arif, KWSB Chief Engineer Zone B-<br />
II said that KWSB had no pending work scheduled on the road. Jamshed Town<br />
Administration spokesman also expressed ignorance as to who had ordered the digging and<br />
why it had been carried out 22 .<br />
The same day, armed cadres <strong>of</strong> a political party hijacked 19 buses belonging to the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Karachi, NED University <strong>of</strong> Engineering and Government College <strong>of</strong><br />
Technology across the city 23 .<br />
Due to mounting anxiety,<br />
market associations, traders, and<br />
transporters decided to close for<br />
business on May 12. And in a late night<br />
announcement, the Sindh government<br />
declared May 12 th a public holiday 24 .<br />
Fearing violence, the Sindh Home<br />
Department declared emergency at the<br />
seven public-sector hospitals in the<br />
city 25 . Even the Sindh High Court,<br />
acting on a petition, ordered the federal<br />
and provincial governments to provide<br />
complete security to the CJ wherever<br />
he desires to go during his visit to<br />
Karachi on Saturday. 26<br />
1.2 Official Security Plan<br />
Tavel by automobiles was not safe.<br />
HRCP<br />
Given widespread explicit concerns in <strong>of</strong>ficial, opposition as well as private circles that<br />
there might be violent clashes in Karachi between rival supporters <strong>of</strong> political parties on May<br />
12, several types <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial responses were discerned from press statements.<br />
The Home Affairs Advisor articulated two distinct types <strong>of</strong> security threats that were<br />
expected on May 12. First, there was a possibility <strong>of</strong> a suicide bombing by a network <strong>of</strong><br />
terrorists, which he said the government was trying to break. Second, he felt that there might<br />
be violence if charged supporters <strong>of</strong> the opposing rallies came face to face 27 .<br />
The letter from the Federal Interior Secretary, Syed Kamal Shah, to the Registrar <strong>of</strong><br />
the Supreme Court cited three types <strong>of</strong> security threats: (a) clashes between rival rallies; (b)<br />
targeted attacks on key government and opposition leaders; (c) terrorist ambushes <strong>of</strong> rallies. 28<br />
Reportedly, this letter did not refer to the threat <strong>of</strong> a suicide bomb attack.<br />
21<br />
Jang 12 May (l)<br />
22<br />
Daily Times 12 May (e)<br />
23<br />
Daily Times 12 May (f)<br />
24<br />
Dawn 12 May (c)<br />
25<br />
Daily Times 12 May (c)<br />
26<br />
The News 12 May (c)<br />
27<br />
Jang, 12 May (m)<br />
28<br />
Express 11 May (b)<br />
5
A high-ranking group at the Governor’s House was monitoring the situation on a daily<br />
basis. 29 This group included the Governor, the Chief Minister, the provincial advisor on Home<br />
Affairs, and senior <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> law enforcement agencies.<br />
Details <strong>of</strong> the security plan were not made public; however, press reports indicated<br />
some specific actions. These included the division <strong>of</strong> policing activities in the entire city into<br />
three zones, each headed by a DIG, the deployment <strong>of</strong> and patrolling by Rangers and police,<br />
and installations <strong>of</strong> CCTV cameras and aerial surveillance at various locations, including<br />
Sharah-e-Faisal. It was specified that Section 144 was not imposed 30 .<br />
Interestingly, one report as early as May 7 th had recounted that the government had<br />
decided to fix cameras around the city courts for complete monitoring <strong>of</strong> the CJ during his<br />
arrival in the city on May 12 and, further, that a monitoring device with a range <strong>of</strong> 5-kilometre<br />
distance, which could also tape a voice, would also be fixed at the main gates <strong>of</strong> the city<br />
courts.<br />
At a meeting on May 11, apparently at the Governor’s House, several “security” and<br />
“political” options were discussed for preventing confrontation between rival rallies <strong>of</strong><br />
supporters <strong>of</strong> the CJ and the MQM respectively. The “security” options included <strong>of</strong>fering a<br />
bulletpro<strong>of</strong> vehicle, identifying potential points <strong>of</strong> conflict between the rival rallies, stationing<br />
Rangers and paramilitary forces at those points, and placing security forces in a state <strong>of</strong> high<br />
alert 31 . The “political” options included delaying the Chief Justice’s flight, requesting the CJ to<br />
return due to the tense situation, <strong>of</strong>fering to fly him to the city centre in a helicopter, and<br />
allowing his supporters to take him in a rally after the end <strong>of</strong> the MQM rally 32 . Interestingly,<br />
all <strong>of</strong> the various options reported in the press take it for granted that the MQM would not be<br />
asked to make any changes to its plans.<br />
HRCP<br />
1.2.1 Commandeering <strong>of</strong> Vehicles and setting Roadblocks<br />
The most conspicuous “security” preparation for May 12 was the commandeering <strong>of</strong><br />
vehicles and the setting up <strong>of</strong> roadblocks in various parts <strong>of</strong> the city from the evening <strong>of</strong> May<br />
11 onwards. Commandeered vehicles included container trucks and trailers, trucks, watertankers,<br />
Suzuki pick-ups, coaches, buses, mini-buses, and rickshaws. The commandeered<br />
vehicles were placed strategically to block roads, streets and lanes and their tyres were<br />
deflated to prevent them form being moved.<br />
As referred to earlier, between 7:00-7:30 am <strong>of</strong> May 11th, 19 buses belonging to the<br />
University <strong>of</strong> Karachi, NED University and Government College <strong>of</strong> Technology were hijacked<br />
by armed MQM cadres from Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Jamshed Quarters, Karimabad, Korangi Road,<br />
Malir Jinnah Square, National Highway, Nazimabad Board Office, Nazimabad Petrol Pump,<br />
New Karachi, North Nazimabad, Numaish Chowrangi, Shahrah-e-Faisal, and University Road.<br />
The drivers were also taken away along with the buses 33 .<br />
Armed MQM workers also commandeered a large number <strong>of</strong> private vehicles from<br />
transporters and other tradesmen. In most cases, owners or drivers <strong>of</strong> the vehicles were<br />
instructed to remain with their vehicles. This was done in an organized way with “military”<br />
precision. MQM unit <strong>of</strong>fices collected the vehicles, along with their documents, and parked<br />
29<br />
Jang 12 May (l)<br />
30<br />
Dawn 11 May (b)<br />
31<br />
Jang 12 May (m).<br />
32<br />
Jang, 12 May (m)<br />
33<br />
Jang 12 May (d)<br />
6
the vehicles at designated collection points.<br />
According to Ashiq Husain Khan Niazi, General Secretary <strong>of</strong> Karachi Goods Carrier<br />
Association, armed persons in the presence <strong>of</strong> police and rangers seized heavy transport at<br />
gunpoint. According to Maddad Khan, General Secretary <strong>of</strong> the KPT Transport Carrier<br />
Association, armed groups started lifting vehicles at gunpoint from Landhi, Malir, Ghani<br />
Chowrangi, Ranchore Lines, Baloch Colony, Port Qasim and other areas from Friday<br />
afternoon till Saturday early morning. According to Amir Kalam <strong>of</strong> the Karachi Trucks,<br />
Trailers and Brokers Association, when their organization contacted the Inspector-General <strong>of</strong><br />
Police, he expressed his helplessness 34 .<br />
Suzuki pick-ups and rickshaws were commandeered by MQM’s local unit <strong>of</strong>fices from<br />
tradesmen in the surrounding localities <strong>of</strong> Bohra Peer, Ranchhore Lines, etc. 35 The<br />
commandeered vehicles were used to blockade key roads and access point in the city.<br />
The Sindh government had ordered Shahrah-e-Faisal, the road from the airport that the<br />
Chief Justice would have to take to proceed to the city, and all link roads to be declared as a<br />
‘no-go’ area for workers and supporters <strong>of</strong> opposition political parties. It also ordered the<br />
police to arrest every person on Shahrah-e-Faisal found with party flags and/or portraits <strong>of</strong><br />
party leaders 36 .<br />
It placed the commandeered vehicles to block Shahrah-e-Faisal and all its intersections<br />
and link roads; rendering it completely inaccessible to motorists and even to motorcyclists 37 .<br />
The access to the airport from the city center was blocked at Natha Khan Bridge near Drigh<br />
Road Station. Heavy contingents <strong>of</strong> police were present and the police beat several people,<br />
protesting against the setting up <strong>of</strong> the barricades. Containers were laid across Shahrah-e-<br />
Faisal at various points between the airport and COD. Vehicles were also parked across<br />
Korangi Road at various points. A<br />
container truck was parked across the<br />
city-bound carriageway on Clifton<br />
Road before Teen Talwar junction.<br />
Both carriageways <strong>of</strong> the Clifton<br />
Bridge were blocked using minibuses.<br />
38 Roads around Quaid-e-Azam’s<br />
HRCP<br />
Mazar as well as approaches to M.A.<br />
Jinnah Road were also blocked at<br />
various points south <strong>of</strong> Civil Hospital.<br />
Vehicles were also placed between<br />
M.A. Jinnah Road and I.I. Chundrigar<br />
Road. In some cases, roadblocks were<br />
more makeshift, e.g., moveable steel<br />
Containers were used to blockade roads.<br />
fences were used, so that roadblocks could be moved quickly and easily. MQM cadres had<br />
taken over the task <strong>of</strong> directing traffic. 39<br />
34<br />
Dawn 16 May (h)<br />
35<br />
Eyewitness account, HRCP observer.<br />
36<br />
The News 12 May (a)<br />
37<br />
Dawn 13 May (i)<br />
38<br />
Eyewitness account, HRCP observer.<br />
39<br />
Eyewitness account, HRCP observer.<br />
7
Road blocks, using containers, rickshaws and moveable steel fences, were placed by<br />
the police on all access roads leading to the Sindh High Court The area around City Courts on<br />
M.A. Jinnah Road was barricaded using smaller vehicles – mostly, Suzuki pickups. 40<br />
1.3 Evaluating the Security Plan<br />
From reported statements it is clear that the authorities identified at least four distinct<br />
types <strong>of</strong> security threats on May 12. These were articulated by responsible <strong>of</strong>ficials in the days<br />
leading up to May 12. The four types <strong>of</strong> security threats that were identified were:<br />
1. Clashes between rival supporters and their rallies<br />
2. Targeted assassination attempts on key individuals<br />
3. Suicide bomb attack on CJ and members <strong>of</strong> his entourage<br />
4. Terrorist ambushes <strong>of</strong> political rallies<br />
It appears that three types <strong>of</strong> security measures were taken.<br />
1. Dissuade the CJ from making the trip to Karachi, or to modify his programme.<br />
This it appears was the primary focus <strong>of</strong> the efforts <strong>of</strong> government<br />
functionaries.<br />
2. Place police contingents along the routes <strong>of</strong> the rallies and use helicopters and<br />
CCTVs for surveillance; with additional police contingents and Rangers acting<br />
as backup.<br />
3. Pre-emptive measures such as the declaration <strong>of</strong> a public holiday and<br />
emergency alerts at hospitals.<br />
The most significant preparation for the day was the setting up <strong>of</strong> roadblocks and<br />
barricades on various roads and streets in different parts <strong>of</strong> the city. This was also admitted by<br />
Home Affairs Advisor Wasim Akhtar in a subsequent TV interview. Roadblocks and<br />
barricades could only possibly deal with the first <strong>of</strong> the four types <strong>of</strong> security threats identified<br />
by the various functionaries in the lead up to May 12, i.e., the possibility <strong>of</strong> a clash between<br />
rival rallies. This particular security threat appears to have received much <strong>of</strong> the attention <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials. As such, it is useful to examine the points where this threat was the most acute.<br />
HRCP<br />
There was considerable confusion about the route plan <strong>of</strong> the various rallies. In the<br />
case <strong>of</strong> the CJ, at least two parameters were fixed. He was to arrive at the airport and end up<br />
at the Sindh High Court. In addition, it was expected that he would address the Malir District<br />
Bar and pay a visit to the Quaid’s Mazar. His movement, therefore, was mostly to be along<br />
the National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal axis.<br />
The MQM had announced that it would hold its rally at Tibet Centre on M.A. Jinnah<br />
Road and that it would use Numaish and Quaid’s Mazar as collection points. It further<br />
announced that its supporters will arrive at Tibet Centre from two separate directions: one,<br />
along the main thoroughfares from Liaqatabad and Nazimabad via Guru Mandir and, two,<br />
along National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal via Shahrah-e-Quaideen. The MQM claimed that it<br />
needed the latter route in order to bring its supporters from eastern parts <strong>of</strong> Karachi, including<br />
from Thatta and Badin areas.<br />
Potentially, there were several flashpoints where the CJ’s and MQM’s supporters<br />
might have crossed each other’s paths en route to their respective destinations, either in<br />
processions, groups or individually. However, two points <strong>of</strong> potential conflict that emerged<br />
40<br />
Eyewitness account, HRCP observer.<br />
8
were National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal and Quaid’s Mazar. These were the two locations<br />
where the rival rallies were likely to cross and face one another head on. For the CJ’s<br />
supporters from Lyari, for example, the most direct route to the airport would have been<br />
through “MQM lines” along M.A. Jinnah Road. Those coming from northern parts <strong>of</strong> the city,<br />
the most direct route to the airport would cut across “MQM lines” along the Nazimabad and<br />
Liaqatabad corridors. Thus, while it was possible to find alternative routes around other<br />
possible points <strong>of</strong> confrontation along these routes, there was little possibility <strong>of</strong> avoiding<br />
contact between the rallies along National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal and Quaid’s Mazar.<br />
If the main security threat was perceived to arise from a clash between supporters <strong>of</strong><br />
the two rival rallies, the focus <strong>of</strong> the security plan ought to have to keep the two rallies apart –<br />
possibly by creating buffers <strong>of</strong> police and Rangers between them along Shara-e-Faisal and at<br />
Quaid’s Mazar.<br />
Securing Quaid’s Mazar was likely to have been less challenging than policing National<br />
Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal. The Quaid’s Mazar is one single location, albeit over a fairly large<br />
area. However, it is ringed by wide double roads on all four sides and it might have been<br />
possible to allocate one road on either side to each <strong>of</strong> the two rallies; along with a large<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> law enforcement personnel acting as a buffer between the two segments.<br />
The National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal corridor would have been a more challenging<br />
route to secure. It was known that the CJ’s supporters would converge at Karachi Airport<br />
from two sides – some coming from the<br />
National Highway end from Gulshan-e-<br />
Hadeed, Quaidabad, Landhi and Malir,<br />
while others arriving from the city along<br />
Sharah-e-Faisal. MQM supporters<br />
would also need to use the same route<br />
and turn left onto Sharah-e-Quaideen to<br />
proceed towards the Quaid’s Mazar.<br />
The CJ’s supporters would have to take<br />
the same route if they also intended to<br />
go to the Quaid’s Mazar. The challenge<br />
would be to keep the rival processions<br />
separate while they were both headed in<br />
the same direction for most <strong>of</strong> their<br />
journeys.<br />
Did not know where to take the injured.<br />
Incidentally, experience was not lacking. The task <strong>of</strong> securing the Sharah-e-Faisal-<br />
Quaid’s Mazar route would, in effect, have been similar to the policing <strong>of</strong> separate and<br />
potentially conflicting Shia and Sunni processions along M.A. Jinnah Road during Moharram.<br />
The city police have been eminently successful in maintaining peace by ensuring that there is a<br />
time-lag between the Shia and the Sunni processions. The Shia procession has already<br />
dispersed by the time the main Sunni processions start entering MA Jinnah Road.<br />
(a)<br />
(b)<br />
(c)<br />
HRCP<br />
There are three salient aspects in the securing <strong>of</strong> Muharram processions in Karachi:<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> a time-lag between processions traveling in the same direction<br />
prior planning and cooperation between leaders <strong>of</strong> both sides, and<br />
active presence <strong>of</strong> law enforcement personnel as the principal mediators between rival<br />
groups.<br />
Unfortunately, however, if the authorities feared violent clashes between rival rallies as<br />
9
the main security threat, the lessons <strong>of</strong> Muharram policing appear not have been much in<br />
evidence in the preparation for May 12. In fact, some <strong>of</strong> the known preparations for May 12th<br />
were in direct contradiction to the lessons <strong>of</strong> successful policing <strong>of</strong> Moharram processions.<br />
While there is some logic in setting up roadblocks and barricades to channel rival processions<br />
away from one another and to restrict the number <strong>of</strong> entry points into the main procession<br />
route, the setting up <strong>of</strong> barriers across the main route <strong>of</strong> the rallies – i.e., on Sharah-e-Faisal –<br />
appeared to make no sense at all. Rather than facilitating the passage <strong>of</strong> the two rival rallies,<br />
the barriers actually ensured that none <strong>of</strong> the rallies could actually pass.<br />
There is no evidence either <strong>of</strong> a serious attempt at negotiating a time-lag between the<br />
two potential rival rallies. There was an indication that among the options being considered by<br />
the government one included allowing the CJ to move from the airport after the MQM rally<br />
had ended. It is not known if this option was pursued with any seriousness. There is also no<br />
evidence that the authorities made any attempt to persuade the MQM to alter the route or<br />
timing <strong>of</strong> its proposed rallies along the National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal corridor. As it<br />
turned out, there was no MQM rally along the National Highway/Sharah-e-Faisal corridor<br />
towards the Quaid’s Mazar and M.A. Jinnah Road. It is, therefore, quite likely that the<br />
authorities had already decided that there would not be any rival rallies along the route. The<br />
objective, it then appears, was to obstruct opposition rallies.<br />
The roadblocks were also the wrong instruments for dealing with the other three<br />
security threats, as perceived by authorities. Again, as the experience <strong>of</strong> VVIP movement<br />
along the Shara-e-Faisal corridor shows, avoiding any <strong>of</strong> the three kinds <strong>of</strong> threats requires<br />
blocking <strong>of</strong> entry onto Sharah-e-Faisal from the side roads and unimpeded flow <strong>of</strong> traffic along<br />
the corridor. While the former procedure was carried out, i.e., entry onto Sharah-e-Faisal<br />
from the side roads was restricted, the placing <strong>of</strong> barriers across Shahrah-e-Faisal created ideal<br />
conditions for an assassin, a suicide bomber or a terrorist aiming to target or ambush anyone.<br />
HRCP<br />
2. Flashpoints on May 12 and After<br />
At least 34 people were killed and 140 injured on May 12 th alone as parts <strong>of</strong> Karachi<br />
turned into battlegrounds 41 . The main areas that saw fierce clashes between rival groups were<br />
along the National Highway/Shahrah-e-Faisal corridor, as well as in other parts <strong>of</strong> the city.<br />
The situation was so grim that the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) receptionist<br />
asked those enquiring for their loved ones to first check the morgue 42 .<br />
An overall picture <strong>of</strong> the May 12 events is reconstructed in this section using published<br />
accounts and individual testimonials <strong>of</strong> victims and eyewitnesses. An attempt is made to<br />
identify flashpoints, or locations where violence and casualties are known to have taken place,<br />
and to provide an account <strong>of</strong> what happened at these various locations during the course <strong>of</strong><br />
the day.<br />
The earliest reports <strong>of</strong> violence relate to the difficulties experienced by lawyers in<br />
reaching their designated meeting points in the City Courts, the Sindh High Court and the<br />
Malir District Courts respectively. This violence was threatening but mostly non-lethal.<br />
However, from around midday onwards, many segments <strong>of</strong> the National Highway/Sharah-e-<br />
Faisal corridor experienced intensive use <strong>of</strong> firearms and a large number <strong>of</strong> casualties and<br />
injuries caused by firing. Violence then spread to other parts <strong>of</strong> the city from around 1.30 pm<br />
41<br />
Dawn 13 May (i)<br />
42 Daily Times 14 May (b)<br />
10
onwards, with areas such as Patel Para/Business Recorder Road, Benaras Chowk, Sohrab<br />
Goth, Lyari, Keamari, Malir Halt, and Baloch Colony Bridge flaring up and remaining tense<br />
through the night and into the next day.<br />
2.1 City Courts<br />
According to eyewitness accounts obtained by HRCP 43 , scores <strong>of</strong> young men – several<br />
<strong>of</strong> them armed and/or carrying MQM banners – surrounded the City Court premises and<br />
commandeered vehicles were used to block all entrances and exits to prevent lawyers from<br />
going in. However, about 150 lawyers – including several women lawyers – managed to<br />
gather at the City Courts. Lawyers reported using a number <strong>of</strong> means to get pass the MQM<br />
pickets. Some changed their clothes from the usual black jacket to other colours and<br />
pretended not to be lawyers. Others arrived either the night before or very early in the<br />
morning, after parking their vehicles at safe distances and walking past the barricades.<br />
However, they found themselves besieged in the City Courts premises and subjected to verbal<br />
abuse by picketers. The lawyers contacted DSP Malik Manzar and SHOs <strong>of</strong> City Court and<br />
Risala police stations for security, but to no avail.<br />
The lawyers attempted to march towards the Sindh High Court in the form <strong>of</strong> a rally in<br />
order to join their colleagues already gathered there, with the intent to proceed from there to<br />
the airport to receive the CJ. The rally was stopped at a barricade created by placing a<br />
container across the road. Some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
lawyers managed to reach as far as the<br />
Paper Market, but had to retreat when<br />
the MQM picketers began to fire in the<br />
air. The rally began to disperse, but the<br />
picketers caught up with some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
lawyers and subjected them to physical<br />
abuse. Two women lawyers were<br />
slapped and pushed around and their<br />
clothes torn. One lawyer was beaten up<br />
and had his motorcycle, money and<br />
mobile phone snatched from him.<br />
Another was caught and a motorcycle<br />
was run over his leg causing a fracture.<br />
Some lawyers then hid in the City<br />
Courts Bar Room, while others hid in a law chamber nearby. The lawyers remained besieged<br />
by armed MQM activists, some <strong>of</strong> whom set fire to the Women’s Bar Room in the City<br />
Courts. 44 The lawyers requested the police to call the Rangers because they did not have<br />
confidence in the police’s ability to protect them. At about 3.45pm, DSP Malik Manzar<br />
informed them that he had orders from “above” that he could not help us; but at about<br />
4.30pm, he called again to assure security, but asked the lawyers to leave the City Courts.<br />
Finally, on the intervention <strong>of</strong> Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, the Town Police Officer phoned to<br />
say that the Rangers would not come, but that the lawyers could leave in police mobiles. At<br />
about 5:00pm, the lawyers were taken from the City Courts to Sindh High Court. On the way,<br />
armed MQM picketers hurled abuses at them in the presence <strong>of</strong> the police, who failed to take<br />
43<br />
FF5, FF6, FF8, FF11.<br />
44<br />
Ummat 16 May (b).<br />
HRCP<br />
Some went to the morgue to look for their dear ones.<br />
11
any notice.<br />
2.2 Sindh High Court (SHC)<br />
There was a meeting between Sindh High Court Bar Association <strong>of</strong>fcials led by its<br />
President, Abrar Hasan, and Preedy/Saddar police <strong>of</strong>ficials led by Jam Zafarullah Dharejo on<br />
May 10 th in the Sindh High Court Conference Room to discuss security arrangements for May<br />
12 th . Among other measures, it was decided that only inner and outer gates at Passport Office<br />
side would be used for entry and exit. Accordingly, police had blocked the roads leading to<br />
and around the Sindh High Court to prevent access.<br />
However, according to eyewitnesses, the Sindh High Court was literally taken over by<br />
about 2,500 MQM armed activists. 45 Some <strong>of</strong> the High Court judges had to leave their <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
cars and make their way through intimidating activists and climb over the court’s back wall in<br />
order to reach their chambers. Some lawyers, attempting to enter the building, were<br />
reportedly verbally and physically abused. At about 09:00am, CJ Sindh High Court arrived in<br />
his car. According to eyewitness reports, alleged MQM workers gathered around his car,<br />
restricted his movement towards the High Court and started hitting his car. However,<br />
lawyers interfered and thus he managed to enter the building.<br />
The 300-plus lawyers who had managed to reach the High Court premises implored<br />
the CJ to provide protection from the menacing crowd. Accordingly, he summoned the IG<br />
Sindh and Home Secretary. One report said that the Corps Commander and DG Rangers were<br />
also summoned, but declined to appear on account <strong>of</strong> the security situation 46 . Only the IG<br />
Sindh and Home Secretary came, but claimed they were unable to do anything. At noon,<br />
according to an eyewitness, the provincial Minster <strong>of</strong> Transport telephoned the President <strong>of</strong><br />
the SHCBA and said that the CJ should go back because their lives could be in danger from<br />
the protesting crowds. There is a slight gap in reporting between the afternoon and the lifting<br />
<strong>of</strong> the blockade; therefore, it is not known how some <strong>of</strong> the lawyers left the SHC. The<br />
blockade <strong>of</strong> the SHC was finally lifted at 8.00 pm when lawyers and others CJ supporters were<br />
allowed to enter the Court compound. 47<br />
Mohammed Tahir Naveed, Town Police Officer (TPO) Saddar, in his deposition<br />
before the Sindh High Court 48 confirmed the decisions reached at the above meeting, denied<br />
that “the entire High Court premises was surrounded by a mob”, but also admitted that<br />
“Unfortunately, some miscreants managed to reach the controlled entry point and accosted<br />
bona fide users <strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court. As a result some advocates and members <strong>of</strong> the staff,<br />
faced uncalled for inconvenience which is regretted.”<br />
2.3 Malir District Court<br />
HRCP<br />
According to eyewitnesses, 49 roads to the Malir District Court were blocked from 7<br />
am onwards. Some lawyers had to walk there, as rickshaws were not taking people to the<br />
area. Many <strong>of</strong> them did not wear the black jacket to avoid harassment. One female lawyer<br />
reportedly did not wear her uniform and instead wore an <strong>of</strong>f-white suit and hijab so that no<br />
one would harass her on the way to the Malir District Court. Some lawyers were stopped by<br />
45<br />
Dawn 12 May (d).<br />
46<br />
The News, May 15; Express, May 16 (c); Jang, May 16 (c).<br />
47<br />
FF1.<br />
48<br />
A62<br />
49<br />
FF7, FF15, FF16, FF17.<br />
12
armed MQM activists at Quaidabad. President <strong>of</strong> the Malir Bar, Zahoor Hussain Mahar was<br />
badly beaten, and his car was damaged. Flags and banners in his car, meant for the protest,<br />
were also taken away. 50 He was rescued by some lawyers and brought to the Malir District<br />
Courts in an injured state at around 10 am. Some lawyers who had already reached the Courts<br />
managed to contact SHO Jameel Akhtar <strong>of</strong> Shah Lateef Town to intervene, but to no avail.<br />
The main roadblocks affecting the Malir area were in Quaidabad. Traffic from Landhi,<br />
Quaidabad, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Steel Mills and from cities and towns in Thatta and Badin<br />
districts needs to pass through the<br />
Quaidabad junction in order to get to<br />
Malir and onwards to Karachi city<br />
centre. Although this area was far<br />
away from the planned venue <strong>of</strong> the<br />
MQM public meeting, the party had<br />
announced that it would use this route<br />
in order to bring its supporters from<br />
these very areas into the city. The CJ<br />
supporters had planned to bring rallies<br />
through this route too. In fact, the<br />
The dead were left on roads for hours.<br />
Quaidabad junction was blockaded by armed MQM cadres. Testimonies <strong>of</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> Malir<br />
lawyers, and the experience <strong>of</strong> the president <strong>of</strong> the Malir Bar ( Zahoor Hussain) attest to this.<br />
There was violence in other parts <strong>of</strong> Quaidabad too. In particular, the house <strong>of</strong> Zahoor<br />
Hussain came under fire early in the day.<br />
By around 10.30am, about 150 lawyers had gathered at the Malir District Court.<br />
Supporters <strong>of</strong> political parties were gathered outside the courts as it had been decided that<br />
only lawyers would be allowed to enter. Soon news starting coming from the City Courts and<br />
SHC that the lawyers gathered there would not be able to reach the airport to receive the CJ.<br />
Lawyers at the Malir Court, who had initially planned to receive the CJ at their Court, then<br />
decided to go to the airport to meet the CJ there.<br />
HRCP<br />
Between 11.15-11.30am, lawyers and political activists started marching towards the<br />
Airport in order to receive the CJ. Some <strong>of</strong> the lawyers joined the rally in their vehicles. At<br />
Malir-15, they went past armed MQM activists who were chanting slogans. After that point<br />
there was a steady presence <strong>of</strong> MQM activists and vehicles with MQM flags. The lawyers’<br />
rally was accompanied for a while by a police mobile, which suddenly disappeared as the rally<br />
went pass Malir railway station. At Kala Board, the road was blocked using buses and other<br />
vehicles. The men in the vehicles were all armed. The rally was first fired upon from behind the<br />
boundary wall <strong>of</strong> T&T Colony near the Bhitai Rangers base gate. The initial firing was in the<br />
air and <strong>of</strong> low intensity. The rally participants regrouped and started again. At that stage,<br />
MQM activists started firing directly into the rally, particularly at the vehicles.<br />
According to Amanullah, Advocate, he and his two fellow passengers left his vehicle<br />
and came out with their arms raised. While the other two lawyers who were with him<br />
managed to escape, an MQM activist managed to catch hold <strong>of</strong> Amanullah and shot at him at<br />
point blank range with a pistol. The pistol failed to fire and Amanullah managed to escape. He<br />
heard a round fired behind him and saw the bullet strike a political party activist. Amanullah<br />
managed to run across a railway gate to a safe spot where some other rally participants were<br />
already present. He finally managed to reach a house near Malir Halt by 6:00pm where a<br />
50<br />
Ummat 16 May (c)<br />
13
number <strong>of</strong> lawyers and political activists and lawyers were present. At about 6:30pm, the<br />
police arrived and escorted the stranded lawyers to Malir Court. The police vehicles also came<br />
under fire and MQM activists continued to roam around outside the Courts and fire in the air<br />
for some time. Some <strong>of</strong> the injured were taken to hospital under the protection <strong>of</strong> media<br />
representatives. 51<br />
According to Syeda Ulfat Shah, when the vehicle in which she was riding came under<br />
fire from T&T Colony, near the Bhitai Rangers base, she and her colleagues abandoned their<br />
vehicle and raised their arms. Some people called out to them from behind the boundary wall<br />
<strong>of</strong> T&T Colony to come over to them, saying they would not be harmed. When Syeda Shah<br />
and her colleagues went over to them, they were made to sit down and one man armed with a<br />
pistol was posted to guard them. According to her, the men there had a great amount <strong>of</strong><br />
firearms and ammunition, including petrol canisters and petrol bombs. The same group had<br />
snipers on the upper floors in buildings around T&T Colony, who were receiving instructions<br />
on cell phones to fire upon supporters <strong>of</strong> particular political organizations. 52<br />
The first reported case <strong>of</strong> use <strong>of</strong> hand grenades in an attack on ANP and PML(N)<br />
rallies came from Malir Halt. Over 18 people were injured, including PML-N leader Tariq<br />
Khan. Because <strong>of</strong> the firing upon the rally at Malir Halt, many advocates and political workers<br />
were not able to proceed further along their route.<br />
2.4 Sharae-Faisal: Aisha Bawany/FTC Flyover<br />
The area between Aisha Bawany School and the FTC flyover on Shahrah-e-Faisal was<br />
the site <strong>of</strong> violence from midday till around 3:00pm. One <strong>of</strong> the rallies heading towards the<br />
airport from the direction <strong>of</strong> the city centre to welcome the CJ found its way to this point on<br />
the Shara-e-Faisal. The rally consisted <strong>of</strong> an estimated 300-400 vehicles and over five<br />
thousand supporters, including women and children, <strong>of</strong> various political parties. The main<br />
constituents <strong>of</strong> the rally were activists <strong>of</strong> the PPP and the ANP. There were also other<br />
participants who were not directly affiliated with political parties, and these included members<br />
<strong>of</strong> trade unions and community organizations.<br />
According to some accounts there were two main rallies that merged into one as they<br />
travelled along Sharah-e-Faisal. One group consisted <strong>of</strong> PPP leaders and activists most <strong>of</strong><br />
whom had started their journey from Lyari in south Karachi. They had been prevented from a<br />
more direct route along M.A. Jinnah Road due to barricades put up by MQM activists<br />
guarding approaches to their own rally to be held at Tibet Centre. Prominent PPP leaders who<br />
were leading this rally included Naheed Khan, Safdar Abbassi, Fauzia Wahab, and Jameel. The<br />
PPP contingent was joined at the Jinnah Bridge (near Tower) by an ANP-led rally that had<br />
commenced its journey in Orangi. The ANP rally too was unable to take a more direct route<br />
to the airport due to barricades and alleged lathi-charge and tear-gas shelling by the police at<br />
the Habib Bank Chowrangi in the SITE area <strong>of</strong> west Karachi.<br />
The rally led by PPP leaders proceeded across Jinnah Bridge and moved vehicles and<br />
containers parked across the bridge quite easily as these were unmanned. It went along<br />
Maulvi Tamizuddin Road, past Club Road, and onto Sharah-e-Faisal at Metropole. At the<br />
Sheraton-PC junction before Club Road and again at the Metropole Hotel junction, policemen<br />
on duty waved the rally forward. The rally arrived at the FTC flyover at around 11.30am and<br />
found its progress blocked due to the setting up <strong>of</strong> road-blocks under the flyover. The road-<br />
51<br />
FF15.<br />
52<br />
FF17.<br />
HRCP<br />
14
locks consisted <strong>of</strong> buses parked across the road, with their tyres deflated. There were no law<br />
enforcement personnel or other persons staffing the road-blocks. However, some participants<br />
<strong>of</strong> the rally reported that they were tear-gassed by policemen positioned inside a police station<br />
located across the road from Aisha Bawany School.<br />
The front <strong>of</strong> the rally was close to FTC flyover while its rear was some 500 meters<br />
down the road beyond Aisha Bawany School. The rally came under fire from gunmen,<br />
allegedly MQM activists, positioned on the FTC flyover and in the surrounding buildings in<br />
the Lines Area that overlook Sharah-e-Faisal. There was return firing also from the<br />
participants towards the back <strong>of</strong> the rally, some <strong>of</strong> whom were armed. According to<br />
eyewitness accounts, it became difficult for the rally participants to move forward, because <strong>of</strong><br />
the firing and the road-blocks in the<br />
front, or for them to withdraw safely,<br />
due to the firing from the rear.<br />
A number <strong>of</strong> deaths and injuries<br />
took place as a result <strong>of</strong> the firing.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> those who died or were<br />
wounded were ANP and PPP activists.<br />
There are no confirmed reports <strong>of</strong><br />
casualties caused by the firing carried<br />
out by ANP and PPP activists. It is<br />
possible that the other side escaped<br />
serious injury because they were better<br />
positioned.<br />
Volunteerism helped.<br />
There are conflicting accounts<br />
in the precise run-up to the start <strong>of</strong> the violence. Some accounts suggest that the rally<br />
participants were first subjected to tear-gas shelling from the police station across the road.<br />
Another account holds that the vehicles that had reached the FTC flyover were attacked by<br />
stones and rocks thrown at them from the flyover. Then firing was initiated from the FTC<br />
flyover and surrounding buildings by suspected MQM activists, and that the ANP and PPP<br />
armed activists retaliated by using their own weapons. According to this account, the ANP<br />
and PPP activists were trying to find a way around the road-blocks when they came under fire<br />
from above. Initially both sides carried out aerial firing, before escalating to direct firing.<br />
HRCP<br />
An alternative account holds that when the ANP and PPP workers realized they were<br />
no longer able to proceed further due to the roadblocks, some <strong>of</strong> them started to smash and<br />
set alight the vehicles that had been used as roadblocks and started aerial firing. This was<br />
followed by firing from positions above – from the bridge and from the surrounding buildings.<br />
The two accounts differ in the precise circumstances leading to the drawing <strong>of</strong> firearms<br />
and their first use. One account has the MQM activists starting the firing, while the other<br />
holds that ANP and PPP activists initiated the firing. There is little disagreement, though, that<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> firearms started at around midday and continued for a couple <strong>of</strong> hours till the rally<br />
participants remained on the road.<br />
As the dead and the injured were evacuated to the nearby Jinnah Hospital there were<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> further clashes around the hospital. According to one PPP leader, when the injured<br />
party activists were taken to the Jinnah Hospital, MQM activists again opened fire. 53 There<br />
53<br />
The News, 13 May: (a)<br />
15
were also scenes <strong>of</strong> mob violence outside the Jinnah Hospital as angry opposition political<br />
activists attacked police personnel and people whom they suspected <strong>of</strong> being MQM activists.<br />
There were no reports <strong>of</strong> serious injury, however, in the fighting outside the hospital.<br />
2.5 Sharae-Faisal: COD Flyover/Baloch Colony Flyover<br />
Another rally <strong>of</strong> CJ supporters consisting mainly <strong>of</strong> political leaders and activists<br />
belonging to the PPP and ANP, alongwith some supporters <strong>of</strong> PML-N and Tehreek-e-Insaf,<br />
was stopped further along the Sharah-e-Faisal. This rally had started from a meeting point in<br />
the DHA area and had proceeded along Korangi Road, across Kalapul, and had entered<br />
Sharah-e-Faisal at FTC using not the flyover which was blocked but the side lanes. This rally<br />
had negotiated its way past road-blocks through various means. At one point, along Korangi<br />
Road/Kalapul there was a vehicle parked across the road with its tyres deflated. The rally<br />
participants replaced the deflated tyres and moved the vehicle. None <strong>of</strong> the road-blocks on<br />
Korangi Road nor the FTC Flyover were then manned. There was a police barrier just before<br />
the Baloch Colony flyover, but the police did not attempt to stop the rally.<br />
The opposition rally reached the COD/Drigh Colony Station flyover at around<br />
11.30am – coincidentally, around the same time as the rally that had started at the Jinnah<br />
Bridge reached the FTC flyover. The road was blockaded at this point using containers and<br />
heavy vehicles and manned by activists carrying MQM flags. Senior party leaders including<br />
Nisar Khuhro, Qaim Ali Shah, Khurshid Shah, Raza Rabbani, Naveed Qamar, Nabil Gabol,<br />
Sherry Rehman and Waqar Mehdi, who were riding the front vehicles, led the PPP rally. After<br />
the PPP vehicles, there were vehicles with ANP activists and supporters, and these were<br />
followed by PML-N and TI activists and supporters. All <strong>of</strong> the vehicles carrying supporters <strong>of</strong><br />
various parties carried their respective party flags.<br />
The front <strong>of</strong> the opposition rally stopped some 150 meters short <strong>of</strong> the MQM manned<br />
roadblock and motorcycle riders with the rally drove ahead. These front riders were attacked<br />
with stones thrown by MQM activists positioned on the flyover above. Within minutes, firing<br />
was initiated. One <strong>of</strong> the first persons to be struck was Sherry Rehman’s guard who had<br />
stepped out <strong>of</strong> the vehicle, when the rally had come to a halt 54 . He was himself carrying a<br />
firearm and received a bullet in his leg. MQM activists were positioned on the flyover, inside<br />
the Drigh Colony railway station, and in some <strong>of</strong> the buildings located some distance away<br />
from the main road, but with a view <strong>of</strong> the road. Armed PPP and ANP activists were firing<br />
their weapons from their vehicles or from behind the cover <strong>of</strong> other rally vehicles on the road.<br />
The firing started just before midday and continued for around two hours, till the<br />
opposition rally participants began withdrawing to the rear. The withdrawal took some time<br />
because there appeared to be little coordination between the front and the rear <strong>of</strong> the rally<br />
about when to withdraw. The firing made it difficult to evacuate the injured to hospital, as<br />
ambulances were not being allowed to get through either. Stray MQM activists, who<br />
happened to be riding by on their motorcycles, came under fire on the stretch between Drigh<br />
Colony and Awami Markaz. PPP/ANP activists tore down MQM banners from buildings<br />
around Awami Markaz and set them alight 55 .<br />
As the opposition rally participants started the journey back, they came under intense<br />
fire from the Baloch Colony flyover and surrounding buildings, where armed MQM activists<br />
had taken up positions. This was between 2:00 and 3:00pm, or around two hours after the<br />
54<br />
Express 13 May: (h)<br />
55<br />
Daily Express, 13 May: (h)<br />
HRCP<br />
16
violence first started at midday. 56 . There were several casualties. Syed Ahmed Shah, member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Central Council <strong>of</strong> the ANP, received six bullets. He was taken to the hospital but died<br />
on the way. Firing from an armed group on top <strong>of</strong> the Bridge also left a member <strong>of</strong><br />
Pakhtoonkhwah Milli Awami Party (PKMAP) dead. Some <strong>of</strong> the dead included people who<br />
might have been saved had it been possible to evacuate them promptly to the hospital. Most<br />
<strong>of</strong> the casualties from this flashpoint eventually ended up in Jinnah Hospital. There were no<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> casualties among MQM activists from this flashpoint. 57<br />
2.6 Sharae-Faisal: COD/Natha Khan Bridge/Kala Board<br />
MQM activists had taken control <strong>of</strong> the entire stretch <strong>of</strong> the road, including all flyovers<br />
and pedestrian bridges, along the National Highway/Shahrah-e-Faisal corridor. Their cadres<br />
had also secured positions on adjacent buildings. However, there was one stretch between<br />
Natha Khan Bridge and Kala Board, where the situation was different.<br />
This section <strong>of</strong> the corridor, overlooked by high-rise apartment buildings on one side<br />
(e.g., Falaknaz Apartments), includes Shah Faisal Police Station, Natha Khan Bridge,<br />
approaches to Shah Faisal Colony and approaches to Goth Natha Khan. The section is crucial<br />
for controlling access to the airport.<br />
Here, while MQM activists controlled the road and the barricades at COD/Drigh Road<br />
Station and Natha Khan Bridge,<br />
opposition supporters inhabited<br />
adjacent buildings. This stretch saw<br />
MQM activists come under fire at a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> points. There had already<br />
been a clash at Falaknaz Apartments<br />
the day before when a security guard<br />
had been killed when armed Pasban (an<br />
affiliate <strong>of</strong> Jamaat-e-Islami) activists<br />
had tried to enforce a shutter down<br />
strike. 58 On May 12 th , firing started at<br />
both the COD/Drigh Colony and the<br />
Kala Board flashpoints at around Live TV coverage made a channel a target for<br />
extended firing.<br />
midday. Soon after, the armed men<br />
controlling the Natha Khan Bridge came under fire from Falaknaz Apartments and<br />
surrounding neighbourhoods. Resultantly, MQM activists on the Natha Khan Bridge<br />
abandoned their positions and were seen crawling across the bridge to avoid fire. 59 There<br />
were also clashes here between police and armed activists belonging to opposition parties.<br />
HRCP<br />
Unlike at COD/Drigh Road Station and Baloch Colony, where no police or Rangers<br />
presence was witnessed, police were present in the Natha Khan Bridge area. In fact, the Shah<br />
Faisal Police Station is located within this segment, and one <strong>of</strong> the first firefights took place<br />
within 50 meters <strong>of</strong> the police station. It was also reported that policemen, including, senior<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers such as DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah, and the TPO, were locked up inside the Shah<br />
Faisal Police Station. The police were only issued with batons and teargas shells and had<br />
56<br />
Jang 13 May: (k)<br />
57<br />
Jang 13 May: (k)<br />
58<br />
Express, 12 May (b)<br />
59<br />
Express, 13 May: (h)<br />
17
therefore refused to come out <strong>of</strong> the station. 60 There were some armed police present,<br />
nevertheless, and they were forcibly confined along with their <strong>of</strong>ficers in the police station<br />
compound.<br />
The senior <strong>of</strong>ficers requested additional support from outside and armed police<br />
personnel arrived on the scene and broke the lock in order to secure the release <strong>of</strong> the <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />
Constable Abdullah, the head <strong>of</strong> the Shara-e-Faisal Investigation Unit, was disarmed by some<br />
armed MQM activists who snatched his police-issued SMG rifle. When Constable Abdullah<br />
informed his senior <strong>of</strong>ficer, DSP Chaudhry Sohail Faiz, 61 the DSP called up a senior MQM<br />
member on his mobile and the weapon was promptly returned. A senior police <strong>of</strong>ficer also<br />
reportedly phoned up PPP leaders caught in the firing across the roadblocks at COD/Drigh<br />
Road Station and urged them to withdraw in the interest <strong>of</strong> their personal safety. He<br />
reportedly told the PPP leaders that the police were unable to provide them with security.<br />
A number <strong>of</strong> casualties occurred in this segment <strong>of</strong> the National Highway/Shahrah-e-<br />
Faisal corridor. Three MQM activists were killed near Wireless Gate 62 . Several were killed or<br />
wounded in the Natha Khan Bridge area. There were conflicting claims about the identity and<br />
affiliation <strong>of</strong> the casualties sustained here. MQM claimed that three <strong>of</strong> the dead were activists<br />
<strong>of</strong> its Punjabi-Pashtun Organizing Committee (PPOC), who had come there to take part in<br />
their rally. A fourth person – Sarwar from Badin – was also claimed by the MQM as its<br />
member. He was also claimed by the PPP to be its worker. 63 The deceased man’s family in<br />
Badin, however, reportedly denied that he had any political affiliation and said that he had<br />
gone to Karachi to work in a factory and was an innocent victim <strong>of</strong> the bloodshed.<br />
An Edhi driver, Faiz-ur-Rahman, taking the injured from Kala Board area to the Jinnah<br />
Postgraduate Medical Centre, himself fell victim to bullets. 64 The firing from both sides was so<br />
intense that the dead and injured lay on the road for hours.<br />
The few members <strong>of</strong> the PIA staff that were able to reach the airport confirmed they<br />
had been stopped and ordered to produce their ID cards by armed MQM activists while the<br />
police looked on.<br />
2.7 Airport<br />
HRCP<br />
As stated earlier, all roads leading to the airport, particularly Sharah-e-Faisal, were<br />
blocked by containers and heavy vehicles by midnight <strong>of</strong> May 11-12 65 . Passengers booked on<br />
out-bound flights could not reach the airport and passengers arriving on in-bound flights were<br />
stranded at the airport 66 . A small number <strong>of</strong> CJ supporters did manage to reach the airport<br />
through various means. Some had stayed overnight in localities close to the airport such as<br />
60<br />
Express, 13 May (n) and Express, 13 May (h)<br />
61<br />
Express, 13 May (n)<br />
62<br />
The News 13 May (a)<br />
63<br />
According to Express, 13 May (h) he was claimed an ANP worker. A report in Ummat 14 May (c) indicated<br />
that the PPP claimed that Sarwar was kidnapped from Korangi no-6, Ali Brohi Goth near the boundary wall <strong>of</strong><br />
the Navy compound. He was shot five times in the head and the chest. Jang, 14 May (c) also speaks <strong>of</strong> Mohd<br />
Sarwar as PPP, while Jang, 14 May (e) reports Mohammad Sarwar as an MQM worker. It is possible that there<br />
was more than one person with the same name, but the confusion also indicates that the parties were engaged<br />
in a propaganda war to claim “victims”.<br />
64<br />
A more detailed account <strong>of</strong> the circumstances surrounding the death <strong>of</strong> Fiaz-ur-Rehman is provided further<br />
below.<br />
65<br />
The News, May 12 (a)<br />
66<br />
The News 12 May (a)<br />
18
Gulistan-e-Jauhar and the PIA Colony and were able to walk to the airport terminal. Some<br />
managed to walk past the barricades very early in the morning before the arrival <strong>of</strong> MQM<br />
activists or police personnel. As the day progressed, however, even the limited entry points<br />
that were open to pedestrians or two-wheelers were more stringently blocked. Those<br />
attempting to cross these barriers were subjected to physical assault.<br />
While the main approaches to the airport from the National Highway/Shahrah-e-Faisal<br />
corridor were blocked using heavy vehicles and containers, at least two local or “back-street”<br />
approaches from Pehlwan Goth 67 and PIA Colony were blocked by police mobile vans. When<br />
a small group <strong>of</strong> CJ supporters managed to reach the Gulistan-e-Jauhar roadblock, police<br />
prevented them from going any further by baton charging and firing in the air. Some <strong>of</strong> them<br />
were also arrested 68 . Opposition party activists, who had arrived in PIA Colony the night<br />
before in anticipation <strong>of</strong> road-blocks – and had stayed there overnight in homes <strong>of</strong> their<br />
supporters who happened to be local residents – collected and began to proceed towards the<br />
airport. They came under heavy firing from MQM activists.<br />
Rangers and Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel guarded the airport perimeter<br />
itself. These law enforcement personnel ensured that, beginning the evening <strong>of</strong> May 11th, the<br />
terminal, approaches to the terminal, and car parks were kept clear <strong>of</strong> all unauthorized<br />
persons, i.e., anyone other than bona<br />
fide staff and passengers 69 .<br />
When the CJ’s flight arrived at<br />
midday, CJ supporters at the airport<br />
tried to hold a rally in order to<br />
welcome him. Soon after a group <strong>of</strong><br />
around 150 armed MQM activists were<br />
allowed through the security cordon<br />
and reached the Arrivals area <strong>of</strong> the<br />
airport terminal. There were skirmishes<br />
with CJ supporters outside, in which<br />
several people were injured. There<br />
were also reports <strong>of</strong> people being held<br />
hostage at gunpoint around the arrivals<br />
area. At one stage, MQM activists<br />
Celebrating freedom to kill fellow beings?<br />
attempted to break into the Arrivals<br />
hall where the CJ was confined. ASF personnel finally intervened and persuaded the MQM<br />
activists to back <strong>of</strong>f.<br />
HRCP<br />
2.8 Patel Para/Business Recorder Road/Aaj TV<br />
The corridor to be used by MQM rallies – from north and central Karachi towards<br />
M.A. Jinnah Road – was relatively peaceful during the early part <strong>of</strong> the day. There were few<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> incidents along this corridor.<br />
The Business Recorder Road segment <strong>of</strong> this corridor saw some sporadic violence in<br />
the morning, when some unidentified men burnt tyres and stoned vehicles. An MQM rally also<br />
67<br />
Express, May 13 (h)<br />
68<br />
Express, May 13 (h)<br />
69<br />
Jang 12 May (l)<br />
19
gathered at about 10:30am at Guru Mandir near Business Recorder House and eyewitnesses<br />
reported seeing some vehicles with armed young men.<br />
After 1:00 pm, however, the situation took a more violent turn. There were reports <strong>of</strong><br />
an attack on an MQM rally led by Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Nazim Wasi Jaleel as it went past the<br />
Patel Para area. It might be recalled that the Patel Para area has a large concentration <strong>of</strong><br />
ethnic Pashtun residents. The afternoon saw the Patel Para/Business Recorder Road area<br />
become a free fire zone between rival political parties. Armed MQM activists were located at<br />
the Guru Mandir end <strong>of</strong> Business Recorder Road while their rivals, presumably Pashtun, were<br />
firing from the Lasbela Chowk end. The clashes led to one death 70 and injured more than 8,<br />
including a 10 year-old boy 71 . Additionally, dozens <strong>of</strong> rickshaws were set on fire. 72 , 73<br />
The firing in this area was filmed live by Aaj TV, which then itself came under attack<br />
by armed MQM activists. The account <strong>of</strong> the attack on Aaj TV is detailed in section 3.6.<br />
2.9 Paposhnagar<br />
Sakhi Rehman, a resident <strong>of</strong> Pahar Ganj in North Nazimabad was a victim <strong>of</strong> coldblooded<br />
murder near the Chandni Chowk area. At about 3 pm, 74 he along with his three<br />
friends Sikander, Nawaz, and Rehmat Shah – employed at a hosiery factory in Metroville – left<br />
work early, because they learned that the situation in the city was tense. Upon leaving, they<br />
saw that there was no available transport to take them home. According to Sikandar, they<br />
decided to walk and take a shortcut to their respective houses. When they reached the<br />
Chandni Chowk Bridge and began to ascend it, they saw about 20-25 young men on the<br />
bridge armed with TT pistols and Kalashnikovs. These young men interrogated them and<br />
demanded to see their NICs. Only Rehmat Shah had his NIC. After explaining their<br />
whereabouts and that they were not affiliated with any political party, they were let go.<br />
HRCP<br />
A few minutes later, however, they encountered another large group <strong>of</strong> young armed<br />
men who also interrogated them. But this time, after making them wait about 15 minutes, they<br />
handed Sakhi and his friends over to two other armed men, and ordered them to be taken<br />
under the bridge by the tree. Once they got to that area, they saw two other people being<br />
taken there. Many <strong>of</strong> these armed men were receiving instructions on their cell phones, and<br />
their captors were told to take Sakhi and his friends to the ‘women’s park.’ Once there, they<br />
were ordered to sit in a row with their heads bowed down. At this point, Sikandar and his<br />
friends ran to save their lives, with the armed men shooting at them. Sikandar and Rahmat<br />
Shah, running in different directions, managed to escape. 75<br />
Nawaz and Sakhi Rehman (and another unknown hostage) were held in a house down<br />
the road. There is no report <strong>of</strong> how they were taken to this house and whether it was<br />
immediately after their attempt to escape. Here, “They shot us one by one at point blank<br />
range. I looked into the eyes <strong>of</strong> my friend, Sakhi Rehman, as he was shot in the chest. I heard<br />
his anguish, I saw his pain. I pray to God not to let anyone see what I’ve seen,” said a tearful<br />
Nawaz. 76<br />
70<br />
Jang 13 May (i)<br />
71<br />
Ummat 14 May (c) and Express 14 May (a)<br />
72<br />
Jang 13 May (i)<br />
73<br />
Express 13 May (h)<br />
74<br />
Ummat 15 May: (d)<br />
75<br />
Daily Times 15 May (a)<br />
76<br />
Daily Times 15 May (a)<br />
20
After seeing his friend get shot, Nawaz knew he had to run away, and he got up and<br />
fled as bullets flew. Fortunately he managed to escape unhurt. “Area residents saw all that was<br />
happening but didn’t do anything. Even the police, who were about 500 yards away, acted like<br />
spectators,” said Nawaz. 77<br />
Meanwhile, Sikandar ran towards Paposhnagar and once there, ran into another group<br />
<strong>of</strong> young armed men who stopped him and beat him. Suddenly, one <strong>of</strong> the men from the<br />
Chandni Chowk bridge came on his motorcycle and took Sikandar back to the women’s park,<br />
as he had recognized him. At the women’s park, Sikandar saw two dead bodies, one <strong>of</strong> whom<br />
was the unknown person who was brought to the bridge earlier. He did not see Sakhi’s or his<br />
friends’ bodies. Ten minutes later, he was asked to sit and bow his head down, and two<br />
bullets were fired at him. Sikandar put his arm on his face and was shot in the arm, and seemed<br />
to have become unconscious. Presuming he was dead, he was dragged by his assistants to a<br />
nearby drain and left there for an hour and a half until he heard some voices and asked for<br />
some water. According to Sikandar, some people from “Tableeghi Jamaat” found him and<br />
took him to the hospital. 78<br />
Sakhi Rehman’s body was found dumped in a drain. He was brought to Abbasi<br />
Shaheed for formalities. According to local residents, Sakhi Rehman had never been involved<br />
with any political party. Altaf Hussain, in his Open Letter to the People <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, lists Sahki<br />
Rehman as a Pashto-speaking MQM worker who was martyred on May 12. This is<br />
particularly ironic, considering that his killers were suspected <strong>of</strong> being from that very party.<br />
2.10 Benaras Chowk, Qasba, Aligarh Colony, Manghopir Road<br />
Contiguous areas in the west and north-west <strong>of</strong> Karachi – Benares Chowk, Qasba<br />
Colony, Aligarh Colony, Orangi and<br />
Manghopir Road – were sites <strong>of</strong> intense<br />
violence from the afternoon <strong>of</strong> 12 May<br />
onwards. Violence continued in these<br />
areas into the next day, and even after<br />
that. The abductions and executionstyle<br />
killings reported for Paposhnagar<br />
above might also be regarded as being<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the violence that engulfed the<br />
west and north-west <strong>of</strong> Karachi.<br />
HRCP<br />
While there are no clear<br />
accounts <strong>of</strong> the precise timing <strong>of</strong> the<br />
start <strong>of</strong> violence in this area, various<br />
TV channels started reporting violent<br />
incidents from around 2 pm onwards.<br />
There were two reports <strong>of</strong> violent<br />
The killing <strong>of</strong> an advocate on May 12 is announced.<br />
incidents that might have taken place earlier in the day. Both were related to the passage <strong>of</strong><br />
political rallies through areas dominated by rival groups. MQM sources reported that ANP<br />
and Jamaat-Islami workers had fired on rallies going from Orangi to Tibet Centre wounding 4<br />
people. They also alleged that 8 MQM workers were abducted at gunpoint. 79 ANP and trade<br />
77<br />
ibid.<br />
78<br />
Ummat 15 May (d)<br />
79<br />
Jang, 13 May (i)<br />
21
union sources, on the other hand, had reported that they had been prevented from moving<br />
from the Habib Bank Chowrangi area in west Karachi through MQM-dominated areas in order<br />
to get to the airport. It is presumed that since both these alleged incidents related to rallies<br />
going towards their respective destinations, they must have occurred some time in the<br />
morning.<br />
These earlier incidents notwithstanding, accounts from various sides appear to concur<br />
that the most intensive violence – involving and affecting large numbers <strong>of</strong> people – started in<br />
the afternoon. Benares Chowk was an important flashpoint, where large numbers <strong>of</strong> ethnic<br />
Pashtuns had gathered in protest against the attacks on the pro-CJ rallies earlier in the day.<br />
There was intense exchange <strong>of</strong> fire between ethnic Pashtuns in Benares Chowk and MQM<br />
supporters (presumably ethnic Mohajirs) in Aligarh Colony in the Qasba area. These clashes<br />
took on overt ethnic tones, as people <strong>of</strong> “Mohajir appearance” were stopped, beaten and<br />
humiliated at Benares Chowk. Violent treatment was meted out to people <strong>of</strong> “Pakhtun<br />
appearance” on the other side. At least two people died and several were injured as a result <strong>of</strong><br />
the clashes in these areas. Three policemen were among the wounded. 80<br />
According to eyewitness reports, Rangers were not patrolling Qasba Colony despite<br />
the ongoing violence. A mob set a hotel on fire as well as 3 motorcycles and two shops. 81<br />
There were reports <strong>of</strong> people being attacked in their homes and being forced to leave their<br />
areas. Deputy Convener <strong>of</strong> the MQM, Dr. Farooq Sattar, claimed that people in Qasba<br />
Colony were attacked, tortured and injured by terrorists who wanted to engineer ethnic riots<br />
in the city on the pattern <strong>of</strong> what had happened in 1986. 82 However, another report claimed<br />
that it was MQM supporters who were firing at innocent people in Qasba Colony.<br />
The Benares/Qasba area also bore the brunt <strong>of</strong> the violence on 13 May. It was<br />
reported that the police maintained a low pro<strong>file</strong> all day, and only ventured into the area at<br />
around 6 pm with the help <strong>of</strong> an armoured personnel carrier (APC), and made some arrests. 83<br />
HRCP<br />
Several types <strong>of</strong> casualties were reported from this area over the period <strong>of</strong> 12-14 May.<br />
One 24-year-old Noorani Khan s/o Juma Khan was reported killed in cross-firing between<br />
rival MQM and Pakhtun gunmen on 13 May. It was not clear if he was himself a party<br />
activist, or if he was simply caught in the crossfire. Another person, a 60-year-old man<br />
Mohammad Ali was found dead in the same area. The circumstances <strong>of</strong> his death were also<br />
known or reported. An MQM activist Ashraf who was wounded in the area succumbed to his<br />
injuries in the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.<br />
Somewhat further to the southwest <strong>of</strong> the Benares/Qasba area, there were several<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> gruesome killings in the Manghopir area. Newspapers <strong>of</strong> 13 May reported that two<br />
people had been killed in the Manghopir area on 12 May. 84 One was identified by the Pakhtun<br />
Action Jirga leader as 25-year-old Sher Ali s/o Yahya and was killed in the Kunwari Colony<br />
area. It is not clear if the PAJ had claimed Sher Ali as one <strong>of</strong> their activists. Another body<br />
was found near Nusrat Bhutto Mor in Manghopir. The deceased was thought to be 27 years <strong>of</strong><br />
age, but the circumstances <strong>of</strong> his death are not known or reported.<br />
The 14 May newspapers reported the recovery <strong>of</strong> two unidentified bodies from near<br />
Javedan Cement Factory in Manghopir. Both were men who had been blindfolded and had<br />
80<br />
Dawn 14 May (g)<br />
81<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
82<br />
Dawn, 14 May (f)<br />
83<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
84<br />
Express 13 May (h)<br />
22
their hands and feet tied before being killed. 85 The bodies bearing torture marks were taken to<br />
the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, and from there to the Edhi morgue. It is quite likely that these<br />
men had been killed the day before on 12 May. 86 They were later identified as Dilawar s/o<br />
Khudai Nazar and Islamdin s/o Abdul Rauf, residents <strong>of</strong> Qasba colony. 87 There was no followup<br />
report indicating if there was any link between this find and the story <strong>of</strong> execution-style<br />
killings a day earlier in the Paposhnagar area.<br />
An <strong>of</strong>f-duty police head constable, 48-year-old Mansoor Ahmed was caught by a mob<br />
and beaten and then shot dead in the Manghopir area on 13 May. 88 He was returning home to<br />
Qasba Colony after finishing his duty at the IG Operations Office. His motorbike was also set<br />
on fire. A statement by Altaf Hussain identified the deceased as an MQM activist. 89<br />
2.11 Lyari<br />
The southern neighbourhood <strong>of</strong> Lyari, in the old city <strong>of</strong> Karachi, was the site <strong>of</strong><br />
conflict over a number <strong>of</strong> days. This was also the only part <strong>of</strong> the city where there were<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> the use <strong>of</strong> lethal weapons on the part <strong>of</strong> the law enforcement agencies, leading to<br />
three deaths.<br />
There was tension in and around Lyari from the night <strong>of</strong> 11 May onwards, as it became<br />
clear that roadblocks were been erected in the city. A large number <strong>of</strong> political activists and<br />
their supporters had gathered in Lyari to take part in the pro-CJ rallies. They found their route<br />
to the airport blocked by barricades manned by MQM supporters. The opposition rallies that<br />
did manage to reach Shahrah-e-Faisal/National Highway corridor included many activists from<br />
Lyari. 90 Agitation started in Lyari and<br />
other surrounding parts <strong>of</strong> the old city<br />
in the afternoon <strong>of</strong> May 12 as news<br />
spread that opposition rallies had been<br />
ambushed on the Shahrah-e-<br />
Faisal/National Highway corridor. It<br />
was reported that PPP activists<br />
attacked a police “15 Madadgar” post<br />
in the Aath Chowk area. 91 The<br />
policemen fled and the post was set on<br />
fire. In Keamari, also in the south <strong>of</strong><br />
the city, an MQM <strong>of</strong>fice was<br />
ransacked. MQM <strong>of</strong>fices and<br />
HRCP Chairperson could not leave the Karachi airport.<br />
properties associated with MQM activists were attacked and set on fire. One <strong>of</strong> these was a<br />
medical store in the Sarbazi area where three people were also assaulted. 92 Armed youth set<br />
up road blocks, burnt tyres and threw stones at passing vehicles.<br />
HRCP<br />
The violence in Lyari spilled over the next couple <strong>of</strong> days. On 14 May, there was a call<br />
85<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
86<br />
Express 14 May (a)<br />
87<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
88<br />
Ummat 14 May (c),<br />
89<br />
Jang 16 May (b)<br />
90<br />
See account above <strong>of</strong> rally stuck at Aisha Bawany, Shara-e-Faisal.<br />
91<br />
Dawn 13 May (i), Express 13 May (h).<br />
92<br />
Dawn 14 May (f), Ummat 14 May (c).<br />
23
for a strike, and youths belonging to opposition parties (mostly PPP) went around the area<br />
trying to enforce the strike. There are conflicting reports about what happened next.<br />
According to some sources, the police and the Rangers appeared on the scene and attempted<br />
to force residents to open their shops. There were skirmishes which led to firing on the part <strong>of</strong><br />
the Rangers, in which two minors (one aged 10 and the other aged 17) lost their lives. 93<br />
Another account suggests that the Rangers used their short-lived “shoot-on-sight” orders to<br />
fire on youths who were trying to enforce the strike. 94 The <strong>of</strong>ficial account, however, is at<br />
variance with both these stories. It holds that the deaths were caused in the cross-fire <strong>of</strong> an<br />
ongoing gang-war in Lyari and that the Rangers did not fire upon the people. 95<br />
2.12 Other flashpoints<br />
Violent incidents were reported from other parts <strong>of</strong> the city besides the main<br />
flashpoints identified above. There were violent protests in the Sohrab Goth area, which is the<br />
main entry point into the city for traffic from upcountry, from the afternoon <strong>of</strong> 12 May<br />
onwards. Roads were blocked and vehicles stoned by supporters <strong>of</strong> Pashtun ethnic<br />
organizations. Passengers were forced to disembark from vehicles and were beaten. While no<br />
serious casualties were reported it is suspected that people thought to belong to the Urduspeaking<br />
community were targeted in particular. In the Federal B Area the funeral procession<br />
<strong>of</strong> an MQM activist Babar Changezi turned violent, and a number <strong>of</strong> Pashtun-owned shops<br />
including a bamboo yard were set alight.<br />
On 13 May, opposition party supporters protesting against the May 12 events<br />
attempted to block the roads at Quaidabad. Saif-ur-Rehman aged 18 was killed by police<br />
firing on demonstrators. 96 ANP leaders claimed that the youth was a member <strong>of</strong> their party.<br />
His family members reported that Saif was wounded and died as a result <strong>of</strong> delay in taking him<br />
to the hospital. When they approached a Ranger’s contingent for help they were told to “take<br />
him to Jinnah Hospital” which is over 20 km away. 97<br />
A dead body was found in a sack in Port Qasim Road with a short note saying:<br />
“mukhbari ka anjam” or “informer’s end”. 98 However, the area police, quoting the relatives <strong>of</strong><br />
the deceased, stated that the murder was a result <strong>of</strong> personal enmity. 99<br />
There were attacks on MQM <strong>of</strong>fices in a number <strong>of</strong> outlying areas <strong>of</strong> Karachi, and in other<br />
towns and cities <strong>of</strong> Sindh, in Quetta, and in a number <strong>of</strong> cities in Punjab. These attacks did not<br />
lead to any deaths or injuries.<br />
3. Patterns <strong>of</strong> Violence<br />
3.1 Roadblocks and sieges<br />
HRCP<br />
The Sindh High Court, City Courts, and Malir District Court were under siege by<br />
MQM activists on May 12. There are many detailed accounts from lawyers, attempting to<br />
enter these buildings or already present, <strong>of</strong> political activists violently enforcing the siege.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> these political activists were reported to be armed and they beat lawyers and/or<br />
attempted to kidnap them. The siege went so far that activists set the Ladies’ Bar Room on<br />
93<br />
Dawn 15 May (e).<br />
94<br />
Dawn 15 May (d).<br />
95<br />
Dawn 15 May (e), The News 15 May (c).<br />
96<br />
Ummat 14 May (a), Dawn 14 May (g).<br />
97<br />
Express 14 May (a).<br />
98<br />
Express 15 May: (i)<br />
99<br />
The News 15 May: (c)<br />
24
fire in the City Courts. 100 Given the activists’ presence and early arrival to the Courts, there is<br />
evidence that the sieges were planned and designed to prevent the lawyers from receiving the<br />
Chief Justice. Additionally, there was no law enforcement agency present at any <strong>of</strong> these<br />
locations to prevent the siege.<br />
Karachiites faced many hurdles moving around that day because <strong>of</strong> the roadblocks that<br />
had been set up for the rallies. These roadblocks were placed throughout the city on major<br />
roads and junctions such as Shara-e-Faisal and around the Courts. Interestingly, only a few <strong>of</strong><br />
the roadblocks were manned by law enforcement agencies whilst others were manned by<br />
MQM activists, or not at all.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> these roadblocks led to an effective division <strong>of</strong> the city between areas <strong>of</strong><br />
MQM support and areas expected to be for the CJ and the opposition. Roadblocks were<br />
intended to facilitate movement along the corridor through the Former District North via<br />
former District Central into MA Jinnah Road. Instead, the roadblocks created traffic jams from<br />
areas in the former District West from going across this corridor. They also blocked traffic<br />
from southern parts <strong>of</strong> the city from going through MA Jinnah Road and the City Center<br />
towards the airport. In addition, they blocked most <strong>of</strong> the points <strong>of</strong> entry onto Shahrah-e-<br />
Faisal/National Highway corridor, which itself was blocked at various points.<br />
3.2 Ambushes<br />
There were six reported main ambushes that took place on May 12. Four on rallies<br />
passing through the Shahrah-e-Faisal/National Highway corridor, namely (1) at Aisha Bawany<br />
School, (2) the COD flyover and subsequently (3) on their return at the Baloch Colony<br />
flyover, and lastly the (4) Malir Kala<br />
Board area. Interestingly, these three<br />
ambushes occurred around the same<br />
time, and it appears that MQM activists<br />
planned these ambushes. However, it is<br />
unclear in each instance who fired the<br />
first shot that lead to the ensuing<br />
mayhem. (Please refer to Section 2.1<br />
Flashpoints for further detail.) The<br />
ambushes also lead to fatalities at each<br />
<strong>of</strong> these four flashpoints. The other two<br />
ambushes were ambushes, reportedly,<br />
<strong>of</strong> MQM rallies. One <strong>of</strong> the rallies was<br />
coming from the Orangi area at<br />
Benares Chowk, but did not have any<br />
Lawyers were frustrated.<br />
reports <strong>of</strong> fatalities. The second report<br />
was <strong>of</strong> a rally at Patel Para at 2 pm.<br />
HRCP<br />
The aforementioned four incidents had certain conditions in common that facilitated<br />
the attacks. Firstly and perhaps most importantly, there was a serious lack <strong>of</strong> law enforcement<br />
agencies at all three points. Neither Police nor Rangers could be seen at the scenes <strong>of</strong> the<br />
crimes, and if present, as is the case at both Malir and Baloch Colony Bridge, they reportedly<br />
did not attempt to enforce law and order or abate the bloodshed. Secondly, rally participants<br />
faced major barriers in the form <strong>of</strong> roadblocks that restricted their mobility and access to their<br />
100<br />
Ummat 16 May (b)<br />
25
desired destinations. These roadblocks literally trapped participants, when firing started, as<br />
they were unable to move forward. The roadblocks were steel containers, heavy goods<br />
vehicles, and parked buses with deflated tires; some <strong>of</strong> these roadblocks were manned by<br />
MQM activists (COD) whilst others were unmanned (Aisha Bawany).<br />
It is evident from these three incidents that there was military-style organization among<br />
the armed activists. These activists either took sniper positions in surrounding buildings and<br />
high points (such as bridges), used sophisticated weapons such as hand grenades (Malir), and<br />
again used roadblocks in ways that prevented people from moving freely. There is also some<br />
evidence <strong>of</strong> selected targeting <strong>of</strong> political activists, as many prominent leaders <strong>of</strong> PPP and<br />
ANP were not injured despite their proximity to the firing. This evidence suggests that the<br />
armed activists were well prepared and perhaps given specific instructions. Lastly, emergency<br />
services were prevented from evacuating injured persons immediately. Their assistance could<br />
clearly have prevented deaths, and dead bodies were seen lying on the streets for several<br />
hours.<br />
The other minor ambushes did not seem to be as planned as the aforementioned ones.<br />
MQM supporters returning from a rally in the Patel Para neighborhood were fired at. Patel<br />
Para is largely a Pashtun neighborhood, and it is suspected that Pashtun armed activists fired<br />
upon the MQM rally. This subsequently turned into an armed clash between the rival groups.<br />
There were similar incidents between rival groups in the west and north-west areas <strong>of</strong><br />
Karachi. There was minimal police presence in these areas, and most <strong>of</strong> the violence was<br />
related to the passing by <strong>of</strong> political rallies through areas dominated by rival groups. Each<br />
rival group blamed the other for firing upon them or preventing them from getting to their final<br />
destination. Each rival group nonetheless resorted to violence.<br />
3.3 Armed clashes and cross-fire<br />
HRCP<br />
The armed clashes witnessed on May 12 were mostly a result <strong>of</strong> the ambushes that<br />
morphed into clashes and crossfire between rival armed groups. There were two distinct types<br />
<strong>of</strong> armed clashes on that day. The first is the aforementioned metamorphosis <strong>of</strong> the ambushes<br />
on rival groups and second is the conflict that spread to different neighborhoods. While<br />
ambushes lasted for 2 to 6 hours, neighborhood violence lasted for several days..<br />
The neighborhood violence, particularly along ethnic fault lines in the city, erupted into<br />
mob violence, such as setting a hotel on fire in Qasba Colony or setting the Baans’s 15 shops<br />
on fire in the Lyari neighborhood. This subsequently resulted in armed clashes and cross firing<br />
between rival groups. There are many reports among the different neighborhoods <strong>of</strong> Pashtun<br />
and Urdu-speaking residents being targeted, gruesome killings, and general lawlessness with<br />
free-firing zones. Again, this lasted onto the next day and in a few cases the day after under<br />
minimal security presence.<br />
3.4 Abduction and execution-style killings<br />
There were several cases <strong>of</strong> abductions in various areas from armed political activists<br />
preventing lawyers entering or leaving the Courts, to targeted abductions leading to torture<br />
and/or execution. Although these abductions were conducted in different manners, ultimately<br />
rival groups operated under a similar manifesto.<br />
The most prominent case is MQM armed activists holding lawyers literally hostage at<br />
the City, Malir, and Sindh High Courts. Although this is not typically considered abduction,<br />
26
armed activists barricaded lawyers, physically harassed and threatened them in many cases.<br />
There are also cases <strong>of</strong> people being taken forcefully by armed political activists in<br />
Malir, Paposhnagar, and Manghopir. It is evident that many <strong>of</strong> these abductions took an ethnic<br />
tone. There are a few distinct types <strong>of</strong> abductions that took place that day. The majority <strong>of</strong><br />
abductions were short term where the victim was tortured and eventually released. A second<br />
type <strong>of</strong> abduction occurred in different neighborhoods such as Paposhnagar where the<br />
kidnapping lead to not only torturing and threatening the victim, but also executing the victim.<br />
Many <strong>of</strong> the victims were unaffiliated with any political party, but were targeted along ethnic<br />
lines.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the motives behind abductions appears to be the possibility <strong>of</strong> “prisoner<br />
exchange”. Some people who survived abduction reported over-hearing their captors<br />
discussing over their cell phones the possible need for hostages among themselves. Although<br />
the more organized abductions were carried out by armed MQM activists, there were also<br />
unconfirmed reports <strong>of</strong> suspected MQM supporters being abducted by ANP/Pashtun activists.<br />
3.5 Ethnic targeting<br />
There is emerging evidence <strong>of</strong> ethnic targeting particularly around some <strong>of</strong> the ethnic<br />
fault lines in the city. The<br />
neighborhoods that can be highlighted<br />
are Patel Para, Benares Chowk, Qasba<br />
Colony, and Manghopir. The violence<br />
was mainly between the Pashtuns and<br />
Urdu-speaking population.<br />
Armed activists, on both sides,<br />
were reportedly asking people for their<br />
NICs and in some cases executing or<br />
beating those <strong>of</strong> different ethnicities.<br />
There are also reports <strong>of</strong> shooting<br />
people based on their appearances—<br />
people being targeted as Mohajirs if<br />
clean-shaven or wearing ‘pant-shirt.’<br />
For example, Benares Chowk was an<br />
The long wait by lawyers.<br />
important flashpoint, where large<br />
numbers <strong>of</strong> ethnic Pashtuns had gathered in protest against the attacks on the pro-CJ rallies<br />
earlier in the day. There was intense exchange <strong>of</strong> fire between ethnic Pashtuns in Benares<br />
Chowk and MQM supporters (presumably ethnic Mohajirs) in Aligarh Colony in the Qasba<br />
area. These clashes took on overt ethnic tones, as people <strong>of</strong> “Mohajir appearance” were<br />
stopped, beaten and stripped at Benares Chowk. Violent treatment was meted out to people<br />
<strong>of</strong> “Pakhtun appearance” on the other side. At least two people died and several were injured<br />
as a result <strong>of</strong> the clashes in these areas. 101<br />
HRCP<br />
3.6 Targeting <strong>of</strong> reporters/journalists<br />
Journalists were affected by the May 12 violence, especially around the Sindh High<br />
Court area, as they dared to cover the conflict. Several reporters and cameramen were caught<br />
101<br />
Dawn, 14 May (g)<br />
27
amidst the crossfire and luckily survived. A common story among journalists covering<br />
different conflicts was that some were confronted by gunmen who ignored them after learning<br />
they were journalists. However, many journalists were beaten and political workers destroyed<br />
their expensive camera equipment. 102 Shockingly, the staff <strong>of</strong> the Aaj Television faced an<br />
onslaught <strong>of</strong> bullets for more than five hours. The staff appealed to the law-enforcement<br />
agencies and was only responded to after five hours with two mobile police units. 103<br />
The attack on Aaj TV, which also houses the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> the daily Business Recorder,<br />
began at about 1:30pm when MQM activists realized that the channel was telecasting live<br />
footage <strong>of</strong> youths flaunting guns in front <strong>of</strong> its <strong>of</strong>fices on the Business Recorder Road and<br />
firing on their rivals in the Patel Para neighbourhood.<br />
The firing was carried out from the street level as well as from atop nearby buildings,<br />
including one where the Blue Ribbon Bakery is located. Heavy ammunition, including<br />
repeaters, was used in the attack. The building’s windowpanes were shattered, the satellite<br />
dish was ridden with bullet holes and bullets were found embedded in the walls <strong>of</strong> the<br />
channel’s newsroom, administration and IT <strong>of</strong>fices, and the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the Chief Executive.<br />
Employees, including newscasters and commentators, were forced to take cover; however,<br />
there was no interruption <strong>of</strong> the coverage. The attackers also set on fire cars and motorcycles<br />
in the parking lot.<br />
According to Associated Press (AP), the network’s chief executive Arshad Zubairi was<br />
quoted as saying that the Aaj TV building came under fire from MQM supporters who wanted<br />
the airing <strong>of</strong> live footage <strong>of</strong> the unrest in the city stopped. “We are under attack,” senior<br />
journalist Talat Hussain said on air as he took shelter behind a wall. “We have seen no security<br />
force. No one has come to help us.” 104<br />
The footage also caught motorcycles, flying MQM flags, parked close to the attackers<br />
on the Guru Mandir side and cars driving up and replenishing the attackers with<br />
ammunition 105 . MQM activists appeared to conduct their firing in a highly organized manner,<br />
with gunmen seen grouping into successive four-person formations one behind the other. As<br />
soon as the first four-person formation would run out <strong>of</strong> ammunition, they would retreat to a<br />
bus parked near the Blue Ribbon Bakery to reload while the next row took position. They<br />
appeared to work as a team, alongside other youths who acted as pointers, and yet others<br />
whose task it was to reload and supply loaded weapons to the gunmen. According to an<br />
eyewitness, whenever a bullet hit the intended target they would shout “Woh Mara” – “Jiye<br />
Altaf” - “Jiye Muttahida”.<br />
According to Mr. Arshad Zuberi, the management and staff contacted the following <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
for help:<br />
1. DG Rangers, Major General Javed Zia<br />
2. Governor Sindh<br />
3. Sindh Industries Minister, Adil Siddiqui<br />
4. Home Secretary, Brig. Mohtarem<br />
5. Mr. Babar Ghauri, Minister for Shipping<br />
6. Federal Interior Minister, Aftab Sherpao<br />
102<br />
Dawn 13 May (i)<br />
103<br />
Express 13 May (a)<br />
104<br />
ibid.<br />
105<br />
HRCP Fact-finding Report based on interviews with Ahmed Zuberi, Managing Director, other senior<br />
management and technical staff.<br />
HRCP<br />
28
7. Federal Minister for Information<br />
8. Secretary Information, Anwar Mahmood<br />
9. Mr. Farooq Sattar, MQM<br />
10. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Khalid Saeed<br />
Later, at about 6:00pm, he received a call from a member <strong>of</strong> the President’s family in Karachi<br />
who finally sent help.<br />
3.7 Targeting <strong>of</strong> emergency services<br />
The Edhi Foundation declared a state <strong>of</strong> emergency on May 12, following the<br />
announcement <strong>of</strong> seven hospitals doing the same throughout the city. Anwer Kazmi, Abdul<br />
Sattar Edhi’s Secretary at the Mereweather Tower Edhi Centre, said that they had briefed all<br />
their station managers and circle in-charges. They said that no one was allowed to take leave<br />
on May 12 and that the ambulances would not move with the rally but that they would be on<br />
standby at Star Gate and Malir Station. Ambulances at other stations were to provide back-up<br />
and each ambulance was equipped with walkie-talkies and two new bed sheets. 106<br />
Indeed, on May 12 the Edhi Foundation continued to provide relief work throughout<br />
the city. Abdul Sattat Edhi said that their workers were being harassed while the windowpanes<br />
<strong>of</strong> a few <strong>of</strong> their vehicles were also smashed. 107 Seven out <strong>of</strong> their 123 ambulances were<br />
damaged throughout the city. 108<br />
However, due to roadblocks and the<br />
ensuing mayhem, it was very difficult<br />
for ambulances to reach their desired<br />
destination.<br />
Unfortunately, the May 12<br />
violence did not spare emergency<br />
services employees. An Edhi ambulance<br />
driver, Faizur Rehman, died in the line<br />
<strong>of</strong> duty in Malir. According to Abdul<br />
Sattar Edhi, the driver was taking<br />
victims <strong>of</strong> the crossfire, which had<br />
erupted near Malir’s Kala Board area,<br />
to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical<br />
Centre, when he himself fell victim to The HRCP fact-finding mission out in the street on 12/5.<br />
the bullets. It is not confirmed whether<br />
the driver was targeted or whether he was the victim <strong>of</strong> indiscriminate fire. According to<br />
another report, Faiz-ur-Rehman reached Malir while firing between two armed groups was<br />
taking place and dead bodies and injured people were lying on the road. As he started to move<br />
the injured into the ambulance, reportedly some MQM people stopped him -- as the area was<br />
under their control -- and beat him. They then killed Faiz-ur-Rehman and Faisal Tariq.<br />
Unfortunately, Faiz-ur-Rehman remained lying on the road for one hour. 109 Faisal Tariq was<br />
HRCP<br />
106<br />
Daily Times 12 May (c)<br />
107<br />
Dawn, 13 May: (g)<br />
108<br />
Dawn 14 May (c)<br />
109<br />
Ummat 14 May (a)<br />
29
claimed later to be a worker <strong>of</strong> Jamaat Islami. 110 Following this incident, ambulances could not<br />
reach the affected areas with the result that many severely injured died on the roadside.<br />
Another Edhi driver, Obaid Rehman, <strong>file</strong>d an FIR claiming he was injured whilst the<br />
victim he was transporting was shot dead by assailants 111 . There is also another reported<br />
incident <strong>of</strong> an Edhi driver being targeted in Baldia Town. While bullets damaged the<br />
ambulance, the driver managed to get away. 112<br />
3.8 Damage to property<br />
The violence caused considerable damage to property resulting in economic losses.<br />
Damage was mostly done to private stores, private vehicles, police stations, MQM <strong>of</strong>fices 113 ,<br />
the PPP secretariat, AAJ Television building, and the Women’s Room in the City Court 114 .<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the property damage was done by, reportedly, people belonging to various political<br />
parties. Much <strong>of</strong> this damage was done after the major ambushes on rallies took place on May<br />
12.<br />
There were a few instances <strong>of</strong> participants at rallies setting vehicles on fire. This was<br />
mainly done because the vehicles were placed in a way that many found themselves enclosed<br />
and unable to move forward. Presumably this was done out <strong>of</strong> frustration and an attempt to<br />
move forward. In other instances, armed activists were firing at private vehicles at rallies or<br />
those caught in crossfire. As a result, seven Edhi ambulances were also damaged.<br />
Much <strong>of</strong> the damage was mainly done in various neighborhoods seemingly as<br />
retaliation to the news <strong>of</strong> the ambushes on the rallies. These kinds <strong>of</strong> attacks took an overtly<br />
political and ethnic tone. Qasba Colony bore the brunt <strong>of</strong> the damage when a mob set a hotel<br />
on fire as well as 3 motorcycles and two shops. 115 Lyari, as well, was another area where<br />
property was damaged. PPP activists attacked a police post in the Aath Chowk area 116 where<br />
the policemen fled and the post was set on fire. In Keamari an MQM <strong>of</strong>fice was ransacked<br />
and set on fire. Additionally, a medical store owned by an MQM supporter in the Sarbazi area<br />
was also set on fire. 117<br />
HRCP<br />
The violence caused considerable economic losses. Air and rail services were<br />
disrupted, with outgoing passengers failing to reach the airport or the railway station on time<br />
and incoming passengers stranded at the airport or in trains that stopped at Malir and Landhi<br />
stations. Several flights and outgoing trains had to be cancelled. Business activity also came to<br />
a virtual halt. Business activity was largely suspended. According to SITE Association <strong>of</strong><br />
industry sources, about 60-85 percent <strong>of</strong> industrial units were shut and those too had 20-25<br />
percent attendance. Government and private sector <strong>of</strong>fices, banks, wholesale and retail<br />
markets remained largely closed. Export consignments too could not reach the port and<br />
logistics operations at the port remained sluggish 118 .<br />
110<br />
Jang 13 May (j)<br />
111<br />
Jang 14 May (d)<br />
112<br />
Jang 15 May (h)<br />
113<br />
Jang 13 May (d)<br />
114<br />
Ummat 16 May (b)<br />
115<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
116<br />
Dawn 13 May (i), Express 13 May (h).<br />
117<br />
Dawn 14 May (f), Ummat 14 May (c).<br />
118<br />
See Daily Times, “Violence halts business activity in metropolis”, May 13, 2007; The News, “ Industry,<br />
commerce comes to a halt”, May 13, 2007<br />
30
4. Patterns <strong>of</strong> Response<br />
4.1 Police<br />
As has been stated previously in this report, there was virtual withdrawal <strong>of</strong> law<br />
enforcement agencies on May 12. This is despite the fact that it had been announced earlier<br />
that a total <strong>of</strong> 16,000 law enforcement personnel were to be deployed in the city, including<br />
2,000 additional police personnel along Shahra-e-Faisal. However, police were not present at<br />
most <strong>of</strong> the roadblocks throughout the city or arrived too late to relieve the sieges at the<br />
Courts. Additionally, police were not given arms to respond to the unfolding violent situation,<br />
and in some cases were either locked inside the station or stayed inside for fear <strong>of</strong> their lives.<br />
In a few instances police went on leave, and thus were understaffed.<br />
In some instances police were present and were taking action against opposition<br />
parties. This was reported in Habib<br />
Bank Chowk in SITE, Pehlwan Goth<br />
near the airport, and at Aisha Bawany<br />
on Shara-e-Faisal. Police were present<br />
at or near the three main courts where<br />
lawyers had gathered but failed to<br />
protect citizens as they declared their<br />
helplessness against the armed activists.<br />
There are detailed eyewitness reports<br />
from both the Sindh High Court and<br />
the City Courts where lawyers state<br />
that police were within range <strong>of</strong> both <strong>of</strong><br />
these places, and yet activists were<br />
allowed to encircle the buildings and<br />
A member <strong>of</strong> the security force. Scared?<br />
verbally and physically assault lawyers.<br />
A police mobile unit followed a lawyers’ procession from the Malir District Court, but<br />
disappeared as they reached Malir Halt just when lawyers came under fire. At the City Courts,<br />
lawyers requested the police to call the Rangers because <strong>of</strong> the ensuing mayhem and later that<br />
afternoon DSP Malik Manzar informed them that he had orders from “above” that he could<br />
not help them and instead asked the lawyers to leave the City Courts. (Please refer to Section<br />
2.1 City Courts for further details.)<br />
HRCP<br />
Another reported incident <strong>of</strong> police acting as witnesses rather than a security apparatus<br />
is at the Shah Faisal Police Station. This is located at the Natha Khan Bridge where police<br />
refused to come out <strong>of</strong> the station because they only had teargas shells and batons with them<br />
and feared they would not be able to protect themselves from armed assailants. There is<br />
another instance <strong>of</strong> police almost collaborating or supporting assailants, as a lawyer who was<br />
harassed at the City Court, ostensibly by MQM activists, attempted to lodge an FIR only to be<br />
turned over by the SHO to the MQM assailants. 119<br />
There were also cases <strong>of</strong> police assisting lawyers and citizens in need. However, this<br />
intervention occurred only when they were directed by the High Court to assist them. For<br />
example, on the intervention <strong>of</strong> Justice Sarmad Jalal Usmani, the TPO phoned to say that the<br />
Rangers would not come, but that the lawyers could leave in police mobiles. At about 5:00pm,<br />
the lawyers were taken from the City Courts to Sindh High Court.<br />
119<br />
Ummat, 16 May (f)<br />
31
The police were also relatively inactive in the aftermath <strong>of</strong> May 12 as violence<br />
continued unabated. Though some action was taken to curb the violence in the form <strong>of</strong> setting<br />
up buffer points, and even trying to control violent mobs and protestors, however this still led<br />
to several deaths and injuries in various neighborhoods. For example, in the Benares/Qasba<br />
area it was reported that the police maintained a low pro<strong>file</strong> all day until around 6 pm when<br />
they made some arrests with the help <strong>of</strong> an armoured personnel carrier (APC). 120<br />
The police were also not spared during the ensuing mayhem. Many police were injured<br />
when their mobile units came under fire near the courts and other skirmishes between the<br />
police and armed activists. An <strong>of</strong>f-duty police head constable, 48-year-old Mansoor Ahmed<br />
was caught by a mob and beaten and then shot dead in the Manghopir area on 13 May. 121<br />
There was also damage to police posts, such as the 15 Madadgar” post in the Aath Chowk<br />
area. 122<br />
4.2 Rangers and military<br />
In contrast to the police, Rangers and the military were entirely absent on May 12,<br />
despite the Rangers being placed in potential conflict areas as per the <strong>of</strong>ficial security plan.<br />
When either <strong>of</strong> these security forces was present, they maintained distance and diligently<br />
avoided any engagement with violent elements. These forces were not responsive to judicial<br />
orders either, as was the case with the City Courts.<br />
Some <strong>of</strong> the main ambushes took place within close range <strong>of</strong> military and paramilitary<br />
installations. The ambush at COD/Drigh Road Railway station on Shara-e-Faisal was in close<br />
proximity to army installations. In Malir, firing at the CJ supporters was reportedly started<br />
from close to the main gate <strong>of</strong> the Bhitai Rangers’ base at Kala Board. In both these places<br />
firing continued for several hours. It is incomprehensible that the military and paramilitary<br />
forces could remain alo<strong>of</strong> while there were war-like scenes at their very doorsteps. Such<br />
indifference not only betrayed callousness towards the lives <strong>of</strong> citizens it also displayed a<br />
sloppy and lackadaisical attitude to the security <strong>of</strong> important military installations.<br />
HRCP<br />
Major-General Javed Zia, the Director General <strong>of</strong> the Rangers in Karachi, met a<br />
delegation <strong>of</strong> Pashtun community leaders and some journalists on 16 May and told them some<br />
13,000 troops had been deployed on May 12. He also stated that they were assigned security<br />
duties at the airport and were responsible to protect the Chief Justice, multinational<br />
companies, banks and other important installations. “As there were no unfortunate<br />
occurrences at these places, the Rangers cannot be held accountable for incidents in other<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the city” 123 . He further said that the primary duty <strong>of</strong> the Rangers was to secure the<br />
Sindh segment <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong>-India international border. 124 A day later he was reported as<br />
saying that if the Rangers had become active in the city on May 12 there would have been<br />
heaps <strong>of</strong> bodies. 125 These comments and remarks, if reported correctly, reveal some level <strong>of</strong><br />
confusion within the command structure <strong>of</strong> the security policy vis-à-vis May 12. The numbers<br />
mentioned by the DG were certainly not in evidence in the streets. If such large numbers were<br />
indeed present and available, it is not clear what their rules <strong>of</strong> engagement were. Even if the<br />
Rangers’ primary duty was with respect to the Indian border, it was inexplicable that they did<br />
120<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
121<br />
Ummat 14 May (c),<br />
122<br />
Dawn 13 May (i), Express 13 May (h).<br />
123<br />
See The News, “Rangers not guilty for May 12: DG Rangers”, May 17, 2007<br />
124<br />
Express 17 May (a).<br />
125<br />
Express 18 May (a).<br />
32
not regard continuous heavy exchange <strong>of</strong> gun-fire just outside their base for several hours, and<br />
hence their inability to move out freely from the base, as compromising their primary mandate.<br />
In his speech on the evening <strong>of</strong> May 12 in Islamabad General Musharraf announced<br />
that a contingent <strong>of</strong> Qasim Rangers was being dispatched from Hyderabad to Karachi in order<br />
to maintain the peace. It was also announced that the Rangers would have shoot-on-sight<br />
powers. Both measures appeared inexplicable. There was already large Rangers presence in<br />
Karachi, and there appeared to be little sense in sending for Rangers contingents stationed in<br />
Hyderabad. The shoot-on-sight orders were also deemed illegal - these orders make sense<br />
only as part <strong>of</strong> enforcing a curfew, and none had been declared. This confusion was possibly<br />
responsible for the death <strong>of</strong> two minors in Lyari on May 14, allegedly due to firing by the<br />
Rangers. The Rangers’ spokesman denied responsibility for these deaths and blamed them on<br />
a gang fight. 126<br />
4.3 Hospitals:<br />
Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi 127<br />
Dr. Rashid Jooma, Director Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre himself was trapped<br />
at airport on 12 May while coming from Quetta. He remained in touch with the relevant<br />
departments and staff on telephone. As emergency was declared for 12 th May, no problem <strong>of</strong><br />
staff was faced. In addition, the staff <strong>of</strong> night duty that could not go home due to roadblocks,<br />
also joined in. The nurses’ hostel is in the hospital premises so there was no shortage <strong>of</strong> staff.<br />
According to the Deputy Director and in-charge, Casualty Department, <strong>of</strong> JPMC 128 , a<br />
total <strong>of</strong> 53 casualties were brought from various parts <strong>of</strong> the city (predominantly Shahrah-e-<br />
Faisal, Model Colony and Ferozabad police station vicinity). A total <strong>of</strong> 23 were brought dead,<br />
while two others died in the wards; adding the total to 25 dead (list enclosed). Three injured<br />
were brought between 11 th night 12 th morning, one <strong>of</strong> them died at 6:00 am. Majority <strong>of</strong><br />
patients were brought between 12:30pm onwards. Two were brought after 6 hours <strong>of</strong> being<br />
shot due to obstruction on roads. No patients were brought on 13 th May.<br />
All casualties were brought in by Edhi ambulances. All the injured and dead were male<br />
and sustained injuries by firing. Most <strong>of</strong> them belonged to one ethnic group, though to<br />
different parties. Leaders <strong>of</strong> different opposition parties, including the Sindh Governor, visited<br />
the hospital. The agitation and slogan-mongering by the former and the security detail <strong>of</strong> the<br />
latter caused disturbance in the treatment process. All the dead bodies were taken away<br />
forcibly without postmortem. The hospital wanted sensitive areas like Casualty Ward to be<br />
cordoned <strong>of</strong>f by police so that unconcerned people were kept out and the treatment could be<br />
carried out without interference. However, no police force was made available, in spite <strong>of</strong><br />
repeated requests.<br />
Civil Hospital, Karachi<br />
HRCP<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 30 victims were brought to Civil Hospital, including two dead bodies.<br />
Twenty-eight <strong>of</strong> them had injuries due to firing; 23 victims were brought on May 12, 5 victims<br />
were brought on May 13 and 2 on May 14. The first victim was brought at 01:15 pm on May<br />
126<br />
Dawn 15 May (e)<br />
127<br />
HRCP Fact-Finding Mission, Report <strong>of</strong> Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Civil Hospital Karachi,<br />
May 2007<br />
128<br />
JPMC and Civil Hospital provided typed sheets to HRCP indicating the number <strong>of</strong> injured, their ages and<br />
police stations they belonged to.<br />
33
12, 2007 and the last victim was brought in the morning <strong>of</strong> May 14, 2007. Of the injured, 11<br />
were seriously injured and admitted to the Hospital, while others were discharged after firstaid.<br />
All the casualties were male and brought to hospital by armed MQM activists in<br />
ambulances <strong>of</strong> Khidmat-e-Khilaq Foundation, owned and operated by Muttahida Qaumi<br />
Movement (MQM). The armed men threatened the Medico-Legal Officers (MLOs) and<br />
disallowed them from entering the cases in their records. Majority <strong>of</strong> the victims were Pushtu<br />
speking and were brought in largely from areas controlled by MQM: 12 from Jamsheed<br />
Quarters, 4 from Soldier Bazar, 4 from Lyari, 3 from Malir, 2 from Saddar, 2 from Baghdadi,<br />
and one each from Baloch Colony, Baldia Town and <strong>Pakistan</strong> Bazar. The Governor, City<br />
Nazim, provincial Home Affairs Advisor and other <strong>of</strong>ficials visited the injured and the<br />
Governor distributed cash compensation.<br />
4.4 Emergency services<br />
In contrast with the security services, the emergency services proved to be very<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionally prepared for May 12, and proactive by sending out ambulances that day<br />
wherever needed. The Edhi Foundation declared emergency alert for May 12, following the<br />
announcement <strong>of</strong> seven hospitals doing the same throughout the city. Anwer Kazmi, Abdul<br />
Sattar Edhi’s Secretary at the Mereweather Tower Edhi Centre, said that they had briefed all<br />
their station managers and circle in-charges. They said that no one was allowed to take leave<br />
on May 12 and that the ambulances would not move with the rallies but that there would be<br />
10 on standby at the Star Gate and Malir Stations. Ambulances at other stations were to<br />
provide back-up and each ambulance was equipped with walkie-talkies and two new bed<br />
sheets. 129 Ambulance drivers were particularly proactive as the violent events unfolded on May<br />
12. Unfortunately, due to the roadblocks and aggressive armed activists, some ambulances<br />
were not able to reach the scenes <strong>of</strong> violence. The ambulance drivers also proved to be very<br />
courageous driving through zones <strong>of</strong> conflict, and facing harassment from activists. One Edhi<br />
driver, Faizur Rehman, was shot dead in the line <strong>of</strong> duty. This incident is <strong>of</strong> grave concern as it<br />
reflects the thought that emergency service personnel were treated as a party to conflict by<br />
some.<br />
HRCP<br />
Thus far, all evidence indicates that hospital personnel were working meticulously and<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essionally, especially under the circumstances. In preparation for May 12, a state <strong>of</strong><br />
emergency was declared on May 11 in seven public-sector hospitals, located near the expected<br />
rally routes. The health department directed the executive district <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> health and the<br />
medical superintendents (MS) at Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Services Hospital, Sindh Govt<br />
Lyari General Hospital, Sindh Govt Qatar Hospital, Sindh Govt Hospital Liaquatabad, Sindh<br />
Govt Hospital Saudabad, and Sindh Govt Hospital Korangi No.5 to stay on high alert. 130<br />
Additionally, staff were not allowed to take leave on May 12.<br />
Interestingly, the majority <strong>of</strong> fatalities and injuries were seen at Jinnah, Abbasi<br />
Shaheed, Civil and Liaqat National Hospitals. Reportedly, most <strong>of</strong> the injured were taken to<br />
Jinnah Hospital. However, there were not enough beds available in the Emergency Section <strong>of</strong><br />
Jinnah, and therefore many <strong>of</strong> the injured had to remain on the floor; seventy wounded people<br />
129<br />
Daily Times 12 May (c)<br />
130<br />
Daily Times 12 May (c)<br />
34
were brought to the hospital’s emergency centre, but only 25 with critical bullet injuries were<br />
admitted. 131<br />
A disturbing element witnessed was that there was an effective partisan division <strong>of</strong><br />
hospitals. The Chief Justice supporters were typically taken to Jinnah Hospital whilst MQM<br />
supporters were taken to Civil and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals. Perhaps this situation was<br />
inevitable, as the city had already been divided into conflicting camps. Political workers were<br />
cognizant <strong>of</strong> this divide and some workers were purposely taken to different hospitals to avoid<br />
any potential rival conflict.<br />
Another disconcerting element is that many political workers were present outside the<br />
hospitals waiting for the victims to leave, attempting to take them prisoners, or protesting the<br />
situation. This was seen at Jinnah’s Emergency Section where political activists were raising<br />
slogans against the government. 132 According to many eyewitnesses, activists openly started<br />
firing at the Sindh Government Hospital as 30 injured ANP workers were taken there. It is<br />
reported that these activists attempted to kill the injured workers but later on some PPP<br />
activists sneaked them out <strong>of</strong> the hospital and moved them elsewhere. 133 In a similar incident,<br />
according to an anonymous doctor, nine armed MQM activists came into his hospital<br />
attempting to drag out wounded opposition workers. When he and his staff tried to stop them,<br />
they were threatened. The doctor then ran to the Rangers for help but was told that they were<br />
given orders from ‘above’ not to take action until 4 pm. In the event a wounded opposition<br />
activist was shot dead after having been dragged out <strong>of</strong> hospital. 134<br />
In other instances, political workers were holding patients in hospitals as abductees in a<br />
holding area. This was seson, Umair Khan. They told the doctors not to discharge him and<br />
that they would return for him later. 135 There were also other such instances elsewhere in the<br />
city.<br />
5. Conclusions<br />
This fact-finding report has attempted to document the events <strong>of</strong> May 12 in Karachi as<br />
fully as possible using published accounts, recorded testimonies and eyewitness accounts. A<br />
number <strong>of</strong> matters investigated here are subject to existing legal and judicial proceedings, and<br />
it would be prudent to allow those proceedings to take their course. It is possible,<br />
nevertheless, to summarize a number <strong>of</strong> conclusions based on the findings <strong>of</strong> this report. It is<br />
expected that these finding will be <strong>of</strong> some assistance to the legal and judicial functionaries, as<br />
well as members <strong>of</strong> civil society at large, to draw some lessons and to move forward for<br />
preventing the future occurrence <strong>of</strong> the type <strong>of</strong> violence that was seen on May 12 and its<br />
aftermath. However, two elements stand out. One, the withdrawal <strong>of</strong> the state apparatus for<br />
almost the entire day and, two, the presence <strong>of</strong> a militarily organized wing within at least one<br />
<strong>of</strong> the political parties operating in the city.<br />
5.1 Unprecedented events<br />
HRCP<br />
It can be stated without fear <strong>of</strong> contradiction that May 12 represented something quite<br />
unprecedented in the history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. In quantitative terms the violence perpetrated on<br />
131 Dawn 13 May (i)<br />
132 Express 13 May (j)<br />
133 Ummat 14 May (a)<br />
134 Eyewitness: Karachi, May 12, 2007<br />
135<br />
Ummat 14 May (a)<br />
35
that day might find parallel only very occasionally. Well over 40 people lost their lives, and<br />
the number <strong>of</strong> the injured ran into hundreds. But it was in qualitative terms that the events <strong>of</strong><br />
May 12 were truly without historical comparison. An entire city <strong>of</strong> nearly 15 million was held<br />
hostage by people who appeared to be private citizens. The violence and the threat <strong>of</strong><br />
violence engulfed nearly all <strong>of</strong> the localities <strong>of</strong> this huge city – in the east, west, north, south<br />
and the centre.<br />
There was something qualitatively distinct also about the nature and scale <strong>of</strong> the<br />
violence that was unleashed, and the political context in which this happened (the fact that<br />
MQM is in government). The escalation <strong>of</strong> tensions in the build-up to May 12 was entirely<br />
avoidable. The idea <strong>of</strong> a showdown between supporters <strong>of</strong> the CJ – who despite the reference<br />
was a serving functionary <strong>of</strong> the state – and supporters <strong>of</strong> a political party was almost entirely<br />
artificially created. There was nothing inherently antagonistic in the two positions held by the<br />
supporters <strong>of</strong> the lawyers’ movement and the MQM that warranted any form <strong>of</strong> violence or<br />
bloodshed. It appears almost incomprehensible that large-scale violence <strong>of</strong> various types –<br />
roadblocks, ambushes, armed clashes, abductions etc. – was meticulously planned and<br />
executed across the city, while the state security apparatus was effectively withdrawn.<br />
There can be no doubt that the events <strong>of</strong> May 12 have changed how Karachi is viewed.<br />
Despite the normalcy that has returned to the city, the very fact that political violence <strong>of</strong> this<br />
nature could be organized and executed and state security agencies withdrawn, ought to be<br />
taken extremely seriously. There is a need for accountability. No city can be allowed to<br />
descend deliberately into organized chaos. But there are also lessons to be learnt – both <strong>of</strong><br />
foreboding as well as opportunity. If the civil society fails to take seriously the events <strong>of</strong> May<br />
12 there is a danger that they will be repeated on a far bigger scale some time in the future. At<br />
the same time, how various actors behaved provides possible avenues <strong>of</strong> opportunity for the<br />
maintenance <strong>of</strong> sustainable peace in the city.<br />
HRCP<br />
5.2 Absence or compromised presence <strong>of</strong> state agencies<br />
May 12: 2007 will be remembered as the day the State withdrew. While the loss <strong>of</strong><br />
precious lives is the most deplorable aspect <strong>of</strong> the day, a matter <strong>of</strong> grave concern from the<br />
perspective <strong>of</strong> institutional integrity <strong>of</strong> the state is the virtual withdrawal <strong>of</strong> the state’s security<br />
apparatus for almost 20 hours and the actual takeover <strong>of</strong> the city by armed cadres <strong>of</strong> one or<br />
more than one political party. The spectacle <strong>of</strong> a disarmed police force 136 operating on the<br />
directions <strong>of</strong> armed cadres was highly disturbing, especially since key <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> the state<br />
responsible for security were reduced to expressing their helplessness. That such armed groups<br />
were allowed to hold almost complete sway and operate with impunity for most <strong>of</strong> the day,<br />
despite the presence <strong>of</strong> a duly installed government in the province and the presence <strong>of</strong> more<br />
than one federal security agency in the city, represented an alarming phenomenon with respect<br />
to the writ <strong>of</strong> the government and the state.<br />
The failure <strong>of</strong> the state’s security apparatus to discharge its responsibilities has been<br />
confirmed by Lt.-General (R) Moinuddin Haider, acting chairman <strong>of</strong> the National Public<br />
Service <strong>Commission</strong> (NPSC). Addressing a news conference in Quetta, Lt.-General (R)<br />
Haider expressed his dismay at the performance <strong>of</strong> police and other law enforcement agencies<br />
and admitted that certain security lapses were witnessed and that the police could not provide<br />
safety to the general public in Karachi 137 .<br />
136<br />
See Daily Times, “Sindh police deprived <strong>of</strong> arsenal on Day 2”, May 14, 2007<br />
137<br />
See The News, “NPSC dismayed at police performance”, May 17, 2007<br />
36
The primary responsibility <strong>of</strong> law and order and ensuring civil peace rests with the<br />
police. However, in the peculiar conditions <strong>of</strong> Karachi and <strong>Pakistan</strong>, the paramilitary forces<br />
and the military itself has been a key stakeholder. Karachi like much <strong>of</strong> Sindh has never really<br />
been free <strong>of</strong> paramilitary/military presence in civil policing for the last three decades. While<br />
the presence <strong>of</strong> paramilitary/military forces in civil policing must be opposed on principled and<br />
practical grounds, it is also needs to be pointed out that as long as these forces maintain a<br />
presence in civil policing they must be held accountable for their actions and inactions.<br />
On balance, it is clear that the security plan for May 12 and the statements emanating<br />
for various government sources before that date about the threats to security were simply a<br />
smokescreen for a political objective. For some apparently inexplicable reason that objective<br />
was to stop the CJ – a serving state functionary – from being received by his lawyer and<br />
political supporters. It is clear from the benefit <strong>of</strong> hindsight that all <strong>of</strong> the actions <strong>of</strong> the Sindh<br />
government – which was the main state organ responsible for security – were geared to<br />
achieve this aim.<br />
Regardless <strong>of</strong> whether this political objective was justifiable, legal or correct, what was<br />
remarkable on May 12 was the virtually exclusive reliance on illegal, non-administrative and<br />
non-state agents for the achievement <strong>of</strong> the objective. There is a history in <strong>Pakistan</strong> <strong>of</strong> a<br />
government using administrative levers – sometimes legally, at other times semi-legally – in<br />
order to attain its political objectives. There are very rare cases in <strong>Pakistan</strong> or elsewhere <strong>of</strong> a<br />
government making such systematic and wide use <strong>of</strong> non-administrative and illegal means –<br />
essentially handing over security to armed cadres <strong>of</strong> a political party – in order to achieve<br />
short-term political objectives.<br />
5.3 Responsibility<br />
HRCP<br />
There is no escaping a discussion <strong>of</strong> responsibility for May 12. The primary<br />
responsibility for the lapse in security – even if we do not take any other details into account –<br />
must rest with the state and its relevant organs. In this, these organs were the Sindh provincial<br />
government, and the federal security agencies such as the Rangers and military that arrogate<br />
and retain de facto and de jure policing duties in Karachi. To this extent the functionaries <strong>of</strong><br />
the federal and provincial governments, and military and paramilitary forces stationed in<br />
Karachi bear responsibility.<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> specific acts <strong>of</strong> violence the legal responsibility lies with the individual<br />
perpetrators, organizers and instigators, in accordance with the law. The fact is that Karachi<br />
was not in a state <strong>of</strong> war, and individual citizens, regardless <strong>of</strong> their political party affiliation<br />
must bear individual responsibility for crimes committed. It is the job <strong>of</strong> the prosecution<br />
system and the police to identify, investigate, prosecute and successfully convict those who<br />
committed crimes on that day.<br />
There are two further levels <strong>of</strong> responsibility. First, it is clear that individuals were<br />
acting within a political context. Their actions formed part <strong>of</strong> a bigger game that was being<br />
played in the city and the country at large. The notion <strong>of</strong> collective political responsibility,<br />
therefore, cannot be avoided in this case. In fact, much <strong>of</strong> the debate around the events <strong>of</strong> May<br />
12 has focused almost exclusively on the notion <strong>of</strong> collective political responsibility. The idea<br />
<strong>of</strong> collective political responsibility has been linked in the public debate with the issue <strong>of</strong> the<br />
escalation <strong>of</strong> political tension in the build-up to May 12. There is mutual recrimination<br />
between the MQM and the supporters <strong>of</strong> the CJ about collective political responsibility. Some<br />
MQM leaders went so far as to blame the CJ himself for the violence in Karachi on May 12.<br />
37
Such charges were later withdrawn, but they do nevertheless indicate the manner in which the<br />
idea <strong>of</strong> collective political responsibility has been misinterpreted and misused.<br />
In fact, in the context <strong>of</strong> the events <strong>of</strong> May 12, collective political responsibility is too<br />
general and non-specific a concept to be <strong>of</strong> much help. The MQM and the CJ supporters can<br />
have mutually opposing views regarding political responsibility. But it needs to be stated very<br />
clearly that the events <strong>of</strong> May 12 require much more than the assignment <strong>of</strong> collective political<br />
responsibility. We must immediately dispense with the notion that just because the CJ’s plane<br />
landed at midday, and that the firing on rallies also started at that time, the CJ or his<br />
supporters share any <strong>of</strong> the responsibility for the violence. Similarly, the fact that the MQM<br />
leadership had been openly raising the rhetoric against the CJ and his supporters is not<br />
sufficient to indicate their responsibility for what happened.<br />
On May 12 in Karachi, actions did speak louder than words, and it is these actions that<br />
require accountability <strong>of</strong> a more specific nature than the concept <strong>of</strong> collective political<br />
responsibility allows. In this regard the MQM to a great extent, and other political parties to a<br />
smaller extent have a case to answer. It is not just their propaganda against each other, or the<br />
atmosphere <strong>of</strong> fear and hatred, that is relevant. All the evidence shows that these parties,<br />
particularly the MQM, acted like organized military forces, which mobilized large numbers <strong>of</strong><br />
people to carry out acts <strong>of</strong> brutal violence against their opponents as well as non-partisan<br />
citizens. For this the level <strong>of</strong> responsibility needs to be more specific and direct than the one<br />
implied in the notion <strong>of</strong> collective political responsibility.<br />
The actions <strong>of</strong> armed MQM activists stand out in this regard. It is clear that there was<br />
a prior intent to stop opposition rallies with the use <strong>of</strong> force. In some cases it even appears<br />
that the premeditated use <strong>of</strong> force was itself the objective – regardless <strong>of</strong> whether a rally could<br />
be held. The level <strong>of</strong> prior meticulous planning that went into the commandeering <strong>of</strong> vehicles<br />
and the setting up <strong>of</strong> roadblocks from the day before, the manning <strong>of</strong> ambushes, the organized<br />
military manner <strong>of</strong> attack and retreat, the attempts at holdings prisoners and hostages, the<br />
abduction, torture and execution <strong>of</strong> suspects, and the reports <strong>of</strong> armed cadres receiving<br />
instructions from their handlers via cell phone – all suggest a frightening military organization<br />
cohabiting within a political party. Not even a small part <strong>of</strong> this activity would have been<br />
possible without a high level <strong>of</strong> coordination. The fact that such a military organization exists<br />
hidden behind the cover <strong>of</strong> a legitimate and popular political party must be a matter <strong>of</strong> great<br />
concern for all citizens.<br />
The other political parties are not without their own specific responsibility. It is clear<br />
that MQM activists were not the only private citizens bearing arms on that day and its<br />
aftermath. Many <strong>of</strong> the opposition party supporters had also clearly come prepared for an<br />
armed showdown. In some areas it was they who were the assailants and MQM activists who<br />
were the victims.<br />
In sum, the primary responsibility (both in terms <strong>of</strong> omission and commission) must lie<br />
with the organs <strong>of</strong> the state – federal, provincial, and military. The MQM, or at least its<br />
military organization, bears the direct and specific responsibility for the majority <strong>of</strong> the<br />
violence. Residual responsibility lies with the armed supporters <strong>of</strong> other political and religious<br />
parties.<br />
5.4 Lessons for the future<br />
HRCP<br />
38
5.4.1 Threats<br />
The events <strong>of</strong> May 12 revealed that there are missing links in the chain <strong>of</strong><br />
accountability <strong>of</strong> law enforcement agencies. The fact that one segment <strong>of</strong> the state – the<br />
judiciary – was itself subject to illegal action (detention and harassment) and took an active<br />
interest in the evolving situation, highlighted the fact that the existing law enforcement<br />
agencies are not operationally accountable to de jure authority. For all their weaknesses, it<br />
was the police that finally acted on judicial orders in order to secure the evacuation <strong>of</strong> lawyers<br />
taking refuge or being held hostage in Malir and the city centre. Other law enforcement<br />
agencies failed to cooperate. The continued presence <strong>of</strong> unaccountable “law enforcement<br />
agencies” poses a grave threat to the security <strong>of</strong> citizens. Whether the solution is their<br />
withdrawal or introduction <strong>of</strong> mechanisms for making them accountable remains a political<br />
question.<br />
The presence <strong>of</strong> an armed military organization within a legitimate political party was<br />
revealed on May 12. The MQM enjoys popular support in Karachi, and yet the actions <strong>of</strong> its<br />
activists indicated that the organization retains a military capacity that cannot be justified with<br />
reference to any legitimate political goal. The political side <strong>of</strong> the MQM too continues to<br />
nurture ideas (such as valuing political monopoly rather than competition) that promote<br />
conflict as opposed to accommodation with other parties. It is possible that the prevalence <strong>of</strong><br />
ideas is contingent on the current political realities, and that they will be abandoned in favour<br />
<strong>of</strong> accommodation in the future. The reform <strong>of</strong> the MQM, will, nevertheless, remain a matter<br />
<strong>of</strong> concern in the peaceful development <strong>of</strong> the city.<br />
Other political parties operating in Karachi will also give rise to concern if they<br />
continue to develop and protect armed activists amidst their supporters. It was clearly seen<br />
that some parties readily allowed the situation to evolve into an ethnic conflict – possibly<br />
because they could rely on support on that basis against the MQM.<br />
5.4.2 Opportunities<br />
HRCP<br />
There were at least three sources <strong>of</strong> opportunity in the events <strong>of</strong> May 12 and their<br />
aftermath. These could be built upon in the future to prevent the occurrence <strong>of</strong> events such as<br />
May 12, and to build sustainable civic peace in Karachi.<br />
First, media and civil society (particularly the legal fraternity) displayed courage and<br />
tenacity in the face <strong>of</strong> violence. Part <strong>of</strong> their strength lay in their insistence on doing their jobs<br />
as far as they could, under the circumstances. The electronic and print media became<br />
witnesses <strong>of</strong> the violence, and despite strong propaganda efforts on the part <strong>of</strong> various actors,<br />
a record <strong>of</strong> history was made. It became difficult for government functionaries and political<br />
leaders to evade responsibility easily. The lawyers too displayed pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism in their<br />
approach despite facing physical assault, detention and abuse. They maintained a correct<br />
posture vis-à-vis their political party supporters, and consistently sought legal redress and<br />
relief.<br />
Second, emergency services such as hospitals, health pr<strong>of</strong>essionals, and ambulance<br />
services played a strong pr<strong>of</strong>essional role through the crisis. They came under attack and<br />
pressures, but by and large they discharged their duties with a level <strong>of</strong> commitment to human<br />
life that was not seen elsewhere in the city. Like the media and the lawyers the emergency<br />
services remained true to their mandate and showed that civic life was still possible in Karachi.<br />
The fact that some political parties had their own emergency services complicated matters.<br />
These emergency services were suspected <strong>of</strong> being partisan, and made supporters <strong>of</strong> those<br />
parties suspicious <strong>of</strong> other service providers. It is important to value and guard the<br />
39
pr<strong>of</strong>essionalism <strong>of</strong> the city’s emergency services, and it needs to be recognized that in the<br />
present conditions <strong>of</strong> the country and the city, party-political emergency services hinder rather<br />
than help that cause.<br />
Third, despite all <strong>of</strong> their problems and weaknesses, it needs to be acknowledged that<br />
political parties took conscious and measured steps in the aftermath <strong>of</strong> May 12 to step back<br />
from ethnic polarization in the city. This poses a dilemma for the purposes <strong>of</strong> accountability –<br />
will compromise and reconciliation come at the expense <strong>of</strong> responsibility and accountability?<br />
This is a difficult question, but it is at least clear that the parties have the capacity for stepping<br />
back from the brink, and can be vehicles for reconciliation and maintaining civil peace.<br />
HRCP<br />
40
Recommendations<br />
1. The events <strong>of</strong> May 12, 2007, in the Karachi once again confirm the culpability <strong>of</strong><br />
the administration that allows the freedom <strong>of</strong> the city to gun-totting activists <strong>of</strong><br />
parties in power, and demand firm measures to check recurrence <strong>of</strong> mayhem and<br />
chaos.<br />
2. No civilized government can discriminate between public organizations by allowing<br />
one <strong>of</strong> them to make a mockery <strong>of</strong> law and order as it may wish and telling others<br />
to abandon their right to freedom <strong>of</strong> movement and assembly because it cannot<br />
control the former.<br />
3. Media-persons readily accept the risks in on-the-spot overage <strong>of</strong> conflicts and<br />
disturbances, but they cannot be denied adequate security at their workplaces.<br />
Failure <strong>of</strong> authorities to protect media establishments against attacks from any<br />
quarter should be held reprehensible.<br />
4. The admirable services rendered on May 12 by voluntary organizations and<br />
hospitals should not only be lauded and suitably rewarded but steps need to be<br />
taken to strengthen them helping them by acquire the necessary equipment and<br />
skills.<br />
HRCP<br />
5. In view <strong>of</strong> the apparent and proven involvement <strong>of</strong> elements that are in or are close<br />
to government an inter-party parliamentary commission must be set up to probe the<br />
May 12 events, fix responsibility for murder, arson and lawlessness and pave the<br />
way for punishing the guilty.<br />
41
Annex – Newspaper Reports / Clippings<br />
Dawn 6 May (a)<br />
MQM criticises lawyers for politicising reference<br />
Dawn Report<br />
KARACHI, May 5: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement on Saturday staged a show <strong>of</strong> strength at the<br />
Press Club here on Friday with a press conference by lawyers belonging to its Legal Aid Committee and a rally<br />
at which opposition parties were criticised for “politicising the issue <strong>of</strong> presidential reference against Chief<br />
Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry”.<br />
The main demand <strong>of</strong> the Legal Aid Committee and the participants in the demonstration was that the<br />
Supreme Judicial Council be allowed to function on its own and lawyers should wait for its decision instead <strong>of</strong><br />
holding protest demonstration with opposition parties.“This constitutional issue <strong>of</strong> the presidential reference has<br />
been converted into a political issue by the opposition parties and certain lawyers’ organisations which are<br />
trying to create a crisis-like situation in the country for their ulterior political motives,” said MQM leader Shoaib<br />
Bukhari at a press conference held in the backyard <strong>of</strong> the Karachi Press Club.<br />
A good number <strong>of</strong> lawyers from all over the province attended the press conference.<br />
Outside the KPC, a large number <strong>of</strong> MQM workers and supporters staged a demonstration criticising<br />
opposition parties and certain lawyers’ bodies for having kept quiet in the past over incidents wherein the<br />
judiciary came under attack and were now trying to influence the SJC by politicising the issue <strong>of</strong> the reference.<br />
Carrying party flags, huge portraits <strong>of</strong> party chief Altaf Hussain and holding placards inscribed with<br />
demands like “We want independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary” or “Stop politicising the reference” etc., the demonstrators<br />
shouted slogans against the opposition parties.<br />
Barricades were placed to block roads leading to the Karachi Press Club. The MQM workers were<br />
seen controlling traffic, doing security job, carrying out the body search at points <strong>of</strong> entry to the roads. Police<br />
and paramilitary troops were also deployed.<br />
“Every <strong>Pakistan</strong>i who believes in the supremacy <strong>of</strong> the Constitution and the law, promotion <strong>of</strong><br />
democracy and the rule <strong>of</strong> justice, believes in the independence and autonomy <strong>of</strong> the judiciary. However,<br />
instead <strong>of</strong> an individual we (MQM Legal Aid Committee) believe in independence and the strengthening and<br />
stability <strong>of</strong> the institution <strong>of</strong> judiciary,” Mr Bukhari, who is the caretaker <strong>of</strong> the Legal Aid Committee, said.<br />
HRCP<br />
Admitting that peaceful protest is the right <strong>of</strong> every <strong>Pakistan</strong>i, Mr Bukhari, who is also a member <strong>of</strong> the<br />
MQM Coordination Committee, asked why did lawyers’ organisations and opposition parties not run campaigns<br />
when <strong>Pakistan</strong> witnessed several martial laws, civil courts were suspended, courts were compelled to operate<br />
under military instructions and civil rights were usurped?.<br />
Recalling forced retirement in 2000 <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice and 15 other judges <strong>of</strong> the Supreme and high<br />
courts when they refused to take new oath under the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), he said why did<br />
these lawyers’ bodies and opposition parties not think <strong>of</strong> launching an agitation for the independence <strong>of</strong><br />
judiciary?<br />
“Lawyers may continue their peaceful demonstration but should avoid closing down and boycotting<br />
courts and must allow the judicial process to continue.”<br />
Answering a question, he said the MQM did not want to politicise the May 12 scheduled visit <strong>of</strong> CJP<br />
Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to Karachi and would welcome his visit to the city.<br />
He said as a policy matter, the party had already condemned the manner in which the CJP issue had<br />
been handled on March 9.<br />
Outside the KPC, Coordination Committee in charge Anwar Alam addressed the participants <strong>of</strong> the<br />
demonstration after the press conference.<br />
Menwhile, Karachi Press Club president Sabihuddin Ghausi has apologised to members <strong>of</strong> the club<br />
who suffered inconvenience, hardship and even humiliation as a press conference booked by the Muttahida<br />
Qaumi Movement was turned in to a public meeting, and <strong>of</strong>fered himself for any action to the club’s governing<br />
body or the general council.<br />
42
He said in a statement issued here that people who had parked cars and motorcycles were forced to<br />
remove their vehicles by political workers. Members <strong>of</strong> the club had to listen to political speeches being<br />
delivered in the backyard for over four hours. The two roads leading to the club were blocked.<br />
He said the annual general council <strong>of</strong> the club had taken a decision in December 2006 banning the<br />
renting out <strong>of</strong> the club backyard to any outsider. He said that he was not aware <strong>of</strong> the permission granted by the<br />
KPC to the MQM to hold the event.<br />
MQM leader Shoaib Bukhari <strong>of</strong>fered his apologies to KPC members during the press conference, Mr<br />
Ghausi’s statement said.<br />
Dawn 6 May (b)<br />
Three TV channels <strong>of</strong>f air for hours<br />
Dawn Report<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 5: Three television news channels went <strong>of</strong>f the air on Saturday afternoon, depriving<br />
viewers in Karachi and southern Sindh <strong>of</strong> the live coverage <strong>of</strong> the caravan <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad<br />
Chaudhry proceeding to Lahore from Islamabad.<br />
The transmission <strong>of</strong> the channels — Geo, ARY and Aaj — was suspended in Karachi, Hyderabad and<br />
Nawabshah at about 5:30pm. In a few areas <strong>of</strong> Karachi, the channels could be watched after about two hours.<br />
People called newspaper <strong>of</strong>fices to inquire about the disruption and most <strong>of</strong> them blamed the<br />
government.<br />
Officials <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) denied any instructions had<br />
been issued to stop the transmission <strong>of</strong> the channels.<br />
They said that these channels were not seen only in southern parts <strong>of</strong> Sindh, and if Pemra had issued<br />
any instructions the transmission would have been blocked all over the country.<br />
According to APP, Pemra Chairman Iftikhar Rashid denied any involvement <strong>of</strong> the regulatory authority<br />
or any department <strong>of</strong> the government in the reported termination <strong>of</strong> transmission in some parts <strong>of</strong> Sindh.<br />
Some cable operators claimed that a technical problem in their system had affected the transmission<br />
<strong>of</strong> the three channels in Karachi, Hyderabad and Nawabshah. “Efforts are being made to remove the problem,”<br />
All <strong>Pakistan</strong> Cable Operators’ Association vice-chairman Khalid Arain said.<br />
However, some people accused a political party in the ruling coalition <strong>of</strong> having forced cable operators<br />
to stop transmission <strong>of</strong> the channels.<br />
In a related development, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement denied having played any role in the<br />
blocking <strong>of</strong> the transmission.<br />
The <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Karachi Union <strong>of</strong> Journalists and Association <strong>of</strong> TV<br />
Journalists have criticised actions taken by the government against private TV channels and harassment <strong>of</strong><br />
cable operators.<br />
The News 7 May (a)<br />
Govt decides to fix cameras to monitor CJP’s movement<br />
By our correspondent, Karachi<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
The government has decided to fix cameras around the city courts for complete monitoring <strong>of</strong> the Chief<br />
Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry during his arrival in the metropolis on May 12. The decision was taken in<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the prevailing situation with special reference to the judicial crisis, which had taken a new turn, a<br />
government source said.<br />
Furthermore, a monitoring device with a range <strong>of</strong> 5-kilometre distance, which could also tape a voice,<br />
would also be fixed at the main gates <strong>of</strong> the city courts.<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> the security measures extra police force with iron hats and bullet pro<strong>of</strong> jackets would be<br />
deployed all around the vicinity and on the routes where the CJP would move, which included the Sindh High<br />
Court and surrounding areas.<br />
43
To avoid any untoward incident, the government would invite civil society organisations, NGOs,<br />
political parties and the lawyer’s community to cooperate with the government on the CJP’s arrival. The ruling<br />
coalition party was given a task to make the entire programme peaceful and ensure smooth movement <strong>of</strong> the<br />
CJP.<br />
The party had asked all its activists to remain vigilant and keep an eye on the activities <strong>of</strong> the lawyers<br />
community and inform the government circles about the programmes and schedules.<br />
The sources disclosed that the government would try to establish contact with the <strong>of</strong>fice bearers <strong>of</strong><br />
SHCBA, MBA and KBA for their role in peaceful protests and demonstrations in welcoming the CJP.<br />
The <strong>of</strong>fice bearers, however, denied direct talks with the government <strong>of</strong>ficials saying that all bar<br />
associations were busy finalising and arranging the programme for a spectacular welcome.<br />
They also said that Karachiites have completely endorsed the welcome programme <strong>of</strong> the CJP and<br />
added that entire Karachi awaits the CJP’s arrival in the city.<br />
The News 7 May (b)<br />
‘He will be extended a historic welcome’<br />
By our correspondent, Karachi<br />
***<br />
The provincial leaderships <strong>of</strong> Awami National Party (ANP) and PPP have announced that the people <strong>of</strong><br />
Sindh would warmly welcome the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> on his arrival here on May 12.<br />
ANP made this announcement at its provincial body meeting chaired by its Sindh President Shahi<br />
Syed, while PPP Secretary General (Sindh) Nafees Siddiqi announced this at a press conference.<br />
Shahi Syed said that the general workers meeting <strong>of</strong> the party would be held on May 10 to chalk out<br />
plan for arranging a welcome reception for the CJP. The party has already decided to set up a central reception<br />
camp at Natha Khan Goth where all the city rallies <strong>of</strong> the party would gather and march towards the airport.<br />
PPP leader Nafees Siddiqi told the media that not only the ARD but other liberal and democratic<br />
parties, civil society representatives, NGOs, lawyers and trade unions would also warmly welcome the Chief<br />
Justice.<br />
He said that just as Lahore did, Karachi, too, would accord a historic welcome to the CJP as part <strong>of</strong><br />
the campaign being launched for the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary, freedom <strong>of</strong> the media, restoration <strong>of</strong><br />
genuine democracy and the rule <strong>of</strong> law in the country.<br />
HRCP<br />
Paying tributes to the people <strong>of</strong> Punjab and its legal fraternity, including 16 judges who welcomed the<br />
CJP in Lahore, Siddiqui assured that the people <strong>of</strong> the city, on the platform <strong>of</strong> the PPP, ARD and other<br />
democratic parties, would make the event a historic one, showing solidarity with the lawyers community in their<br />
struggle.<br />
He asked other opposition parties, including ANP and nationalist parties, to participate in the welcome<br />
procession for the CJP.<br />
The PPP Sindh Secretary General condemned the government for blocking the transmission <strong>of</strong> private<br />
TV channels and termed it state terrorism and an act <strong>of</strong> harassing media.<br />
He charged that rulers were responsible for creating chaos and promoting religious extremism in the<br />
country and also condemned the countless arrests <strong>of</strong> political workers.<br />
He said this situation amply proved that the claim <strong>of</strong> Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, regarding<br />
development, was nothing but an attempt to befool the people. He said the unending load-shedding was the<br />
result <strong>of</strong> KESC’s privatisation, which he termed a big scam.<br />
PPP MNA Fahimda Mirza, Rabbani, Waqar Mehdi and Saeed Ghani were also present on the<br />
occasion.<br />
***<br />
Jang 8 May (a)<br />
Press Reporter- MQM will organize a rally on Saturday for the freedom <strong>of</strong> judiciary, all the lawyers<br />
including people or related with other pr<strong>of</strong>ession requested to participate in the peaceful rally.<br />
***<br />
Jang 8 May (b)<br />
Press Reporter- Choudhry Iftikhar will address Malir Bar then he will visit Mazar e Qauid. He will take<br />
oath at Sindh Bar Council from newly elected advocates on 12 May.<br />
***<br />
44
Dawn 10 May (a)<br />
Sindh govt urges CJ to defer visit<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
KARACHI, May 9: The government <strong>of</strong> Sindh on Wednesday requested Chief Justice Iftikhar<br />
Mohammad Chaudhry to postpone his planned event in Karachi to a new convenient date in the larger public<br />
interest, claiming that there were intelligence reports about the possibility <strong>of</strong> a terrorist attack on him.<br />
In a letter to the registrar <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Sindh Home Secretary Brig Ghulam<br />
Mohammad Mohatarem said that the chief justice was scheduled to visit the city on May 12 to address the<br />
Sindh High Court Bar in connection with the 50th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court.<br />
The letter said the event, which otherwise would have been an event exclusively for the judiciary and<br />
the bar, was drawing political interest. All political parties, including those in the opposition and the government,<br />
were planning to hold rallies in the city on that day.<br />
It said that tension in the city was on the rise and law-enforcement and security agencies were<br />
unanimous in their assessment that there could be armed clashes and bloodshed. “There are also intelligence<br />
reports that terrorist groups may take advantage <strong>of</strong> the environment to launch terrorist attacks.”<br />
The home secretary’s letter said that Saturday being a working day, there would be an extreme public<br />
inconvenience and disruption <strong>of</strong> traffic.<br />
Although the provincial government would take all possible measures to prevent any untoward<br />
incident, the postponement <strong>of</strong> the scheduled visit by the Chief Justice would be in the larger interest <strong>of</strong> the<br />
people, the letter concluded.<br />
Syed Irfan Raza adds from Islamabad: Interior Ministry’s spokesman Brig Javed Iqbal Cheema told<br />
Dawn that it was the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government to provide security to the participants <strong>of</strong> any public<br />
meeting in its jurisdiction, and therefore the Chief Justice had been advised not to attend the lawyers’ function.<br />
However, Justice Iftikhar’s counsel Aitzaz Ahsan said the Chief Justice would attend the event.<br />
The News 10 May (a)<br />
Jhagra asks MQM to change May 12 plan<br />
By our correspondent, Karachi<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
PML-N Secretary General Iqbal Zafar Jhagra has declared that the present campaign is a national<br />
movement for the independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary and rule <strong>of</strong> law in the country and nobody can stop it neither any<br />
deal can sabotage this movement.<br />
He urged the MQM to change its May 12 rally plan in order to avoid any untoward situation. “In case <strong>of</strong><br />
otherwise the people would take the party (MQM) as B team <strong>of</strong> Gen Pervez Musharraf, as this apprehended<br />
confrontation-like situation will provide opportunity to rulers to impose emergency in the country,” he added.<br />
Addressing a press conference along with other party leaders at Karachi Press Club on Wednesday,<br />
Iqbal Zafar Jhagra vowed that the struggle would continue till the removal <strong>of</strong> General Musharraf-led government<br />
and setting up <strong>of</strong> a neutral caretaker setup and holding <strong>of</strong> free, fair and transparent elections in the country.<br />
He rejected the notion that the struggle <strong>of</strong> CJP was political in nature, saying that the CJP did not<br />
address any political party. “The political parties are participating in the reception for chief justice as a part <strong>of</strong><br />
their national obligation,” he added.<br />
Jhagra said that the PML-N was at the forefront <strong>of</strong> this national movement and the way its workers<br />
received the CJP in Lahore was an eye-opener for the government. He hoped that the people <strong>of</strong> Karachi would<br />
accord a historic welcome to the CJP on May 12.<br />
He said: “Maintaining peace and order is the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the government and it will have to bear<br />
responsibility in case any untoward incident occurred during the CJP reception in Karachi owing to the MQM<br />
rally”.<br />
He appealed to the people to fully participate in the welcome reception <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong><br />
and show their support to Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry against the present regime.<br />
Jhagra said that no political party entered into deal with the regime and neither any deal could hijack<br />
or sabotage the struggle for the independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary.<br />
45
At present the component parties <strong>of</strong> the Alliance for the Restoration <strong>of</strong> Democracy and Muttahida<br />
Majlis-i-Amal were working for the supremacy <strong>of</strong> law and judiciary, he added.<br />
PML-N leaders Ahsan Iqbal, Salim Zia, Sardar Rahim; ARD leaders Rashid Rabbani, Basharat Mirza<br />
and others were also present on the occasion.<br />
***<br />
The News 10 May (b)<br />
Karachi tense ahead <strong>of</strong> May 12 rallies<br />
By Tahir Hasan Khan<br />
KARACHI: Tension is fast rising in Karachi following the announcement by the ruling MQM and the<br />
opposition ARD and MMA that they would take out “historic” rallies on the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry in the city on May 12, 2007. Meanwhile, lawyers are seeking a<br />
bulletpro<strong>of</strong> car for the Chief Justice.<br />
Political analysts say that the two rallies could result in a clash despite a strong declaration by the<br />
MQM that its rally would be peaceful. The MQM leadership says that the purpose <strong>of</strong> its rally is to show the<br />
party’s strength against the opposition.<br />
When contacted, the MQM leaders said that the party would announce its route and plan <strong>of</strong> the rally<br />
on Thursday. Sources said that a meeting <strong>of</strong> the party leaders and workers was going on at Nine Zero till late<br />
Wednesday night, the strategy for the rally under discussion.<br />
The provincial administration is working to maintain the law and order situation. Sindh Governor Dr<br />
Ishratul Ebad held a high-level meeting on Wednesday to review the law and order situation in view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> in Karachi on 12 May and rallies <strong>of</strong> political parties with divergent points<br />
<strong>of</strong> view.<br />
Sindh Home Secretary Brig (Retd) Ghulam Muhammad Mohtarem has written a letter to the Supreme<br />
Court, requesting the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> to postpone his Karachi visit as the situation is not suitable for<br />
the visit, which is not in the larger public interest. The Home Secretary has conveyed to the SC Registrar: “It is<br />
foreseen that the planned caravan <strong>of</strong> the Honourable Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court from Karachi airport to<br />
different venues in the town could be stopped by political elements and in ensuing melee, the person and thus<br />
the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the honourable CJP might be slighted.”<br />
The letter by the Home Secretary, who is in Islamabad, follows MQM’s plans to bring out a rally to<br />
counter the rallies to be brought out by the ARD, MMA and lawyers. The Adviser to the CM, Waseem Akhtar,<br />
who belongs to the MQM, is the in-charge <strong>of</strong> the Home department.<br />
HRCP<br />
The Chief Secretary, Sindh, Shakil Durrani, has also issued an order to all DCOs <strong>of</strong> the province and<br />
departmental secretaries not to leave their stations. The police have also issued warning <strong>of</strong> a terrorist threat.<br />
The opposition has advised the MQM to change its plan and hold the rally either before or after the<br />
departure <strong>of</strong> the chief justice. The ARD Secretary General, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, has expressed concerns over the<br />
decision <strong>of</strong> the MQM to hold its rally on Saturday and requested the party to change its date to avoid any<br />
disturbance.<br />
He alleged that General Pervez Musharraf is looking at excuses to impose emergency in the country<br />
and the MQM might provide him the opportunity. The MMA has announced that Liaquat Baloch would lead its<br />
rally, and would distribute one million handbills among the people so as to motivate them to participate in the<br />
rally.<br />
The MMA has also announced that schoolchildren would present bouquets to the Chief Justice at the<br />
Quaid’s Mazar as a show <strong>of</strong> solidarity. Meanwhile, the city lawyers are trying to arrange a bulletpro<strong>of</strong> car for the<br />
chief justice. Sources said that a businessman has promised to provide the car after the Sindh government<br />
refused to lend any <strong>of</strong> the bulletpro<strong>of</strong> cars being used by the Sindh Governor and the Chief Minister. The Bar<br />
has also planned to deploy 300 lawyers for the security <strong>of</strong> the CJP on his arrival.<br />
The situation has worried the people, including traders and the business community, parents and<br />
teachers especially as the annual exams have started in the city’s educational institutions. M Waqar Bhatti<br />
adds: Sindh Home Secretary Brig (retd) Ghulam Muhammad Mohtaram has sought the postponement <strong>of</strong> Chief<br />
Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s planned visit to Karachi on May 12 to a new convenient<br />
date, claiming there were reports <strong>of</strong> possibility <strong>of</strong> “armed clashes and bloodshed” in Karachi on his arrival.<br />
The CJ is expected to be accorded a warm welcome by the legal fraternity, opposition political parties<br />
and common people on his arrival in Karachi and is likely to be taken to Malir Judicial Complex and then the<br />
mausoleum <strong>of</strong> Quaid-i-Azam in the form <strong>of</strong> a mammoth rally.<br />
He was accorded a historic welcome by hundreds <strong>of</strong> thousands <strong>of</strong> people from Islamabad to Lahore<br />
during his over 24-hour road journey on the Grand Trunk (GT) Road on May 5 that caused ringing <strong>of</strong> alarm<br />
bells in the rank and <strong>file</strong> <strong>of</strong> the government.<br />
46
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a strong coalition partner at the Centre and in the Sindh<br />
government, has also announced to hold a rally in Karachi on the same day to “counter” the political impact <strong>of</strong><br />
the CJ’s arrival in Karachi and the oxygen it would provide to opposition forces in the province.<br />
In a letter sent to the Registrar, Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Islamabad, on Wednesday, Brig<br />
Mohtaram said the chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> was scheduled to visit Karachi on May 12 to address the Sindh<br />
High Court Bar in connection with the celebrations <strong>of</strong> the 50th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the founding <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>.<br />
He said the event, which otherwise would have been an event exclusively involving judicial and<br />
lawyers’ community, is drawing political interest. Political parties both from the opposition and the government<br />
are planning to hold competing rallies in the town on the given date, he wrote, adding that tension was on the<br />
rise and all law-enforcement and security agencies were unanimous in their assessment that there could be<br />
armed clashes and bloodshed.<br />
There are also intelligence reports that terrorist groups may take advantage <strong>of</strong> the environment thus<br />
created, to launch terrorist attacks, he added. He wrote that it was also foreseen that the planned caravan <strong>of</strong> the<br />
chief justice from the Karachi airport to different venues in the town could be stopped by political elements and<br />
in the ensuing melee, the person and thus the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> may be slighted.<br />
It may also be noted that Saturday is a working day and there will be massive public inconvenience<br />
and disruption <strong>of</strong> traffic, and college/school going children and air travellers would be stranded and the Quaid-i-<br />
Azam International Airport’s working would be disrupted, he contended.<br />
Karachi is also the commercial hub <strong>of</strong> the country and it has been peaceful for sometime now and<br />
lately business perception <strong>of</strong> its environment is getting positive projection, he said. It is not in the interest <strong>of</strong> the<br />
people <strong>of</strong> Karachi for a situation to be created where the peace and tranquillity and security perception <strong>of</strong> the<br />
town again takes a nosedive, he said.<br />
“The Sindh government shall take all possible measures to prevent any untoward incident. However, in<br />
view <strong>of</strong> the obtaining environment as stated above, I would take this opportunity to request you in the larger<br />
public interest and to prevent creation <strong>of</strong> a law and order situation, to postpone the planned event to a new<br />
convenient date. The government <strong>of</strong> Sindh’s concern may kindly be conveyed to the honourable Chief Justice <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong>,” the letter concludes.<br />
***<br />
Ummat 10 May (a)<br />
Staff Reporter- Mr. Iqbal Haider (Secretary General HRCP), said that HRCP’s activists including Asma<br />
Jahangir will participate and welcome camps will be organized by HRCP. At the same time in his press<br />
conference he condemned the sealing <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> Munir A Malik by the KBCA and said that it was an act <strong>of</strong><br />
vengeance committed by an ethnic party that is an ally <strong>of</strong> the government.<br />
***<br />
The News 11 May (a)<br />
Opposition asks MQM to call <strong>of</strong>f rally<br />
By Sohail Khan<br />
HRCP<br />
ISLAMABAD: The opposition on Thursday alleged that the government was using different tactics for<br />
declaring emergency and postponing the general elections.<br />
Legislators, belonging to the opposition, expressed apprehensions in the National Assembly that the<br />
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s rally in Karachi on May 12 could result in a clash with the people who<br />
would welcome Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on the same day, and stressed the MQM to cancel<br />
its rally.<br />
MMA Deputy Parliamentary leader Liaquat Baloch, soon after the Question Hour, asked the speaker<br />
on a point <strong>of</strong> order to hold a debate on the law and order situation in Karachi after the attack on the Supreme<br />
Court Bar Association President Munir A Malik as well as overnight aerial firing throughout Karachi.<br />
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Sher Afgan Khan Niazi, while taking the floor, strongly condemned<br />
the attack on Munir A Malik’s house and supported the point <strong>of</strong> order raised by Liaquat Baloch. He said that the<br />
House should debate the law and order situation. However, he added that both the treasury and the opposition<br />
should avoid criticizing each other. The speaker, with the consent <strong>of</strong> House, allowed the debate.<br />
Initiating the debate, MMA legislator Muhammad Hussain Mahanti alleged that Karachi had witnessed<br />
aerial firing the whole night, carried out to create obstacles in the way <strong>of</strong> chief justice’s arrival in the city on May<br />
12. He said though the chief justice’s visit to Lahore had remained peaceful, panic was created by the<br />
government on the eve <strong>of</strong> chief justice’s arrival in the city.<br />
Before Mahanti concluded his speech, his mike was switched <strong>of</strong>f, and the speaker gave the mike to<br />
MQM legislator Haider Abbas Rizvi who said MQM chief Altaf Hussain had issued a statement from London,<br />
condemning the firing incident on Malik’s house.<br />
47
Sher Muhammad Baloch, another opposition MNA, while taking the floor, said that instead <strong>of</strong> siding<br />
with the government, the MQM should side with the judiciary and cancel its rally on May 12.<br />
Minister <strong>of</strong> State for Interior Zafar Iqbal Warrich said that after the attack on Munir A Malik, senior<br />
police <strong>of</strong>ficials went to his house and registered the case. However, he said that Malik has not nominated<br />
anybody in the FIR. He said that the police had found six Kalashnikov empties near the gate <strong>of</strong> Malik’s house.<br />
Manzoor Wassan <strong>of</strong> the PPP said that by using different tactics, the government wanted to declare<br />
emergency in the country so that the general elections could be postponed. Tehmina Daultana <strong>of</strong> the PML-N<br />
said that it was the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order. She alleged the government has<br />
allocated Rs 50 crore for the MQM rally in Karachi and presidential rally in Islamabad.<br />
Treasury MNA Farooq Amjad Mir said the opposition wants to use its democratic right but is not ready<br />
to give it to the others. The public wants that nobody should sit with the chief justice in his car. Similarly, he<br />
said, the people want justice but not the chief justice.<br />
Former prime minister Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali asked the government and the opposition to save the<br />
country from an impending civil war. He said that the government’s move to recommend the presidential<br />
reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and then bringing out rallies was beyond his<br />
comprehension.<br />
The PML leader asked why the government had chosen the same day for holding rallies when the chief<br />
justice was on a tour. “Is the government creating confusion among the public and is it trying to push the<br />
country towards a civil war?” Jamali asked.<br />
“For God sake, save the country and its people and don’t push them into a civil war,” appealed Jamali.<br />
The former prime minister said that when a matter is in a court, it was the jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> the court and nobody<br />
should have any suspicion over the apex court.<br />
He said that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has not invited anyone to a public rally;<br />
however, if he receives a wide range <strong>of</strong> public response, nobody should have objection to it. He appealed to the<br />
government and the opposition to maintain tolerance and save <strong>Pakistan</strong> as “after the fall <strong>of</strong> Dhaka, Quaid-i-<br />
Azam’s <strong>Pakistan</strong> remains no more.”<br />
Jamali said that Karachi was the stronghold <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), while the<br />
Punjab was the stronghold <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League. Similarly, the MMA has the street power in Balochistan<br />
and was in the government in the NWFP. However, he said, whatever was going on in the country was on the<br />
directives <strong>of</strong> the leaders <strong>of</strong> three mainstream political forces, the PPP, PML-N and the MQM. He appealed to<br />
the leaders <strong>of</strong> these political forces to save the country from further bloodshed and try their utmost to maintain<br />
law and order.<br />
***<br />
The News 11 May (b)<br />
MQM unveils plans for May 12 rally<br />
By Fasahat Mohiuddin<br />
HRCP<br />
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Thursday announced its plans to take out a<br />
rally as a show <strong>of</strong> strength in Karachi on May 12.<br />
Dr Farooq Sattar, Deputy Convener and members <strong>of</strong> the Rabita committee, while addressing a<br />
crowded press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Thursday, said that processions from all over the city,<br />
and from other areas <strong>of</strong> Sindh, will assemble at the Mazar-e-Quaid and move towards Tibet Centre, MA Jinnah<br />
Road, at 12 noon. There, MQM leader Altaf Hussain will make a telephonic address from the MQM’s<br />
International Secretariat in London, England.<br />
It is worth mentioning that the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry is<br />
expected to visit Karachi on the same day to attend the Sindh High Court Bar Council’s golden jubilee<br />
celebration. He is expected to be welcomed by a large rally <strong>of</strong> political parties and lawyers. As a result, there<br />
has been a lot <strong>of</strong> tension and panic brewing in the city for the last few days.<br />
Sattar said the MQM had sought rally permission for the entire city. To a question who would be<br />
responsible for any clash or mishap on the streets that day, Sattar said the ball is now in the court <strong>of</strong> the<br />
respectable Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Even if any small mishap occurs, every<br />
party in the rally would be equally responsible for it.<br />
Sattar said that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry should also take note <strong>of</strong> this crucial<br />
moment. He stressed that the MQM had no objection to the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice. He said that his party<br />
respected his designation and that he could address any bar <strong>of</strong> the country.<br />
However, he said, the opposition and religious political parties are taking out a political rally on the<br />
12th in an attempt to show that the masses <strong>of</strong> Sindh, including Karachi, are not with Muttahida. This proves<br />
that opposition parties’ rally is purely a political show, and the aim is not only to receive Justice Chaudhry but to<br />
48
push ahead their vested political interests.<br />
He said the MQM openly accepts the challenge for May 12 and on that day, people will see whom the<br />
masses are really with. Sattar further said that the peaceful rally is neither against the Chief Justice nor against<br />
the judiciary but, in fact, for the freedom <strong>of</strong> the judiciary.<br />
Sattar alleged that the opposition parties wanted to destabilize the democratic process and adversely<br />
affect the lives <strong>of</strong> the common citizens by politicizing the presidential reference. This, he said, is highly<br />
condemnable because it is a totally constitutional matter.<br />
The same people are now demanding the removal <strong>of</strong> the government, which shows that this struggle is<br />
not for the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary, but to destabilize the present government.<br />
He declared that the MQM workers and the masses would foil all such conspiracies. Some lawyers’<br />
organizations, too, have become pawns in the political game being played by the opposition parties, he added.<br />
The News 11 May (c)<br />
Lawyers rule out change in schedule<br />
By Jamal Khurshid<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Rebuffing Sindh government’s request for postponement <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong><br />
Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry’s visit to Karachi on May 12, lawyers on Thursday ruled out the possibility <strong>of</strong> any<br />
change in their schedule for the CJP’s welcome.<br />
“The government should resign if it cannot protect the life and liberty <strong>of</strong> its citizens,” <strong>Pakistan</strong> Bar<br />
Council member Justice (retd) Abul Inam said while addressing a press conference. “The Chief Justice will<br />
come to Karachi at any cost and he will address the bar associations on May 12,” Abul Inam categorically<br />
announced and warned that the government will be held responsible if any harm comes to the participants <strong>of</strong><br />
the CJP’s procession.<br />
He condemned the firing incident on the residence <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court Bar Association’s President<br />
Munir A Malik, sealing <strong>of</strong> his <strong>of</strong>fice and kidnapping attempt on former Sindh High Court Bar President Akhtar<br />
Hussain. He demanded arrest <strong>of</strong> persons involved in the incident and judicial inquiry <strong>of</strong> such incidents.<br />
He appealed to the lawyers to make the program for the CJP’s welcome successful and attend the<br />
procession without any fear. PBC member Mohammad Yaseen Azad, Sindh Bar Council members Zia Ahmed<br />
Awan, Salahuddin Gandapur, Mustufa Lakhani, Mohammad Hanif Bhatti, Sadiq Hidayatullah, Khalil Dogar,<br />
Mohammad Aqil, Abdullah Chandio, Sathi M Ishaque and former President <strong>of</strong> Sindh High Court Bar Association<br />
Akhtar Hussain also spoke on the occasion.<br />
HRCP<br />
Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, Sindh High Court Bar Association President Abrar Hasan said the<br />
CJP’s program was scheduled for the last six months and it could not be postponed. “The program will go<br />
ahead as per the schedule,” he announced while demanding the Muttahida Qaumi Movement to change its rally<br />
schedule.<br />
He stated that Secretary Home Department had sent a fax to the SHCBA, expressing fear <strong>of</strong> bloodshed<br />
during procession and requested for the postponement <strong>of</strong> the rally. “The home secretary has been told that<br />
SHCBA is holding reception to Chief Justice at the SHC on the eve <strong>of</strong> concluding session <strong>of</strong> Golden Jubilee<br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court and only lawyers would attend the function,” he said.<br />
He said Secretary home department was informed that lawyers will receive the Chief Justice at Karachi<br />
airport and later they will proceed towards Karachi Bar Association and SHCBA for programs organized by the<br />
bar organizations.<br />
“The protection <strong>of</strong> the participants <strong>of</strong> the procession is the sole responsibility <strong>of</strong> the government,” he<br />
said. Meanwhile, former city nazim Naimatullah Khan has appealed to the people <strong>of</strong> Karachi to converge at the<br />
city’s airport for welcoming the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> on May 12.<br />
Speaking at a press conference here on Thursday, Naimatullah said that he, along with former town<br />
nazims, union council nazims and councillors, would be present at the Karachi Airport in great numbers to<br />
welcome the chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> on May 12.<br />
At another press conference, the local leaders <strong>of</strong> Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) said that Karachiites<br />
would create history by their unprecedented show <strong>of</strong> welcome and solidarity for the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> on<br />
May 12.<br />
Amir <strong>of</strong> Jamaat-e-Islami, Karachi, Dr Mirajul Huda Siddiqui, and other city leaders <strong>of</strong> the MMA also<br />
vehemently condemned the firing incident on the Karachi residence <strong>of</strong> President <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court Bar<br />
Association Munir A Malik.<br />
49
***<br />
The News 11 May (d)<br />
Gearing up for May 12<br />
By Tahir Hasan Khan, Karachi<br />
The political temperature remained high in the provincial capital on Thursday — two days before the<br />
May 12 show down that will see the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry visit the city.<br />
With the Muttihida Qaumi Movement (MQM) already planning a rally on the same day, the Sindh Chief<br />
Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam disclosed that other coalition parties will also be joining the MQM rally as the<br />
government had decided to fight with the opposition on the same political grounds.<br />
Despite the request <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government, the leaders <strong>of</strong> the lawyers’ bodies claim that there was<br />
no intention or plan to postpone <strong>of</strong> the visit <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>.<br />
A confrontation-like situation has created a very palpable sense <strong>of</strong> fear among the people. Pir Pagara,<br />
chief <strong>of</strong> the Functional Muslim League, a coalition member <strong>of</strong> the present set up, warned that martial law could<br />
be imposed in the country if any law and order situation was created on 12 May due to the rallies <strong>of</strong> the political<br />
parties marking the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice.<br />
The situation became even tenser as both the transporters and business community were holding<br />
meetings to plan the closure <strong>of</strong> their businesses on Saturday. The Sindh administration, too, is busy chalking<br />
out a strategy in view <strong>of</strong> the political show down in the city on May 12.<br />
Arbab told the media that the opposition had converted the judicial issue into political oneto bring the<br />
people onto the streets.<br />
The Chief Minister also called on the Sindh Governor in the evening and sources said that the political<br />
situation as well as administrative measures had come under discussion in the meeting.<br />
The MQM workers were busy setting up party camps in the city in preparation for the rally, while the<br />
leaders <strong>of</strong> the ARD and MMA claimed that their workers have also planned to set up welcome camps in city.<br />
The authorities <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government also held two separate meeting to review the situation and<br />
first briefed the Sindh Governor, and later the Home Secretary, about the existing situation and expected<br />
scenario.<br />
HRCP<br />
Sources said that the police and civil administration were worried by the situation and some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
senior <strong>of</strong>ficers advised the governor to convince the MQM to change its plans to defuse the tense situation.<br />
However, Dr Farooq Sattar, deputy convener <strong>of</strong> the MQM, said that the opposition move was part <strong>of</strong><br />
an anti-government campaign and it was the right <strong>of</strong> the MQM to defend the government, <strong>of</strong> which it is a part.<br />
The MQM was busy preparing to bring out a rally from Guru Mandir to Tibet Centre, MA Jinnah Road. The party<br />
has set up camps all over the city to mobilise the people.<br />
Sattar told the newsmen at Karachi Press Club that May 12 was a part <strong>of</strong> the election campaign <strong>of</strong> the<br />
opposition parties and that the MQM would also show its strength, which was its right.<br />
Meanwhile, the provincial ARD leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah claimed that all 26 opposition parties had<br />
completed their welcome plans for May 12 and declared that the participants <strong>of</strong> the opposition rally would be<br />
unarmed and workers only carry the party flags and portraits <strong>of</strong> their leaders. He told the newsmen after the<br />
meeting held by the component parties <strong>of</strong> the ARD that government would be responsible if any clashes were to<br />
emerge on the day.<br />
On the other hand, the lawyers’ community and MMA, Awami National Party, Tehreek-e-Insaf and<br />
others parties were also busy preparing to welcome <strong>of</strong> the chief justice in Karachi.<br />
But, another leader <strong>of</strong> the government’s coalition partners, Pir Pagara, called a hurried press<br />
conference on Thursday to issue a warning <strong>of</strong> impending martial law if there was any confrontation.<br />
Sources said that Pir Pagara had called a press conference after meeting with a member <strong>of</strong> President<br />
Gen Pervez Musharraf’s think tank. He advised the opposition parties to avoid creating an untoward situation<br />
on the chief justice issue. If a serious law and order situation was created on May 12, resulting in casualties,<br />
then there was a high propability that martial law would be imposed in the country, he said. Pagara supported<br />
the President Musharraf and said that the entire <strong>Pakistan</strong> Army is completely united under the command <strong>of</strong><br />
their Chief. He also said that if martial law was imposed, it would be done by General Musharraf.<br />
On a somewhat unrelated note, Pagara said that Benazir Bhutto is not dealing with the government but<br />
is, in fact, cheating it.<br />
***<br />
50
The News 11 May (e)<br />
Extended closure?<br />
By our correspondent, Karachi<br />
The city would be witnessing a lot <strong>of</strong> activity — political or otherwise — in the next 48 hours. Pasban<br />
has given a strike call for Friday, while the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> is visiting the city on Saturday, with<br />
political parties flexing their muscles to gain mileage from the event.<br />
Karachi once again appears to be a wrestling ring these days, causing a lot <strong>of</strong> scare among the<br />
citizens, particularly among parents, who are undecided as to whether or not send their children to schools on<br />
Friday and Saturday.<br />
Karachiites are expecting some major crises in the city and, as a result, many are making heavy<br />
purchases <strong>of</strong> food items.<br />
Same is the situation at fruit markets, with fruit and vegetable vendors storing extra stocks, fearing that<br />
wholesale markets may be forced to close which might create shortage <strong>of</strong> fruits and vegetables.<br />
Besides this, an ugly situation is being witnessed at hospitals, with the para-medical staff and<br />
attendants asking the surgeons and doctors to delay the operations as they may not be able to reach the<br />
hospitals on the day <strong>of</strong> the rallies.<br />
In the meanwhile, an interesting situation has also developed at the CDs market, as a number <strong>of</strong><br />
people were found purchasing film CDs expecting that they might have to stay home for the next three days<br />
since Friday is a strike by Pasban, Saturday the city may closed because <strong>of</strong> the rallies and Sunday is a holiday.<br />
days.<br />
Meanwhile, a large number <strong>of</strong> citizens appealed to KESC not to resort to load-shedding during these<br />
The News 11 May (f)<br />
Traffic chaos to hit city tomorrow<br />
By Farooq Baloch, Karachi<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
Vehicular traffic in almost every part <strong>of</strong> the city, particularly at the two main thoroughfares M. A. Jinnah<br />
Road and Sharea Faisal is likely to face hours-long disruptions on Saturday since MQM, a ruling coalition party,<br />
has announced the route <strong>of</strong> its rally which is very similar to that <strong>of</strong> CJP’s welcome procession, while the traffic<br />
police have not notified traffic diversion plan till the filing <strong>of</strong> this report.<br />
When contacted, a source in the Traffic Police said that they could not issue any diversion plan unless<br />
higher authorities send them the approved routes and other necessary instructions. He, however, maintained<br />
that a meeting with regard to traffic diversion plan was expected later in the evening. The source also<br />
mentioned that it was very unlikely to issue any traffic plan the same day as the meeting can be late, therefore,<br />
they are likely to issue traffic diversion plan the next day.<br />
Well informed sources told The News that from early morning MQM participants will start taking out<br />
their rallies from almost every part <strong>of</strong> the city as well as from interior Sindh, which will merge at Quaid’s<br />
mausoleum, forming a big rally at noon and from there they will march up to Tibet Center in the afternoon via<br />
M. A. Jinnah Road to listen to the address <strong>of</strong> their leader.<br />
Earlier, the opposition parties, supporting the non-functional Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar<br />
Muhammad Chaudhry, had already announced the route <strong>of</strong> their rally. The chief justice, who is expected to<br />
arrive in the city at noon, would first visit Malir Bar Association and then a big procession <strong>of</strong> lawyers will<br />
proceed towards Numaish through Sharea Faisal to pay homage to the Father <strong>of</strong> the Nation. The procession<br />
would move towards the City Courts in the afternoon via M.A. Jinnah Road and Lewis Road. The procession<br />
would then reach the Sindh High Court via M.A. Jinnah Road and Frere Road.<br />
From the given route and expected time it is crystal clear that the two major rallies would pass from M.<br />
A. Jinnah Road simultaneously, which would certainly make the things difficult for the vehicular traffic,<br />
especially because the aforesaid road is one <strong>of</strong> the main arteries <strong>of</strong> commuting across the city. It is also worth<br />
mentioning here that public might not have any idea as to what route they should use for commuting since no<br />
traffic diversion plan was disclosed by traffic police till late Thursday evening. Besides, it should not be ignored<br />
that the participants <strong>of</strong> MQM rally from Bin Qasim, Landhi, Shah Faisal, Malir and parts <strong>of</strong> Gulshan Town<br />
would also be using Sharea Faisal (route <strong>of</strong> lawyers’ procession) to get to Quaid’s mausoleum which is likely to<br />
51
lead to traffic chaos. Malir Bar Association is located on main National Highway where even a small protest can<br />
cause hours-long traffic jam since no alternate route is available there to divert traffic flow.<br />
It may be noted here that Saturday is a working day while the final exams <strong>of</strong> some institutions,<br />
including University <strong>of</strong> Karachi, are in progress therefore ensuring smooth flow <strong>of</strong> traffic would be a big<br />
challenge for the police who have yet not made any traffic diversion plan. It is therefore safe to assume that the<br />
commuters should avoid the aforementioned routes especially those from where the two rallies would be<br />
passing simultaneously, and follow the traffic diversions if notified by the police.<br />
It is also worth mentioning here that some major transport associations <strong>of</strong> the city have shown their<br />
discomfort over the snatching <strong>of</strong> their vehicles for the purpose <strong>of</strong> rallies for which they are not given<br />
compensation. Based on this it can be assumed that there would be a paucity <strong>of</strong> public transport on Saturday.<br />
The News 11 May (g)<br />
Centre advises CJ not to travel to Karachi<br />
By Shakil Shaikh<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD: Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah on Thursday requested Chief Justice Iftikhar<br />
Muhammad Chaudhry not to travel to Karachi on Saturday (May 12) because <strong>of</strong> an imminent threat <strong>of</strong> terrorist<br />
attacks.<br />
It was a formal request made through a letter addressed to Registrar Supreme Court Mohammad Ali.<br />
"During the visit <strong>of</strong> the Honourable Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> on May 12, all political parties are planning to hold<br />
rallies and public meetings in Karachi," Interior Secretary Kamal Shah said in a formal letter No 1/1/2006-<br />
DG(NCMC) dated May 10, 2007.<br />
He said, "Given the obtaining situation, the possibility <strong>of</strong> clashes between opposing political rallies<br />
cannot be ruled out. The home secretary Sindh has expressed similar views which have been communicated to<br />
you with a copy to me."<br />
Shah's request was considered as made by the government to avoid any untoward situation,<br />
particularly in view <strong>of</strong> the threat <strong>of</strong> terrorist attacks. "There are credible intelligence reports, indicating imminent<br />
terrorist attacks in which highly placed government/public functionaries are the targets," said Shah's letter.<br />
Shah also requested the registrar to bring it to the attention <strong>of</strong> the acting chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> and to the<br />
notice <strong>of</strong> the honourable chief justice.<br />
The News 11 May (h)<br />
PML-Q, PML-F to join MQM rally on 12th: Arbab<br />
By M Waqar Bhatti<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim claimed on Thursday the ruling <strong>Pakistan</strong><br />
Muslim League (PML-Q) and another coalition partner <strong>of</strong> the government, the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League-<br />
Functional (PML-F), would join the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s rally on May 12 in Karachi in support <strong>of</strong><br />
President Pervez Musharraf.<br />
Talking to newsmen after addressing a seminar here, he said the opposition parties, and not the<br />
government, were politicising the judicial issue as they (opposition) compelled people to take to streets on this<br />
sensitive issue. “It would have been better if this issue was resolved in the court instead <strong>of</strong> roads,” he said,<br />
The chief minister said that if the opposition wanted this issue’s settlement on roads, the government,<br />
too, reserves the right to show its political strength. “But we would be peaceful on May 12 and won’t let<br />
opposition to resort to violent activities,” he added.<br />
Arbab claimed that Sindh had never progressed in the way it was moving ahead under the leadership<br />
<strong>of</strong> President Pervez Musharraf and invited the opposition to support him for the progress and development <strong>of</strong><br />
the province.<br />
Meanwhile, the chief minister called on Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad to discuss with him the steps for<br />
maintaining law and order in the city on May 12. He pledged the government would take all possible measures<br />
for protecting lives and properties <strong>of</strong> the government and the people.<br />
The governor and the chief minister directed the authorities concerned to improve intelligence network<br />
in the province and take extraordinary measures to avoid any untoward situation in the city. They said Karachi<br />
has become as a peaceful city and a economic hub <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> due to hectic efforts <strong>of</strong> the present authorities<br />
and nobody could be allowed to disturb peace and tranquillity here.<br />
***<br />
52
Dawn 11 May (a)<br />
Pasban’s call for strike today<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
KARACHI, May 10: The local chapter <strong>of</strong> Pasban, a youth organisation, has given a call for strike in city<br />
on Friday against massive load-shedding and increasing street crimes. It has appealed people from all walks <strong>of</strong><br />
life, transporters and traders in particular, to make the strike a success.<br />
Syed Ashraf Hussain, President <strong>of</strong> Pasban, Karachi, in a statement issued here on Thursday, made<br />
the appeal. He also claimed that unidentified armed men attacked a vehicle carrying Pasban workers, who were<br />
airing the call for the strike using loudspeaker. He said that the attackers kidnapped 10 <strong>of</strong> the workers before<br />
freeing four <strong>of</strong> the injured ones. The other six were still unaccounted for, he added. He alleged that the attack<br />
was made in the presence <strong>of</strong> police, who did not move against the assailants.<br />
Mr Hussain urged the DIG operation and TPO New Karachi to register an FIR <strong>of</strong> the incident and<br />
locate the missing workers.<br />
Giving details, he said the workers, led by Umaid Ali Qazi, were attacked at Baba Morr, in the limits <strong>of</strong><br />
the New Karachi Police Station.<br />
Town.<br />
He said the assailants carried Klashnikovs and after kidnapping the workers, fled towards Surjani<br />
Dawn, 11 May (b)<br />
Reception camps in Karachi removed<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Police removed late on Thursday reception camps set up by the opposition parties in<br />
connection with the rally <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> in parts <strong>of</strong> the city. Capital City Police Officer Azhar<br />
Farooqui told Dawn that the reception camps were removed under an administrative order by the home<br />
department.<br />
Sources said heavy contingents <strong>of</strong> police launched a `cleanup operation’ late night removing the<br />
reception camps in several localities.<br />
Chief Minister’s Adviser on Home Affairs Wasim Akhtar said the reception camps were removed<br />
irrespective <strong>of</strong> party affiliations. “They were set up illegally by the political parties as no prior permission was<br />
sought,” he added. He said that Section 144 was not imposed in any part <strong>of</strong> the city.<br />
Jang 11 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Two persons were arrested from Korangi-14 - they had planned terrorist acts for 12 th<br />
May. They disclosed their party as (MQMH) and said that party high command had directed them for such acts<br />
<strong>of</strong> terrorism (Mansoor alias Lara Korangiwala and Imran Sinki)<br />
Kawish 11 May (a)<br />
***<br />
There was strong criticism and a walkout was staged against Muttahida (MQM) in the National<br />
Assembly and in the Senate. The Opposition said that the MQM wanted to propel the country into civil war. It<br />
was said that the government allies were responsible for the firing on the house <strong>of</strong> Munir A Malik: (Liaquat<br />
Baloch). Additionally, fifty thousand people have been martyred since 1985 to present day. (M.Hussian<br />
Mahenti)<br />
Kawish 11 May (b)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
53
CJ is organizing rallies with politicians, now we will show how a rally could be organized, said<br />
Muttahida (MQM).<br />
Ummat 11 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Report- Wasim Akhtar, advisor to home minister, said that there is a possibility <strong>of</strong> suicide<br />
bombing in Karachi on 12 th<br />
May. Further, he said that the security plan for the CJ’s arrival in Karachi is<br />
complete, and full protocol will be given to CJ as per his route to High Court. Wasim Akhtar further said that on<br />
12 th May the charged people’s mobs will face each other and therefore there are chances <strong>of</strong> carnage. There is a<br />
network <strong>of</strong> suicide bombers that he and his team are trying to break. They requested the CJ to postpone his<br />
12 th May’s address in the national interest. Wasim Akhtar also said that the 12th May security plan was handed<br />
over to the police, and that Rangers would be on backup and extra police squad will be deployed. Police will be<br />
deployed on the rallies’ routes and buildings. Advance technology cameras will be fixed on main spots to keep<br />
an eye on all rallies.<br />
Express 11 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Police dismantled the camps <strong>of</strong> Muttahida (MQM) and CJ’s reception camps under the<br />
Section 144. Arbab Rahim and Ishratul Ibad met and issued an order to the relevant <strong>of</strong>ficials and intelligence<br />
agencies for peacekeeping.<br />
Express 11 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- There are many chances <strong>of</strong> terrorism so CJ should not go Karachi (Letter from federal<br />
home minister to registrar supreme court): Conflict between political rallies cannot be ruled out, main<br />
government and leader may be a target for terrorism (reports <strong>of</strong> intelligence agencies): Federal government has<br />
suggested to CJ to not come to Karachi as there is a risk <strong>of</strong> conflict in the political rallies as the terrorists have<br />
reportedly planned to target processions.<br />
Daily Times 12 May (a)<br />
CDGK staff ‘asked’ to attend pro-govt rally<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The majority <strong>of</strong> the City District Government Karachi’s (CDGK) employees, around 125,000<br />
people, have been asked to attend the pro-government rallies to be held today (Saturday) in Karachi.<br />
The employees, including <strong>of</strong>ficers, lower staff, and <strong>of</strong>ficials assigned to all 14 towns under the MQM’s<br />
Haq Parast group, were verbally instructed to attend the main rally at Tibet Center without excuse. “There is no<br />
written instruction but some <strong>of</strong> the MQM workers, who are also part <strong>of</strong> city government, visited almost all the<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices in Civic Center and asked people to make sure they attend the rally,” said a CDGK employee.<br />
He said that the MQM-backed town administrations and their staff have also been asked to show their<br />
dedication to the party and attend the rally without any excuse. They will also not be marked absent in their<br />
daily attendance, he added.<br />
“The town administrations have to declare a state <strong>of</strong> emergency but have also been instructed to either<br />
emerge from their area and join the rally or go to Tibet Center and start from there,” said a Jamshed Town<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficial. He also mentioned that some <strong>of</strong> the MQM workers had asked shop owners around the vicinity <strong>of</strong> Civic<br />
Centre to keep their businesses closed on Saturday as there will be no one to cater to.<br />
Meanwhile, the acting city nazim, Nasreen Jalil, chaired a meeting to review the arrangements for<br />
Saturday’s rallies. She declared an emergency and told the staff to be on high alert, especially the fire brigade,<br />
the water and sewerage board, and the municipal services. staff report<br />
Daily Times 12 May (b)<br />
Opp rally will be illegal, unconstitutional: MQM<br />
Staff Report<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The deputy convener <strong>of</strong> MQM’s Rabita Committee, Dr Farooq Sattar, has said that the<br />
opposition rally in Karachi on May 12 would be illegal and unconstitutional and were actually meant to show<br />
their lack <strong>of</strong> confidence in the courts.<br />
54
While briefing the media Friday about preparations for the MQM’s rally to culminate at Tibet Center,<br />
Sattar said that the party was a political one and would not like any confrontation with any one. “The rally will<br />
be peaceful, hopefully there will be no unpleasant situation created on the day.” The MQM’s rallies will gather at<br />
Numaish Chowrangi and then will proceed to Tibet Center. Sattar said that political parties, including the PPP-P<br />
and the Jamaat-e-Islami, have lost the people’s trust and now they want to take their revenge. They are thus<br />
bringing the judicial issue onto the streets, he said.<br />
Meanwhile, senior MQM deputy convener Tariq Jawed said in a statement Friday that the MQM rally<br />
would be completely peaceful. He appealed to party workers that despite all efforts to provoke them, they must<br />
remain calm and peaceful.<br />
Meanwhile, the MQM arranged corner meetings and mass contact campaigns across the city. The<br />
party’s elected representatives went to different localities to invite people to participate in the rally. The party’s<br />
flags and banners were put up at different roads.<br />
As for the MQM, he said it will demonstrate exemplary discipline in its ranks and will refrain from<br />
retaliating even in the face <strong>of</strong> the gravest <strong>of</strong> provocations. Everything therefore depends on the ARD and others<br />
as far as the maintenance <strong>of</strong> peace and tranquility is concerned in Karachi tomorrow, he said. Sattar claimed<br />
that the MQM had acquired the proper permission to hold its rally, while others have not. The Sindh<br />
government is conscious <strong>of</strong> its responsibilities and must be doing all it can to maintain peace, he said.<br />
The MQM, he said, had firmly held and will continue to struggle for the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary,<br />
the supremacy <strong>of</strong> law, and a free press, while those in the opposition were doing just the opposite. It was the<br />
opposition that had brought the chief justice’s issue onto the streets and the MQM has only accepted the<br />
challenge and will show the world its strength. Sattar dispelled rumors <strong>of</strong> a change <strong>of</strong> route for the MQM rally,<br />
and made it abundantly clear that while the traditional route will be from Quaidabad in Landhi to Tibet Center,<br />
processions and rallies will come out from every street, every village and every town in Karachi and Sindh.<br />
Daily Times 12 May (c)<br />
Emergency declared at 7 public hospitals<br />
By Farhan Ahmed<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The home department declared Friday an emergency in seven public-sector hospitals in<br />
Karachi. Officials were directed to remain on high alert in case <strong>of</strong> a clash between the two rival groups holding<br />
rallies today (Saturday).<br />
These public sector hospitals are located near the expected rally routes. The home department,<br />
through letter No. SO (LE-II) HD/9.1/2007, signed by the section <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> the health department, Tanveer<br />
Ahmed Qureshi, stated that it must be ensured that all hospitals in Karachi were put on alert and that<br />
ambulances and staff were all present.<br />
The health department directed the executive district <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> health and the medical superintendents<br />
(MS) at Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK), Services Hospital, Sindh Govt Lyari General Hospital, Sindh Govt Qatar<br />
Hospital, Sindh Govt Hospital Liaquatabad, Sindh Govt Hospital Saudabad, and Sindh Govt Hospital Korangi<br />
No.5 to stay on high alert.<br />
CHK MS Kaleem Butt confirmed the report. Extra nurses and doctors have been posted to the casualty<br />
department. “In addition to this we have set up one more emergency operation theatre with a full staff,” said<br />
Butt. “All staff leaves have been cancelled and they have been instructed to report to their departments. The<br />
administrative <strong>of</strong>fices will also remain open throughout the day.”<br />
Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Director Pr<strong>of</strong>. Rashid Jooma said that they had not received any<br />
government orders but had already instructed the staff to remain on high alert. “The emergency room will be at<br />
full strength,” said Jooma.<br />
Anwer Kazmi, Abdul Sattar Edhi’s secretary at the Mereweather Tower Edhi Centre, said that they had<br />
also declared a state <strong>of</strong> emergency and have briefed all their station managers and circle in-charges. “No one<br />
will be on leave tomorrow and those found absent will be fired on the spot.” Furthermore, ambulances will not<br />
move with the rally but there will be 10 on standby at Star Gate and Malir stations each. Ambulances at other<br />
stations will provide back-up and that each ambulance has been equipped with walkie-talkies and two new bed<br />
sheets<br />
Daily Times 12 May (d)<br />
‘MQM postpone rally or be responsible’<br />
Staff Report<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
55
KARACHI: General secretary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Zafar Iqbal Jhagra has<br />
warned the Sindh Government and the Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) to review their decision about the<br />
rally and postpone it, or else they would be responsible for whatever happened on Saturday.<br />
“We demand the MQM that if they really want to see Karachi as a peaceful city, they must postpone<br />
their rally and show <strong>of</strong>f their strength on some other day,” Jhagra said, while addressing a press conference on<br />
Friday at the Karachi Press Club.<br />
Sardar Raheem and Mushahidaullah Khan were also present at the conference.<br />
He said that the ruling party was using pressure tactics, as they wanted to keep people away from the<br />
welcome <strong>of</strong> the non-functional chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> (CJP) in Karachi. “All efforts <strong>of</strong> the Sindh Government<br />
and its ally party to keep people away have failed because people from all over Sindh and Karachi have<br />
decided to welcome the CJP,” he said.<br />
He was critical <strong>of</strong> the Sindh Government and said that the police had conducted raids on PML-N<br />
workers and leadership in Karachi and 150 workers and <strong>of</strong>fice bearers had been arrested so far. He demanded<br />
that the Sindh Government resign as secretary Sindh home department had asked the CJP to postpone his visit<br />
to the city for security concerns, which was tantamount to them accepting that they were incapable <strong>of</strong><br />
maintaining the city’s law and order situation. The government, he said, had lost the confidence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
province’s people.<br />
He said that Sindh was the only province where the government was worried about law and order. “In<br />
the NWFP and Punjab, despite the large number <strong>of</strong> people who had gathered to welcome the CJP, there was<br />
no law and order problem because both lawyers and political parties’ leaders were peaceful.”<br />
He said that the MQM believed that Karachi was their city, but they also considered it to be their city<br />
and so did every citizen <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. “MQM has failed to provide basic rights and facilities to the citizens <strong>of</strong><br />
Karachi.<br />
Daily Times 12 May (e)<br />
Part <strong>of</strong> CJP’s route mysteriously dug up<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: One track <strong>of</strong> Shahrah-e-Quaideen was mysteriously dug up overnight Friday. Heavy<br />
machinery parked on Kashmir Road (near Khudadad Chowrangi) was used to dig up the lane early Friday<br />
morning. Shopkeepers in the area said that the road was probably dup up late night, because it seemed<br />
complete enough until midnight Thursday. Officials concerned have, however, denied all knowledge about the<br />
issue. Daily Times spoke with the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) Chief Engineer Zone II-B,<br />
Muhammad Arif, about any projects that the KWSB might be running in the area. Arif said that even though the<br />
water board had initiated work on Kashmir Road to lay a 33-inch-diameter water pipeline, they had no<br />
information about who dug up the road. The Jamshed Town administration spokesman also denied any<br />
knowledge about the digging, or who had commissioned it. Shahrah-e-Quaideen is part <strong>of</strong> the CJP’s route<br />
towards the City Court via M.A. Jinnah Road. Jamil Khan<br />
Daily Times 12 May (f)<br />
PML-N worker, guard shot dead<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: A worker <strong>of</strong> the PML-N and a security guard were shot dead and two others were injured by<br />
unidentified gunmen in separate incidents ahead <strong>of</strong> the chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>’s visit to Karachi and a progovernment<br />
rally called by the Muttahida Quami Movement on Saturday. PML-N worker Asghar Shah and his<br />
two colleagues were planning a welcome reception for the CJP near Abbasi Market in Model Colony when the<br />
gunmen opened fire on them, killing Shah instantly and injuring the other two. Earlier, five unidentified young<br />
men shot dead private security guard Malik Amir when he refused to shut down the Western Union mobile shop<br />
on Shahrah-e-Faisal on their order. Separately, unidentified men took away 19 university buses and their<br />
drivers at gunpoint early on Friday morning. Abbas Naqvi<br />
The News 12 May (a)<br />
Karachi under siege<br />
By Tahir Hasan Khan<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The government on Friday night started a crackdown against the opposition political parties<br />
and, simultaneously, blocked the main Sharae Faisal and all the surrounding roads by deploying a large<br />
number <strong>of</strong> police and Rangers contingents.<br />
56
In a late night development some unidentified assailants shot dead a PML-N activist in Model Colony<br />
and seriously injured two others. The dead was identified as Azfar Shah while the injured included Shimroz and<br />
Liaquat.<br />
Sources said the Sindh government had ordered that the Sharae Faisal and all link roads be declared<br />
as a 'no-go area' for workers and supporters <strong>of</strong> the opposition political parties. The administration also ordered<br />
the police to arrest every person on Sharae Faisal found with flags and portraits <strong>of</strong> their party leaders.<br />
The extraordinary security measures disrupted flight schedules as many passengers could not reach<br />
or leave the airport. The opposition ARD, MMA, Tehreek-e-Insaf, ANP, Sunni Tehreek and nationalist parties<br />
claimed that thousands <strong>of</strong> their workers and leaders had been arrested till Friday night while raids were being<br />
conducted on residences <strong>of</strong> central and provincial leaders and lawyers' bodies.<br />
On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) had completed all the arrangements for its<br />
rally to be brought out on Saturday against the opposition movement. The MA Jinnah Road and all link roads<br />
were decorated with party flags, banners and lights and hundreds <strong>of</strong> loudspeakers were installed from Guru<br />
Mandar to Tibet Centre.<br />
MQM workers had come out on the streets on Friday evening and also taken out rallies in different<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the city as part <strong>of</strong> mobilisation. The situation is still tense in the city and Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul<br />
Ebad has announced that all schools, colleges and universities would be closed on Saturday.<br />
Traders and transporters have also decided to close their businesses for the day. All the shopping<br />
centres and shops would be closed on Saturday. The city life came to a halt on Friday night and people were<br />
forced to stay at their homes.<br />
The sources said the law-enforcement agencies had arranged 1,000 containers and hundreds <strong>of</strong> trucks<br />
to block the main Sharae Faisal and all link roads to the airport and Malir. On the other hand, the administration<br />
had also deployed large number <strong>of</strong> policemen at the main MA Jinnah Road for security purposes.<br />
The leaders <strong>of</strong> the lawyer's bodies claimed that they were invited to a meeting at the Governor House<br />
on Friday evening and were told in the presence <strong>of</strong> senior <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> the law-enforcement agencies that only<br />
lawyers would be allowed to go to Sharae Faisal.<br />
However, <strong>of</strong>ficials claimed that there was a plan to block the lawyers' rally and stop the chief justice at<br />
the airport and ask him to go back on the next-available flight. Plainclothesmen were deployed in and outside<br />
the airport.<br />
HRCP<br />
The Adviser to the CM on Home Affairs, Waseem Akhtar, told the media that the Sindh government<br />
would provide complete security to the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. Two days ago, the Home Secretary had<br />
requested the chief justice to postpone his visit in the larger interest <strong>of</strong> the public and peace. Despite the<br />
request <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government, the lawyers have declared that the visit would not be postponed.<br />
The MMA also claimed that hundreds <strong>of</strong> its workers had been arrested. The alliance declared that<br />
despite the crackdown, the MMA would bring out the rally. The alliance claimed that MNAs, MPAs and UC<br />
Nazims <strong>of</strong> religious parties had been arrested.<br />
Lawyers' bodies also claimed that more then 50 lawyers had been arrested while majority <strong>of</strong> them had<br />
gone underground to save themselves. They declared that the lawyers would welcome the CJP, who would<br />
address the Malir Bar, the High Court Bar and the Karachi Bar. The CJP has also plan to visit the Quaid-e-<br />
Azam Mazar.<br />
The ARD Secretary General, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra, PPP Sindh leader Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Tehreeke-Insaf<br />
leader Ashraf Qureshi claimed that their thousands <strong>of</strong> workers had been arrested till Friday evening in<br />
all over the province and raids were being conducted on the houses <strong>of</strong> the leaders. However, they declared that<br />
the rally would not be cancelled and opposition would welcome the Chief Justice according to plan. They also<br />
declared that harassment tactics would not stop them. They said that the reception camps <strong>of</strong> the opposition<br />
parties had been removed on the instructions <strong>of</strong> the Home Department, which is under the control <strong>of</strong> the MQM.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the leaders <strong>of</strong> the opposition parties have also gone underground to avoid arrest and most <strong>of</strong><br />
them had switched <strong>of</strong>f their cell phones as they feared that police could arrest them.<br />
The ARD leaders declared that the ruling party and their allies would be responsible if any misfortune<br />
happened on May 12. They said the 'MQM must not make it a matter <strong>of</strong> ego and show irresponsibility'.<br />
Meanwhile, the police in Karachi on late Friday night blocked sections <strong>of</strong> Sharae Faisal and its link<br />
roads, forcing hotels, shops and petrol pumps to close down. The law-enforcement agencies used containers<br />
and trucks to block streets and roads that open to Sharae Faisal.<br />
Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is arriving in the city on Saturday by PIA flight PK<br />
301 from Islamabad. The flight would reach Karachi at 11.55 in the morning. About 130 passengers have<br />
booked their seats for this flight. Similarly, dozens <strong>of</strong> passengers have cancelled their seats as they fear that<br />
57
the flight might be terminated on technical ground at the last moment.<br />
The decision to block the main Sharae Faisal was taken at a high-level meeting held at the Governor's<br />
House. The meeting was going on late night with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab<br />
Ghulam Rahim, the chief secretary, the home secretary, the IGP, the CCPO and the adviser to the CM on<br />
home affairs in attendance.<br />
Sources said it was decided that nobody would be allowed to enter Sharae Faisal on Saturday and the<br />
law enforcement agencies had been asked to arrest those who may try to enter the 'no go zone'.<br />
The police and rangers had completely blocked the main Sharae Faisal and all link roads after<br />
midnight. Passengers going to the airport were not allowed to proceed to the airport.<br />
Sources claimed that some <strong>of</strong> the opposition leaders were summoned to the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> intelligence<br />
agencies on Friday and asked to postpone their plan to welcome the chief justice. But after failure in its attempt,<br />
the Sindh government decided to arrest political workers and leaders. The authorities have directed the police<br />
stations to arrest political workers and detain them at police stations and release them on Sunday evening.<br />
The News 12 May (b)<br />
Farooq Sattar fears ‘mischief’<br />
By Fasahat Mohiuddin<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The Deputy Convener <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Rabita Committee, Dr Farooq<br />
Sattar, lashed out at the opposition parties on Friday for “capitalising on the visit <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar<br />
Chaudhry” to the city on Saturday (today) and said “mischief could not be ruled out” given the opposition’s<br />
move to hijack the situation.<br />
Farooq Sattar named the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam - the component parties <strong>of</strong><br />
the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) - and the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party who, he said, were politicizing the<br />
judiciary issue out <strong>of</strong> lust for power.<br />
“The MQM will never allow their evil designs to succeed,” Sattar told a press conference at the Tibet<br />
Centre here. “The reference against the chief justice is a judicial issue and, as such, it should be resolved<br />
accordingly.”<br />
Sattar said the Muttahida firmly believes in the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary and has no objection to<br />
the demonstrations by the lawyers, but the opposition parties, capitalizing on chief justice’s arrival in the city,<br />
are now raising slogans for the removal <strong>of</strong> the government to derail democracy. “We honour the chief justice <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong> and want this issue resolved in accordance with the Constitution. We firmly believe in the<br />
independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary.”<br />
Justifying the rally today, he said the opposition parties’ sloganeering that the Muttahida had no say in<br />
Karachi has “compelled us to apprise the people <strong>of</strong> their (opposition’s) political jugglery”.<br />
The opposition wants to flex its muscles by hijacking this event, he said, adding that Muttahida had<br />
accepted this challenge and would “never allow nefarious designs to succeed”. The Muttahida leader urged the<br />
chief justice and SHC Bar Association President Abrar Hasan to take stock <strong>of</strong> the opposition’s move, as<br />
“mischief cannot be ruled out.” He said that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry should also take notice <strong>of</strong> this<br />
crucial moment.<br />
When asked as to who would be responsible if any clash occurred during the rallies, Sattar said now<br />
the ball is in the court <strong>of</strong> the chief justice. “If anything happens, every party will be equally responsible,” he<br />
added.<br />
To another question as to whether the opposition had contacted the Muttahida to cancel the rally, he<br />
said there were no direct contacts. The objective <strong>of</strong> the rally is to reassure the people that the Muttahida never<br />
wants to destabilize the country and derail the democratic process, Sattar said while urging people to<br />
participate in the rally in large numbers on Saturday. Federal Minister Babar Ghauri and former film star Salma<br />
Agha, besides a number <strong>of</strong> party leaders and workers, were also present on the occasion.<br />
The News 12 May (c)<br />
SHC directs govt to provide security to CJP<br />
By Jamal Khurshid<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
58
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday ordered the federal and the provincial governments to<br />
provide complete security to the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry wherever he desires to<br />
go during his visit to Karachi on Saturday (today).<br />
The direction came on a petition <strong>file</strong>d by the <strong>Pakistan</strong> International <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> Organization, which<br />
sought foolpro<strong>of</strong> security to the chief justice during his visits to the Malir Bar Association, the mausoleum <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Karachi Bar Association and the Sindh High Court Bar Association.<br />
The petitioner submitted that the federal government had refused to provide security to the chief justice<br />
and passed on the responsibilities to the provincial government, whereas different agencies under the control <strong>of</strong><br />
the federal government were operating in Karachi.<br />
The petitioner’s counsel, Syed Shafqat Ali Shah Masoomi, informed the court that the Sindh Home<br />
Department had already advised the chief justice not to come to Karachi on May 12 due to security concerns,<br />
which is illegal and against the “constitutional rights vested in the chief justice” to address the concluding<br />
session <strong>of</strong> 50th anniversary <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court.<br />
He expressed deep concern over the security arrangements for the chief justice and also the general<br />
public which, he expected, would accord, along with the legal fraternity, a warm welcome to the chief justice on<br />
his arrival in Karachi.<br />
Appearing on court notice, standing counsel Mehmood Alam Rizvi said the protection <strong>of</strong> the chief<br />
justice was the responsibility <strong>of</strong> the government and requested the court to direct the Sindh government to<br />
arrange a helicopter for safe travel <strong>of</strong> the chief justice to the Sindh High Court from the Karachi Airport.<br />
He feared clashes or terrorist incidents could occur during the chief justice’s visit, as several political<br />
parties had arranged different programmes in support or opposition <strong>of</strong> the chief justice’s visit.<br />
Rizvi said lakhs <strong>of</strong> people are likely to attend the reception for the chief justice and in case <strong>of</strong> any<br />
untoward incident, the situation could neither be controlled by the Sindh government or by the Bar leaders.<br />
Appearing also on court notice, Sindh High Court Bar Association President Abrar Hasan rejected the<br />
government’s suggestion that the chief justice be sent to the Sindh High Court by a helicopter. He termed it a<br />
conspiracy <strong>of</strong> the government to take the chief justice to another location and later arrange his arrival at the<br />
SHC as per its own desire, and said that such a suggestion was unacceptable.<br />
He also disagreed with the suggestion raised during the arguments that a bulletpro<strong>of</strong> vehicle be<br />
provided to the chief justice for his visit. He said the chief justice was the guest <strong>of</strong> the SHCBA and he is visiting<br />
the bar on a scheduled programme for the golden jubilee celebration <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court.<br />
The court asked as to why the government parties could not be stopped from taking out rallies if the<br />
situation is so tense and why all the parties were allowed to take out rallies. The standing counsel, however,<br />
sought time to obtain instruction from high-ups in this regard.<br />
A statement was also <strong>file</strong>d by provincial law <strong>of</strong>ficer, Sarwar Khan, on behalf <strong>of</strong> Home Secretary Brig<br />
(retd) Ghulam Muhammad Mohtaram that the Sindh government took full responsibility for the protection and<br />
security <strong>of</strong> the chief justice during his visit and foolpro<strong>of</strong> security measures had been planned in this regard.<br />
“The law-enforcement agencies will ensure secure transportation and movement <strong>of</strong> the chief justice,<br />
according to their own pr<strong>of</strong>essional judgment and readings <strong>of</strong> the ground situation at the particular time,” he<br />
said. “It will be ensured that in no way the VVIP is exposed to any danger,” he added.<br />
He said as per practice, the route <strong>of</strong> the VVIP might be altered or programme curtailed and changes<br />
made according to the situation on the ground. He submitted that the situation in Karachi was very tense and<br />
there was a fear <strong>of</strong> violence and terrorism and it was conveyed to all the concerned, including the Supreme<br />
Court registrar.<br />
“The exact deployment plan and security measures are well-guarded secret in the interest <strong>of</strong> the VVIP<br />
and cannot be divulged at this time,” he said, adding that the Sindh Rangers had been inducted into the security<br />
plan.<br />
Disposing <strong>of</strong> the petition, the SHC division bench comprising Justice Sarmad Jalal Osmany and<br />
Justice Ali Sain Dino Metlo ordered the government to provide security to the chief justice wherever he wants to<br />
visit during his stay in Karachi.<br />
Dawn 12 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
CJ coming aboard PK-301 By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque<br />
***<br />
May 11: Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry is arriving in the metropolis aboard a<br />
commercial PIA flight (PK-301) on Saturday noon.<br />
59
Airline sources said the scheduled time <strong>of</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> the flight in Karachi was 11.55am provided it left<br />
Islamabad airport at 10am.<br />
At least 101 passengers will be aboard flight PK-301 who had confirmed their tickets for the journey.<br />
The CJ will travel in the Club Class <strong>of</strong> PIA’s A-310 aircraft.<br />
Sources said special arrangements have been made at the airport ahead <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s arrival. A meeting<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Civil Aviation Authority and other related organisations was held on Friday to review the arrangements.<br />
The sources said that keeping in view security concerns the government had <strong>of</strong>fered a helicopter to the<br />
CJ to take him to the Sindh High Court building from the airport but he had reportedly declined the <strong>of</strong>fer.<br />
The sources said there was a strong possibility that the government, in a bid to avoid confrontation<br />
between the supporters <strong>of</strong> the CJ and MQM workers, might delay his flight.<br />
Dawn 12 May (b)<br />
Govt unaware <strong>of</strong> CJ rally route<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 11: Strict measures have been taken to ensure safety and security <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry during his visit to the city on Saturday.<br />
Adviser to the Chief Minister on Home Wasim Akhtar told Dawn that the administration had taken all<br />
possible steps in this regard though it had received no formal request from the organisers <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s visit.<br />
“We have not been informed <strong>of</strong> the route <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s caravan, still we have taken stringent security<br />
measures along its possible route,” he said.<br />
The adviser said the organisers must have informed the administration about the route <strong>of</strong> the welcome<br />
procession. “Nonetheless, we are bound to provide security to the chief justice,” he said.<br />
Mr Akhtar said that as many as 8,000 police personnel and an equal number <strong>of</strong> rangers personnel<br />
would be deployed in parts <strong>of</strong> the city in view <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s visit and the MQM rally.<br />
“This is not a normal situation as people would also come out to attend the MQM rally,” he said,<br />
pointing out that the authorities concerned did not rule out untoward incidents taking place on the occasion.<br />
The adviser said terrorists and subversive elements might exploit the situation and that was why heavy<br />
deployment <strong>of</strong> the law-enforcement personnel was made across the city.<br />
“We are doing our best,” he said while mentioning that plain-clothed personnel would also be deployed<br />
in sensitive parts <strong>of</strong> the city to keep a watch on subversive element.<br />
The adviser ruled out possibility <strong>of</strong> sending the chief justice back to Islamabad from Karachi airport in<br />
case there was a law and order situation. “There is no such option under consideration,” he categorically stated.<br />
He also ruled out the option <strong>of</strong> bringing the chief justice from the airport to the Sindh High Court by<br />
helicopter. He, however, said: “Helicopter could be arranged if the chief justice desires so.”<br />
Dawn 12 May (c)<br />
Public holiday<br />
Jang 12 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
In a late-night announcement, the government <strong>of</strong> Sindh declared Saturday a public holiday.<br />
***<br />
***<br />
60
Report- Government should cancel their rally on 12th May and rallies should be rescheduled<br />
(Zafarullah Jamali said in the National Assembly).<br />
Jang 12 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Talks with Jang News- Today no conflict will take place in Karachi (Ch:Shujaat). There will be no<br />
chance for emergency situation in the country. There will be no such conflict in Karachi that can be blamed on<br />
government.<br />
Jang 12 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Press Reporter: MQM leader Mr Altaf Hussain said that activists should remain peaceful, and should<br />
not be violent. He addressed this statement to mothers, sisters, veterans and youngsters. He called upon<br />
people to participate in the historical and peaceful rally to show the opportunists that people are committed to<br />
the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary.<br />
Jang 12 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Some unknown people snatched 11 buses <strong>of</strong> Karachi University, reported by pr<strong>of</strong>essor<br />
M.Khalid, NED university’s 7 buses snatched reported by Javed Aziz Khan, and 1 bus IBA, they snatched buses<br />
and assaulted drivers and bus conductors.<br />
Jang 12 May (e)<br />
***<br />
More than 500 activists were arrested and raids were conducted on leaders’ homes (MMA). Invitations<br />
were delivered to people door to door for the reception <strong>of</strong> CJ (Liaqat Baloch JIP).<br />
Jang 12 May (f)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- In the last 24 hours more than 600 party activists were arrested (Qaim Ali Shah) Raids<br />
were conducted in the homes <strong>of</strong> ARD and opposition party leaders.<br />
Jang 12 May (g)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Muttahida (MQM) rally and the plans for the Justice’s welcome reception were finalized.<br />
MQM said that it would show the public’s power. Lawyers said that their movement is peaceful and is not<br />
connected to party politics. Citizens and political parties should remain away from the premises <strong>of</strong> High Court,<br />
and CJ will not deliver political speeches, said Abrar Hasan, and Ameen Lakhani. The situation in the city was<br />
tense due to plans to hold two rival rallies.<br />
Deputy convener <strong>of</strong> MQM Dr Farooq Sattar however, said that on the day <strong>of</strong> the rally every thing would<br />
be clear about who had public support. He further said that on 12 th May MQM’s peaceful rally was being held<br />
against the political jugglers. Opposition parties were playing games in the name <strong>of</strong> freedom <strong>of</strong> the judiciary<br />
and were targeting Karachi and Sindh. MQM completed all the legal formalities for rally. They further said that<br />
we respect the CJ but the opposition played a role in coverting a court matter into a public/road matter which is<br />
why MQM announced its rally. Being a political party we accepted that challenge and announced the rally<br />
against the political jugglers. Some rallies will come via National Highway and some from Super Highway and<br />
will reach Tibet Centre. This is why there are no chances <strong>of</strong> clashes between the rallies. The High Court Bar<br />
Association and 100 political parties are hosting a rally and the only guest is CJ. The ball is in the court <strong>of</strong> CJ.<br />
Jang 12 May (h)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter – According to police sources motorcycle riding suspects fired on Asghar killing him and<br />
injuring his companions Shamrez and Ashfaq in Abbasi Market Model Colony. People gathered in large<br />
numbers and there was fear in the area. The deceased Asghar Shah was a former worker <strong>of</strong> PPI.<br />
Jang 12 May (i)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
61
Staff reporter – MMA has released a statement claiming the arrest <strong>of</strong> over 500 workers. According to<br />
the MMA police have been entering homes <strong>of</strong> workers by scaling walls and taking workers into custody.<br />
Jang 12 May (j)<br />
***<br />
Jang news, agencies – there are stringent security arrangements in view <strong>of</strong> opposition and MQM<br />
rallies around the visit <strong>of</strong> the CJ. Police has formulated a security plan according to which the city has been<br />
divided into 3 zones, with each zone being headed by a DIG. To keep a control over the security situation<br />
Rangers have been deployed at various locations including Shara-e-Faisal, and aerial surveillance is also under<br />
way. Provincial home advisor has said that 144 will not be promulgated in the city. The situation is tense in the<br />
city. There is heavy patrolling by police and Rangers. Police have sealed the routes to the airport using<br />
barricades. Air travellers have missed their flights due to this. People are facing difficulties and many flights<br />
have been delayed. In Sharae-Faisal police have set up road blocks and closed it <strong>of</strong>f in various locations. There<br />
are long queues <strong>of</strong> vehicles and traffic police have not made alternative arrangements for the flow <strong>of</strong> traffic, and<br />
traffic police <strong>of</strong>ficials were refusing to give any further information.<br />
Jang 12 May (k)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter – Police have blocked roads using containers and barriers around the Sindh High Court<br />
and on Shara-e-Faisal. At Natha Khan Bridge steel barriers and containers have been placed to block<br />
movement. Heavy contingents <strong>of</strong> police were present and people going towards the airport faced great<br />
difficulties. There were clashes between citizens and police on Shara-e-Faisal, and many people were beaten<br />
up by the police. Police sources say that containers and barriers have been placed under the instructions <strong>of</strong><br />
high <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
Jang 12 May (l)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter and correspondents – CCPO Karachi Azhar Ali Farooqi said that some 125 people have<br />
been arrested for public interest. CM has held meetings at Governor House with the Governor on the third<br />
consecutive day in the light <strong>of</strong> the situation rising from the CJ’s planned visit. Provincial home minister and<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> law enforcement agencies were present at these meetings.<br />
HRCP<br />
Unknown people carried out firing in various parts <strong>of</strong> the city, leading to fear and panic in the city. Red<br />
Alert has been announced at the airport.<br />
In interior Sindh areas Larkana, Sukkur, and Tando Mohd Khan PPP workers and lawyers have been<br />
arrested and detained in various police stations. On Thursday night and on Friday police raids in various areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> the city led to the arrests <strong>of</strong> members <strong>of</strong> PPP, MMA, PML-N and opposition parties.<br />
According to eye witnesses on II Chundrigar Road, Lines Area, Garden, Liaqatabad, Gulshan Iqbal,<br />
Gulistan Johar, Korangi, Landhi, Malir, New Karachi, Surjani Town, Orangi Town and Shah Faisal Colony and<br />
other areas, unknown persons carried out firing from automatic weapons leading to fear and panic. According<br />
to eye witnesses unknown persons came riding on cars and motorcycles. They used pistols, Kalashinkovs and<br />
other sophisticated weapons to do firing, and used fire-crackers in many locations.<br />
Sources reported that ASF has suspended all provisional passes for entering the airport, and unrelated<br />
persons have been barred from entering airport premises beyond the parking point. According to the Security<br />
Plan <strong>of</strong>ficials’ leaves have been cancelled in order to increase the available manpower. Personnel arriving for<br />
the evening shift on Friday have been held back for further duty.<br />
According to reports received from various parts <strong>of</strong> the city, market associations and traders’ meetings<br />
have decided to keep market closed. Circulars were distributed in various markets on Friday for keeping the<br />
markets closed on Saturday.<br />
Tando Mohd Khan police raided the homes <strong>of</strong> PPP leaders and arrested 6 leaders. TMK Dist<br />
president’s home was raided by no arrest was made. According to bureau report Larkana police conducted a<br />
crackdown against lawyers and PPP workers arresting over 100 persons, who had planned to go to Karachi to<br />
welcome the CJ. Those arrested include PML-N Dist Larkana president, Sindh High Court Bar Association<br />
former general secretary Sarfraz Khan Jatoi. According to Sukkur bureau report police detained 35 lawyers<br />
planning to go to Karachi. Sukkur Bar Association Secretary Shafqat Rahim told Jang reporter that police<br />
stopped various lawyers coming by trains and passenger buses from Kandkot, Jacobabad, Shikarpur, Daharki<br />
and Mirpir Mathelo and detained them in various police stations.<br />
***<br />
62
Jang 12 May (m)<br />
Staff reporter – According to sources, high <strong>of</strong>ficials in Sindh govt have considered the possibility that<br />
the CJ’s flight arrives in Karachi late – the decision for the timely or delayed departure <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s flight is with<br />
the high <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> the federal government, and this decision will be taken in the light <strong>of</strong> the situation. Federal<br />
authorities can only act on the information <strong>of</strong> the Sindh govt in the light <strong>of</strong> the situation.<br />
Sources said on the arrival <strong>of</strong> the CJ in Karachi high <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> Sindh govt will meet with the CJ and<br />
try to convince him that he should be taken by helicopter to SHC. If CJ does not agree Sindh Bar Association<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice-bearers will be approached to convince them that given the situation in the city they should agree to<br />
change their, or to take the CJ’s procession to various locations in cooperation with the government’s plan, so<br />
that any conflict might be avoided.<br />
Sources claim that high <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> Sindh govt are sure that to prevent a clash routes <strong>of</strong> both sides can<br />
be changes on short notice. Another option being considered is that the CJ’s rally be allowed to go to Quaid’s<br />
Mazar and later to the SHC after the end <strong>of</strong> the MQM rally. Sources also said potential points <strong>of</strong> conflict<br />
between pro-government and opposition supporters have been identified, and Rangers and paramilitary forces<br />
will be stationed at those points. Also reserve forces will be placed on alert. Sources said that Governor Sindh,<br />
CM, Home Dept and police high <strong>of</strong>ficials will monitor the situation moment by moment and will be able to take<br />
emergency measures in the light <strong>of</strong> the evolving situation. Sources said that high <strong>of</strong>ficials remained in contact<br />
with MQM leaders and <strong>of</strong>ficials <strong>of</strong> the Sindh Bar Association, and discussed various options with them.<br />
Express 12 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Federal and Sindh government should provide security to CJ (orders by Sindh High<br />
court). The route will be decided by CJ but the government should take security measures. Order by Divisional<br />
Bench High Court Sindh. Helicopter can be provided to CJ (Govt: lawyers): Lawyers rejected that <strong>of</strong>fer: we will<br />
go through our own vehicles, government planed to kidnap CJ (lawyers/president SHCB)<br />
Express 12 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter – “Pasban”-called strike on Friday against load-shedding, street crimes and inflation – in<br />
the Shop No 18, Falaknaz Plaza on Shara-e-Faisal over 6 armed men came to ensure the quick closure <strong>of</strong><br />
shops. On refusal to close the shop the men killed 28-year old security guard Malik Ameer s/o Noor Mohd and<br />
escaped. According to Shah Faisal Colony Police the suspects were closing shops along the way and on<br />
refusing to shut the shop they killed the guard. The entire market shut down in protest at the incident. Agitated<br />
persons said that the police has been unable to provide protection to shopkeepers and traders have been made<br />
hostages by dozens <strong>of</strong> armed persons. Police have <strong>file</strong>d an FIR at the behest <strong>of</strong> shop-owner Tayyab Khan<br />
against unknown persons. FIR does not indicate the organization <strong>of</strong> the accused.<br />
Ummat 12 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Report- Security agencies in Karachi declared 14 locations suspect for potential conflict. To deal with<br />
any potential situation, 20,000 policemen have been deployed and secret cameras have been fixed in main<br />
areas. A security plan had been formulated, according to which the city had been divided into three zones<br />
Ummat 12 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Monitoring Desk – According to a private TV, Sindh govt is considering various options for today’s<br />
(Saturday) arrival <strong>of</strong> CJ in the city. According to the TV as soon as the CJ arrives at the airport he will be met<br />
by Secretary Home Sindh, and will request that due to a large crowd at the airport he should not venture out<br />
due to security considerations. Home Sec will request the CJ to return. If CJ does not accept this request he<br />
will be told that he can proceed but the lawyers who have arrived with him cannot leave the airport, and these<br />
will be returned on the next available flight. Later CJ will be brought to SHC by helicopter and if he does not<br />
agree with this, then government will take the CJ and his companions to Governor House, and they will then be<br />
permitted to go to the SHC from there. According to the private TV if there is no agreement on any <strong>of</strong> these<br />
options, the CJ will be allowed to go by road to SHC, but a rally will not be allowed.<br />
Kawish 12 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Reporters: Irshad Gulabani, Zulfiqar Bhughio, Aazam Zahrani- CJ to arrive in Karachi. All the roads<br />
are blocked with chances <strong>of</strong> conflict between MQM and the opposition. One person has already died in firing.<br />
63
Some people were killed during a call for shutting down the Falaknaz apartments. Armed persons killed a<br />
security guard using a pistol with silencer. CCPO claimed 170 suspected persons were arrested. Police raided<br />
the house <strong>of</strong> Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, leader <strong>of</strong> Sindh National Front in DHA.<br />
Kawish 12 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Monitoring Desk Bangkok- Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Gullam Rahim in his interview to KTN said that<br />
Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry should come to Karachi as a chief justice, but if he comes with political means<br />
and intentions then he will be responded to politically. The judiciary should remain at a distance from the public.<br />
The government has finalized a security plan but people should nonetheless avoid any type <strong>of</strong> hostility on that<br />
day. He repeated that if Chief Justice came with political people and flags then he would be regarded as being<br />
political. If any element made Chief Justice’s issue political then the government would respond to him in the<br />
same way. He said that political parties and lawyers’ organizations in their procession had effigies <strong>of</strong> President<br />
Musharraf and talked about him. When these same people never consider the dignity <strong>of</strong> an institution, then<br />
what could we do for the dignity <strong>of</strong> another institution. On a question, he replied that he had affiliation with a<br />
political party but he will play a neutral role to control the situation. God will bless us: we had always preferred<br />
negotiation.<br />
Kawish 12 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Report Quetta- Qazi Hussain Ahmed in his press conference said that many members <strong>of</strong> his party<br />
were arrested and 50 out <strong>of</strong> the 70 welcome camps were forcibly removed.<br />
Dawn 13 May (a)<br />
Air, train services disrupted<br />
By Mukhtar Alam<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
KARACHI, May 12: Thousands <strong>of</strong> passengers and would-be travellers faced a host <strong>of</strong> problems on<br />
Saturday, as about 20 domestic and international flights <strong>of</strong> PIA and about a dozen <strong>Pakistan</strong> Railways trains had<br />
to be rescheduled due to the abnormal situation in the city since Friday night.<br />
According to sources in the two organisations, the worst sufferers were those who landed at Karachi<br />
airport on Saturday morning and afternoon. These people were left stranded at the airport because they had no<br />
means to get to their homes.<br />
Their family members who were supposed to greet them on their arrival also faced problems because<br />
they couldn’t get to the airport in time because <strong>of</strong> the many roadblocks erected on the thoroughfares by workers<br />
<strong>of</strong> a political party.<br />
People travelling to Karachi on the Bahauddin Zakria, Karachi and Faisalabad expresses met a similar<br />
fate as they remained confined for hours to their trains which had to be stopped at Malir, Juma and Landhi<br />
stations due to the violence erupting in localities along the track.<br />
Mir Mohammad Khaskheli <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Railways told Dawn at about 6pm that the departure <strong>of</strong><br />
about a dozen fast trains — including Super Express 43 Up, Allama Iqbal, <strong>Pakistan</strong> Express Tezgam, Mehran,<br />
Karakorrum and Bolan — were either delayed or had to be rescheduled due to the poor situation.<br />
He said the passengers who had been unable to travel as per their bookings could apply for a refund<br />
or plan their journeys afresh. After full resumption <strong>of</strong> operations, at least four <strong>of</strong> the outgoing trains in question<br />
— including Super, Hazarah, 43 Up and Allama Iqbal — left the City or Cantonment stations by 7.30pm, it was<br />
learnt.<br />
A spokesman for PIA said that about 20 domestic and international flights were rescheduled because<br />
<strong>of</strong> logistical problems confronting its crew. The PK-300 took <strong>of</strong>f for Islamabad at 7am and returned as PK-301,<br />
carrying Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Choudhry and some lawyers and journalists.<br />
***<br />
64
Dawn 13 May (b)<br />
15 killed, scores injured as violence erupts in Karachi on CJ’s arrival<br />
KARACHI, May 12, 2007 (Agencies) – At least 15 persons were killed and scores injured as rival<br />
political workers fought intense gunbattles Saturday ahead <strong>of</strong> huge rallies by <strong>Pakistan</strong>'s suspended top judge<br />
Iftikhar Chaudhry and the pro-government MQM in Karachi and President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad in a<br />
show <strong>of</strong> street power . Black smoke billowed over the volatile southern city where mobs also torched a police<br />
post, four buses and dozens <strong>of</strong> other vehicles despite the presence <strong>of</strong> 15,000 paramilitary troops and police. “It<br />
is an extremely serious situation. We have reports <strong>of</strong> gunfire breaking out at several places in the city,” senior<br />
Karachi police <strong>of</strong>ficer Javed Munir told AFP. “Our people were attacked from several sides. They are<br />
surrounded, they are beseiged and several are injured but there are no ambulances to take them to hospital,”<br />
People's Party spokesman Sherry Rahman said. An MQM spokesman said four <strong>of</strong> its workers had been killed<br />
across the city. Meanwhile, justice Chaudhry remained stranded at Karachi airport after flying in on Saturday<br />
morning because government supporters used trucks with deflated tyres to shut down all main roads, including<br />
those leading to the airport. His main lawyer, Aitzaz Ahsan, said the justice would not leave the airport unless<br />
authorities allowed the local bar association leaders who invited Chuadhry to come to the airport and lead him<br />
to the Sindh High Court. The MQM is holding a large counter-demonstration in Karachi to rival Chaudhry's.<br />
MQM supporters were taking out hundreds <strong>of</strong> rallies from all parts <strong>of</strong> Karachi for the main rally in the heart <strong>of</strong><br />
the city at Tibet Centre on M.A. Jinnah Road (First Posted @ 14:16 PST Updated @ 14:46 PST)<br />
Dawn 13 May (c)<br />
To hell and back<br />
By Samina Wahid Perozani<br />
***<br />
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. And that is exactly how it was on the eve <strong>of</strong><br />
May 12, 2007 when a bunch <strong>of</strong> passengers flew in to Karachi International Airport from Islamabad, all eager to<br />
get to their destination in the city — family, work and the likes. What we weren’t prepared for, <strong>of</strong> course, was<br />
the limbo that awaited us at the Karachi airport.<br />
Several minutes after landing, the doors <strong>of</strong> the aircraft remained closed on some 100 or so odd<br />
passengers who patiently waited to get <strong>of</strong>f.<br />
The delay was confounding as was the reluctance on the part <strong>of</strong> the cabin crew to eke out information.<br />
It was then that cellphones began ringing and news started trickling in: Karachi was under siege, so to speak.<br />
All roads leading to the airport and even the main thoroughfares, for that matter, were closed. There was no<br />
one to receive us at the airport or take us home.<br />
HRCP<br />
After considerable deliberation on part <strong>of</strong> the cabin crew and outrage on part <strong>of</strong> the passengers, we<br />
were allowed to get <strong>of</strong>f on to a deserted airport. Many breathed a sigh <strong>of</strong> relief that came all too soon. All entry<br />
and exit points, to and from the airport had been closed.<br />
The Rangers were patrolling the area and were routinely manhandling women who were trying to<br />
collect their baggage. “Touch me and I’ll break <strong>of</strong>f each <strong>of</strong> your fingers one by one,” I warned one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Rangers who headed in my direction. He backed <strong>of</strong>f — probably owing to the menacing voice and crazed look.<br />
Upon asking the Civil Aviation Authority’s Vigilance Cell what exactly we were supposed to do now,<br />
they calmly told us that we couldn’t get out <strong>of</strong> the airport and were most welcome to spend the night either in<br />
the waiting lounges or the airport hotel. Panic set in at the thought: the Chief Justice was due to fly in tomorrow<br />
morning at the Karachi airport and given the way the situation on that front had escalated, I really wasn’t<br />
looking forward to getting caught in the eye <strong>of</strong> the storm.<br />
Inquiries were made — when was the earliest PIA flight leaving for Islamabad? “3.00am,” answered<br />
the booking agent which was not too bad considering that it was already 1.30 in the morning. Finding just about<br />
enough money in my bag to buy a ticket, I proceeded to the departure lounge in search <strong>of</strong> food and water — I<br />
had worked up an appetite thanks to all the running around in the past hour or so. Needless to say, sustenance<br />
was nowhere to be found.<br />
Apparently the airport had been cordoned <strong>of</strong>f for a while now and supplies were dwindling fast.<br />
Whatever little they had left was only being given to people who really needed it — like those who were sick or<br />
had infants or were old.<br />
Desperate times, more <strong>of</strong>ten than not, call for desperate measures. So I did what I had to do to get<br />
bottled water: I bribed a salesperson and what would normally cost Rs20 ended up costing me Rs100. I was<br />
advised to go to a corner and drink it where no one would see me. Little did I know that should have been the<br />
least <strong>of</strong> my worries, because soon enough, the inevitable happened: the flight had been delayed because <strong>of</strong><br />
‘operational problems’. It was now scheduled to leave at 3.45am.<br />
65
The limbo, it seemed, was never-ending. I was tired and hungry and was cursing myself for not<br />
listening to the infinite voices <strong>of</strong> reason who had advised me to stay put in Islamabad. After what seemed like<br />
an eternity, we were told to board the plane at 4.00am.<br />
Someone had finally put an end to the collective misery <strong>of</strong> over a hundred passengers. Nothing,<br />
however, seemed as haunting as the scene from the plane window after take <strong>of</strong>f – my city was shrouded in<br />
darkness, almost as if predicting the terror that would rear its ugly head in the morning.<br />
Dawn 13 May (d)<br />
Altaf wants CJ to tender resignation<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 12: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday asked Chief Justice<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to resign from his post for violating his oath <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
“Mr Chief Justice, you had breached the oath taken under the Constitution by taking another oath<br />
under the Provisional Constitutional Order. I demand that you make an apology to the whole nation for this act,<br />
tender resignation and then come forward for the cause <strong>of</strong> the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary,” he said while<br />
addressing a rally called by the party against what was described as political jugglery in the name <strong>of</strong> the<br />
independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary.<br />
Mr Hussain was <strong>of</strong> the view that opposition political and religious parties were using the issue <strong>of</strong> CJ for<br />
dissolution <strong>of</strong> the government. “This should be stopped forthwith as solidarity <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> lies in a true<br />
democratic government,” he added.A large number <strong>of</strong> people reached M.A. Jinnah Road to take part in the<br />
MQM rally.<br />
Mr Hussain, who was sad and grieved over the loss <strong>of</strong> lives on Saturday, said that no untoward<br />
incident had taken place in any part <strong>of</strong> the city but with the landing <strong>of</strong> CJ’s flight at Karachi Airport the situation<br />
started deteriorating. “After noon when the CJ’s plane landed in Karachi, terrorists started targeting MQM rallies<br />
in different areas by firing indiscriminately.”<br />
He informed the participants that over a dozen workers <strong>of</strong> the MQM were targeted while hundreds <strong>of</strong><br />
workers and supporters were injured. However, he declared that nothing could stop the struggle <strong>of</strong> the MQM for<br />
the rights <strong>of</strong> the oppressed people.<br />
The MQM leader said that the Sindh Home Department requested the CJ to cancel his visit to Karachi<br />
on the basis <strong>of</strong> certain intelligence reports but he did not accede to the request. “I believe now you [the Chief<br />
Justice] are feeling relaxed after so many people lost their lives due to your programme.”<br />
“Mr Chief Justice, kindly recognise political jugglers around you. On the occasion <strong>of</strong> your arrival,<br />
miscreants and enemies <strong>of</strong> the country killed innocent people,” he said.<br />
He wondered why the participants <strong>of</strong> a procession in Punjab to welcome the CJ in Lahore were raising<br />
the slogans <strong>of</strong> “Go Musharraf Go” instead <strong>of</strong> “Go Military Go”.<br />
He also asked the legal fraternity why they did not hold rallies and demonstrations when former chief<br />
justice Saeeduzzaman Siddiqui and other honorable judges <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court and High Courts were asked<br />
to take another oath on the PCO which they refused.<br />
He said that MQM would support the CJ if he apologised to the nation for taking another oath under<br />
the PCO and tender resignation for doing an unconstitutional act.<br />
Mr Hussain said that opposition political and religious parties were jealous <strong>of</strong> rapid development work<br />
in Karachi. “Miscreants in the name <strong>of</strong> the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary tried to engineer Pakhtoon-Mohajir<br />
riots in the city but they will not succeed in their evil designs,” he said.<br />
He demanded that the judiciary be given independence and all institutions be restricted to their<br />
assigned tasks only.<br />
Dawn 13 May (e)<br />
HRCP reaction<br />
HRCP<br />
He asked the participants to disperse peacefully and not be provoked<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 12: The Secretary-general <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Iqbal Haider,<br />
on Saturday said the government and its allies are “wholly and solely responsible for the terrorism unleashed in<br />
the city.”—Staff Reporter<br />
66
***<br />
Dawn 13 May (f)<br />
‘CJ declines to accept helicopter’<br />
KARACHI, May 12: Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Saturday declined the request <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Sindh Government for using helicopter as a safe mode <strong>of</strong> journey to reach Sindh High Court (SHC) and Mazare-Quaid.<br />
The protocol team led by Home Secretary Sindh Brig (retd) Mohtaram, IG Sindh Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui<br />
approached Justice Iftikhar in the VIP lounge on his arrival from Islamabad and <strong>of</strong>fered escort on behalf <strong>of</strong> the<br />
provincial government and SHC.<br />
Home Secretary informed Justice Iftikhar that because <strong>of</strong> different rallies in the city, it was not safe for<br />
him to travel by road. He also suggested him to travel in <strong>of</strong>ficial motorcade if he was determined to go by road,<br />
which he also declined to accept.Sindh Government had deputed the Home Secretary to receive Justice Iftikhar<br />
Muhammad Chaudhry and carry him in safe protection to his desired destination.—APP<br />
Dawn 13 May (g)<br />
Edhi driver gunned down in Malir<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 12: As political violence gripped Karachi in the wake <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar<br />
Mohammad Chaudhry’s arrival in the city on Saturday, an Edhi ambulance driver fell in the line <strong>of</strong> duty in<br />
crossfire in Malir.<br />
Rizwan Edhi <strong>of</strong> the Edhi Foundation identified the driver as Faizur Rehman, whose age could not be<br />
ascertained.<br />
According to Mr Edhi, the driver was taking victims <strong>of</strong> the crossfire, which had erupted near Malir’s<br />
Kala Board area, to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, when he himself fell victim to a hail <strong>of</strong> bullets. It<br />
could not be confirmed whether the driver was targeted or whether he was the victim <strong>of</strong> indiscriminate fire.<br />
According to Mr Edhi, who described the slain driver a martyr, the foundation was continuing its relief<br />
work throughout the city, as reports were continuously coming in <strong>of</strong> violence in different parts <strong>of</strong> Karachi. He<br />
said Edhi workers were being harassed while the windowpanes <strong>of</strong> a few <strong>of</strong> their vehicles were also smashed.<br />
Dawn 13 May (h)<br />
Violence in Karachi condemned<br />
By Mohammad Riaz & Muqaddam Khan<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
PESHAWAR/SWABI, May 12: Leaders <strong>of</strong> various opposition parties and representatives <strong>of</strong> civil<br />
society organisations said on Saturday the violence in Karachi pointed to the critical phase the country was<br />
passing through due to the “reckless policies <strong>of</strong> the government”.<br />
President <strong>of</strong> Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement <strong>of</strong><br />
repeating on Saturday the tactics employed by Gestapo — the secret Nazi force.<br />
Speaking at a press conference at the press club, he claimed that the MQM was behind the killing <strong>of</strong><br />
political workers, firing on opposition rallies, thrashing <strong>of</strong> lawyers and attack on the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> a television<br />
channel in Karachi.<br />
The press conference was held to welcome to the ANP fold Dr Humayun Khan, a former foreign<br />
secretary. Mr Asfandyar alleged that the MQM had unleashed the worst kind <strong>of</strong> terror against political workers<br />
heading towards the Karachi airport to welcome Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.<br />
He said the Sindh High Court Bar Association had chalked out its Golden Jubilee programme several<br />
days ago when the MQM was in hibernation. By refusing to allow the chief justice to come out <strong>of</strong> the airport, he<br />
maintained, the MQM had tried to send the message that nothing could happen in Karachi without its consent.<br />
The MQM had taken the entire city hostage, he claimed. Gen Pervez Musharraf, MQM chief Altaf<br />
Hussain and Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had not just humiliated the chief justice but insulted<br />
the entire judiciary.<br />
67
He pointed out that Chief <strong>of</strong> the Army Staff, a government servant, had decided to address a political<br />
rally organised by his toadies in front <strong>of</strong> the Parliament House. “We make it clear to Gen Musharraf that we too<br />
will hold a public meeting against dictatorship in front <strong>of</strong> the parliament building.”<br />
Quoting party sources in Karachi, he said the MQM “mercenaries” had killed one ANP worker and<br />
injured 10 others, including provincial leader Bashir Jan.<br />
Mr Asfandyar said his party would observe a strike on Monday on the call made by the Peshawar High<br />
Court Bar Association against “political vandalism” and killings in Karachi.<br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong> Tehrik-i-Insaf provincial vice-president Asad Qaisar said innocent people were being used by<br />
rulers to achieve their selfish goals. The government, he said, had given a free hand to the MQM to attack<br />
opposition activists and supporters <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.<br />
People’s Lawyer Forum president Javed Inqelabi said the current crisis could be resolved by restoring<br />
a democratic system where the people had free choices to elect their representatives.<br />
Leaders <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League-Nawaz said wrong policies <strong>of</strong> the government had pushed the<br />
country into numerous difficulties and prolonging the life <strong>of</strong> the current system would invite more trouble.<br />
They said the law and order situation had deteriorated across the country and the Karachi killings<br />
would add fuel to the fire. They urged the government to restore independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary and to announce<br />
dates for a general election.<br />
Dawn 13 May (i)<br />
Riots disrupt Karachi calm: •34 killed, 140 injured •rivals trade allegations<br />
By Arman Sabir & Tahir Siddiqui<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 12: At least 34 people were killed and over 140 others injured as a major portion <strong>of</strong><br />
Sharea Faisal turned into a battlefield on Saturday when rival political groups clashed with each other soon<br />
after the arrival <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, who remained confined to the lounge <strong>of</strong> the<br />
airport throughout the day and returned to Islamabad without addressing a lawyers’ convention on the premises<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court.<br />
The utter failure <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government and the law-enforcers to maintain law and order made the<br />
city hostage to political workers. However, Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Home Affairs Waseem Akhtar<br />
blamed the chief justice for a breakdown in law and order and deaths in incidents <strong>of</strong> violence.<br />
HRCP<br />
Journalists staged a sit-in at the airport in protest against manhandling <strong>of</strong> newsmen and<br />
camerapersons at various troubled spots by political workers and against an armed attack on local Aaj TV<br />
channel. Many camerapersons were injured and their expensive cameras smashed while they were beaten up.<br />
The main artery Sharea Faisal, which was to be used by procession <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>,<br />
was made completely inaccessible to motorists as all <strong>of</strong> its intersections were blocked by large containers,<br />
trucks and buses with tyres already deflated.<br />
The Alliance for the Restoration <strong>of</strong> Democracy and other opposition parties, besides city lawyers,<br />
planned to accord a warm welcome to the Chief Justice at the airport, but the Muttahida Qaumi Movement<br />
announced that it would organise a rally at the Tibet Centre on M.A. Jinnah Road against what it described as<br />
political jugglers who wanted to politicise the visit <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice.<br />
Despite the heavy deployment <strong>of</strong> law-enforcement agencies across the city as claimed by the police,<br />
they suddenly disappeared from the troubled spots allowing the rival groups to trade fire with each other,<br />
resulting in deaths and injuries to dozens <strong>of</strong> people.<br />
The Sindh police and other law-enforcement agencies appeared completely helpless in controlling the<br />
situation despite the fact that the Sindh government had ensured heavy deployment <strong>of</strong> 16,000 law-enforcers.<br />
DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah said that 2,000 additional police personnel were deployed along<br />
Sharea Faisal. “Police acted as a buffer between the rival groups; otherwise the casualties would have been<br />
much higher,” he added.<br />
He said it was impossible for police to make any arrest in mobs.<br />
Police were also attacked by mourners at the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre when they came<br />
after the arrival <strong>of</strong> seven bodies at the hospital. The relatives and political parties’ workers thronged the hospital<br />
after they came to know about the bodies. No law enforcement agencies were deployed there to maintain<br />
peace.<br />
68
The day broke with a strike-like situation with public transport completely <strong>of</strong>f the roads. As the Sindh<br />
government announced a local holiday for Saturday the previous night, most <strong>of</strong> the people did not know about it<br />
and many were seen stranded at various bus-stops.<br />
Sporadic incidents <strong>of</strong> violence started early in the morning as a man, belonging to a religious group,<br />
was gunned down in Landhi while people preparing to receive the Chief Justice were fired upon. Similarly, three<br />
policemen and seven other people were wounded in clashes between rival political party workers at Abdullah<br />
College and two other policemen were wounded in SITE.<br />
The clashes gained intensity soon after the arrival <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice at noon and Sharea Faisal<br />
turned into a battlefield. In the first clash between two rival groups in front <strong>of</strong> the Drigh Railway Station, as<br />
many as 35 vehicles, including motorcycles, were set on fire.<br />
Another fierce clash between two groups took place at Kalaboard area in Malir on Sharea Faisal where<br />
several people suffered bullet wounds and many <strong>of</strong> them died on the spot. A driver <strong>of</strong> an Edhi ambulance also<br />
lost his life in the crossfire. Another clash between two gun-totting groups occurred near the Baloch Colony<br />
flyover on Sharea Faisal where many people suffered injuries and deaths.<br />
As the entire artery was made inaccessible, ambulances were also unable to use the thoroughfare,<br />
which is the only way from the troubled spots to the Jinnah Hospital. The dead and injured remained lying at<br />
the spots for hours as ambulances found it difficult to reach there.<br />
At all <strong>of</strong> the troubled spots, the law-enforcers disappeared leaving the innocent people at the mercy <strong>of</strong><br />
gun-wielding youths firing straight on their opponents. Some innocent people were caught in crossfire and<br />
wounded.<br />
At least 19 dead were shifted to the JPMC, five to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and two were moved to<br />
the Civil Hospital. Besides, police said four bodies and 12 wounded people were shifted to the Liaquat National<br />
Hospital where two <strong>of</strong> the injured later died. Moreover, the police shifted bodies <strong>of</strong> two unknown victims to the<br />
Steel Town Hospital.<br />
Dr Seemin Jamali, deputy director <strong>of</strong> the JPMC, told Dawn that 70 wounded people were brought to<br />
the hospital’s emergency centre. “Only 25 people with critical bullet wounds have been admitted to the hospital<br />
as the slightly injured people have been discharged.”<br />
Police said participants <strong>of</strong> the opposition rally attempted to set fire to at least four petrol pumps on<br />
Sharea Faisal following the incidents <strong>of</strong> firing by the rivals.<br />
They said that two <strong>of</strong> the pumps, which were already closed, caught fire, but the staff promptly<br />
extinguished the blaze.<br />
The police said unruly participants also ransacked an <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Madadgar Police 15 in Landhi.<br />
Witnesses said PPP workers from Lyari attacked a police kiosk at Aath Chowk. They said the PPP<br />
men were fired upon by a group <strong>of</strong> people who fled the scene and later the PPP men ransacked the kiosk.<br />
Meanwhile, rangers were deployed in parts <strong>of</strong> the city late on Saturday night. They took positions at<br />
important thoroughfares and intersections.<br />
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said in a statement that its 10 activists were among those<br />
who lost their lives on Saturday while PPP said its 15 party workers were killed in attacks on the rally.<br />
Dawn 13 May (j)<br />
Armed men attack Aaj TV <strong>of</strong>fice<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 12: Armed men attacked the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> a private television channel and set on fire more<br />
than a dozen vehicles in its parking lot here on Saturday.<br />
The Aaj TV was telecasting live footage <strong>of</strong> youths brandishing guns in front <strong>of</strong> its <strong>of</strong>fices on the<br />
Business Recorder Road and firing on their rivals in the Patel Para neighbourhood. As the telecast continued,<br />
the youths turned their guns on the Aaj TV building which also houses the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> the daily Business<br />
Recorder. The firing shattered windowpanes <strong>of</strong> the building.<br />
“The Aaj TV building came under fire from MQM supporters who wanted the airing <strong>of</strong> live footage <strong>of</strong><br />
the unrest in the city stopped,” the network’s chief executive Arshad Zubairi was quoted as saying by AP.<br />
Cameramen and journalists working on the ro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> the building had to take cover. However, no one<br />
was hurt and the network remained on air uninterrupted.<br />
69
“We are under attack,” senior journalist Talat Hussain said on air as he took shelter behind a wall. “We<br />
have seen no security force. No one has come to help us.”<br />
MQM spokesman Abdul Quddus denied his party’s involvement in the attack. He, however, said that<br />
some activists <strong>of</strong> his party might have taken shelter in the Aaj building after coming under fire from another<br />
building.<br />
Journalists held demonstrations in Karachi and other cities in protest against the attack.<br />
The News 13 May (a)<br />
34 killed, over 140 injured in Karachi<br />
By our correspondent<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Thirty-four people were killed and more than 140 injured on Saturday when the commercial<br />
capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> plunged into a spate <strong>of</strong> violence that observers said was eerily reminiscent <strong>of</strong> the gory days<br />
<strong>of</strong> the mid nineties.<br />
The terrible violence also saw an attack on a private television channel, two petrol pumps being<br />
reduced to ashes and more than 30 vehicles being burnt across the city - the billowing black smoke adding to<br />
the dread and gloom that had taken over Karachi since Friday.<br />
The mayhem coincided with the visit <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Justice Iftikhar Muhammad<br />
Chaudhry, who landed at the Karachi Airport at midday but was stopped by the authorities from coming out <strong>of</strong><br />
its premises on account <strong>of</strong> the security situation. The chief justice left for Islamabad early evening without<br />
setting out <strong>of</strong> the airport.<br />
The violence, which had started late Friday with the killing <strong>of</strong> two PML-N activists in Model Colony,<br />
Malir, by unknown gunmen, dramatically escalated as caravans <strong>of</strong> the opposition parties and the Muttahida<br />
Qaumi Movement came face to face on the Sharae Faisal on Saturday morning.<br />
The fierce gunbattles, never witnessed earlier on the main artery <strong>of</strong> the city, the Sharae Faisal, were<br />
spontaneous, intense and horrific to the core, leaving little chance for the party activists to save their lives.<br />
Rival activists fought pitched battles that observers had feared could result in a large number <strong>of</strong><br />
fatalities. The most shocking incident took place in Malir near Sharae Faisal, when an Edhi Ambulance driver<br />
was shot dead along with an injured, who was being ferried to hospital. Following the incident, ambulances<br />
could not reach the affected areas with the result that many severely injured died on the roadside.<br />
HRCP<br />
The main areas that saw fierce clashes between the rival groups were the Malir Halt, Baloch Colony<br />
Bridge and the FTC Bridge. Violent incidents were also reported from Shah Faisal Colony, PIA Colony, SITE,<br />
Sohrab Goth, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Aisha Bawani. The violence abruptly escalated after 1 p.m. Near the<br />
Wireless Gate, three activists <strong>of</strong> Muttahida Qaumi Movement were killed by unidentified men. Members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
PPP, the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Sunni Tehrik were also among the dead.<br />
Of more than 140 injured was Zahoor Mehr, the Malir Bar Council President, who was coming to the<br />
airport to receive the CJ. At Drigh Road, Information Secretary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party Sherry Rehman<br />
was ambushed. She said that several party activists were injured in the firing, including her guard.<br />
Four activists <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement sustained bullet wounds at Banaras Chowk. Wasey<br />
Jalil, the Nazim <strong>of</strong> Gulshan Town, was fired upon in Pehalwan Goth area. He escaped unhurt.<br />
Naeem Qureshi, a spokesman for the Karachi Bar Association, said dozens <strong>of</strong> lawyers were hurt when<br />
they were attacked near the Sindh High Court. He blamed the MQM for the incident. Journalists, in particular,<br />
were affected as they took the challenge to cover and convey the gory picture to the people <strong>of</strong> the city and the<br />
world at large. Several reporters and cameramen barely survived volleys <strong>of</strong> bullets fired across the<br />
battlegrounds. Some <strong>of</strong> them were even challenged by gunmen who, mercifully, ignored them after learning<br />
their identity. However, the situation was not so pleasant for the staff <strong>of</strong> the Aaj Television, who faced an<br />
onslaught <strong>of</strong> bullets for more than five hours. Staff at the channel constantly appealed to the law-enforcement<br />
agencies and <strong>of</strong>ficials to bail them out but their requests were strangely ignored.<br />
The violence soon spread from the city’s main artery to the nearby main train tracks and, as a result,<br />
the train service between Karachi and the rest <strong>of</strong> the country was suspended for over six hours. The Divisional<br />
Superintendent, Railways, Mir Mohammed Khaskheli, said that all out-bound and in-bound train services were<br />
suspended from 1200 hours till 1800 hours following firing incidents at Drigh Road, Malir and Landhi.<br />
The National Highway was also closed to traffic. Not only that, the flight schedule was seriously<br />
disrupted with aircraft crew and passengers both unable to reach the airport. Similarly, passengers arriving<br />
from abroad and thru domestic flights could not reach their destinations and were stuck at the airport. A PIA<br />
spokesman confirmed the agony <strong>of</strong> the intending passengers and said that flights were being rescheduled.<br />
70
Interior Minister, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, who recently escaped a suicide bomb attack, told a<br />
television channel that the federal government was in contact with the Sindh government over the law and order<br />
situation in Karachi. But he made it clear that it was the provincial government’s responsibility to provide<br />
security to the CJ.<br />
The minister pointed out that it was Justice Chaudhry who had refused to avail the Sindh government’s<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer for a helicopter so that he could be taken to the SHC. Opposition parties blamed the violence on the<br />
government and said that police and Rangers were either missing during the clashes or did nothing to stop<br />
them, a charge that many observers said bore substance.<br />
Ms Naheed Khan, PPP MNA, in a press release issued from the Bilawal House, claimed that the PPP<br />
had lost more than a dozen activists while more than fifty were injured. She said when she was leading a<br />
procession near the Aisha Bawani School, the party activists came under attack from nearby flats and the FTC<br />
Bridge. She alleged when the injured were taken to the Jinnah Hospital, MQM activists opened fire.<br />
The government, however, blamed Chaudhry for the violence. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said:<br />
“We had asked the chief justice not to come but he chose to and the violence started when he arrived. Now I<br />
have asked his lawyers to go back because they achieved what they wanted.” The stance was echoed by other<br />
MQM leaders, including Sindh Interior Minister Waseem Akhter.<br />
Amidst the commotion, a branch <strong>of</strong> Allied Bank, located in Sindhi Muslim Society, was broken into and<br />
robbed. The situation in the city somewhat calmed down in the evening when the Rangers took over. However,<br />
observers are not sure if the sporadic violence will continue tomorrow and the day after following<br />
announcements by rival political parties to observe black day and a strike against the violence.<br />
Kawish 13 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Report- 34 died and more than 100 were injured. Roads leading to Shara-e-Faisal were blocked.<br />
Police <strong>of</strong>ficers remained hiding in police stations. Qaim Ali Shah’s and other rallies at Karsaz came under fire.<br />
Near the Baloch Bridge, firing from a building killed 3 people. 2 people from Muttahida (MQM) were killed at<br />
the Star Gate area. Firing was opened on PPP, ANP, PML (Q), and MMA joint rallies and as a result 5 people<br />
were killed. At Malir Halt, Edhi’s driver was killed in a shooting, and 9 motorbikes and 6 vehicles were set<br />
ablaze. At Drigh Road, 19 vehicles were set on fire. At Pehalwan Goth PPP, Nawaz League, Sindhiani Tehreek<br />
and Awami Tahreek’s rallies were targeted. 1 member <strong>of</strong> Awami Tehreek Nawaz Kunrani was killed. In Korangi<br />
Sunni Tehreek’s member, Suhail Qadri was killed in firing. At Paposh Nagar, 3 MQM workers were killed.<br />
The armed terrorists assualted Kawish and KTN reporter Zulfiqar Bughio and cameraman RD Samejo<br />
and snatched a camera. At FTC Bridge, armed person snatched a camera from KTN cameraman and broke it<br />
and also tried to snatch a motorbike from Kawish’s photographer Waqar Hussain.<br />
Kawish 13 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Mr Altaf Hussain said that the political jugglers want any other Army General to rule. He also said that<br />
he could have called for the workers to retaliate to the crimes committed but he requested patience and peace.<br />
Chief Justice should apologize to the people. Muttahida always have always believed in forbearance. The rally<br />
was announced against the political jugglers and in the favour <strong>of</strong> freedom <strong>of</strong> the judiciary. As soon as CJ<br />
arrived at airport, the firing started on the MQM’s unarmed activists.<br />
Express 13 May (a)<br />
Staff reporter - There were five hours <strong>of</strong> continuous firing on the AAJ TV channel building at Business<br />
Recorder Road. 300 hundred people including journalists were held hostage, and vehicles in the parking lots<br />
were set on fire. Armed persons were firing on the Aaj TV building from different areas and from buildings<br />
opposite Aaj. Due to the firing, glass windows were broken and there were many bullet holes on the building.<br />
During the five hours continuous firing, Aaj TV personnel tried to contact the Governor, CM and other high<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficials many times but did not get any suitable reply from them. After five hours, two mobile police vehicles<br />
arrived and stayed at Aaj TV’s building, but armed persons were still roaming in the presence <strong>of</strong> the policemen<br />
and were firing undeterred. Police did not interfere. During this time, Aaj TV personnel contacted the police<br />
several times but didn’t get any response from the high <strong>of</strong>ficials. At time <strong>of</strong> the firing two police vehicles were<br />
already there but were only watching the incident. The incident happened due to live telecast <strong>of</strong> 12 th may rallies.<br />
PFUJ demanded that the President provide protection to Aaj TV, Geo TV, and other journalists from<br />
government terrorists. PFUJ announced that, if any journalist received any threat or was injured, then the 302<br />
FIRs (murder or attempt to murder) would be lodged against the President and PM.<br />
Express 13 May (b)<br />
HRCP<br />
Staff reporter - “Save our brothers from being killed”. A number <strong>of</strong> women rang up the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Express from different parts <strong>of</strong> town to report that they were besieged in their homes.<br />
71
***<br />
Express 13 May (c)<br />
Staff reporter - Police failed to take any action to stop the violence between various armed groups. If<br />
the police and rangers had acted in time many deaths and injuries to innocent people might have been<br />
prevented. In Malir bodies and injured people lay on the roads for hours, and the police did not even dare take<br />
them to hospital. Bodies and injured persons were finally taken to hospital after several hours when the<br />
gunmen had left.<br />
Express 13 May (d)<br />
***<br />
DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah instructed all personnel to deposit their firearms. Personnel were<br />
issued with lathis for their protection, leading to the personnel refusing to perform their duties. Police were<br />
issued firearms only after a few hours. A police <strong>of</strong>ficer reported that the Investigation Police also took part in<br />
the violence.<br />
Express 13 May (f)<br />
***<br />
News agencies - Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting condemned the loss <strong>of</strong> life in<br />
Karachi and claimed that the culprits will be unmasked after an investigation. He was speaking by phone to a<br />
private TV channel. He said we all have to get together to find out who was responsible for the events in<br />
Karachi and what are the objectives <strong>of</strong> those people. He claimed that an enquiry will be held into the attack on<br />
AAJ TV. Durrani said that the government took all possible steps to ensure the safety <strong>of</strong> human life.<br />
Express 13 May (g)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Edhi Foundation driver Faiz-ur-Rehman was taking two people injured in the Drigh<br />
Road area due to firing to Jinnah Hospital when terrorists open fire on the ambulance. His body and the two<br />
injured were then taken to Jinnah Hospital.<br />
Express 13 May (h)<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
Staff Reporter – 37 people killed and over 115 injured in armed clashes between groups taking out<br />
rival rallies on the occasion <strong>of</strong> the visit <strong>of</strong> the CJ to Karachi. 40 vehicles torched at various locations, and two<br />
Petrol Pumps damaged. Unknown persons set alight MQM <strong>of</strong>fice in Kaemari. Several airport bound political<br />
workers arrested. Armed people set up ambushes against political rallies with gunfire and hand grenades. Edhi<br />
volunteers beaten and turned away from attempts at rescuing bodies and injured persons, resulting in deaths <strong>of</strong><br />
many <strong>of</strong> the injured.<br />
Trailers, minibuses, coaches and motorcycles were used to blockade the route going to and from the<br />
airport, and not even motorcycle riders were allowed to go through the blockades. Airport employees were also<br />
returned at Drigh Road. During that time when PPP workers arrived at Drigh Road to reach the airport armed<br />
men opened fire, resulting in clashes between armed supporters <strong>of</strong> both sides, leading to over a dozen people<br />
being injured. Unknown people set alight trailer registration number JT-6051. Two Mehran cars, 12<br />
motorcycles burnt.<br />
Police and Rangers were remained within the premises <strong>of</strong> Shara-e-Faisal station. Unknown persons<br />
locked the gates <strong>of</strong> the police station from outside. At this time DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah and TPO Sharae-Faisal<br />
were also besieged. Further police reinforcements were requested in order to break the lock and let out<br />
the police <strong>of</strong>ficers. The police then resorted to shelling and aerial firing to disperse the armed men.<br />
At Natha Khan Bridge armed men who were barricaded in pickets came under fire from residential<br />
areas below. These armed men saved themselves by laying low on the road. Natha Khan Bridge remained a<br />
battleground for two hours. Those heading towards the airport crossed Natha Khan bridge by crawling across.<br />
This carried on for 4 hours, and later police came under fire from Natha Khan locality.<br />
At the Malir Halt main signal a young man was killed and his body remained unclaimed for an hour,<br />
while in Rafa-e-Aam Society four men were killed and their bodies could not be moved for four hours. After the<br />
reduction in firing the police removed these bodies to hospital in their mobile. Armed clashes in Natha Khan<br />
claimed the lives <strong>of</strong> 30-year old Aslam Pervaiz, 28-year old Saido Khan from Malir Halt, two IJT workers from<br />
close to Malir Halt including 28-year old Shuja Rehman s/o Abdur Rehman and 28-year old Faisal Tariq, and<br />
35-year old Malik Aijaz s/o Malik Ibrahim, Sunni Tehreek worker 40-year Sohail Qadri s/o Nafees Adam,<br />
Ghulam Navaid s/o Ghulam Habeeb, 35-year old Shah Saud s/o Ghulam Qadir, Metroville Orangi Town<br />
resident and ANP worker 35-year old Saeed Ahmed Shah s/o Mohd Shareef, Malir Alfalah society resident from<br />
72
Badin and ANP worker 25-year Ghulam Sarwar s/o Mohd Yar, 60-year Ayub Deen s/o Lal Deen, and Shah<br />
Faisal Colony resident 28-year old Bahadur Khan.<br />
At the FTC Flyover 4 people killed in firing have not been identified. On Friday night firing in Model<br />
Colony close to Abbasi Market the injured youth Jahanzeb succumbed to his injuries. He was a worker <strong>of</strong> PML-<br />
N. In Chandni Chowk area <strong>of</strong> Paposh Nagar, 22-year Sakhi Rehman s/o Darvesh Khan and unknown 25-year<br />
old were killed by unknown terrorists and their bodies were dumped in a drain. The bodies were brought to<br />
Abbasi Shaheed for formalities. Sakhi Rehman was a resident <strong>of</strong> Nazimabad No 2. 32-year old Mehtab Shakar<br />
Khan Baloch died in firing under Colony Bridge, and in Jamshed Quarter Guru Mandir 30-year old Babar s/o<br />
Jameel was killed. Their bodies were taken to Jinnah. When the bodies were brought to the hospital there were<br />
heart-rending scenes and slogans were raised against the government. Two motorcycles were set alight by the<br />
unknown protestors.<br />
Over 100 were injured in firing including Mohd Rafeeq Khan, Bakhsh Sher, Munawar Zaman, Sham<br />
Riaz Khan, Ashfaq, Zubair, Ajab Butt, Shabbir Palari, Mohd Suleman Dasti, Khurram, Habib Alam, Khodar,<br />
Hussain Shah, Haji Akbar, Mohd Shah, Arsalan, Mohd Ali, Hazrat Khan, Lal Afsar, Lal Saeed, Mohd Ahmed,<br />
Noor Hussain, Bahsir Jan, Rehmat, Mohd Rasheed Khan, Jan Mohd, Weju, Abdul Hasan, Nasir Rehman, Amir<br />
Alam, Nadeem, Abdur Razzaq, Mohd Ameen, Mohd Salman, Fazal Wahab, Adil Naseem, Abdullah, Jan Mohd,<br />
Khalid, Sarfraz Khan, Abdul Wahab, Nazo, Anwar Abbas, and Waheed Rehman.<br />
9 people were injured in the clashes at Drigh Road, including Mohd Shabbeer, Salman, Sher Ahmed,<br />
Abrar, Haji Akbar, Mohd Ali Haseeb Alam, Irshad Ahmed, and an unknown person who died. MQM workers<br />
Zakir and Imran were injured – they were taken to Abbasi Shaheed for treatment. The body <strong>of</strong> Shahbaz s/o<br />
Mustafa who died in firing at Drigh Road was brought to Liaqat National Hospital. PPP leader Sherry Rehman’s<br />
vehicle came under fire near COD at Drigh Road leading to her guard being wounded. Members <strong>of</strong> assembly<br />
and other leaders escaped bullet injuries. At Drigh Road agitated persons damaged 16-wheeler trailer number<br />
JT-6051 and set it alight, two coaches, 12 motorcycles and car AC-1660 were damaged and burnt. One petrol<br />
pump was also attacked.<br />
Near Malir Halt ANP and PML-N rallies were attacked using hand grenades leading to injuries to over<br />
18 people including PML-N leader Tariq Khan.<br />
In North Nazimabad near APWA College a policeman Ashraf s/o Haji Qasim was injured, and three<br />
people in rallies, Gul Feroze, Punnu and Asim were wounded. They were taken to Abbasi Shaheed. Police<br />
used teargas shells to disperse the protestors. In Nazimabad No 7 there was firing on a rally, injuring two<br />
persons Aslam and Shakir who were riding in buses.<br />
HRCP<br />
In Patel Para dozens <strong>of</strong> parked rickshaws were set alight, and Rizwan s/o Shameem died on the spot.<br />
His body was brought to Liaqat National. At Malir Kala Board near Rangers HQ agitated persons set alight six<br />
vehicles. In Malir close to Wireless Gate due to firing on rallies the MQM PPOC members Fida Khan, Umar<br />
Khan and Malang Khan were filled.<br />
In Shah Faisal Colony Nazeer Qadri was injured due to firing, and in SITE area Benares 9 people were<br />
injured due to clashes between armed political groups. Their names are Azeez, Mehboob, Yunus, Ilyas, Shakir,<br />
Sohail, Qudratullah, Siraj, and Ansar.<br />
On Abulhasan Isfahani Road three were injured due to firing: Ghazanfar, Adnan, and Ali Shah. In<br />
Gulistan Johar Pehlwan Goth ANP worker Nawaz was killed by firing <strong>of</strong> unknown people. Gulshan Iqbal Nazim<br />
Wase Jaleel claimed that his car was fired upon and he escaped narrowly.<br />
In Orangi Town due to a clash between two parties 50-year old Niazi was seriously wounded.<br />
On National Highway, the Quaidabad Gulistan Society Murghikhana resident and president <strong>of</strong> the Malir<br />
Bar Zahoor Hussain’s house came under heavy fire from unknown persons, causing bullet holes in the walls<br />
and windows. Firing caused fear and panic among the local residents and the suspects escaped from the area.<br />
Those wounded by “cracker” (hand grenade?) at Kala Board Malir were 25-year old Sher Ali, in Alfalah<br />
35-year Abdul Malik, 9 persons in Patel Para including 35-year old Javed, 30-year old Akram, 35-year old<br />
Rasheed Ayub, 55-year old Mazloom, 17-year old Mohd Usman, 45-year old Chan Mohd, 35-year old Zubiar<br />
Ahmed, 37-year old Mohd Mehboob, Malik Shehzad Ali, in Malir Iqbal Hussain, in New Karachi 30-year old<br />
Azhar Ashraf, in Brigade 24-year old Mansoor Ali, in Lyari Cheel Chowk 35-year old Zahid, in Numaish 35-year<br />
old Sagheer Ahmed, in Shahnawaz Bhutto Colony Syed Mansoor, in Orangi 50-year old Niaz Ahmed, at<br />
Lasbela 17-year Fazal Mohd, in Liaqatabad Teen Hatti 50-year old Fazal Kareem, on Shara-e-Faisal Rashid<br />
Minhas Road 10-year old Mohd Saleem, five persons from Baloch Colony, Naved, Afzal, Qayum, Waheed<br />
Rehman, and Hazrat, from Shara-e-Faisal Awami Markaz 40-year old Anwar Abbas, from Nazimabad Abdullah<br />
College 35-year old Sarfraz, at Stargate 35-year old Ghulam Mohd were injured due to firing and taken to Civil<br />
Hospital.<br />
In Jamshed Quarter area 30-year old Mohd Saleem s/o Mohd Haneef and in Shara-e-Faisal 30-year<br />
old Amir Ahmed were taken to Aga Khan due to bullet wounds.<br />
73
In Baloch Colony armed persons waiting in ambush attacked political rallies again, including members<br />
<strong>of</strong> assembly returning on Shara-e-Faisal. Armed were riding motorcycles. Agitated persons then tore down<br />
MQM banners from a newly constructed building near Awami Markaz, and set them alight, and raised slogans<br />
against MQM. Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies were not visible.<br />
At Pehlwan Goth, however, the inner route to the Airport was blocked by a heavy contingent <strong>of</strong><br />
Rangers and Police. They stopped the leaders and workers <strong>of</strong> PPP, ANP and nationalist parties from going to<br />
the airport. Police resorted to teargas shelling and lathi-charge on airport bound protestors, and arrested many<br />
people.<br />
In Sohrab Goth, Al-Asif, University Road near Mausamiyat Dept, Abbas Town, Benaras, and Shah<br />
Faisal Colony, there was heavy exchange <strong>of</strong> fire between rival barricaded groups which carried on till late at<br />
night. Police and Rangers remained silent witnesses. Firing caused fear and panic. Protestors burnt tyres and<br />
set up blocks to stop traffic on Superhighway at Sohrab Goth.<br />
In Shah Faisal Colony Golden Town armed men blew up PMT by firing, leading to power failure in the<br />
area. In Lyari Art (8?) Chowk agitated persons attacked “15 Madadgar” post, the police present fled to save<br />
their lives, while the post was set alight.<br />
PPP leaders said that armed terrorists ambushed workers leading to over 20 deaths and dozens <strong>of</strong><br />
people injured. Many PPP workers including women activists are still untraced and the PPP leaders said they<br />
suspected that they had been kidnapped.<br />
Pakhtun Action Committee (Loya Jirga) leader Shahi Syed said that 10 workers were killed and 90<br />
injured. Late night in the Manghopir area Kunwari Colony the body <strong>of</strong> 25-year Sher Ali s/o Yahya was found –<br />
he was killed by firing <strong>of</strong> unknown persons. In the same area, at the Nusrat Bhutto Mor near the Marble Factory<br />
the tortured body <strong>of</strong> a 27-year old man was found. These bodies were taken to Abbasi Shaheed.<br />
Express 13 May (i)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah arrived at Karachi Airport at 7.30 pm on Saturday<br />
evening where he was surrounded by political workers and journalists. They demanded to know who was<br />
responsible for the violence. The anger <strong>of</strong> the people present there forced the DIG to get back into his vehicle<br />
and left the airport area.<br />
Express 13 May (j)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - The dead and the injured were taken to Jinnah, Abbasi Shaheed, Civil and Liaqat<br />
National hospitals. Most <strong>of</strong> the injured were taken to Jinnah. There were not enough beds available in the<br />
Emergency Section <strong>of</strong> Jinnah, and many <strong>of</strong> the injured lay on the floor. Many political workers were present<br />
outside the Emergency Section and they were raising slogans against the government. Agitated people<br />
attacked the police mobiles present which then fled. In the meanwhile due to the public holiday and the<br />
insecure conditions in the city those facing other medical emergencies faced great difficulties. Medical stores<br />
were closed and ambulances were not available.<br />
Express 13 May (k)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Sindh High Court Bar Association president Abrar Ahsan condemned the use <strong>of</strong><br />
firearms in the city, and the detention and beating <strong>of</strong> lawyers. He blamed the MQM and called for its<br />
deregistration as a political party. He said that the government should resign because it had failed to maintain<br />
peace and security.<br />
Express 13 May (l)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Bureau report and correspondents - Police carried out heavy baton-charge on lawyers coming from the<br />
interior <strong>of</strong> Sindh. Their convoys were stopped with vehicles being attacked with sticks. Lawyers were forced to<br />
disembark from the vehicles and were beaten with sticks. The vehicles were impounded into police stations.<br />
Large numbers <strong>of</strong> lawyers were arrested in Nawabshah, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, Tando Allahyar, Badin,<br />
Thatta, Khairpur and other places. There are reports from Larkana that lawyer’s convoys were fired upon. In<br />
Nawabshah the administration had placed barriers on many spots to prevent the convoys from moving ahead.<br />
Lawyers were detained in a police station in Tando Allahyar for several hours. In Thatta several PPP convoys<br />
were stopped while Muttahida (MQM?) leaders were detained. In Badin the police had started impounding<br />
vehicles the previous night. There are reports <strong>of</strong> protests by lawyers against police action in several towns and<br />
cities.<br />
74
***<br />
Express 13 May (m)<br />
Staff reporter - According to police reports Asghar Shah aged 35, Jahanzeb aged 30 and Shamrez, all<br />
workers <strong>of</strong> the PML(N) were shot by terrorists on Friday night in Model Colony. The former two died on the spot<br />
while Shamrez <strong>file</strong>d the FIR against unknown persons.<br />
Express 13 May (n)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - In the limits <strong>of</strong> Shara-e-Faisal station near the Natha Khan Bridge armed men snatched<br />
the <strong>of</strong>ficially-issued SMG <strong>of</strong> Shara-e-Faisal Investigation Head Constable Abdullah. On protesting he was<br />
beaten up. The Head Constable immediately informed DSP Chaudhry Sohail Faiz, upon which the DSP<br />
phoned up an unknown terrorist, upon which the weapon was brought back. According to the DSP<br />
Investigation Shara-e-Faisal, DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah had instructed all <strong>of</strong>ficers and personnel to deposit<br />
their firearms and issued them with lathis. The personnel refused to leave the police station premises in protest<br />
and Shara-e-Faisal was turned into a battleground.<br />
Jang 13 May (a)<br />
***<br />
News agencies and TV report - Sindh provincial interior advisor Waseem Akhtar said that the<br />
government sent written requests to the Chief Justice to cancel his trip to Karachi because <strong>of</strong> the bad conditions<br />
here. According to the Advisor the CJ ignored this request at the behest <strong>of</strong> his political lawyers and came here<br />
in order to cause a deterioration in conditions. The Advisor said that the CJ’s route was kept hidden from him.<br />
The Advisor said that the responsibility for the events in Karachi lay with the CJ and not with the government.<br />
Jang 13 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Monitoring cell - President Musharraf presided over a high-level meeting in Islamabad where it was<br />
decided to deploy Rangers in Karachi. Rangers units came into action immediately after this decision. Their<br />
vehicles were stoned in many places by enraged protestors.<br />
Jang 13 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Jang reporter - Unknown people set to fire the MQM’s provincial <strong>of</strong>fices in Quetta, but timely action on<br />
the part <strong>of</strong> local people stopped the fire from spreading.<br />
Jang 13 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - According to police sources unknown persons broke into an MQM <strong>of</strong>fice in the Hussain<br />
Bux Market in Kaemari where they set fire to the furniture. Police, Rangers and Fire Tenders arrived and<br />
extinguished the fire. In Kalakot unknown persons set fire to the “15” <strong>of</strong>fice. Agitators there raised slogans<br />
against the police and the situation was brought under control through the timely arrival <strong>of</strong> a large police party.<br />
There were reports <strong>of</strong> protests, tyre-burning and aerial firing in Nazimabad, SITE, Sohrab Goth, Benares<br />
Chowk, Lyari, Sher Shah, Quaidabad, Malir and Gadap. Protestors raised slogans against the police.<br />
Jang 13 May (e)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Accounts <strong>of</strong> various injured persons – Mohammad Alam: “I was going to receive the CJ<br />
and we were shouting slogans when firing started suddenly close to the Baloch Colony Flyover. I was shot in<br />
my arm and started bleeding, while several <strong>of</strong> my companions were also shot and injured. Firing carried on for<br />
a long time and we lay down in the vehicle calling for help. We were brought to the hospital after quite some<br />
time.” Another injured man: “ To escape the firing myself and several others took shelter under vehicles.<br />
Rangers and police personnel were present close by. A bullet went through my shoulder.” Abdul Wahab: “I was<br />
going home on a motorcycle when I was shot in the belly from an unknown direction. I was not part <strong>of</strong> a rally or<br />
procession.” Fayyaz: “I am a PPP worker and was in the rally to welcome the CJ. Firing started all <strong>of</strong> a sudden<br />
and I was shot in the leg. My companions brought me to hospital.”<br />
Jang 13 May (f)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Governor Ishratul Ibad requested the federal government to send the army to regain<br />
control <strong>of</strong> the law and order situation but this request was turned down. According to sources, the CM Arbab<br />
75
Ghulam Rahim was in touch with important persons in federal government who told him that the available<br />
police and Rangers should be used to control the situation. There was a long meeting between Governor and<br />
CM to discuss the situation. Speaking to media persons Governor Ibad said that the situation in Karachi was all<br />
right until 12 noon, but as soon as the CJ’s flight landed violent activities started. He said that the CJ should<br />
have postponed his visit, we had intimated this to him in writing. He said that we are observing both the hosts<br />
and the guests. The lawyers accompanying the CJ were externed, and we will carry out other actions against<br />
those lawyers who are resident in Karachi.<br />
Jang 13 May (g)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Violence and firing claimed the lives <strong>of</strong> 35 people, while 110 were injured. In the stretch<br />
between Drigh Road railway station till Malir Halt agitated persons set fire to over 50 vehicles and one petrol<br />
pump. Police and Rangers remained silent witnesses. There was free use <strong>of</strong> firearms for hours and Shara-e-<br />
Faisal was a battle-ground. At the FTC Flyover there was firing upon an ANP procession, as a result <strong>of</strong> which<br />
the vehicles from the procession tried to get into the lanes and streets nearby, while the police remained silent<br />
witnesses.<br />
Jang 13 May (h)<br />
***<br />
According to JUP leaders Pr<strong>of</strong> Ahmed Siddiqi, Chaudhry Mohammad Hussain, Tariq Mehboob, and<br />
ANI vice-president Malik Nazeer Ahmed, in various parts <strong>of</strong> the city such as Korangi, Surjnai Town, Gulberg,<br />
North Karachi, Mehmoodabad, Shah Faisal, terrorists attacked the <strong>of</strong>fices, beat up workers, and tore down<br />
banners etc. for the welcome <strong>of</strong> the CJ. According to the Islamic Jamiat Tulba Karachi Nazim Abdul Rasheed,<br />
IJT worker and third-year student at the Swedish College, Shuja-ur-Rehman was murdered by the coalition<br />
member <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government.<br />
Jang 13 May (i)<br />
***<br />
Press release - According to a press release issued by the MQM, 10 workers were killed while dozens<br />
were wounded when armed terrorists attacked MQM’s rally. MQM said that terrorists attacked the homes <strong>of</strong> our<br />
members and sympathizers in many areas and set fire to our <strong>of</strong>fices. Eight workers were abducted. Some<br />
people misbehaved with City Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, and there was an attempt to attack the home <strong>of</strong> Farooq<br />
Sattar.<br />
HRCP<br />
The workers who were killed were: Umar Rehman s/o Gul Faraz, Irshad Khan Malik s/o Abdul Mulook<br />
Khan, Fida Khan s/o Qadir Khan, Aslam Pervaiz s/o Habeeb, Rizwan Shameem s/o Shameemullah, Babar<br />
Changezi s/o <strong>of</strong> Jameel Ahmed Khan, Jahanzeb, Aleem, Amir, Shahbaz Khan s/o Ghulam Mustafa. Umar<br />
Rehman, Irshad Khan Malang and Fida Khan were from Landhi UC with the Pashtun Punjabi Organizing<br />
Committee. Aslam (Muslim) Pervaiz was member <strong>of</strong> Medical Aid Committee, Sindh Government Hospital<br />
Lyari. 47-year old Shameem died as a result <strong>of</strong> firing in the Patel Para area. He was from the Shah Faisal<br />
Sector. 25-year Babar Changezi was a worker <strong>of</strong> MQM unit 146 FB Area Sector, while Jahanzeb was a worker<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Malir Sector. Shahbaz Khan was a Pashtun worker and had arranged food for the participants <strong>of</strong> the<br />
rally. The injured include Adeel, Javed Shah, Zeeshan Azhar, Akbar, Haneef, Rehan Ali, Malik Shehzad, and<br />
other workers and supporters, the details are being collected.<br />
MQM workers returning to their areas from the rally were attacked at various places. In UC 23 Landhi<br />
Town in the Haddi Mill area various terrorists entered homes <strong>of</strong> MQM supporters, beat up the residents and<br />
misbehaved with the women. In the same area MQM’s Punjabi Pakhtun Organizing Committee <strong>of</strong>fice and “15<br />
Madadgar” <strong>of</strong>fices were burnt. In Majeed Colony Landhi MQM Unit 80 <strong>of</strong>fice was set alight.<br />
In UC3 Kaemari and Khwaja Nagri ANP workers set fire to the Muttahida PPOC <strong>of</strong>fice. Various MQM<br />
rallies were fired upon in dozens <strong>of</strong> places including Sohrab Goth, Benaras Chowk, Nauras Chowrangi, Ghani<br />
Chowrangi, Orangi, SITE, Mangho Peer, Pakhtunabad, and Pahar Ganj.<br />
Convoys coming from Sohrab Goth and interior Sindh were stoned, there was aerial firing, and people<br />
were forced to disembark from vehicles and beaten. In Benaras Chowk near Abdullah College ANP and<br />
Jamaat-Islami workers fired on rallies, and stopped vehicles. An MQM rally going from Orangi to Tibet Centre<br />
was stopped at Benaras Chowk and fired upon, in which 4 people were wounded, and 8 MQM workers were<br />
abducted at gunpoint.<br />
On MA Jinnah Road some people dressed as lawyers attacked MQM workers and misbehaved with<br />
Nasreen Jaleel. Haq Parast MPA Mueen Khan and Town Nazim Gulshan Iqbal Wase Jaleel narrowly escaped<br />
injury in firing at Lasbela as they brought a rally to Tibet Centre. Wase Jaleel was fired upon by Jamaat Islami<br />
terrorists but escaped but his companion was shot in the neck.<br />
76
MQM Rabita Committee Deputy Convenor Farooq Sattar’s home in PIB Colony was attacked but due<br />
to the vigilance <strong>of</strong> the neighbours the attackers ran <strong>of</strong>f. MQM workers were moving in the form <strong>of</strong> a rally near<br />
Kala Board Malir where terrorists fired on them. Terrorists injured several people in incidents at COD Filter<br />
Plant, Azeempura, Drigh Road, and Natha Khan Goth.<br />
Jang 13 May (j)<br />
***<br />
Press release - Jamaat Islami has claimed that as a result <strong>of</strong> heavy firing on a procession welcoming<br />
the CJ, three workers, Shuja Rehman, Pervez Iqbal Kiani and Faisal Tariq died, 15 workers were injured while<br />
another 7 are missing. Shuja Rehman died as a result <strong>of</strong> firing at Malir Halt. One injured worker Faisal Tariq<br />
was being taken to Jinnah Hospital in an Edhi ambulance. At Malir Halt MQM terrorists opened fire killing him<br />
and the Edhi driver. Seven JI workers going to the rally are reported missing and it is suspected that they were<br />
abducted during the incidents <strong>of</strong> firing and violence.<br />
Jang 13 May (k)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - PPP Sindh president Qaim Ali Shah said that 15 workers belonging to PPP and ANP<br />
died. He said that MQM workers set alight the car <strong>of</strong> PPP Malir president Raja Razzaq. The PPP secretariat at<br />
Shara-e-Quaideen was attacked by MQM workers, staff were beaten up and furniture was ransacked. Edhi<br />
drivers were attacked. When we managed to clear road blocks at Kala Pul, FTC, Nursery, and Baloch Colony,<br />
terrorists positioned on the Drigh Station Flyover started firing directly onto us. Then terrorists at COD flyover<br />
and Baloch Colony also did heavy firing, in which 15 workers <strong>of</strong> ANP and PPP were killed while 80 were injured.<br />
Jang 13 May (l)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter - Chief Justice Sindh High Court Sabeehuddin Ahmed took suo motto notice <strong>of</strong> violence<br />
against lawyers, detentions, and the siege <strong>of</strong> the City Courts. He summoned the Chief Secretary, the Home<br />
Sectretary, IG Sindh and Corps Commander Karachi. When the CJ Sindh HC arrived at the court on Saturday<br />
morning he took notice <strong>of</strong> MQM workers besieging the building. He took strong notice <strong>of</strong> the detention <strong>of</strong><br />
lawyers, snatching <strong>of</strong> mobile phones and demanded explanation from the said <strong>of</strong>ficials.<br />
Jang 13 May (m)<br />
***<br />
Press release - Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh president Shahi Syed, Secretary General Ameen<br />
Khattak, District Central president Niaz Mohammad, District East president Yunus Khan Buneri, District South<br />
president Abdul Bari Kakar, District Malir president Amaan Khattak, District West president Syed Ahmed Khan<br />
and other <strong>of</strong>fice-bearers condemned the violence against their workers.<br />
Ten workers including Muntazir Khan from Malir, Mujeeb Ali Khan from Swat Colony, Mehtab Khan <strong>of</strong><br />
Metroville, Fazlur Rehman and Shanay Khan <strong>of</strong> UC Muzaffarabad Colony, and Ameen Khan were killed. Over<br />
130 workers including Malir workers Ameer Khan, Salman Khan, Syed Shahi Akbar, Anwar Shad, District West<br />
workers Basheer Jan, provincial deputy secretary general Shaukat Khan, Rasheed Chugharzai, Abdul Wahab,<br />
Shah Zaman Khan, Zaki-ur-Rehman, Naveed Khan, District East workers Shafee Ahmed, Mulla Sirajuddin,<br />
Basheer Khan, Mohammad Alam, Wali Khan, Naib Khan, Farooq Khan, District Central workers Abdul Haneef<br />
Mandokhel, Niazo Khan Afridi, Bahadur Khan, Sarfaraz Khan, Jan Mohammad, Abdul Wahab, District South<br />
City Railway Colony Ward worker Salar Khan Hakeem, were injured. Around 200 vehicles were set alight.<br />
Jang 13 May (n)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Muhammad Saleem Qazi told us that his brother, Muhammad Ishaq Qazi, a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> Awami National Party, was killed on 12th May. He said that they are from a village in Swat, NWFP but<br />
currently reside in Buner colony, Karachi. Muhammad Ishaq worked in Qasim Textile Mills. He left for work at<br />
8:00 am and never returned. His relative identified his body at Edhi’s morgue. They were informed that he was<br />
trapped in Ferozabad police station’s jurisdiction and killed at Share-Faisal near FTC building. He had a bullet<br />
shot in his forehead and his face was tied with his shirt. Saleem, his brother, told us that Ishaq’s marriage was<br />
fixed on 5th July.<br />
***<br />
Asian <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong>, 13 May (a)<br />
PAKISTAN: The Asian <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> condemns violence unleashed by the military<br />
77
egime leading to killing <strong>of</strong> 30 persons in <strong>Pakistan</strong>The Asian <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> (AHRC) condemns the<br />
violence unleashed on peaceful protestors by the military dictator in Karachi, <strong>Pakistan</strong> which has resulted in<br />
heavy loss <strong>of</strong> life. The violence against the protest march on 12 May in <strong>Pakistan</strong> is raising further alarm about<br />
the already deteriorated legal and administrative system hitting bottom hard. Presently it is the loss <strong>of</strong> over<br />
more than 30 lives. The aim such action is for General Musharaf is to claim five more years in power without<br />
hindrance from judiciary.<br />
The stalemate between the self-declared president – Mr. Musharaf and the people struggling to bring<br />
meaning to justice has taken a decisive turn. This is one <strong>of</strong> the worst violent occurrences in the whole struggle<br />
for the basic human rights <strong>of</strong> the people which is been systematically denied for long.<br />
Fair trial and independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary are the foundation <strong>of</strong> any civilised nation and the birth right <strong>of</strong><br />
every individual. Interestingly, in a speech yesterday Mr. Musharaf expressed that, "…let the judiciary be<br />
independent and stop putting pressure and wait for verdict," He also added that "…your slogan <strong>of</strong> judicial<br />
independence is also my slogan”.<br />
The General is talking the language <strong>of</strong> co-option. He is trying to earn legitimacy by declaring his<br />
objective as the same <strong>of</strong> the protestors. Ironically this is the words <strong>of</strong> a person who summoned a serving Chief<br />
Justice to military barracks and sacked him in the most arbitrary manner. A person who has shown utmost<br />
disrespect to the independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary is now claiming to be its apostle. A conversion drama, faster than<br />
that <strong>of</strong> Paul en route Damascus.<br />
As news reports are coming in, the manipulative role <strong>of</strong> the dictator is being exposed. The General<br />
who assumed power by a show <strong>of</strong> might disregarding peoples’ choice and throwing democracy out from the<br />
country is now facing the reality that there is a limit to peoples’ tolerance.<br />
The General is trying to infiltrate into the people’s movement by using factions loyal to him. In such an<br />
attempt he is also allegedly using military <strong>of</strong>ficers and the criminals at the same time to open fire at protesting<br />
people. An administration which is commanded by such a person obviously did nothing. Proving his talent to<br />
subvert fundamental rights equally by clever and crude means, the General soon appeared in public in civilian<br />
dress. The General in his speech has conspicuously refrained from making any reference to the state and the<br />
administration, he allegedly commands and its role in the current crisis. Instead the dictator has tried to<br />
trivialise the peoples’ protest as a fight between the government’s supporters and a disgraced judge. There was<br />
not a word about what action would be taken against those who fired at the protesting crowd.<br />
In a county like <strong>Pakistan</strong>, where the legal and justice system has already collapsed, violence could be<br />
further conveniently used by the General to declare harsher forms <strong>of</strong> oppression. This is the worst tactic that<br />
could be employed by any ruler. A dictator who has procured a safe haven by buying properties outside<br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong> has parallels in the region in Myanmar and Nepal. For the lesser mortals in <strong>Pakistan</strong> it is <strong>Pakistan</strong> and<br />
nowhere else.<br />
The people when pressed hard beyond a breaking point is justified in protesting against the oppressor.<br />
Thousands have taken to the streets to demonstrate their discontent against an Army General who has played<br />
all cards available, ranging from religion to security in an attempt to remain in power. The people <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong><br />
protesting against such a dictator and his armed cronies need support and solidarity.<br />
It is the legal and the moral obligation <strong>of</strong> the civil society to respond to the cry for help from <strong>Pakistan</strong>.<br />
The struggle in <strong>Pakistan</strong> has reached the turning point capable enough to change the destiny <strong>of</strong> a nation. The<br />
clarion call by the mass struggling for democracy, independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary, rule <strong>of</strong> law and human rights is<br />
already made. Now it is the duty <strong>of</strong> the international community to respond to the call.<br />
The AHRC calls for immediate investigation into the firing incident and prosecution <strong>of</strong> the criminals.<br />
The AHRC calls for restoration <strong>of</strong> democracy in <strong>Pakistan</strong> for which General Musharaf must step down and the<br />
army must be returned to the barracks. The dismissed Chief Justice must be immediately reinstated to <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
The United Nations agencies and the international communities need to condemn the killings, the unleashing <strong>of</strong><br />
the violence against the peaceful protest and the displacement <strong>of</strong> the legal process. It is their obligation to insist<br />
on ensuring an inquiry into the killings and to bring an end to the ongoing violence.<br />
Dawn 14 May (a)<br />
MQM blamed for killings in Karachi<br />
Dawn Report<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
HYDERABAD, May 13: Activists <strong>of</strong> political parties in the opposition observed a black day and held<br />
rallies across the province on Sunday in protest against the government’s failure to rein in armed miscreants in<br />
Karachi.<br />
The protesters wore black armbands, staged sit-ins and token hunger strikes.<br />
78
On the other hand, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) observed a day <strong>of</strong> mourning and held<br />
Quran khwanis in several cities.<br />
Reports <strong>of</strong> partial strike were received from different parts <strong>of</strong> the province while police detained scores<br />
<strong>of</strong> Awami Tehrik activists on charges <strong>of</strong> forcing shopkeepers to close their shops.<br />
In Hyderabad, markets remained partially closed in different parts <strong>of</strong> the city and Latifabad while a<br />
complete strike was observed in Qasimabad in response to call for strike given by Awami Tehrik.<br />
City and Cantonment police arrested several AT activists and field two cases under sections 147, 148,<br />
149, 506(II) and 341 PPC against them.<br />
The Hyderabad chapter <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Majli-i-Amal set up a hunger strikers’ camp outside the local<br />
press club, which was later joined by leaders and activists <strong>of</strong> other opposition parties.<br />
MMA leaders criticised MQM for staging the rally on May 12 and blamed adviser to chief minister on<br />
home department for deceiving people who were being gunned down.<br />
NAWABSHAH: The Nawabshah chapter <strong>of</strong> the PPP observed a black day and staged a hunger strike<br />
outside the press club. Party leaders Ghulam Qadir Chandio and Imdad Dhamrah blamed the Sindh<br />
government for acts <strong>of</strong> terrorism in Karachi.<br />
They said that 16 PPP workers and activists <strong>of</strong> other opposition parties were killed in what they termed<br />
as battlefield staged by MQM in connivance with the government.<br />
Later, they <strong>of</strong>fered Ghaibana Namaz-i-Janaza <strong>of</strong> the deceased people and announced the party would<br />
observe a shutter-down strike on Monday.<br />
The members <strong>of</strong> Jamiat Tuleba-i-Islam held a demonstration outside the press club against killings<br />
and attack on the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> a private news channel.<br />
MIRPURKHAS: Activists <strong>of</strong> PPP, JSQM, SNF and AT staged a joint rally, which started from the<br />
railway station chowk in protest against killing <strong>of</strong> innocent people in Karachi and attack on Aaj TV channel while<br />
the MQM observed the day as a day <strong>of</strong> mourning.<br />
The joint opposition rally marched on main roads <strong>of</strong> the city before reaching the press club.<br />
PPP’s Ali Akbar Panwhar accused MQM <strong>of</strong> involvement in the killings and demanded that the<br />
government should take action against them.<br />
HRCP<br />
SNF's Asghar Narejo said that MQM deliberately raised hurdles by scheduling its rally to sabotage the<br />
visit <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.<br />
DADU: Complete strike was observed in Dadu, Mehar, Sehwan, Jamshoro, Khairpur Nathan Shah,<br />
Johi and Kotri towns in response to the AT’s call for strike in protest against killing <strong>of</strong> party activist Mohammad<br />
Nawaz Karnani and activists <strong>of</strong> other political parties. Over 300 women activists <strong>of</strong> Sindhiani Tehrik and AT led<br />
by district president Mumtaz Bhand staged a rally and a demonstration outside the press club.<br />
Mr Bhand blamed the gunmen <strong>of</strong> MQM killed AT activist Mohammad Nawaz Karnani and other<br />
activists. Meanwhile, two scores <strong>of</strong> PPP activists staged a rally in Dadu against Karachi incident. AT activists<br />
also staged rallies in Kotri and Mehar towns.<br />
THATTA: Complete strike was observed on the call <strong>of</strong> AT on Sunday while the PPP, AT, STP, MMA,<br />
JSQM staged a procession in protest against violence in Karachi. They also staged a sit-in on the National<br />
Highway.<br />
In Gharo, ARD activists staged a big procession while partial strike was observed in Daro, Gharo, Jati,<br />
Mirpur Bathoro and Jhoke Sharif.<br />
Speakers held MQM responsible for Saturday's incidents and said that the party was playing into the<br />
hands <strong>of</strong> Gen Pervez Musharraf.<br />
JACOBABAD: The ARD and the MMA staged a joint rally against Saturday's incidents in Karachi.<br />
Led by Dr. A. G. Ansari <strong>of</strong> JUI-F, PPP's Rafique Ahmed Veesar and Abdul Sattar, JI’s Deedar Lashari,<br />
MMA's Hafiz Mir Mohammad Bunglani and STP's Dilmurad Lashari scores <strong>of</strong> activists blocked main Super<br />
Highway connecting Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan. They also burnt an effigy <strong>of</strong> MQM chief Altaf Hussain and<br />
MQM flags.<br />
The leaders held MQM responsible for what they called massacre <strong>of</strong> innocent people in Karachi.<br />
AT activists staged a rally in Thull against killing <strong>of</strong> party workers. They demanded registration <strong>of</strong> case<br />
against governor <strong>of</strong> Sindh and MQM leaders.<br />
79
KHAIRPUR: Activists <strong>of</strong> SPSF and AT staged separate processions in Khairpur and Thari Mirwah<br />
against killings <strong>of</strong> political workers in Karachi and attack on SPSF Sindh president Mohammad Suleman Dasti.<br />
SPSF district president Faqir Zakir Hussain Hisbani slammed the government and MQM ministers for<br />
giving a freehand to the miscreants and termed the killings as shameful and exposing the real face <strong>of</strong> MQM.<br />
They accused MQM's armed workers <strong>of</strong> involvement in the killing <strong>of</strong> Sindhi nationalist leaders and<br />
Mohammad Nawaz Karnani.<br />
NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: AT activists staged a rally and sit-in outside the press club in Naushahro<br />
Feroze and Moro.<br />
AT workers in Moro took out rallies and staged sit-ins outside the local press clubs. They alleged that<br />
Saturday's violence was part <strong>of</strong> a pre-planned conspiracy against democracy, independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary and<br />
people by the government and its allies.<br />
In Moro, shopping and trade centres remained closed up to 2pm.<br />
SPSF activists staged a demonstration opposite the press club in Tharushah.<br />
In Naushahro Feroze, several workers <strong>of</strong> Jamiat-i-Tuleba-i-Islam staged a rally and a demonstration<br />
outside the local press club condemning government for the killings.<br />
LARKANA: Several political parties including Sunni Tehrik (ST) protested against Karachi carnage in<br />
demonstrations on Sunday.<br />
PPP leaders held MQM and government responsible and said that 15 party workers were killed but<br />
Rangers and police stood by as spectators.<br />
ST leaders also blamed MQM for Karachi killings and demanded arrest <strong>of</strong> the killers <strong>of</strong> worker Suhail<br />
Qadri who was killed in Karachi.<br />
Activists <strong>of</strong> AT and STP said that government itself had ignited riots and targeted opponents.<br />
They distributed pamphlets among traders asking them to keep their business shut on Monday as sign<br />
<strong>of</strong> protest against the Karachi incident.<br />
SHIKARPUR: Activists <strong>of</strong> ARD and other opposition parties observed black day on Sunday in protest<br />
against Karachi killings. The protesters wore black armbands and announced they would observe a strike on<br />
Monday.<br />
MITHI: Activists <strong>of</strong> AT staged a rally against Karachi killings outside the local press club while partial<br />
strike was observed in response to AT’s call for shutter-down strike and a black day by STP.<br />
Dawn 14 May (b)<br />
Govt warned against plotting civil war<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The Pakhtun Action Committee, calling itself Loya Jirga, has warned the Sindh<br />
government, particularly the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, against continuing with making attempts and<br />
hatching conspiracies to push the city towards a civil war.<br />
Addressing a press conference at his residence on Sunday, PAC chairman Shahi Syed observed that<br />
Urdu-speaking people at large were not involved in the incidents <strong>of</strong> indiscriminate shooting at Pakhtun groups<br />
on Saturday.<br />
Shahi Syed, who is also President <strong>of</strong> the Awami National Party, Sindh, appreciated his party workers<br />
for exercising patience and remaining peaceful during the whole episode. However, he made it clear that<br />
pursuing the policy <strong>of</strong> non-violence should not be taken as Pakhtuns’ weakness.<br />
He accused the government <strong>of</strong> pushing Pakhtuns against the wall, and said the ANP and PAC fully<br />
supported the opposition’s call for strike on Monday against the attacks on the people who intended to<br />
participate in the rally to welcome the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.<br />
The PAC also gave the government 72 hours to pay <strong>of</strong>f the compensation for losses suffered by<br />
Pakhtuns on Saturday.<br />
Meanwhile, the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Sindh, has also expressed its support to the strike call<br />
for Monday.<br />
The ARD and MMA have appealed people <strong>of</strong> the country, particularly businessman community, traders<br />
and transporters to make the strike a success.<br />
80
In a statement issued on Sunday, Hafiz Hussain Ahmed, Dr Mairajul Huda Siddiqui, Salim Zia,<br />
Siddique Rathore, Zubair Khan and Basharat Mirza also appealed for complete peace during the strike.<br />
Dawn 14 May (c)<br />
Brave drivers <strong>of</strong> Edhi ambulances<br />
By Hasan Mansoor<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: Faizur Rehman was the second driver <strong>of</strong> the Edhi ambulance service who was<br />
killed in the line <strong>of</strong> duty, said an <strong>of</strong>ficial <strong>of</strong> the Edhi Trust.<br />
“He was second driver who was killed in an attack during violent situations in the city. Our first ever<br />
driver had been martyred in similar circumstances four years ago,” Anwer Kazmi, Edhi Trust’s spokesman told<br />
Dawn.<br />
According to him, more than one dozen Edhi Ambulance service drivers suffer attacks every year.<br />
“They are s<strong>of</strong>t targets <strong>of</strong> the attackers in such situations despite the fact that they risk their lives to help the<br />
dead and wounded,” said Mr Kazmi. During the last six years, he said, 80 drivers <strong>of</strong> Edhi ambulance service<br />
were attacked and injured.<br />
Edhi’s ambulances and staff have always been allowed to work in the most precarious situations but it<br />
started in 2001 when angry mobs started attacking them as specific target.<br />
“In most <strong>of</strong> the attacks, the attackers also beat up and injured our drivers. But, it was first time in 2003<br />
when a mob killed one <strong>of</strong> our drivers when the city was observing a strike. We have to suffer the loss <strong>of</strong> another<br />
dedicated worker today,” he said, adding, the attackers damaged at least seven <strong>of</strong> the 125 Edhi ambulances on<br />
Saturday.<br />
According to figures compiled by the private charity’s <strong>of</strong>ficials, as many as 112 ambulances had been<br />
attacked since 2001 while most attacks were recorded in May 2004 when most <strong>of</strong> the high-pro<strong>file</strong> terrorism acts<br />
were recorded in the history <strong>of</strong> the metropolis.<br />
“On average around 20 Edhi Ambulances are attacked every year. In 2004, more than 30 <strong>of</strong> our<br />
vehicles were attacked, most <strong>of</strong> them in May” said Rizwan Edhi, the charity’s chief volunteer.<br />
He said, “We were seldom attacked in the mid-1990s when the city had witnessed the worst law and<br />
order situation, but now it is becoming too risky.”<br />
Mr Kazmi referred to Abdus Sattar Edhi, the head <strong>of</strong> the charity, as saying, “We’ll not stop our service<br />
till a single ambulance left with us to serve the people.”<br />
Dawn 14 May (d)<br />
Strike call for today<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The Alliance for the Restoration <strong>of</strong> Democracy has called for a strike on Monday in<br />
protest against the violence in the city that left 34 people dead and over 100 others wounded on Saturday.<br />
Karachi remained tense on Sunday as political leaders and activists took part in the funeral <strong>of</strong> those<br />
killed in the violence at different places in the city.<br />
Shops, markets and other business concerns that usually remain open on Sundays were seen closed<br />
while public transport remained <strong>of</strong>f the road. Commuters were seen waiting for public transport at various bus<br />
stops in large numbers.<br />
The National Transport Ittehad, Karachi, endorsing the strike call, issued a statement declaring that its<br />
members would not operate any bus, minibus, coach, rickshaw, taxi or inter-provincial transport means on<br />
Monday.<br />
Meanwhile, Anjuman-i-Ittehad Bus Malikan, Karachi, have said that they would not observe strike on<br />
Monday and bring public transport vehicles on roads if the government provided them with full security.<br />
It said that the transporter community would not allow political parties to use transporters for their<br />
political purposes.<br />
Dawn 14 May (e)<br />
Schools, colleges to remain closed<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
81
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The provincial government on Sunday announced that all schools and colleges in<br />
Karachi would remain closed on Monday in view <strong>of</strong> the law and order situation obtaining in the city.<br />
“We have received a directive from the chief minister in this regard notifying the closure <strong>of</strong> all the<br />
educational institutions on Monday,” Sindh Education Secretary Sabhago Khan Jatoi told Dawn.<br />
He said the decision had been taken due to the deteriorating law and order situation in the city and any<br />
decision for Tuesday onwards would be taken by the competent authorities.<br />
Meanwhile, the University <strong>of</strong> Karachi postponed all examinations (morning and evening) scheduled for<br />
Monday and Tuesday.<br />
In a notification issued on Sunday, Karachi University Registrar Pr<strong>of</strong> Rais Alvi said that new dates for<br />
the postponed papers would be announced later. All public-dealing counters will remain closed and the tests<br />
and interviews for Selection Board in respect <strong>of</strong> teachers scheduled for May 15 and 16 were postponed.<br />
The Sindh Board <strong>of</strong> Technical Education postponed all the examination scheduled for Monday and<br />
Tuesday.<br />
The Board <strong>of</strong> Secondary Education postponed the practical examination <strong>of</strong> Physics scheduled for May<br />
14 to June 6. The National Council for Homeopathy announced postponement <strong>of</strong> the papers <strong>of</strong> Physics/<br />
Chemistry, 1st year, and Pathology, 3rd year, scheduled for Monday due to prevailing situation.<br />
Dawn 14 May (f)<br />
MQM shuts <strong>of</strong>fices, sets up camps<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has closed down its <strong>of</strong>fices across the country for<br />
an indefinite period and set up two camps for workers and sympathisers forced to leave their homes in the<br />
suburban areas following armed attacks.<br />
“The coordination committee has decided to close down all sector and unit <strong>of</strong>fices in the country for an<br />
indefinite period to foil the conspiracy to engineer ethnic riots,” deputy convener <strong>of</strong> the MQM Dr Farooq Sattar<br />
told a press conference at the party’s headquarters, Nine-Zero, on Sunday evening.<br />
HRCP<br />
“Today, terrorists <strong>of</strong> opposition parties carried out armed attacks in several areas and forced not only<br />
our workers and supporters but also our Punjabi, Pakhtun and minority workers to flee their respective<br />
localities,” he said, adding that the party had set up two camps in Azizabad for all the displaced families.<br />
Dr Sattar gave a detailed account <strong>of</strong> what he called atrocities on his party workers and supporters and<br />
attacks on party <strong>of</strong>fices in Karachi, Sindh’s interior and other parts <strong>of</strong> the country. “Hundreds <strong>of</strong> MQM workers<br />
living in suburbs <strong>of</strong> the city were forced to migrate but we did not react.”<br />
He said people in different areas <strong>of</strong> Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, Muzaffarabad Colony, Sherpao<br />
Colony, Sohrab Goth, Azeempura, Baldia Town, Lyari and other localities were attacked, tortured and injured<br />
by terrorists who wanted to engineer ethnic riots in the city on the pattern <strong>of</strong> what had happened in 1986.<br />
He accused opposition parties, including the Awami National Party and the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, <strong>of</strong><br />
hatching a conspiracy to divide the peaceful population <strong>of</strong> Karachi on ethnic and linguistic lines to destroy the<br />
peace <strong>of</strong> the city and derail the democratic process. “The attacks on peaceful rallies <strong>of</strong> the MQM, particularly in<br />
those areas which are not supposed to be the party’s strongholds, and killing <strong>of</strong> innocent people was a part <strong>of</strong><br />
the conspiracy aimed at restricting the MQM to its traditional constituencies.”<br />
He appealed to ANP chief Asfandyar Wali to tell his people that there was no clash <strong>of</strong> interests<br />
between the Pakhtuns and the Mohajirs and and suggested that he avoid giving statements that create chaos.<br />
He vowed not to allow terrorists and opposition parties to destroy the peace <strong>of</strong> the metropolis. He<br />
demanded an immediate arrest <strong>of</strong> people responsible for Saturday’s violence and subsequent attacks on MQM<br />
workers, supporters and <strong>of</strong>fices.<br />
MQM leader Babar Ghauri alleged on the occasion that the ANP wanted to improve its declining<br />
popularity graph in the NWFP by “doing politics on bodies”.<br />
MNA Hyder Rizvi denounced PPP leader Aitzaz Ahsan for criticising the MQM in an earlier press<br />
conference in Islamabad and said that his party had been involved in several incidents <strong>of</strong> terrorism, including<br />
the hijacking <strong>of</strong> a plane and firing <strong>of</strong> rockets on an oil refinery.<br />
Other members <strong>of</strong> the MQM coordination committee also spoke<br />
82
***<br />
Dawn 14 May (g)<br />
Karachi contends with ethnic violence<br />
By S. Raza Hassan<br />
KARACHI, May 13: Seven people were killed on Sunday in a second day <strong>of</strong> violence, raising the<br />
spectre <strong>of</strong> bloody ethnic feuding that plagued the city in the 1980s and 1990s.<br />
Saturday’s violence, whose outbreak followed the arrival <strong>of</strong> the chief justice in the city, claimed the<br />
lives <strong>of</strong> at least 34 people. The death toll rose to 41 on Sunday.<br />
Armed men barged into houses and threatened the residents late Saturday night in Ali Garh Colony,<br />
Orangi Town. However, local youths put up a strong resistance and pushed back the attackers, said a local<br />
resident, Muhammad Ehsan.<br />
“Following the last night incidents, some families have moved out from the area. At least two rows <strong>of</strong><br />
the locality have been vacated by the residents,” Ehsan told Dawn.<br />
He said that people here had gory memories <strong>of</strong> the late 1980s when their houses had been attacked<br />
and set ablaze in a systematic manner.<br />
At the Water Pump traffic intersection, a mob set fire to the shops located in the heart <strong>of</strong> Federal B<br />
Area on Sunday.<br />
At least four shops located adjacent to Water Pump were set on fire by protesters after the passing <strong>of</strong><br />
the funeral procession <strong>of</strong> a Muttahida Qaumi Movement activist.<br />
Sporadic gunfire was heard in the area shortly afterwards. However, unlike Saturday, a Rangers’<br />
convoy presently arrived there and forced the miscreants to flee. No one was reported hit in the shootout.<br />
The Fire Brigade reached the spot and tried to put out the blaze, but the shops had been gutted. A<br />
neighbouring gas station was also damaged by protesters.<br />
Earlier on Sunday morning, violence broke out in different localities <strong>of</strong> the city in Quaidabad. People<br />
took to the streets and set fire to tyres, disrupting whatever little traffic there was on the road.<br />
In Majeed Colony, Landhi Town, a young man, Saifur Rehman, died from gunshot wounds.<br />
He was reportedly setting up roadblocks in the area when he suffered a gunshot from police fire. His<br />
body was found at a ground.<br />
At Banaras Chowk, a group <strong>of</strong> people detained passersby and reportedly manhandled them because<br />
<strong>of</strong> their appearance or the clothes they wore.<br />
In the Manghopir area, bodies <strong>of</strong> two young men were found near the Javaden Cement factory. The<br />
bodies <strong>of</strong> the victims, wearing shalwar-kameez, were trussed up. Police said the victims had been tortured and<br />
later shot in the head. However, both the men, in their early twenties, could not be identified, police said.<br />
Muhammad Ali died reportedly in crossfire between two groups in Qasba Colony, Orangi Town. Police<br />
said that initial information suggested that Ali did not belong to any political party <strong>of</strong> group but was caught in<br />
the crossfire.<br />
In another clash between two groups that occurred in the same locality, Mohammad Noorani lost his<br />
life. Six others, including three policemen, were injured as a result <strong>of</strong> the firing.<br />
Police said the body <strong>of</strong> a young man was found near Naval Colony in Ibrahim Hydri. The victim,<br />
identified as Sarwar, was shot in the head.<br />
Police said Sarwar was the resident <strong>of</strong> Korangi No. 6. He was earlier kidnapped by unknown persons<br />
who later shot him in the head and dumped his body. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement claimed that Sarwar<br />
was their activist.<br />
They said that their another activists, Muhammad Ashraf, was killed at Banaras Chowk on Sunday<br />
evening by a group <strong>of</strong> armed men.<br />
Chowk<br />
HRCP<br />
Disturbances were reported from different parts <strong>of</strong> Site Town, Muzaffarabad Colony and Safoora<br />
83
***<br />
Dawn 14 May (h)<br />
More powers for Rangers<br />
By Arman Sabir<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The Rangers, who were called in about 18 years ago by the provincial government,<br />
got the upper hand over police on Sunday when they were additional powers.<br />
The federal interior ministry and the Sindh government asked the Rangers in Karachi to increase their<br />
manpower and authorised them to shoot on sight anyone involved in violence.<br />
Thirty-four people were killed and more than 130 wounded in the city's worst political street violence in<br />
two decades, sparked when the chief justice flew in to address a lawyers’ convention at the Sindh High Court.<br />
“The Rangers have got extra powers <strong>of</strong> shoot at sight and arrest in case <strong>of</strong> riots and violence,” Major-<br />
General Javed Zia <strong>of</strong> the Rangers told the AFP news agency.<br />
Federal Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao said the government had ordered extra troops into troubled<br />
areas to restore order. “We have sent more contingents <strong>of</strong> paramilitary troops for deployment in affected areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> Karachi. The paramilitary rangers had been authorised to shoot trouble-makers at sight,” Sherpao told AFP.<br />
Analysts looked upon the move to empower the Rangers as an acknowledgment by the government <strong>of</strong><br />
its failure to chalk out a contingency plan aimed at containing violence and averting a clash between activists <strong>of</strong><br />
rival political parties on Saturday.<br />
At least 8,000 police personnel, as well as an equal number <strong>of</strong> Rangers, were on duty on Saturday.<br />
Criminal law experts wondered under what law the government placed at the disposal <strong>of</strong> the Rangers<br />
additional powers. They pointed out that under the Police Order 2002 the police could open fire on a violent<br />
mob only at the orders <strong>of</strong> a judicial magistrate.<br />
“The life <strong>of</strong> a person is a most precious thing. It cannot be taken away without the due process <strong>of</strong> law.<br />
Orders to shoot at sight appear good during a martial-law regime but under civilian governments such orders<br />
are not only harsh but in conflict with fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution,” senior advocate<br />
Khawaja Naveed told Dawn.<br />
He said as the constitution was in force, such orders could invite a suo motu notice by the chief justice<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court<br />
Dawn 14 May (i)<br />
PPP blames Musharraf, MQM for violence<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: The <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party leader and Leader <strong>of</strong> Opposition in Sindh Assembly,<br />
Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, has said that threats <strong>of</strong> serious consequences were given to the judiciary and sensitive<br />
institutions by echoing slogans <strong>of</strong> “<strong>Pakistan</strong> not acceptable without Gen Pervez Musharraf” in the federal capital<br />
and its practical demonstration in Karachi.<br />
Mr Khuhro, who was speaking to a group <strong>of</strong> Sindh MPAs and party workers at his residence on<br />
Sunday, said Gen Musharraf had jolted the foundation <strong>of</strong> the country by playing horrible game <strong>of</strong> using religious<br />
and ethnic extremists against judiciary and other institutions. He said every patriot was grieved over the tactics<br />
applied to stop the chief justice from entering into the city <strong>of</strong> Quaid-i-Azam.<br />
He said on May 12 night when the youths and elders, who were victim <strong>of</strong> terrorism and were tossing<br />
from pain in different hospitals <strong>of</strong> Karachi Gen Pervez Musharraf and his supporters were celebrating victory at<br />
the beat <strong>of</strong> drums in Islamabad.<br />
Mr Khuhro warned that whatever the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was sowing by taking the turn <strong>of</strong><br />
“Musharraf Qaumi Movement” it would reap tomorrow.<br />
He said the language used for the chief justice and the entire judiciary by the government ‘courtiers’ in<br />
Islamabad and Karachi was itself a challenge to the Supreme Court <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> and its framed code <strong>of</strong> conduct.<br />
He said people were anxious to see that the Supreme Court should take suo motu notice against General<br />
Musharraf and MQM ministers.<br />
Referring to the news appeared in the section <strong>of</strong> press, he said, why the police were unarmed on the<br />
instructions <strong>of</strong> provincial government a day before the arrival <strong>of</strong> chief justice while it was repeatedly warning the<br />
chief justice from visiting Karachi.<br />
84
Earlier addressing a news conference at Bilawal House, PPP Sindh PPP Qaim Ali Shah, who is also<br />
ARD provincial convener, Deputy Leader <strong>of</strong> Oppositiion in Senate Raza Rabbani, Opposition leader in Sindh<br />
Assembly Nisar Ahmad Khuhru, Central Information Secretary Sherry Rehman, condemned the what they<br />
called naked state terrorism, saying that whatever had happened was a sheer act <strong>of</strong> terrorism which was<br />
carried out by the state agencies and the MQM.<br />
Pointing out that more than 25 people were killed in the violence, the senior PPP leaders squarely<br />
blamed the federal government and the provincial government and its coalition partner MQM for the bloodshed<br />
in the city <strong>of</strong> Karachi.<br />
They said the MQM workers with assault rifles and guns opened fire in different parts <strong>of</strong> the city to stop<br />
opposition parties. They pointed out that containers and other road barriers were placed on Sharea Faisal and<br />
Muttahida activists from their hideouts targeted the opposition workers.<br />
“We are still collecting reports about dead and injured as many <strong>of</strong> them still trapped or missing”, they<br />
said but they added data collected so far about the victims showed that more 25 people, including workers <strong>of</strong><br />
PPP, PML-N and Awami National Party, had been killed. The terrorists even not spared a private television<br />
<strong>of</strong>fices and journalists, they said and added that buses and dozens <strong>of</strong> other vehicles were torched. “It is an<br />
extremely serious situation,” Syed Qaim Shah said adding that he had not witnessed such naked fascism and<br />
terrorism during his political life.<br />
“They had sealed <strong>of</strong>f the entire city. It looks they want violence. There’s no authority to control MQM<br />
activists,” Nisar Khuhro said adding that he had never seen this sort <strong>of</strong> state terrorism.<br />
Mr Khuhru demanded removal <strong>of</strong> provincial government saying that deployment <strong>of</strong> rangers was not<br />
solution to the problem. He made it clear that the PPP would not succumb to the pressures <strong>of</strong> terrorists and<br />
would continue its struggle for restoration <strong>of</strong> an independent judiciary and democracy.<br />
Dawn 14 May (j)<br />
Call for judicial probe into Karachi violence<br />
By Our Reporter<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 13: The <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League-N has demanded a judicial inquiry into Saturday’s<br />
violence in Karachi that claimed the lives <strong>of</strong> a large number <strong>of</strong> innocent people.<br />
HRCP<br />
Talking to journalists here on Sunday, PML-N information secretary Ahsan Iqbal held the Musharraf<br />
regime responsible for the massacre <strong>of</strong> people. “After losing nerves due to the massive support shown by<br />
lawyers, political workers and civil society for the rule <strong>of</strong> law and independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary, the government<br />
hatched a conspiracy to crush the peaceful movement with force and terror.”<br />
He regretted that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement had announced a rally on the same day when the<br />
chief justice was coming to the city and had rejected all appeals to change the date <strong>of</strong> its rally.<br />
He said that keeping in view the situation, extra security should have been ensured, but even Rangers,<br />
who usually were seen on the streets <strong>of</strong> Karachi, were not there.<br />
Mr Iqbal regretted that the day started with the killing <strong>of</strong> two PML-N workers and later, when opposition<br />
parties’ rallies reached the Sharea Faisal, armed workers <strong>of</strong> the ruling party opened fire on them, killing dozens<br />
<strong>of</strong> political workers.<br />
MQM rallies were provided passage to Tibet Centre, but all routes leading to the Sindh High Court and<br />
the airport were sealed with heavy containers which even obstructed the movement <strong>of</strong> security personnel and<br />
ambulances. The obstructions were not cleared despite the orders <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court,<br />
he said.<br />
He said the armed gangs belonging to the same party continued to fire on the Aaj TV building for six<br />
hours and there was no security cover. And finally, he said, a new history was created by denying entry to the<br />
chief justice, senior lawyers and media people into Karachi as if it were a war zone. “This is a conspiracy<br />
hatched by the Musharraf regime through its political surrogates to create law and order situation in order to<br />
diffuse the judicial crisis.”<br />
The PML-N leader said the nation had a right to know where were Rangers and other security agencies<br />
on May 12, why extra security arrangements were not made, who allowed the sealing <strong>of</strong> Karachi streets and<br />
roads leading to the high court and the airport, why the SHC chief justice’s orders were flouted, why Aaj TV was<br />
not provided any security for more than six hours, on whose orders armed gangs were let loose at opposition<br />
rallies heading towards the airport and why violence was unleashed only in Karachi while rallies in support <strong>of</strong><br />
the chief justice in other cities were peaceful.<br />
85
“While the streets <strong>of</strong> Karachi were littered with blood, Gen Musharraf was celebrating a rally mela<br />
costing the poor nation over Rs1 billion with less than 10,000 participants. Each participant cost the national<br />
exchequer Rs100,000 and it was the most expensive political theatre ever staged in the world,” he said.<br />
***<br />
Dawn 14 May (k)<br />
Benazir urges judiciary to take action: Karachi killings<br />
By Our Reporter<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 13: Chairperson <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party Benazir Bhutto has urged the<br />
Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court to take action over the killings in Karachi and the absence <strong>of</strong> lawenforcement<br />
agencies from places where incidents <strong>of</strong> violence had taken place.<br />
A statement issued by the PPP’s secretariat quoted her as saying that the regime’s involvement in<br />
state terrorism was obvious, adding that it had failed to protect the citizens. She said that it was time that the<br />
higher judiciary showed the same courage as the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to save the country from<br />
plunging into a civil war and destruction.<br />
Ms Bhutto feared that the regime was creating local warlords to divide the country between different<br />
armed groups and militias. She said it appeared that tribal areas had been doled out to the pro-Taliban forces,<br />
Malakand and nearby area <strong>of</strong> Bajaur was handed to the Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM), parts <strong>of</strong><br />
Punjab to the Chaudhrys and Islamabad to the Imam <strong>of</strong> Lal Masjid.<br />
She said that the country and people were crying for stability and security, which the PPP had<br />
provided during its tenure.<br />
Ms Bhutto said that it was a national disgrace that young men lay dead or dying in the streets <strong>of</strong><br />
Karachi, which were stained with blood, while ambulances were attacked. She also condemned the attack on<br />
the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> private TV channel Aaj in Karachi and demanded the arrest <strong>of</strong> the alleged Muttahida Qaumi<br />
Movement activists involved in the attack.<br />
The PPP leader said that attacks on political parties, the press and judiciary were aimed at destroying<br />
the democratic hopes and aspirations <strong>of</strong> the people. She said that the anti-people forces would not succeed and<br />
their actions had disgraced and exposed them.<br />
She said that during the Karachi by-elections, the police did nothing as MQM actvists brazenly rigged<br />
election results and beat up opposition supporters. The failure <strong>of</strong> the federal government, the judiciary and the<br />
Election <strong>Commission</strong> to intervene and take action against the shootings, the beatings and the rigging had<br />
emboldened the MQM.<br />
Benazir Bhutto also spoke with family members <strong>of</strong> several people killed in Karachi violence on<br />
Saturday and also inquired about the health <strong>of</strong> the injured people.<br />
The press release said that she told them the nation saluted their courage and sacrifice in the face <strong>of</strong><br />
the worst kind <strong>of</strong> tyranny.<br />
Dawn 14 May (l)<br />
HRCP calls for disarming MQM<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
LAHORE, May 13: The <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> (HRCP) is deeply aggrieved at the loss<br />
<strong>of</strong> life and bloodshed caused by the violence perpetuated in Karachi on Saturday.<br />
In a statement here on Sunday, it said all reports indicated that it was the result <strong>of</strong> a calculated<br />
adventure hatched by the Presidency and the MQM with co-operation <strong>of</strong> the Sindh government. “The aim is to<br />
silence, depress, and decimate the civil society <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. It was a militant act to deny people their freedom <strong>of</strong><br />
expression and association. The blocking <strong>of</strong> roads, arming MQM militants who took positions at strategic<br />
roadblocks, and ignoring the directions <strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court were all carried out by the government.”<br />
The HRCP said at each occasion <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice’s visit to bar association, the government had<br />
issued warnings <strong>of</strong> security risks. “At the same time, government rallies are being regularly held at the cost <strong>of</strong><br />
86
taxpayers and the local residents. The vulgar show <strong>of</strong> celebrations held at Islamabad soon after the massacre<br />
in Karachi appeared to be designed to ridicule the loss <strong>of</strong> innocent lives. Only a callous, irresponsible and an<br />
unrepresentative government could have celebrated in Islamabad while Karachi burnt.<br />
“The events in Karachi indicate that the government, in collusion with the MQM wants to return Karachi<br />
to a state <strong>of</strong> ethnic hostilities and use the politics <strong>of</strong> prejudice to achieve its ends. These heinous acts have<br />
exposed the extent to which the MQM is willing to go in its support for an unpopular military leader. It is now<br />
imperative that the MQM be disarmed so that the citizens <strong>of</strong> Karachi can live in peace and security.<br />
HRCP calls upon other political forces and civil society to defuse ethnic polarization in order to prevent<br />
further such incidents. At the same time, HRCP encourages the bar associations to continue with their peaceful<br />
struggle for the supremacy <strong>of</strong> the rule <strong>of</strong> law. The lawyers’ movement has given a ray <strong>of</strong> hope to the<br />
disempowered people <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> as was obvious by the solidarity shown to them. It is an opportunity to unite<br />
rather than divide.”<br />
Dawn 14 May (m)<br />
‘Shoot to kill’ power for Rangers in Karachi<br />
By Arman Sabir and S. Raza Hassan<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 13: There was no respite from violence for the provincial metropolis on Sunday.<br />
Another seven people were killed and scores others injured, raising the death toll in two days <strong>of</strong> mayhem to 41.<br />
With paramilitary Rangers and other law-enforcement personnel failing to control the situation, the<br />
provincial government ordered Rangers to deploy more personnel and empowered the paramilitary force to<br />
‘shoot to kill’ anyone involved in violence.<br />
The entire city was tense and virtually paralysed. Public transport remained <strong>of</strong>f the road and there was<br />
a curfew-like situation throughout the day.<br />
Shops and houses in different areas were set ablaze and reports <strong>of</strong> shooting were received from<br />
several districts. Fears <strong>of</strong> a recurrence <strong>of</strong> riots suffered by the city in the mid-80s and mid-90s forced residents<br />
to remain indoors.<br />
Funeral prayers <strong>of</strong> people killed on Saturday were <strong>of</strong>fered in various areas. Bodies <strong>of</strong> more than 10<br />
victims were dispatched to their hometowns.<br />
The government’s move to accord wide-ranging powers to Rangers, authorising them to shoot to kill<br />
was questioned by legal experts who said the powers could only be used in the presence and with the consent<br />
<strong>of</strong> a judicial magistrate under the Criminal Procedure Code and the Police Order 2002. Legally, they said,<br />
Rangers could not shoot anyone at their discretion.<br />
The violence on Saturday was largely confined to Malir and areas around Sharea Faisal, but on<br />
Sunday clashes spread to new localities.<br />
At least seven people lost their lives and dozens others were injured in different areas.<br />
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which has been directly accused by the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party,<br />
Awami National Party, <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League (Nawaz), Sunni Tehrik and Jamaat-i-Islami <strong>of</strong> targeting and<br />
killing their workers and supporters <strong>of</strong> their parties, claimed that ‘a conspiracy’ was being hatched against<br />
people from other provinces living in Karachi and to incite ethnic riots.<br />
closed<br />
All the parties supported the strike call for Monday and said that shops and markets would remain<br />
The Daily Times 14 May (a)<br />
6 PPP and PML-N workers, 13 ANP workers laid to rest<br />
By Irfan Ali<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The bodies <strong>of</strong> six <strong>Pakistan</strong> Peoples Party (PPP) and <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-<br />
N) workers, and 13 Awami National Party (ANP) workers were laid to rest Sunday. The bigwigs <strong>of</strong> the PPP and<br />
the PML-N were absent at the funerals, however, on account <strong>of</strong> the prevalent tension in the city.<br />
“The bodies <strong>of</strong> three <strong>of</strong> the PPP workers were dispatched to their home towns in interior Sindh and<br />
Azad Kashmir, while the fourth was buried in Koran and fourth one was buried in Korangi,” PPP provincial<br />
deputy information secretary, Waqar Mehdi, told Daily Times.<br />
87
On Saturday, PPP leaders had claimed that 15 <strong>of</strong> their workers had been killed in armed attacks. By<br />
early Sunday night, however, they had identified only four deceased as PPP workers.<br />
The Bilawal House media cell alleged that MQM workers had taken control <strong>of</strong> mortuaries at hospitals<br />
in Karachi. “The PPP is being careful in issuing a list <strong>of</strong> the May 12 martyrs, because all <strong>of</strong> them belong to<br />
areas under the control <strong>of</strong> MQM terrorists,” a statement issued by the media cell said.<br />
The PPP further alleged that families and relatives <strong>of</strong> the deceased PPP workers were being<br />
threatened with death. “They (the MQM) can declare any dead body as an MQM worker,” the media cell<br />
claimed.<br />
Mohammad Sarwar, a PPP worker from ward no.79, city area 123, district East, was kidnapped<br />
Saturday night. His body was found Sunday morning. Sarwar was laid to rest in the Korangi no. 6 graveyard in<br />
the evening.<br />
Mehdi said that Rehmat Burirho’s body was dispatched to Moro, district Naushehro Feroze. The body<br />
<strong>of</strong> Ghulam Sarwar (son <strong>of</strong> Allah Yar) was taken to Tando Bago, district Badin. Pervaiz Akhtar Kiyani’s body was<br />
sent to Bagh (Azad Jammu and Kashmir).<br />
On the other hand, Zain Ansari and Mushahidullah Khan <strong>of</strong> the PML-N managed to reach Model<br />
Colony to attend the funeral prayers <strong>of</strong> Asghar Shah who was killed Saturday. Shah hailed from Mandi<br />
Bahauddin, Punjab, and his body was taken to his hometown for burial.<br />
Another deceased PML-N worker, Jahanzeb, was buried in a graveyard in Malir City. No known PML-N<br />
leader attended the funeral due to the charged atmosphere <strong>of</strong> the area.<br />
Meanwhile, ANP provincial general secretary, Amin Khattak, told Daily Times that 13 <strong>of</strong> their workers<br />
were killed in the armed attacks on Saturday and all <strong>of</strong> them had been laid to rest.<br />
“One was a resident <strong>of</strong> Baldia Town, another was from Ittehad Town, and third one belonged to SITE<br />
area,” Khattak said. The remaining 10 workers were residents <strong>of</strong> Muzffarabad/Landhi, Sherpao Colony and<br />
Steel Town. All <strong>of</strong> them have been laid to rest in graveyards in their areas.<br />
“We want peace in this city, not disorder. This is why we did not invite supporters from all over the city<br />
to attend the funeral in large numbers. The natural reaction <strong>of</strong> the emotional workers could have disturbed<br />
peace,” Khattak said.<br />
Funerals prayers held for ST, JI and IJT workers: Funeral prayers where held for the Jamaat-e-Islami<br />
(JI), Sunni Tehrik (ST) and Islami Jamiat Talba (IJT) activists killed Saturday in Landhi and New MA Jinnah<br />
Road.<br />
The prayers were led by the secretary general <strong>of</strong> JI, <strong>Pakistan</strong>, Syed Munawar Hassan, and ST’s central<br />
leader, Mohammed Shahid Ghouri. The prayers were carried out for the IJT’s 22-year-old Shuja-ur-Rehman<br />
and 22-year-old Faisal Shamsi, the JI’s Pervaiz Akhter Kyani and Rahmatullah Barrayrro, and the ST’s 40-yearold<br />
Sohail Qadri.<br />
Rehman was a resident <strong>of</strong> Al-Falah society, where he was studying at the Swedish Institute. His body<br />
was buried at the Korangi graveyard. According to Nazim IJT Karachi Syed Abdur Rasheed, Rehman was killed<br />
at Malir Halt.<br />
Kyani, who was from Azad Kashmir, was working in a steel mill in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. His body was<br />
dispatched to his hometown, Bagh, for burial. Burrayrro, who had been working in a private firm, left his home<br />
Saturday for some <strong>of</strong>ficial work after which he was killed. His body has been sent to his hometown, Naushero<br />
Firoz.<br />
Qadri, who was buried in Rahre Goth, Karachi, was a father <strong>of</strong> eleven and a resident <strong>of</strong> Landi. He<br />
owned a bakery, where he had been working when unidentified people came in and ordered him to close shop.<br />
He, however, refused to comply after which he was shot dead.<br />
Daily Times 14 May (b)<br />
JPMC receptionist tells people to check morgue for loved ones<br />
By Farhan Ahmed<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: The receptionist at JPMC, one <strong>of</strong> the city’s three largest tertiary-care hospitals, was forced<br />
to undertake the unpleasant task <strong>of</strong> telling people to check the Edhi morgue if they were looking for their loved<br />
ones.<br />
Sufyan was one <strong>of</strong> the people who came to JPMC. “Our cousin Javed Hussain, a rickshaw driver,<br />
resident <strong>of</strong> Orangi No. 10, has been missing since Saturday and we don’t know whether he is alive or dead,”<br />
said Sufyan Hussain. “He left for work and usually he calls if he’s late but he doesn’t have his cell phone.”<br />
88
The receptionist said several people came. “I have directed them to the Edhi morgue, where the bodies<br />
are currently lying,” he told Daily Times.<br />
The number <strong>of</strong> patients reported at the JPMC was low Saturday but there was an increase on Sunday<br />
because other clinics were closed in the city. “Normally, around 350 patients are brought in to the JPMC<br />
emergency ward while this number decreases to around 200 to 250 on Sundays,” said the receptionist at the<br />
JPMC emergency ward. “On Saturday we received about 270 patients who were mostly inflicted with serious<br />
injuries during the violence.” Furthermore, laboratory tests and CT scans performed at the JPMC were affected<br />
because <strong>of</strong> transportation issues.<br />
Normally around 50 to 60 CT scans are carried out on patients from the OPD, but on Saturday only<br />
about 10 to 12 were carried out due to the absence <strong>of</strong> transport, said the CT registrar at the JPMC. He added<br />
that the people that could not come for their CT scans on Saturday will be adjusted into the upcoming days.<br />
“There are two laboratories over here, one is the main lab and the other one is the emergency lab,” said the<br />
emergency lab attendant at the JPMC. “On Sundays, the number <strong>of</strong> lab tests is high in the emergency lab<br />
because the main lab is closed. Around 400 tests are usually carried out but today we’ve done around 150.”<br />
Daily Times 14 May (c)<br />
General strike in Sindh<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: A complete shutter-down general strike, called by the Awami Tehreek, was observed in<br />
major cities and small towns all over Sindh on Sunday.<br />
The strike was called on account <strong>of</strong> the alleged murder <strong>of</strong> Awami Tahreek central leader Nawaz<br />
Kanrani by MQM activists near Karachi Airport yesterday.<br />
The general strike, sit-ins and protest rallies were organized in different major cities and thousands <strong>of</strong><br />
Awami Tehreek activists, including its women and students wings, Sindhiani Tahreek and Sindhi Shagird<br />
Tahreek (SST), and the common citizens <strong>of</strong> Sindh gathered on the roads.<br />
Rallies, marches and sit-ins took place in Thul, Daro, Shahpur Chakar, Qasimabad, Gharo, Mehar,<br />
Kotri, Thatta, Talpur Wadda, Badin, Dokri, Mirpurkhas, Malir, Karachi, Chhor, Sanghar, Dadu, Nasim Nagar<br />
Chowk Hyderabad, Wahi Pandhi, Baldia Collony Hyderabad, Sakrand, Koreja, Bozdar, Makli, Khairpur, Johi,<br />
Warah, Chambar, Ranipur, Tando Wali Mohammad Hyderabad, Ghulam Ullah, Shahdadpur, Hatri, Lakhat,<br />
Bhan Saeedabad, Faiz Ganj, Halani, Jacobabad, Matiari, Sobho Dero, Gulshan-e-Hadeed Karachi,<br />
Nawabshah, Shahbander, Sultani Wah, Thoree, Moro, Noshehr<strong>of</strong>eroz, Khesana Moree, Kandhkot, Matli, Tando<br />
Jam, Khairpurnathan Shah, Khanpur, Banon, Bathoro, Ghotki, Sindh University Colony, Shikarpur, Qambar,<br />
Sukkur, Garho, Tarai, Ibrahim Haidri Karachi, Dahon Mail Mori, Gupchani, Kakar, Dhabechi, Chodughee,<br />
Khadro, Soomar Chanar, Suhrab Goth, Dadharko Farm, Khorwah, UmerKot, Larkana, Mithi, Jungshahi, Nao<br />
Kot, Bhirya, Jam Sahib, Tharoo Shah, Wahi Pandhi, Seree, Jamshoro Phatak, Pano Aqail, Liyari Karachi,<br />
Tando Bago, Sakro, Bozdar, Makli, Hussainabad Hyderabad, Ranipur, Ghulam Ullah, Shahdadpur,<br />
MirpurMathelo, Khuda Kee Basti, Hala, Rato Dero, Tando Mohammad Khan, Wahdat Collony Hyderabad,<br />
Gambat, Mirpur Sakro, Dighri, Golarchi, Tando Allahyar, Nasarpur, Nangarparkar, Jhudo among other cities<br />
and towns.<br />
Thousands Awami Tahreek and Sindhiani Tahreek activists, with their red and black flags, marched<br />
through different towns. More than 340 activists have been arrested in different parts <strong>of</strong> Sindh.<br />
According to <strong>of</strong>ficial reports, the city police had arrested 32 SST and Awami Tehreek activists near Gul<br />
Centre, Hyderabad. ppi<br />
Daily Times 14 May (d)<br />
APMA slams Karachi violence<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD: All <strong>Pakistan</strong> Minorities Alliance (APMA) Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti on Sunday<br />
condemned the killings <strong>of</strong> innocent people in Karachi and demanded General Pervez Musharraf and his team<br />
step down immediately and form a national government <strong>of</strong> common consensus.<br />
“The violence committed against opposition parties’ workers, journalists and lawyers is a barbaric act<br />
<strong>of</strong> terrorism,” said Bhatti, adding that the government deliberately stoked the violence against political parties,<br />
which left around 34 dead and many injured. He said police were silent spectators to the bloodshed.<br />
89
He said innocent people’s sacrifices were the beginning <strong>of</strong> the revolution against the ‘tyrannical forces’.<br />
He said Musharraf’s government had failed to ensure citizen’s security and that the federal and Sindh<br />
government were responsible for the loss <strong>of</strong> lives in Karachi. The APMA chairman said repeated attacks on<br />
journalists and TV channels were criminal acts and part <strong>of</strong> the government’s conspiracy to curb freedom <strong>of</strong><br />
expression.<br />
He said violence could not force people to compromise on the struggle for judiciary’s independence,<br />
restoration <strong>of</strong> democracy, supremacy <strong>of</strong> the Constitution and freedom <strong>of</strong> press. Bhatti condoled with the<br />
bereaved families and prayed for the deceased. He appealed to the <strong>Pakistan</strong>’s acting chief justice to form a<br />
judicial commission headed by Sindh High Court chief justice to hold an enquiry and punish those responsible<br />
for Karachi violence. Online<br />
Daily Times 14 May (e)<br />
Where were you on Saturday?<br />
Sindh police deprived <strong>of</strong> arsenal on Day 2<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Police personnel in Sindh were still weaponless Sunday, one day after Saturday’s<br />
bloodbath. The Sindh home department had directed the police departments to take back the weapons <strong>of</strong> all<br />
personnel deployed to control law and order on May 12, sources disclosed to Daily Times. Most <strong>of</strong> the police<br />
were given batons instead. Around 15,000 policemen were deployed to control the situation on Saturday.<br />
However, most <strong>of</strong> the policemen preferred to stay away from the violent areas on May 12 because they had no<br />
weapons. This allowed different political parties to take control <strong>of</strong> different areas. On Sunday, most f the<br />
policemen deployed throughout the city were not at their posts either. staff report<br />
Daily Times 14 May (f)<br />
PPP wants Musharraf, MQM tried<br />
LAHORE: The <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party on Sunday demanded that a case should be registered against<br />
President Pervez Musharraf and MQM leadership for inciting violence in Karachi. Addressing a press<br />
conference, Punjab PPP leaders Khalid Ahmad Khan, Munir Ahmad Khan and Ghulam Abbas said that<br />
assemblies should be dissolved and a caretaker government should be set up to hold general elections. They<br />
also feared violence in Punjab because <strong>of</strong> the MQM activities in this province. They also demanded the acting<br />
chief justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> (CJP) take suo moto notice <strong>of</strong> misbehaviour with the CJP at Karachi Airport. They said<br />
that it was evident from the statements <strong>of</strong> the Sindh governor, the chief minister and the MQM leaders that the<br />
violence was pre-planned. They also alleged that the government was trying to sabotage federation by creating<br />
ethnic conflicts in Sindh. They said that the PML rally in Islamabad was the rally <strong>of</strong> the government employees.<br />
They said that the PPP, after coming to power, would hold Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi accountable for using<br />
provincial resources on the meeting. They also condemned the attack on Aaj TV channel. They said that the<br />
PPP would also support any protest movement against President Pervez Musharraf. They said that the PPP<br />
would hold a protest meeting outside General Post Office on Monday (today) along with other parties. The party<br />
held a protest meeting outside Data Darbar on Sunday and <strong>of</strong>fered Ghiabana (in absentia) funeral prayers for<br />
those killed in Karachi. staff report<br />
Ummat 14 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Asif Saood, Iqbal Awan and Nadim Jabar- ANP member Shoukat told reporters that on 12th May<br />
people gathered at Habib Bank Chorangi and then reached Aisha Bhawani High School where they faced tear<br />
gas shells and Lathi charge from police. Nevertheless, the ANP rally reached the Baloch Colony Bridge where<br />
armed terrorists suddenly opened gunfire on the rally from the top <strong>of</strong> the bridge. During the firing, many <strong>of</strong> the<br />
participants were injured and Syed Ahmed Shah, member central council <strong>of</strong> ANP, received six bullets. People<br />
moved him towards the hospital but he died enroute. His funeral Namaz was held at Metroville-3 and he buried<br />
at Orangi town # 5 graveyard.<br />
There was firing from an armed group on top <strong>of</strong> Baloch colony flyover, and 33 year-old Mehatab Ali,<br />
member <strong>of</strong> Pakhtoonkhwah Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), was killed. He worked in a hosiery factory and was<br />
resident <strong>of</strong> Qaimkhani colony Baldia town-5. Sardar Khan told us that his brother, Mehtab Khan, was a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ANP and participted in the rally. The rally reached Baloch Colony Bridge and bullets were showered onto<br />
the rally from the top <strong>of</strong> the bridge. People tried to save themselves from the firing by jumping from buses and<br />
some were even hiding inside buses. Mehtab Khan was shot inside the bus and lay there. Then he was brought<br />
to the hospital but died. He was a resident <strong>of</strong> Muzfarabad colony and buried in Baldia town’s Gulshan Gazi<br />
graveyard.<br />
18 year old, unmarried, Saif Rehman was resident <strong>of</strong> old Muzfarabad Colony C-area street No. 14. He<br />
was an employee in an export promotion factory. He told his family members that he had to go to factory on<br />
90
Sunday because Monday there was to be an announced strike. On Sunday morning, at 10 am he was injured<br />
by a bullet at Hospital Chorangi in Qaidabad area. His family members were informed that he had been injured<br />
in firing and was lying on Hospital Chorangi. They then picked him from that area and requested Rangers<br />
<strong>of</strong>ficers in a mobile parked nearby, to carry him to Social Security hospital. The Rangers refused and told them<br />
to “go to Jinnah Hospital”. Injured Saif Rehaman died enroute to hospital. He was buried in Rerhi Goth<br />
graveyard. ANP claimed that Saif was their active member.<br />
Faiz Reheman <strong>of</strong> 50 years age was working as a driver for Edhi center since 25 th August 2006. He had<br />
joined Edhi center on the guarantee <strong>of</strong> a shopkeeper Sher Zaman in Machhar colony. On information regarding<br />
riots in Malir Halt, the Edhi foundation sent him in a Suzuki high ro<strong>of</strong> EA-1596. Faiz Rehaman reached there<br />
while firing between two armed groups was going on and dead bodies and injured persons were lying on the<br />
road. Some injured persons called him for help and he started to move the injured into the ambulance. At that<br />
time the area was under control <strong>of</strong> Muttahida and they stopped the ambulance and started to beat Fiaz<br />
Reheman. They then killed Fiaz Reheman and killed other injured persons in the ambulance by showering the<br />
ambulance with bullets. The dead body <strong>of</strong> the Pathan Edhi driver was lying there for one hour.<br />
An injured eyewitness, Umar Zareen, worker <strong>of</strong> ANP, resident <strong>of</strong> Muzfarabad colony, told reporters that<br />
about 30 injured ANP workers were kept in the Sindh Government Hospital Khokhrapar-2 and during night<br />
hours some armed persons tried to kill the injured persons in the hospital by openly shooting. Later, Baloch<br />
youngsters <strong>of</strong> PPP rescued injured persons by using their vehicles. They admitted some people who were<br />
severely injured in Qaidabad hospital and others went back to their homes.<br />
Vehicle number EA-1801 was stopped in front <strong>of</strong> high court and was damaged. A young Baloch boy<br />
Akhtar Ali son <strong>of</strong> Ghulam Baloch an active member <strong>of</strong> ANP received bullet injuries on his legs. Akthar was<br />
admitted in Jinnah Hospital. His brother Anwar Baloch told us that his brother was discharged from Jinnah<br />
Hospital because they feared that someone from Muttahida would kill him. Then he was admitted in a hospital<br />
in Gadap. There were chances that his legs would be amputated. His family members were in a state <strong>of</strong> panic<br />
and left the area <strong>of</strong> their residence.<br />
On 12 th May at Security Printing Press near Malir Halt 3 persons in a white car were targeted. Among<br />
the three, Ghulam Hussain was alive while police shifted them towards hospital. Akmal, resident <strong>of</strong> New<br />
Muzfarabad Landhi, told us that deceased Umer Sidiq son <strong>of</strong> Gohar Khan was employed as driver in Bhitai<br />
Hospital. The relatives <strong>of</strong> killed persons accused Muttahida for killing their relatives.<br />
ANP Vice-President Aman Khattak’s injured son Umair Khan told us that he was in the ANP rally on<br />
his motorbike. When he reached Malir Kala Board, MQM supporters, hoisting flags and possessing the latest<br />
automatic weapons, fired onto the rally from all sides. One bullet missed his head but he fell down and tried to<br />
run. The MQM’s person caught him and searched his body. They took 5000 rupees cash, two mobiles, ignited<br />
the motorbike and hit his head with gunbutts. They ordered him to recite the Kalama. They took him towards<br />
Mumtaz Hospital in Malir and told hospital staff “ he is related with ANP leader, we will take him later”. They<br />
threatened Umair Khan “don’t try to run away”. Some <strong>of</strong> the MQM people were saying to take him out and kill<br />
him. One <strong>of</strong> them said, “let us see if any <strong>of</strong> our members will be kidnapped then we can do an exchange”.<br />
HRCP<br />
Umar Gul was resident <strong>of</strong> Muzfarabad colony and buried in Baldia town’s Gulshan Gazi graveyard. He<br />
was migrant from Dir and resident <strong>of</strong> Muzafarabad colony. He was also member <strong>of</strong> ANP and participant <strong>of</strong> rally.<br />
He was surrounded by MQM’s armed terrorists at Kala Board Malir and killed by gunshots. Akmal resident <strong>of</strong><br />
Muzafarabad colony told reporters that MQM supporters were equipped with all types <strong>of</strong> guns and shelter from<br />
law enforcing agencies. He said that they targeted migrants from NWFP and killed them.<br />
Akbar Khan migrant from Mardan NWFP brother <strong>of</strong> deceased Amin Khan son <strong>of</strong> Munir Khan told us<br />
that his brother was a rickshaw driver resident <strong>of</strong> Zafar town house number L-38 and was participant in the rally<br />
arranged by ANP. He told us that his brother informed him with his mobile that MQM’s armed persons started<br />
shooting at Malir Kala board and shot him in his leg and hand grenades were thrown on rally participants which<br />
caused injuries to his friend Umair Khatak. Later Zamanat Khan, maternal uncle to Amin, called Amin on his<br />
mobile. However, an unknown young man picked up the phone and threatened him using abusive Urdu words.<br />
He said that Amin Khan had been detained by them and was asked to go at Murtaza Chorangi for his release.<br />
They contacted them a second time and were asked to go in Shamsi hospital and then the mobile phone was<br />
disconnected. On 12 th<br />
May’s evening his dead body was found with 3 bullets to the chest and grenade<br />
explosion injuries on his foot.<br />
An injured Khalid son <strong>of</strong> Juman Khan said that he was member <strong>of</strong> ANP and working on an electronic<br />
shop in Steel town. He went to attend rally <strong>of</strong> ANP on 12 th May. He said that the rallies were started from<br />
Qaidabad. The MMA’s rally was in front and PPP’s, PML (N) and ANP were following MMA’s rally. He said that<br />
MQM’s armed troops had encircled all rallies dramatically. The rangers were standing there but did nothing. He<br />
said that MQM’s persons were using heavy weapons such as LMG, SMG and hand grenades. People said that<br />
MQM’s armed persons killed an Edhi Ambulance driver because he was picking ANP injured persons.<br />
Saeed Khan Afridi resident <strong>of</strong> New Muzafarabad colony, he was member <strong>of</strong> Zakat committee and<br />
Umar Khan member <strong>of</strong> ANP <strong>of</strong> Landhi sector were also killed and buried in Muzfarabad graveyard. Irshad Khan<br />
91
Malang’s funeral Namaz was held in Future Colony. Eyewitness Rafiq told us that he was with his friend Riaz<br />
who was seriously injured. Hyder Khan and other two persons Roa Khan and Wazir Khan were also injured.<br />
Another injured Shaiz Khan s/o Fateh Khan was in rally alongwith two other friends. Muttahida’s armed<br />
terrorists had thrown a hand grenade on the rally participants in which Shaiz Khan sustained injuries. He fled on<br />
his motorbike and reached Murgikhana where armed persons shot him and he fainted.<br />
Ummat Karachi 14 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter: 17 dead bodies were buried including one who was killed on 13 th May. 5 bodies were<br />
sent to their villages <strong>of</strong> origin after praying funeral Namaz. Asgar Shah was resident <strong>of</strong> Model Colony area in<br />
Lasi Para Katchi Abadi, he was member <strong>of</strong> PML (N). His funeral prayer was held in Model Colony Abbassi<br />
Market’s ground. His body was sent to his village in Gujrat after prayer.<br />
The funeral prayers for JUI member Ghulam Farid son <strong>of</strong> Wahid Bakhsh were held at Bhains Colony -<br />
he was resident <strong>of</strong> the Labour Colony in the Landhi area. Ghulam Farid was working as a teacher in Madarsa<br />
and his body was sent to his village in Multan.<br />
Parwez Kiani was killed on 12 th May at Malir Halt and his funeral prayers were <strong>of</strong>fered in Gulshan-e-<br />
Hadeed. He was working as an assistant manager Administration in Steel Mills and was a participant in the<br />
PPP’s rally. His body was sent to Muzaffarabad.<br />
In Saoodabad area, MQM’s member Jahanzeb son <strong>of</strong> Iftikhar Khan was killed in shooting by unknown<br />
armed persons. His funeral prayers were held in Jama mosque. He was a resident <strong>of</strong> H# D-24/217. MQM<br />
leaders Babar Ghauri, Qamar Mansoor, Hameed Muzfar, Town Nazim Ansar Ahmed, Sector Incharge Naeem<br />
and others were present at the funeral. Jahanzeb was buried in Saoodabad graveyard. MQM’s worker Babar<br />
Changezi’s funeral prayer was <strong>of</strong>fered in Federal B area Block-16. Members <strong>of</strong> MQM and other locals were at<br />
the funeral but MQM’s leaders were not there.<br />
An unknown person killed Razwan Shamim, son <strong>of</strong> Shamimullah, a MQM member, on 12 th May. His<br />
funeral Namaz was held in Shah Fiasal colony –1. Umar Khan son <strong>of</strong> Gul Faraz and Saida Khan son <strong>of</strong> Qadir<br />
Khan were members <strong>of</strong> Muttahida. Their funeral Namaz was held in New Muzaffarabad Colony. Irshad Khan<br />
Malang son <strong>of</strong> Abdul Malook Khan’s funeral prayer was held in Future Colony. Deceased was a member <strong>of</strong><br />
MQM and was resident <strong>of</strong> New Muzfarabad colony. Muttahida’s Nine-Zero <strong>of</strong>fice phoned the heirs <strong>of</strong> deceased<br />
Irshad Malang, Umar Rehman and Saeed Khan and told them all three were members <strong>of</strong> Muttahida and their<br />
funeral should be brought to Azizabad, as prayer could be held there. But the heirs <strong>of</strong> deceased <strong>of</strong>fered funeral<br />
prayers in the own areas <strong>of</strong> their residence. No one from MQM’s leadership was present in the funeral prayers<br />
<strong>of</strong> the three <strong>of</strong> their claimed members.<br />
ANP’s member Muhammad Ishaq Qazi was buried near Buner Colony.<br />
Ummat 14 May (c)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- The body <strong>of</strong> 35 year old Sarwar s/o Abdul Rahim was found in Ibrahim Hyderi, Ali<br />
Brohi Goth near the boundary wall <strong>of</strong> the Navy compound. He was shot five times in the head and the chest.<br />
Ummat was informed by the Ibrahim Hyderi police station that unknown persons killed Sarwar after kidnapping<br />
him from Korangi No-6. The police told us that 5 empty bullets, a mobile phone, and 700 rupees were found<br />
near the dead body. He had four children and he did embroidery work at Sarhi. Accused persons kidnapped<br />
him and then killed him after brutally torturing him. The police said that the deceased was not related to any<br />
political party. On other hand, PPP claimed that Sarwar was their member. PPP’s Waqar told Ummat that<br />
Sarwar was member <strong>of</strong> PPP and he was killed after kidnapping. Deceased’s brother Aslam had lodged FIR No-<br />
87/07.<br />
In Qaidabad police station’s jurisdiction in Majeed colony area near Eidgah ground, a dead body <strong>of</strong><br />
Saif Rehman s/o Ali Rehman was found. The duty <strong>of</strong>ficer Khalid at Qaidabad police station told Ummat that the<br />
deceased was killed after being kidnapped. The deceased was resident <strong>of</strong> Majsid area street No-14 and was<br />
working in ZM Style Company as machine operator.<br />
In Pirabad police station jurisdiction near Islaima Colony, 24 year old Noorani Khan s/o Jumma Khan<br />
was shot dead by unknown persons. The duty <strong>of</strong>ficer at police station Umar told Ummat that Noorani was killed<br />
in an armed clash between two groups. In the same area, another dead body <strong>of</strong> Muhammad Ali s/o Ali<br />
Muhammad was found. He was also killed in firing. He was resident <strong>of</strong> Manghopir Road New Mianwali Colony<br />
street No.12. A 25-yea-old police constable Khuram s/o Abdul Samad was injured by some unknown persons.<br />
Zaman Khan s/o Abdul Rehman was injured in Orangi town Manghopir Road at Shahzad Mor.<br />
In Manghopir Gazi Goth two dead bodies were found, their hands and feet were tied. Manghopir police<br />
station’s incharge inspector Tariq Malik told Ummat that among the deceased persons was 38 year-old and he<br />
was wearing a white cotton fabric Shalwar and Kameez and the other deceased was wearing a cream colour<br />
Shalwar Kameez. He further told Ummat that their hands and legs were tied and they had been blindfolded.<br />
92
Both men were kidnapped and then killed; they had multiple torture scars on body. Police found 6 empty<br />
bullets from a 9-MM pistol. The deceased were later identified as Dilawar s/o Khudai Nazar and Islamdin s/o<br />
Abdul Rao<strong>of</strong>, resident <strong>of</strong> Qasba colony.<br />
In Manghopir area, unknown armed persons killed a police head constable by hitting him with blunt<br />
lathis and shooting him. Ummat was told that the deceased was returning home to Qasba colony from his job<br />
in IG operation <strong>of</strong>fice. He altered his route because <strong>of</strong> riots in Orangi town and took a detour via Nusrat Bhutto<br />
Colony. Some unknown culprits stopped police constable Mansoor Ahmed near Nusrat Bhutto while he was on<br />
government-motorbike HM-1745. They showered lathis on him and when he tried to run away he was shot dead<br />
and his motorbike was set on fire. Head constable Riaz and brother in law <strong>of</strong> deceased Mansoor Ahmed told<br />
Ummat that Mansoor was father <strong>of</strong> 4 sons and 2 daughters. They identified him in Edhi’s morgue and his dead<br />
body was still lying in morgue because <strong>of</strong> tense situation in Qasba Colony.<br />
In Orangi Town Aligarh Colony, unknown person killed 35 year-old Ashraf.<br />
In Federal B-area Block-16 the funeral procession <strong>of</strong> deceased Babar Changezi resident <strong>of</strong> Samoos<br />
Plaza and member <strong>of</strong> MQM was on the way to Yaseenabad and while it reached Water Pump areas some<br />
protestors set on fire the shops attached to Darululoom Islamia and Rehmania mosque. That fire burnt down<br />
the Siaf hardware store, Nasim hardware store, Hayat hardware store, Haji Paint and hardware store, Quetta<br />
Hotel and Fashion Flower shops. 6 vegetable Rerhis were also damaged.<br />
Some persons entered the MPA marriage hall and set on fire its furniture etc. Same persons tried to<br />
set ablaze and damaged the PSO petrol pump. Ummat was informed that some persons tried to ignite the<br />
petrol pump <strong>of</strong> a JI member but could not succeed because Rangers were there. Amjad Gul student <strong>of</strong><br />
Darulaloom Arbia told Ummat that some persons <strong>of</strong> a government’s ally party had damaged and burnt the<br />
shops and marriage hall. He further told us that while the funeral procession crossed the Water Pump area the<br />
police vehicles <strong>of</strong> Yousuf Plaza and Gulberg police stations were with the procession, but they vanished after<br />
the some people started damaging property.<br />
In Samanabad police station’s jurisdiction at Federal B industrial area, a police constable Muhammad<br />
Zaman was injured in firing and moved to Abbasi Shaeed Hospital for treatment. Meanwhile some agitators<br />
started throwing stones and blocked the road near Suharab Goth at Super Highway. Police station house <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />
<strong>of</strong> Federal B industrial area and Gadap town arrived at the scene to control the situation.<br />
Ummat was informed that some protestors started throwing stones to damage the properties at Water<br />
Pump area at about 4:30 but TPO Gulberg Sarjeel Kol, DSP Rizwan Wasti, Inspector Asad Aleem, Sub-<br />
Inspector Rizwan Patel and sub-inspector Niamat reached there and controlled the situation. Ummat observed<br />
that 4 fire brigade vehicles were there, fire fighters controlled the fire after 2 hours <strong>of</strong> continuous struggle.<br />
HRCP<br />
Ummat’s team reached Nazimabad-2 Nadiria Hotel and observed that agitators had opened fire and<br />
throwing stones from their areas while police were standing there idle. The stone pelting injured 10 pedestrians.<br />
At Abdullah College Nazimabad the road to Benares Chowk was barricaded and there was gun firing. In Pahar<br />
Ganj Pirabad in front <strong>of</strong> Police Station Pirabad, the road was barricaded and police were stopping people from<br />
goint towards the Benares Chowk area, many people were waiting in front <strong>of</strong> the police station to go to their<br />
respective homes. Rashid resident <strong>of</strong> Orangi Town-1 told Ummat that he was waiting outside <strong>of</strong> police station<br />
since 2 pm because in Banaras, Pahar Ganj and Pirabad areas clashes between two groups, firing and stoning<br />
were going on. He told us that police were idle, powerless and doing nothing but at 6:00 pm police got a<br />
bakhtarband (APC) then they entered the area and arrested 6-7 persons. A policeman told Ummat that roads to<br />
Benares Chowk and Aligarh Colony were completely closed because <strong>of</strong> ongoing clashes and direct firing<br />
between Muttahida and ANP members. One policeman told Ummat that TPO, DSP and SHOs’ Pirabad were<br />
sitting idle in <strong>of</strong>fices and police stations, and they had given lathis only and that is why he was not able to take<br />
action against armed persons.<br />
An elderly woman with her small girl <strong>of</strong> 7 years while hearing the above story said harshly “Our<br />
security forces are afraid <strong>of</strong> terrorist so people have to bear all”. She said that she was waiting in front <strong>of</strong> police<br />
station along with her girl since 12 noon and she had to go Qasba Colony Mor to her house. A police ASI told<br />
Ummat that ANP activists were firing from Benares and Pirabad and MQM activists were firing from Aligarh and<br />
Qasba Colony. Four passers by had been injured. The injured had to make their own way to Abbassi Shaheed<br />
Hospital because ambulances were restricted in those areas. Inside Qasba colony people set on fire 3<br />
motorbikes, 2 shops and firing was taking place.<br />
Jameel Khan who was standing on Benares Chok told us that he came out <strong>of</strong> his house to purchase<br />
medicine for his son but within no time severe gun firing started in his area. He could not go back home for 7<br />
hours. On Benares Chok some protestors set on fire to 2 Rehris. In Nusrat Bhutto colony, unknown armed<br />
persons started firing after 3 pm and burnt tyres on road. The stone pelting damaged 17 vehicles. The<br />
protestors tried to set on fire a vehicle but police deterred them. A resident Ghazanfar told Ummat that gun<br />
firing in the area was going on in breaks and police were not taking action.<br />
In Patel Para, protestors burnt tyres on roads and shutters were closed and there was stoning <strong>of</strong><br />
vehicles. After 2 pm firing started in Patel Para. Ummat was informed that the Guru Mandar area was also<br />
93
under clashes. In Patel Para firing by unknown armed terrorists caused injuries to Abdul Rehman, Nadir Khan,<br />
Tufial, Syed Akbar Shah, Muhammad Faisal, Rehamat Qayoom, Ra<strong>of</strong>, Goga and others.<br />
In Baldia Town-9, protestors raised slogan against the government and the market was closed<br />
because <strong>of</strong> firing, stone throwing, and tyre burning. The markets were closed because <strong>of</strong> firing into air in Site<br />
area and Habib Chorangi.<br />
In the Sharae-Fasial area at Pehlwan Goth on Sunday evening, hundreds <strong>of</strong> ANP supporters came<br />
onto the road and raised slogans against MQM and government. Some unknown persons started firing from<br />
Rabia City apartments and protestors threw stones on vehicles, which injured Major Shahid <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Army,<br />
his car KU-224 window and side screen were damaged. Police and Rangers reached there to control the<br />
situation.<br />
In the Landhi area, Qaidabad, Sherpao colony, Muzfarabad colony and other near areas witnessed<br />
clashes and riots. In Qaidabad unknown persons set on fire 2 motorbikes.<br />
In Lyari Chakiwara’s Sarbazi Mohalla unknown armed persons damaged and set ablaze an MQM<br />
medical store in the old Lyari sector and assualted 3 persons sitting outside the medical store.<br />
Jang 14 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter and writers – Rangers given shoot-on-sight orders. Seven people died and 16 were<br />
injured on Sunday and one Petrol Pump, 17 vehicles (including police mobile) and 12 shops were set alight.<br />
Federal Home Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said that Rangers had been given shoot-on-sight orders. Governor<br />
Ishratul Ibad said that the Rangers had been given complete charge <strong>of</strong> law and order in the city, including<br />
powers to arrest, and to use firearms. On Sunday police did teargas shelling and firing. On Super Highway a<br />
26-year old died as a result <strong>of</strong> firing, but could not be identified. The injured were: Rehamia, Fazlur Rehman,<br />
Mudassar, Akhtar Hussain, Mirza Wadood Ali, and Salamat. People alleged that the deaths and injuries were<br />
caused by police, while police claimed that firing was carried out by unknown persons.<br />
Jang 14 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter – PPI workers Asghar Ali Shah and Jahanzeb Shah were buried in Azeempura, and<br />
Malik Ameer Awan’s body was sent to Khushab. Other PPI workers were buried in Rehri Goth Baldia Town.<br />
They were killed by unknown terrorists.<br />
Jang 14 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter – PPP workers killed on 12 May Rehmatullah’s body was sent to Moro, Mohd Sarwar’s<br />
body was sent to Badin, and PP Ward No 79 City Area PS123 Korangi worker who was kidnapped on Sunday<br />
night and murdered was buried on late Sunday night in Mohammadi Jama Masjid Korangi and he was buried in<br />
Korangi No 6 Graveyard. Details <strong>of</strong> other workers who died will be released when their relatives arrive in<br />
Karachi. PPP worker Waseem Ahmed s/o Abdul Kareem from Dist Malir, Shahid s/o Mohd Shafee Khaskheli<br />
from Malir, Nabi Bux s/o Umeed Ali Khaskheli <strong>of</strong> District Malir are as yet untraced.<br />
Jang 14 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Staff reporter – Airport and Alfalah Police registered 5 FIRs for murder and attempted murder. Edhi<br />
driver Obaid Rehman registered an FIR No 66/07 in which driver Obaid has said that he was taking JI injured<br />
worker Faisal when unknown persons opened fire on him, injuring him and killing Faisal. Police registered FIR<br />
against unknown persons. Alfalah Police 3 murder FIRs against unknown persons – one is for the murder <strong>of</strong><br />
Rehmatullah Abdur Rehman, and one for injuring Zubair.<br />
Jang 14 May (e)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Press release – 9 MQM workers died on Saturday in gun firing: Rizwan Shameem s/o Shameemullah<br />
from Shah Faisal Colony, Babar Changezi s/o Jameel Khan <strong>of</strong> FB Area, Umar Rehman s/o Gul Faraz from<br />
Landhi, Irshad Khan Malang s/o Abdul Malook from Landhi, Fida Khan s/o Qadir Khan from Landhi, Jahanzeb<br />
s/o Iftikhar Khan from Malir, Shehbaz Khan s/o Ghulam Mustafa from Quaidabad Landhi, Aslam Pervaiz from<br />
Lyari, Mohd Sarwar from Badin. Over 50 workers are seriously wounded and 13 are untraced.<br />
94
Express 14 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter: The armed clashes started on 12 th<br />
May and became more severe on Sunday. In<br />
suburbs <strong>of</strong> Benares Chowk both sides attacked homes and families were forced to vacate their houses and<br />
warned against returning. Benares Chowk, and the Qasba Colony area in Aligarh Colony experienced serious<br />
armed clashes between two rival groups that left bullet holes in houses and created panic among the local<br />
population. People were stranded in their homes. There were no signs <strong>of</strong> Rangers and Police in the area.<br />
Near Arif Hospital, armed persons shot dead a 60 year old, Muhammad Ali, son <strong>of</strong> Wali Muhammad.<br />
Some agitated persons set fire to a bamboo shop and a house. During armed clashes 24 year old, Noorani, son<br />
<strong>of</strong> Juma Khan, was killed. Deceased was resident <strong>of</strong> Qasba Colony area MPR colony, house No. 115 and street<br />
No. 12. At Qasba Moar 5 persons Saleem, Moien, Saeed, Waseem and Muhammad Ashraf, MQM workers,<br />
were injured in gun firing. They were brought to Abbassi Shaheed Hospital where Muhammad Ashraf could not<br />
survive his injuries and died. People <strong>of</strong> Qasba area said that there were no Rangers and police and people were<br />
at the mercy <strong>of</strong> armed terrorists.<br />
On the entrance roads to Qasba Colony, Benares Chowk and Metroville pedestrians were physically<br />
assaulted and stripped naked. Because <strong>of</strong> unrest and violence in Ornagi Town the road towards Board Office<br />
Chorangi and Habib Bank chorangi was closed. Road from Manghopir site to Orangi was barricaded by the<br />
Rangers. During riots in Orangi town and Aligarh Colony half a dozen vehicles were ignited. Armed clash<br />
between two groups in Nazimabad-2 and Orangabad led to the burning <strong>of</strong> tyres road blocks.<br />
In Qaidabad area Muzfarabad colony, people from Hospital Chorangi came out on the roads burning<br />
tyres and blocking roads. To disperse the crowd, police released teargas shells, and in return people threw<br />
stones. Protestor threw back teargas onto the police. More police was called to disperse protesting persons.<br />
During clashes Saif Rehman son <strong>of</strong> Ali Rehman was killed in shooting. It was also reported that persons<br />
wearing jeans were targeted for physical assault.<br />
In Ibrahim Hyderi, Brohi Goth near Navy Ki Dewar a dead body <strong>of</strong> 55 year old Sardar son <strong>of</strong> Abdul<br />
Rahim was found. Sardar was kidnapped and killed by unknown persons. He took five bullets hits on different<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> his body. SHO Ibrahim told reporters that Sardar was resident <strong>of</strong> Korangi-6 House # B-519. He was<br />
kidnapped from outside his house.<br />
In the Manghopir area near the Javedan Cement Factory in Gazi Goth two dead bodies were found in<br />
a waste dumping spot. The killers had blondfolded the victims and tied their hands and feet before taking their<br />
lives. The police kept the dead bodies and after formalities from Abbassi Shaheed Hospital the bodies were<br />
sent to Edhi’s morgue.<br />
HRCP<br />
The fire brigade reached the bamboo shops to control the fire within a short time but people started<br />
attacking the fire fighters including Station Officer Tauheed Rehman and Hawaldar Athar.<br />
Near the Metroville cinema, there was an armed clash between two groups; a policeman, Khuram, and<br />
a pedestrian, Zoman Khan, were injured. In Baldia Town Ittehad Town unknown people entered the <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> the<br />
union council. They damaged the council <strong>of</strong>fice and set a motorbike on fire.<br />
In Lyari at Aath Chowk agitated people threw stones, blocked the roads, and opened fire. People<br />
retaliated by setting ablaze 15 bamboo shops and four houses. One mosque was also damaged. Armed<br />
persons attacked a filling station and set it on fire. During that tense situation, Rangers’ helicopter was<br />
patrolling the air.<br />
In Sohrab Goth area clashes between protestors and police took place. The police were doing lathi<br />
charge and shelling to disperse protestors. In the Sharae-Faisal area at Pehalwan Goth Gulistan-e-Johar armed<br />
person opened fire and tried to set on fire the vehicles but police dispersed them. A Major Shahid was injured.<br />
In the Kaemari Town Hussain Market, Jackson UC-1 areas Okhai Colony, Badar Ground, Kumella<br />
Chowk in Bhutta village 3 unit <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> MQM were set ablaze. In old Kaemari at Aath chok MQM’s sector in<br />
charge Wahab Sarbazi’s medical store was looted and set on fire. In Kemari UC-3 area the house <strong>of</strong> a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> MQM’s minority wing was targeted and people showered stones on his house. In Ittehad town another MQM<br />
minority wing’s member Nazir and Vinod in Ranchore line was beaten and seriously injured.<br />
Gulshan Hadeed UC-7 MQM’s unit <strong>of</strong>fice was set on fire and unit incharge Mamnoon, Khalid Rind and<br />
Yaseen Korai’s homes were attacked and damaged. Armed persons harassed their family members. In Bin<br />
Qasim town UC-1 areas Ali Brohi Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi Goth and Lal Abad <strong>of</strong> UC-3 in Allah Bux Himayati Goth<br />
MQM’s 3 <strong>of</strong>fices were set on fire. In a press release, MQM verified that 6 MQM <strong>of</strong>fices were set on fire.<br />
The terrorists fired rockets into residential areas in Orangi town, Gulshan Zia, Bismillah Hotel and<br />
Jaggi Hotel. A rocket fell in the house <strong>of</strong> a Suzuki driver near Jaggi Hotel but did not cause a blast. Terrorists<br />
fired more rockets which fell in the Gulshan Zia graveyard. Bazaar police verified the incident and bomb<br />
disposal unit collected pieces <strong>of</strong> the fired rockets.<br />
95
In Jamshed Quarters area Patel Para, a 10 year-old boy, Kamran, son <strong>of</strong> Salawat, was injured. In<br />
Mochko area at Baldia town-6 near Qazi hospital, one person Adil <strong>of</strong> 22 years injured in cross-firing. In Patel<br />
Para and Lasbela Chowk the armed men blocked main roads and roamed openly with weapons. As a result <strong>of</strong><br />
firing Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Aqil, Saeed Akbar, Muhamad Faisal, Rehamat and Goga were injured.<br />
Police did not succeed in removing roadblocks.<br />
In Mianwali and Nusrat Bhutto Colony crossfire between two armed groups continued for many hours.<br />
In Kharadar, Niyaabad and Khadda Market many dozens armed persons carried out aerial firing to get<br />
the markets closed.<br />
At the Malir Halt some persons stopped the vehicle <strong>of</strong> female doctor Nazia Yaqoob who was going to<br />
Jinnah Hospital on duty. They caused extensive damage to her vehicle.<br />
Heirs <strong>of</strong> killed persons could not register FIRs because it was difficult for police <strong>of</strong> the area to settle the<br />
place <strong>of</strong> incident and jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> police station. The relatives <strong>of</strong> victims were facing difficulties in getting<br />
death certificates from hospitals.<br />
ANP announced names <strong>of</strong> 13 persons who were killed and 10 others who had disappeared. Provincial<br />
secretary <strong>of</strong> ANP Syed Aqil Shah said that hundreds <strong>of</strong> ANP workers were injured and killed. Thos who died<br />
included the vice-president <strong>of</strong> ANP Qasim Town, UC-3 Sherpao town’s Javed, Shah Maqsood, and Hyder Khan,<br />
UC-1 <strong>of</strong> Hyder Town’s Buland Iqbal, Iqbal Hussan, and Fazal Rehman, UC-1 Muslimabad Town’s Muntazar<br />
Khan, and Umar Sidiq, Metroville’s Syed Ahmed Shah and Ustad Town’s Mehtab Ali, Liaqat and Siaf Rehman.<br />
Dawn 15 May (a)<br />
Mumtaz slams killings<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 14: Chairman <strong>of</strong> the Sindh National Front Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto on Monday<br />
condemned the May 12 bloodshed in Karachi and held the government and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement<br />
responsible for it.<br />
Sardar Bhutto visited ANP, Sindh, chief Shahi Syed’s residence to condole with him the killing <strong>of</strong><br />
several ANP workers, and deplored that terrorists had been given freehand to kill innocent people.<br />
He said that the May 12 incidents had badly tarnished the image <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> in the comity <strong>of</strong> nations.<br />
Equally blaming the federal government, he urged the rulers to step down immediately to pave the way<br />
for general elections in the country under a caretaker set-up.<br />
He slammed the Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim asking why he was untraceable while the<br />
terrorists were on a killing spree on the streets <strong>of</strong> Karachi that day.<br />
Dawn 15 May (b)<br />
MQM stand dismissed<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 14: Leader <strong>of</strong> the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khuhro has<br />
dismissed all explanations given by the MQM leadership regarding its role in the May 12 violence in Karachi as<br />
‘unacceptable’.<br />
In a statement issued here on Monday, Mr Khuhro maintained that whatever the MQM had done on<br />
that day added the darkest chapter in the history <strong>of</strong> the national politics.<br />
He noted that certain portions <strong>of</strong> Sharea Faisal falling in the route <strong>of</strong> the chief justice’s caravan had<br />
been selected for setting up ‘hideouts’ to carry out terrorist attacks.<br />
Mr Khuhro asked the rulers to tell the masses that who was in command <strong>of</strong> the law-enforcement<br />
agencies on May 12 and whether they had been ordered not to take action against the attackers. — Staff<br />
Reporter<br />
Dawn 15 May (c)<br />
MQM blamed for violence on May 12<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
96
KARACHI, May 14: Various opposition leaders at a press conference here on Monday said that the<br />
peaceful and complete strike observed in the country, including Karachi, showed that masses had rejected the<br />
Muttahida Qaumi Movement as they condemned terrorism.<br />
Declaring the MQM ‘a terrorist organization’, they resolved to act now for the protection <strong>of</strong> people and<br />
pledged to constitute peace committees to guard neighbourhoods.<br />
They called on every citizen to join hands with the opposition in its initiative against terrorism.<br />
Those present at the press conference included Syed Munawwar Hassan, Siddiq Rathor, Aslam<br />
Ghauri, Amin Khattak, Yusuf Mustikhan, Khan Mohammad Baloch and Rasheed Kashmiri.<br />
They said that the May 12 incidents <strong>of</strong> violence had exposed the MQM’s claim <strong>of</strong> being a political<br />
organisation, and alleged that the MMA’s stance that it was a fascist one stood valid.<br />
They accused the MQM <strong>of</strong> having created hatred among different ethnic communities, recalling that it<br />
had pitted Urdu-speaking people against Sindhis, Punjabis and Pakhtuns in the past, besides continuing to kill<br />
Mohajirs.<br />
They said that the whole nation and the world had watched the May 12 episode live on the electronic<br />
media which showed the MQM role in the bloodshed clearly.<br />
“MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar is now tendering apologies but we want the terrorists given exemplary<br />
punishment,” they maintained.<br />
Referring to Dr Sattar’s claim that 10 or 11 MQM workers had been killed in the May 12 violence, they<br />
said he should tell people that funerals <strong>of</strong> how many <strong>of</strong> them he had attended.<br />
The opposition leaders said that the government’s <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>of</strong> providing a helicopter for the chief justice<br />
was in fact a conspiracy to eliminate him. They pointed out that the chief justice had first been kept in illegal<br />
confinement for five hours by Gen Musharraf a couple <strong>of</strong> months back and for more than nine hours by the<br />
Karachi and Sindh authorities on May 12 at Karachi airport.<br />
Dawn 15 May (d)<br />
Death toll climbs as city shut down by strike<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
KARACHI, May 14: A complete strike was observed on Monday as four more people were killed, taking<br />
the death toll <strong>of</strong> ongoing violence to 46. Two people reportedly belonging to the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party were<br />
killed in Lyari when a party <strong>of</strong> Rangers, who have been empowered to shoot on sight anyone involved in riots,<br />
opened fire on protesters to disperse them.<br />
Shops were closed, public transport remained <strong>of</strong>f the roads and the city wore a deserted look<br />
throughout the day.<br />
Life crawled back to normal in the evening, though scattered incidents <strong>of</strong> violent activities were<br />
reported in certain violence-prone localities in the downtown and western district.<br />
Heavy contingents <strong>of</strong> Rangers and police were deployed in sensitive areas, and the law-enforcers<br />
intensified patrolling city roads and streets.<br />
The shutdown was so effective that even the paan-cigarette cabins and small confectionery stalls, a<br />
permanent feature <strong>of</strong> almost every locality, were closed.<br />
By and large people chose to remain indoors amid fear and tension. While the public transport was<br />
nowhere to be seen, private cars and motorbikes also remained <strong>of</strong>f the streets mainly due to a shortage <strong>of</strong> fuel.<br />
A few petrol pumps and gas stations resumed their business late in the evening, but most <strong>of</strong> them kept<br />
them covered with marquees for the third consecutive day.<br />
Life in the provincial capital literally came to a halt as the day was observed by the supporters <strong>of</strong> both<br />
the government and the opposition. The government had announced a public holiday to mourn the deaths <strong>of</strong><br />
Saturday violence.<br />
All commercial centres, shopping malls and wholesale markets remained closed in every part <strong>of</strong> the<br />
city. Restaurants, tea stalls, fruit and vegetables stalls were also closed. There was an acute shortage <strong>of</strong> milk,<br />
vegetables and fruits in the city.<br />
Though vegetables and fruits reached the New Sabzi Mandi from the interior <strong>of</strong> Sindh, they could not<br />
be supplied to outlets in the city.<br />
97
The bullet-riddled body <strong>of</strong> a 32-year-old man was found in a gunny bag in the limits <strong>of</strong> Bin Qasim<br />
police, and a man was shot dead in his house in Peerabad.<br />
Awami National Party claimed that one <strong>of</strong> the victims was its worker. However, police said the deaths<br />
were the result <strong>of</strong> personal enmity.<br />
Exchanges <strong>of</strong> sporadic fire between rival groups was reported from Orangi Town, Qasba Colony,<br />
Baldia Town, Sohrab Goth and Lyari. Some miscreants also torched old tyres on the streets.<br />
The Rangers said they arrested five trouble makers in separate actions near Sohrab Goth and seized<br />
two TT pistols from two <strong>of</strong> them.<br />
Dawn 15 May (e)<br />
Two shot dead in Lyari<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: A young man and a 10-year-old boy were shot dead in Lyari on Monday. Residents <strong>of</strong><br />
Baghdadi in Lyari accused the Rangers <strong>of</strong> shooting at and killing the two persons on the spot. However, police<br />
denied the residents’ claim saying that the deaths were the result <strong>of</strong> a gang war.<br />
According to area people, gunshots had been heard since morning as the entire area wore a deserted<br />
look in response to the strike call given by the ARD.<br />
Police allegedly forced people to open their shops which provoked the area people and they staged a<br />
protest demonstration against the police and raised slogans against the government and law-enforcement<br />
agencies. Police reinforcement and Rangers arrived at the spot. They used teargas shelling and batons to<br />
disperse the protesters.<br />
The residents claimed that the Rangers opened fire on the protesting people near Mama Hotel, killing<br />
two <strong>of</strong> them. The dead were identified as Faizan, 10, and Sunny, in his early twenties. — Staff Reporter<br />
Dawn 15 May (f)<br />
35 violence victims still in hospitals<br />
By Mukhtar Alam<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
KARACHI, May 14: Thirty-five victims <strong>of</strong> the violence that erupted on May 12 are still admitted at three<br />
major government hospitals in the city, said senior doctors on Monday. As a result <strong>of</strong> the violence about 113<br />
injured men were rushed to three hospitals — the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Civil Hospital Karachi<br />
and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital — the same day.<br />
All the admitted persons, including four those who underwent major surgery, are said to be out <strong>of</strong><br />
danger recovering from bullet injuries, according to the doctors.<br />
Thirty bodies and scores <strong>of</strong> wounded people were brought to these hospitals after the violence. Most <strong>of</strong><br />
the injured persons were discharged by May 13, it was further learnt.<br />
The deputy director and in-charge <strong>of</strong> the emergency and accidents department at JPMC, Dr Seemi<br />
Jamali, told Dawn on Monday that in all 70 people sustaining bullet wounds were brought to the hospital on<br />
May 12. Of them, she said, 17 were still admitted in different wards, including surgical, orthopaedic, and<br />
neurosurgery wards.<br />
A few <strong>of</strong> the admitted persons would have to undergo surgeries as well, she added, saying that one <strong>of</strong><br />
the injured persons died during treatment at the hospital. Majority <strong>of</strong> these patients, coming from Shah Faisal,<br />
Malir, Natha Khan bridge areas, were discharged on Sunday morning after being provided with medical<br />
treatment.<br />
She said two bodies and one person with bullet wound were brought to the JPMC on May 13.<br />
CHK Medical Superintendent Dr Kaleem Butt said 11 out <strong>of</strong> 27 injured persons brought to the hospital<br />
on May 12 were still admitted for treatment.<br />
The hospital received two bodies on May 12 while the condition <strong>of</strong> all injured brought to the hospital<br />
was stable, he added.<br />
He said two patients had to undergo surgery in the abdomen for critical injuries while a young man<br />
who got bullet pierced in his throat was also under examination for a surgery. The patients <strong>of</strong> age ranging from<br />
16 to 47, mostly with bullet injuries, had been admitted in the surgical, orthopaedic and neurology wards, he<br />
added.<br />
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The admitted persons were residents <strong>of</strong> Geedar Colony, Orangi Town, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Landhi,<br />
Baldia, Patel Para, Lasbella and Shahnawaz Bhutto Colony, it was learnt.<br />
Dr Mirza Mohammad Ali, RMO (General) <strong>of</strong> Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, told Dawn that they received<br />
about 21 wounded patients on May 12, out <strong>of</strong> which seven were still admitted in different wards for treatment.<br />
Four <strong>of</strong> the patients underwent face and abdomen surgeries as well, he said adding that the patients were<br />
recovering fast.<br />
He said the hospital received seven bodies as a result <strong>of</strong> May 12 firing incidents in the city. Three<br />
patients were still in the Intensive Care Unit for their recovery after surgical operation, he added.<br />
Dawn 15 May (g)<br />
ARD: Call for 3-day mourning<br />
***<br />
Terming the Saturday bloodshed ‘a carnage’, Mr Shah announced a three-day mourning starting<br />
Tuesday for the victims. He said lawyers were being consulted about lodging <strong>of</strong> FIRs <strong>of</strong> the attacks.<br />
Regarding delegation <strong>of</strong> powers to the Rangers to shoot at sight, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who is also<br />
Sindh chief <strong>of</strong> the PPP, said that the governor did not have the constitutional authority to delegate such powers<br />
to Rangers.<br />
He maintained that it was the chief minister who possessed the authority. “But the chief minister <strong>of</strong><br />
Sindh has been rendered powerless and is in hiding nowadays,” he remarked.<br />
He also vehemently condemned the attempts being made to give the unrest in Karachi an ethnic<br />
colour. “Karachi is part <strong>of</strong> Sindh and nobody can snatch away Sindh from Sindhis,” he said, castigating those<br />
who were trying to divide the people <strong>of</strong> Sindh on ethnic grounds. He resolved to foil such elements’ nefarious<br />
designs.<br />
He reiterated the ARD’s support to the lawyers’ ongoing struggle for the supremacy <strong>of</strong> judiciary,<br />
maintaining that without recognising the supremacy <strong>of</strong> law and attaining the independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary, people’s<br />
right could not be protected. “The lawyers’ struggle cannot be separated from the struggle for the democracy,”<br />
he declared.<br />
The ARD leader also deplored the killing <strong>of</strong> additional registrar <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court on Monday, and<br />
termed it ‘a target killing’. He held the government responsible for his murder.<br />
Dawn 15 May (h)<br />
Hamad Raza laid to rest in Lahore<br />
***<br />
LAHORE, May 14: SC additional registrar Syed Hamad Raza, who was killed by unidentified people at<br />
his Islamabad residence on Monday, was laid to rest at Karim Block graveyard, Allama Iqbal Town, on Monday<br />
evening. Earlier, his funeral prayers were held at Sikandar Block, Iqbal Town, which were attended by <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
from the Supreme Court Registry in Lahore, <strong>of</strong>fice-bearers <strong>of</strong> bar associations, lawyers and a large number <strong>of</strong><br />
people from different walks <strong>of</strong> life.—APP<br />
Dawn 15 May (i)<br />
Three held for blocking G.T. Road<br />
HRCP<br />
GUJAR KHAN, May 14: Three persons including two women were arrested and later released for<br />
blocking the GT Road along with other family members here on Monday. According to the police, four women<br />
including minor children came to the SDPO <strong>of</strong>fice to lodge a complaint against the Jatli police for registration <strong>of</strong><br />
a case against one <strong>of</strong> their relatives.<br />
DSP Raja Taifur Akhtar after listening to their complaint forwarded their application to the SHO Jatli<br />
police to produce the <strong>file</strong> <strong>of</strong> the case.<br />
However, after leaving the <strong>of</strong>fice these ladies accompanied by a man <strong>of</strong> their village came to the GT<br />
Road and stood in the way <strong>of</strong> the vehicular traffic carrying the minor kids.<br />
They started chanting slogans against the SHO Jatli. They alleged that the Jatli police had implicated<br />
their family member, Noman Salim, in a false case <strong>of</strong> firing on the pressure <strong>of</strong> an influential person.<br />
After seeing the women on the road, the DSP along with some policemen rushed to the scene and<br />
brought them back to his <strong>of</strong>fice.<br />
The DSP told them that he had directed the SHO concerned to look into the matter and there was no<br />
justification for the women to try to block the road.<br />
99
The DSP directed SHO Gujar Khan Syed Ghulam Abbas Shah to register a case against the protesters<br />
including Liaquat Hussain, Ms Fazal Jan and Ms Mahmood Akhtar, residents <strong>of</strong> Ishaal Sharif, Jatli. However,<br />
the women with minor kids were not included in the FIR, the DSP <strong>of</strong>fice sources said. These persons were<br />
booked under section 341/54 PPC and later they were granted bail by a civil court.<br />
Sources confirmed that Noman Salim was the only breadwinner <strong>of</strong> his family consisting <strong>of</strong> about 20<br />
members including his minor children, two younger brothers and an old mother.<br />
The sources said Noman’s opponents had trespassed into his house and attacked his family members<br />
in his absence. However, the police have failed to arrest the attackers despite registration <strong>of</strong> a case by the poor<br />
family with the Jatli police.<br />
Dawn 15 May (j)<br />
Supreme Court <strong>of</strong>ficer murdered<br />
By Mohammad Asghar<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 14: Supreme Court’s additional registrar Syed Hammad Amjad Raza was shot dead<br />
by four men who broke into his house before dawn on Monday. Talking to Dawn a police <strong>of</strong>ficer claimed that<br />
the murder had been committed by robbers, but Mr Amjad Raza’s widow Shabana, a witness to the killing, said<br />
it was a target killing. She alleged that the government and agencies were involved in the murder.<br />
She said that she saw several policemen lurking around in the lawn <strong>of</strong> her house when she ran out<br />
crying for help, but they did nothing to catch the culprits. She vowed to do everything possible to bring those<br />
responsible to justice.<br />
Her brother, Abid Hussain Shah, also insisted that it was not a case <strong>of</strong> robbery, because nothing had<br />
been found missing from the house, except two cellphones. “It’s a target killing and a message to judges,” he<br />
said.<br />
Soon after the murder, judges <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court, including Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad<br />
Chaudhry, visited Mr Raza’s house and, taking suo motu action, ordered the Inspector General <strong>of</strong> Police and<br />
the Senior Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Police <strong>of</strong> Islamabad to appear before the court on Tuesday.<br />
“We will supervise the police investigation and will take care <strong>of</strong> the family,” Justice Javed Iqbal told<br />
reporters.<br />
HRCP<br />
“Law and order is deteriorating in the country and it is a moment to think for everybody,” he said.<br />
IGP Iftikhar Ahmad told Dawn that a seven-member police team had been constituted to investigate<br />
the murder “on different lines”.<br />
Two <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> the British High <strong>Commission</strong>, Consular Albert David and Helen Rawlins, also visited Mr<br />
Raza’s house and talked to the widow who is a British national.<br />
When asked about their meeting with Ms Shabana, the diplomats said that being a British national<br />
“she had requested us to provide her security” but gave no details.<br />
According to the family, four people broke into Mr Raza’s <strong>of</strong>ficial residence through the kitchen window<br />
at around 4.15am. They overpowered his parents who lived on the ground floor, tied them up and asked them<br />
about Mr Raza.<br />
Syed Amjad Ali Mashedi Rizvi, father <strong>of</strong> Mr Raza, said the intruders held the teenage housemaid<br />
Ashee at gunpoint and forced her to take them upstairs to Mr Raza’s bedroom.<br />
“As my husband responded to the knocks and opened the door, we saw four clean-shaven men in<br />
trousers and shalwar kameez. They were aged between 28 and 35. One <strong>of</strong> them was holding a pistol and<br />
another carried a knife. On seeing Hammad, the gunman shot him in the head and fled,” Ms Shabana said.<br />
She said she ran downstairs crying for help and was surprised to see some policemen in the lawn.<br />
They did not do anything. However, police <strong>of</strong>ficer Shaukat Pervaiz, a neighbour, responded to her screams. SP<br />
Pervaiz, who is detailed with the prime minister’s security squad, shouted at a police patrol, standing about 100<br />
feet away from his house, to catch the culprits but by the time the patrol moved the attackers had disappeared.<br />
Security agencies had questioned Mr Raza for four days after the removal <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice Iftikhar.<br />
Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas visited the residence <strong>of</strong> Mr Raza, who served as a DMG <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />
in Balochistan before being brought to the Supreme Court by Justice Iftikhar.<br />
The acting chief justice directed the registrar <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court to make arrangements with regard<br />
to burial and other matters and prepare a compensation package for the widow and children <strong>of</strong> the deceased.<br />
100
Asif Shahzad adds from Lahore: Mr Raza was buried in Lahore’s Allama Iqbal Town.<br />
Talking to Dawn Intizar Mehdi, a cousin <strong>of</strong> the deceased, alleged that it was a target killing. “The<br />
moment Hammad opened the door, the intruders shot him in the head without having any argument,” he said,<br />
adding that the robbers would not act the way the killers had. There was a lot <strong>of</strong> jewellery and cash in the house<br />
but the gunmen had not touched anything, he said.<br />
Dawn 15 May (k)<br />
The deceased is survived by the wife and three children.<br />
Ibad, Asfandyar seek to end ethnic strife<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 14: The Sindh government on Monday moved to avert what is being widely expected<br />
to be an imminent outbreak <strong>of</strong> ethnic rights in the city by establishing contact with the top leader <strong>of</strong> the Awami<br />
National Party and asking him for a political solution to the deepening crisis.<br />
The provincial authorities banned demonstrations in Karachi and declared a public holiday across<br />
Sindh after the weekend violence in the city, which began when the chief justice flew in to address a lawyers’<br />
convention at the High Court on Saturday. The ensuing riots left over 40 people killed and about 150 wounded<br />
in the country’s worst political street violence in two decades.<br />
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad phoned ANP chief Asfandyar Wali Khan on Monday and told him in a<br />
15-minute conversation that the provincial government would not allow ethnic strife to mar the city’s peace,<br />
according to a press statement released by the Governor House.<br />
The Pakhtun Action Committee gave the Sindh government a 72-hour ultimatum on Sunday when<br />
seven people were killed, raising the spectre <strong>of</strong> bloody ethnic feuding that plagued the city in the 1980s and<br />
1990s.<br />
Mr Khan told Dawn from Islamabad that it was wrong to describe Saturday’s violence and Sunday’s<br />
backlash as ethnic riots.<br />
“I insist that it is a political issue and it can be resolved politically by getting all stakeholders to the<br />
negotiating table,” he asserted.<br />
HRCP<br />
He said he told the governor that it was not a conflict between the ANP and the Muttahida Qaumi<br />
Movement.<br />
He conceded that he and the governor failed to find a concrete solution to the ongoing crisis over the<br />
telephonic conversation.<br />
According to the Governor House press statement, Dr Ibad also contacted various Pakhtun leaders<br />
and notables in Karachi and asked for their cooperation.<br />
***<br />
Dawn 15 May (l)<br />
Countrywide shutdown: •Outrage over Karachi killings •Enthusiastic response to opposition’s strike<br />
call<br />
Dawn Report<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 14: A sense <strong>of</strong> anger and grief was more than evident on the streets across the<br />
country on Monday, as most businesses and shops from Khyber to Karachi remained closed. In many cities<br />
and towns, public transport remained <strong>of</strong>f the road, bringing normal life to a halt on what was supposed to be the<br />
first working day <strong>of</strong> the week.<br />
The strike was observed on a call given by the combined opposition in protest against mayhem in<br />
Karachi on Saturday when hundreds <strong>of</strong> armed men took control <strong>of</strong> the streets and Chief Justice Iftikhar<br />
Mohammed Chaudhry and his lawyers were prevented from leaving the airport to attend a bar association<br />
function in downtown Karachi.<br />
101
The nationwide shutdown was on a scale not seen for many years. So widespread and effective was<br />
the response to the opposition’s call that even traders in Islamabad, who ignored such pleas in the past, kept<br />
their businesses shut throughout the day. The shutdown in adjoining Rawalpindi was more comprehensive, with<br />
even smaller bazaars remaining closed.<br />
Reeling under the after-effects <strong>of</strong> Saturday’s bloodbath, Karachi also observed a complete strike and<br />
witnessed more bloodshed when another four people were killed, taking the death toll in the ongoing violence to<br />
46.<br />
Two <strong>of</strong> those killed, reportedly belonging to <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party, were gunned down when a<br />
contingent <strong>of</strong> Rangers, who have been empowered to shoot on sight anyone involved in rioting, opened fire to<br />
disperse protesters in the Lyari area.<br />
Residents said a large number <strong>of</strong> people had taken to the street in protest when a police contingent<br />
forced shopkeepers to pull up their shutters. They said a Rangers’ party reached the area and opened fire on<br />
the protesters.<br />
However, a Rangers spokesman categorically denied involvement <strong>of</strong> their personnel and attributed the<br />
killings to the Lyari gang war.<br />
All commercial and shopping centres, markets, showrooms and shops were closed and public<br />
transport remained <strong>of</strong>f the roads. The entire city wore a deserted look throughout the day.<br />
Life crawled back to normalcy in the evening, though scattered incidents <strong>of</strong> violence were reported<br />
from certain violence-prone localities in the downtown and western district.<br />
A few petrol pumps and gas stations resumed their business late in the evening, but most <strong>of</strong> them<br />
preferred to keep them covered with marquees for the third consecutive day.<br />
Hyderabad and most other cities and towns in the interior <strong>of</strong> Sindh also remained completely shut.<br />
Tharparkar, the hometown <strong>of</strong> Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, and a couple <strong>of</strong> other places ignored<br />
the strike call.<br />
The <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in several towns faced protesters’ ire and were<br />
ransacked.<br />
There was almost a complete business shutdown in Lahore and also in most other cities and towns <strong>of</strong><br />
Punjab. Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and took out processions. They were supported by political<br />
parties, NGOs and the public.In Lahore, the wholesale markets wore a deserted look and traffic was thin. A<br />
large number <strong>of</strong> lawyers, political and human rights activists rallied on The Mall in sweltering heat to protest<br />
against Karachi killings.<br />
They demanded registration <strong>of</strong> murder cases against President Gen Pervez Musharraf and MQM chief<br />
Altaf Hussain. The public also joined the rally.<br />
“I am here to mourn the deaths,” said Nisar Sheikh. “It has happened to the people in Karachi (today),<br />
it can happen to us tomorrow. Everybody knows who is behind the killings, and everybody knows nothing would<br />
be done to take the culprits to task.”<br />
The strike call received a positive response also in the NWFP and Balochistan. In Peshawar and<br />
Quetta, protest rallies were taken out. Even the small town <strong>of</strong> Chaman, situated along the <strong>Pakistan</strong>-Afghan<br />
border, saw a shutdown.<br />
Another feature <strong>of</strong> Monday’s strike was that it was largely peaceful, with Karachi and a couple <strong>of</strong> other<br />
places being the exceptions.<br />
Dawn 15 May (m)<br />
City govt will continue to serve people: nazim<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 14: City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has vowed to continue what he called ‘the journey <strong>of</strong><br />
progress’ and maintained that no incident <strong>of</strong> violence can undermine the resolve <strong>of</strong> his government to serve the<br />
people <strong>of</strong> the metropolis without any discrimination.<br />
Speaking at a press conference here at his <strong>of</strong>fice, the nazim made a passionate appeal to people <strong>of</strong><br />
the metropolis and all stakeholders, including political parties, to play their role in restoring peace and order not<br />
only for the development <strong>of</strong> Karachi but for the whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>.<br />
Mr Kamal was on way to New York to attend the C40 Large Cities Climate Summit being held in New<br />
York by the Clinton Foundation, but returned to the metropolis on Monday cancelling his visit in view <strong>of</strong> the<br />
deteriorating law and order situation.<br />
102
“As a representative <strong>of</strong> Karachi, I appeal to all stakeholders to free this city <strong>of</strong> negative politics. People<br />
from every city and town <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> come here to earn their livelihood, so, please allow us to carry on with<br />
development.”<br />
He said the city government was serving people <strong>of</strong> the metropolis without any discrimination but the<br />
enemies <strong>of</strong> Karachi and <strong>Pakistan</strong> did not like it and they hatched a conspiracy to stop the process <strong>of</strong><br />
development.<br />
“The incidents that occurred on May 12 and afterwards were a part <strong>of</strong> this conspiracy and the city, its<br />
people and the government were the ultimate sufferer. But I am confident that with the support <strong>of</strong> people <strong>of</strong> this<br />
city I will foil all conspiracies and the process <strong>of</strong> development will resume tomorrow,” he added.<br />
Mr Kamal said he hoped that incidents <strong>of</strong> violence could not stop foreigners and locals from investing<br />
here and that all foreign investors had complete faith in the city government.<br />
He expressed grief and sorrow over the loss <strong>of</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> innocent people during the May 12 and later<br />
incidents and expressed condolence with the bereaved families. He said the city government would help all the<br />
victims <strong>of</strong> the May 12 and subsequent incidents and for this purpose it was collecting all required information.<br />
He demanded that the authorities concerned to unmask the conspirators behind the May 12 incidents.<br />
The nazim avoided questions relating to the visit <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, rallies <strong>of</strong> opposition<br />
parties and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and said that he did not want to enter into a political debate.<br />
Dawn 15 May (n)<br />
Over 60 people seek refuge in MQM camps<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 14: One family and 60 workers and supporters <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement are<br />
living in two camps established by the party near its headquarters, Nine Zero, in Azizabad.<br />
“One family from Lyari and 60 Punjabi and Pakhtun workers are living in the two camps after they and<br />
their houses came under attack by opposition activists in different city areas,” head <strong>of</strong> the Media Committee<br />
Saif Abbas told Dawn on Monday.<br />
Dr Farooq Sattar had told a press conference that the MQM had set up two camps for the workers and<br />
supporters <strong>of</strong> the party who were forced to leave their homes in the suburbs <strong>of</strong> the city following armed attacks<br />
on them and their properties.<br />
HRCP<br />
Mr Abbbas said that a number <strong>of</strong> party workers and supporters, particularly belonging to the Punjabi<br />
and Pakhtun communities, were displaced and a majority <strong>of</strong> them took refuge in their relatives’ houses in<br />
relatively peaceful localities.<br />
According to him, the displaced people did not want to talk to the media as they were in a state <strong>of</strong><br />
shock due to what they faced from their own community members.<br />
The displaced people were living in Sherpao Colony, Muzaffarabad Colony, Qasba Colony, Aligarh<br />
Colony, Landhi, Super Highway, Sohrab Goth and other suburbs <strong>of</strong> the metropolis.<br />
MQM sources, however, maintained that the situation would improve in a day or two and all the<br />
displaced persons would go back home.<br />
***<br />
Daily Times May 15: (a)<br />
They shot us one by one...’<br />
By Munawar Pirzada<br />
KARACHI: One shot. That’s all that it takes to end years <strong>of</strong> friendship and love. Three over-lock<br />
machine operators are now feeling the effects <strong>of</strong> such one shot, which pierced through the heart <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> their<br />
friends.<br />
Sakhi Rehman, Sikandar, Rahmat Shah and Nawaz had all been friends for over eight years. Last<br />
Saturday, they had been coming home from work when the violence broke out in Karachi. “When we reached<br />
Chandi Chock Nala, 26 armed men surrounded us and asked us to present our identity cards,” recounted<br />
Sikandar, who is a resident <strong>of</strong> North Nazimabad. “After making us wait for about 15 minutes, they forced us into<br />
a narrow lane nearby where they had already placed two other abductees.” The mob then asked the hostages<br />
103
to recite the kalma. “I was so scared that I ran for my life. They tried to shoot me but missed. However, another<br />
part <strong>of</strong> their gang intercepted me in the next lane and brought me back to the gathering,” said Sikandar.<br />
When Sikandar returned to the scene, he noticed that the one <strong>of</strong> the two unknown hostages had been<br />
killed, while his friends and the other hostage were missing. Then the mob hammered Sikandar with their pistol<br />
butts, following which he lost consciousness. He was then shot and left to bleed.<br />
While all this was going on, one <strong>of</strong> Sikandar’s friends, Rahmat Shah, managed to escape. He went<br />
and took shelter with a couple <strong>of</strong> laborers. Meanwhile, Nawaz, Sakhi Rehman and an unknown hostage were<br />
held in a house down the road.<br />
“They shot us one by one at point blank range. I looked into the eyes <strong>of</strong> my friend, Sakhi Rehman, as<br />
he was shot in the chest. I heard his anguish, I saw his pain. I pray to God to not let anyone see what I’ve<br />
seen,” said a tearful Nawaz.<br />
When Nawaz saw his friend die, he knew that he had no other option but to make a run for his life. He<br />
got up and fled as bullets whizzed past his year. Fortunately he managed to escape unhurt. “Area residents saw<br />
all that was happening but didn’t do anything. Even the police, who were about 500 yards away, acted like<br />
spectators,” said Nawaz.<br />
The deceased, Sakhi Rehman, had been a resident <strong>of</strong> North Nazimabad. He had tied the knot only two<br />
years ago and was the father <strong>of</strong> a one-year-old. According to local residents, Rehman had never been involved<br />
with any political parties. Rehman’s father, Darbesh, is very old and unable to work. This leaves Rehman’s<br />
three unmarried sisters in a hopeless condition as Rehman was the only breadwinner. But that didn’t worry<br />
Darbesh, all he said was, “Where’s my son? I want my son.”<br />
Daily Times 15 May (b)<br />
SC addl registrar target-killed<br />
Staff Report<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD: Four men sneaked into the house <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court (SC) Additional Registrar Hammad<br />
Raza in Sector G-10/2 early on Monday morning and gunned him down, apparently in a target killing.<br />
Raza’s widow Shabana claimed that her husband had been target-killed because the intruders had not<br />
touched anything in the house. “They just came and shot him. He opened the door and they shot him and ran<br />
away,” she told Reuters. She said that the killers were able to escape even though a police vehicle was<br />
patrolling their neighbourhood at the time <strong>of</strong> the incident. Shabana said that Raza did not have enmity with any<br />
person and had not received threats from any person.<br />
Raza was stationed in Balochistan before being reassigned to the SC by CJP Iftikhar Chaudhry. “You<br />
called him to Islamabad. You should have protected him, and now my children need protection as well,”<br />
Shabana told Chaudhry when he visited Raza’s house to <strong>of</strong>fer his condolence.<br />
British High <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials also visited Raza’s family at the behest <strong>of</strong> his widow, who says she<br />
holds British citizenship.<br />
Shalimar police said four ‘robbers’ entered Raza’s house and killed him when he resisted. However,<br />
doctors at PIMS said Raza’s body did not have any scar or wound, challenging the police’s claim that Raza had<br />
resisted.<br />
Islamabad IG Iftikhar Chaudhry said it was too early to say if the incident was a target killing.<br />
Chaudhry said a police team led by DIG Shahid Baloch had been formed to investigate Raza’s murder.<br />
Meanwhile, an investigating <strong>of</strong>ficer confided to Daily Times that they had not found any sign <strong>of</strong><br />
resistance by Raza.<br />
Acting CJ Rana Bhagwandas, Justice Javed Iqbal, Justice Faqeer Muhammad Khokhar and other<br />
judges also visited Raza’s house and condoled with his family.<br />
Daily Times learnt that Raza was a prime defence witness in the presidential reference against the<br />
CJP. Munir A Malik, a lawyer on the CJP’s defence team, said the CJP had confirmed that Raza could appear<br />
in court as a witness to defend him and his murder at this time was suspicious.<br />
Lahore.<br />
Meanwhile, Raza was buried at the Shahenshah graveyard in Karim Block, Allama Iqbal Town,<br />
Daily Times 15 May (c)<br />
HRCP<br />
CJP lawyers, Asma among 24 banned in Sindh<br />
***<br />
104
KARACHI: Sindh Home Advisor Waseem Akhtar said on Monday that the Sindh government has<br />
banned the entry <strong>of</strong> 24 persons, including Aitzaz Ahsan, into Sindh for 30 days.<br />
Talking to the media at his <strong>of</strong>fice, he gave a list <strong>of</strong> only 14 persons whose entry into Sindh has been<br />
banned. They include Shaikh Mohammed Yakub, Iqbal Ahmed Khan, Taufiq Asif, Afzal Janjua, Sadaqat Ali<br />
Khan, Azmat Ali Bukhari, Shaikh Ahsanuddin, Raja Shafqat, Zamrud Khan, Abdul Qudus, Hamid Khan,<br />
Mohammed Akram Choudhry, Ali Ahmed and Asma Jehangir. The order banning the entry <strong>of</strong> Asif Bashir was,<br />
however, withdrawn on May 13. app<br />
Daily Times 15 May (d)<br />
Asma bursts into tears<br />
***<br />
LAHORE: <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Chairperson Advocate Asma Jahangir wept during<br />
her address to the lawyers on Monday at the LHCBA. During her speech when she recalled the Karachi<br />
incident, which she herself witnessed on April 12 she burst into tears. She could hardly deliver her speech. She<br />
said she had seen brutal incidents committed by the MQM “hooligans” on behest <strong>of</strong> the government. She said<br />
the government had tried to victimise Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and his lawyers.<br />
staff report<br />
The News 15 May (a)<br />
Countrywise strike against Karachi killings<br />
By our correspondents<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: A complete wheel-jam strike was observed in the metropolis on Monday on a call <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), which was backed by the Alliance for the Restoration <strong>of</strong> Democracy (ARD) and<br />
other opposition political parties in protest against the bloodbath in Karachi on May 12.<br />
The Sindh governor had declared a day <strong>of</strong> mourning for Monday, besides declaring the day a public<br />
holiday in the province. After two days <strong>of</strong> violence, the provincial metropolis experienced a day <strong>of</strong> relative<br />
peace. However, tension prevailed in several sensitive localities <strong>of</strong> the city. Heavy deployment <strong>of</strong> police and<br />
rangers was observed on important thoroughfares and other parts <strong>of</strong> the metropolis, which experienced scenes<br />
<strong>of</strong> rioting and violence on Saturday and Sunday.<br />
HRCP<br />
However, certain areas <strong>of</strong> Karachi including Sohrab Goth and Lyari witnessed torching <strong>of</strong> tyres by<br />
protesters and isolated incidents <strong>of</strong> firing. The law-enforcement agencies, especially the Rangers, had been<br />
given extraordinary powers to restore law and order in Karachi.<br />
Public transport did not ply on the roads for yet another day and commuters were left with no other<br />
option but to avail the services <strong>of</strong> rickshaws and taxis at exorbitant rates which were also fewer. Taxi and<br />
rickshaw drivers either blatantly refused to carry passengers or demanded very high fare.<br />
Petrol pumps in various parts <strong>of</strong> the city, which had largely closed their operation since Friday night<br />
out <strong>of</strong> fear <strong>of</strong> violence, could not resume their function till Monday. A few petrol pumps in relatively safe and<br />
privileged localities <strong>of</strong> the city however partially resumed their filling services. Owners <strong>of</strong> private vehicles faced<br />
serious difficulties in getting supply <strong>of</strong> petrol, diesel, and CNG.<br />
All markets, shopping, and commercial centres remained closed in major residential areas <strong>of</strong> Karachi.<br />
Major commercial, corporate and trading establishments in the city could not resume their functions on Monday<br />
as attendance <strong>of</strong> employees remained thin. According to the directives <strong>of</strong> the State Bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> major<br />
branches <strong>of</strong> public and private-sector banks remained open on Monday but they could not provide their routine<br />
banking services to the customers due to the absence <strong>of</strong> accounting and other essential staff.<br />
Educational institutions including public and private-sector schools, colleges, and universities<br />
remained closed. Meanwhile, President <strong>of</strong> MMA Sindh Maulana Asadullah Bhutto and head <strong>of</strong> Jamaat-e-Islami<br />
Karachi Dr Mirajul Huda Siddiqui thanked the masses for observing a peaceful strike. Leaders <strong>of</strong> the All<br />
<strong>Pakistan</strong> Organisation <strong>of</strong> Small Traders and Cottage Industries also greeted the people, transporters, traders,<br />
and businessmen <strong>of</strong> Karachi for observing a peaceful strike.<br />
According to reports from our interior Sindh correspondents, a complete but peaceful strike was<br />
observed in interior Sindh. All the business activities came to a halt and markets presented a deserted look.<br />
Government <strong>of</strong>fices too remained shut.<br />
Though the call was given for a shutter-down, transport also remained thin on the roads as<br />
transporters kept their vehicles <strong>of</strong>f the roads. A large number <strong>of</strong> vehicles were seen parked on bus stops, and<br />
petrol pumps also remained closed.<br />
Heavy contingents <strong>of</strong> police and rangers were deployed to avoid any unwanted situation and no<br />
105
incident <strong>of</strong> forcible closure <strong>of</strong> shops was reported. Rallies were brought out and demonstrations were held in<br />
different cities and towns <strong>of</strong> Sindh, where lawyers also boycotting court proceedings.<br />
Muhammad Ejaz Khan adds from Quetta: A complete shutter down strike was observed in the<br />
provincial capital and other parts <strong>of</strong> Balochistan.<br />
The routine life came to a grinding halt in Quetta where no business activity took place as all shopping<br />
malls and shops remained shuttered. The provincial government had deployed additional law-enforcers at<br />
different localities <strong>of</strong> the city. However, no untoward incident took place.<br />
Meanwhile, the lawyers rallied in the provincial capital and boycotted court proceedings against<br />
Saturday’s bloodshed in Karachi.<br />
Our Lahore correspondent adds: Lawyers community throughout the province boycotted courts and<br />
staged rallies Monday against the Saturday killings in Karachi and forcing the Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad<br />
Chaudhry to return from Karachi to Islamabad without addressing the Sindh Bar Association.<br />
The courts in all the cities gave a deserted look and the clients faced difficulties. In Lahore, thousands<br />
<strong>of</strong> charged lawyers, workers <strong>of</strong> the opposition parties and surprisingly common people marched on The Mall<br />
against the MQM, Gen Pervez Musharraf and Altaf Hussain.<br />
A total shutdown in almost all the major markets were observed in Lahore as the administration<br />
knowing the public mood against Karachi killings did nothing to stop the strike announced by traders.<br />
The MMA took out a rally in Rawalpindi as part <strong>of</strong> the strike. Activists <strong>of</strong> the religious alliance and other<br />
opposition parties burnt tyres at different places in the city to vent their anger against the rulers and shouted<br />
anti-government slogans.<br />
Agencies add: The trader community observed complete shutter down in Peshawar to condemn the<br />
Saturday’s carnage in Karachi. All important business centres including those situated in cantonment areas and<br />
Peshawar city presented a deserted look as majority <strong>of</strong> the shopkeepers kept their shutters down.<br />
Early in the morning majority <strong>of</strong> shops remained opened and traders continued their business activities<br />
but later with the persuasion <strong>of</strong> the traders’ association and political leaders, they closed their shops to join the<br />
protest.<br />
The political activists carrying placards inscribed with the slogans in favour <strong>of</strong> the struggle for<br />
independence <strong>of</strong> judiciary and flags <strong>of</strong> their respective parties marched through major roads <strong>of</strong> the city and later<br />
held a public meeting in front <strong>of</strong> Peshawar High Court.<br />
The News 15 May (b)<br />
Karachi massacre: opposition boycotts Senate proceedings<br />
By Mumtaz Alvi<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD: The combined opposition on Monday boycotted the Senate proceedings in protest<br />
against the Karachi carnage and violence against mediapersons, and blamed the Centre and the Muttahida<br />
Qaumi Movement (MQM) for the May 12 gory events.<br />
After staging walkout from the Senate, lawmakers <strong>of</strong> the PPPP, the PML-N, the MMA, the ANP and the<br />
PKMAP addressed a joint news conference. They called for resignation <strong>of</strong> the government and installation <strong>of</strong> a<br />
consensus government to conduct free and fair elections.<br />
Wearing black armbands the opposition senators, including Mian Raza Rabbani, Maulana Gulnaseeb,<br />
M Ishaq Dar, Asfandyar Wali, Pr<strong>of</strong> Muhammad Ibrahim and Raza M Raza, thanked the nation, particularly the<br />
people <strong>of</strong> the Punjab, for making Monday’s strike a huge success.<br />
They made it clear that the ongoing movement would continue till the ouster <strong>of</strong> the Musharraf-led<br />
government. The opposition would raise the issue again on Tuesday (today) in the Senate, they added.<br />
Rabbani lashed out at President Musharraf’s rally in Islamabad where the participants danced to the<br />
drum beating despite knowing about the massacre in Karachi. “What happened in Islamabad was reflective <strong>of</strong><br />
their cannibalistic approach,” he said. “You have gone back to the days <strong>of</strong> cannibals. The rulers’ hands are<br />
blood-stained and this all was done on the directives <strong>of</strong> Musharraf.”<br />
Rabbani condemned the government and its allies and said that not only peaceful political workers but<br />
mediapersons were also subjected to the worst kind <strong>of</strong> state terrorism. “What the nation witnessed in Karachi<br />
was carried out under a well planned conspiracy, as the opposition had demonstrated peacefully during the<br />
chief justice’s visit to Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Lahore and elsewhere,” he said.<br />
He noted that the chain <strong>of</strong> events proved that the Karachi slaughter was preplanned: from Prime<br />
Minister Shaukat Aziz’s hint at the imposition <strong>of</strong> emergency to PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain’s<br />
106
statement that the assemblies’ tenure could be extended by a year, and then before the May 12, a tense<br />
environment was created in Karachi.<br />
“Who armed certain people with the latest weapons and facilitated them to occupy the city’s flyovers to<br />
target unarmed political workers,” he questioned.<br />
ANP’s Senator Asfandyar Wali billed the MQM as a mercenary force, a replica <strong>of</strong> Adolf Hitler’s<br />
Gestapo. He alleged that the MQM, a fascist outfit, gave a clear message to all the opposition forces that<br />
Karachi belonged only to them.<br />
“It is time to concede that they have taken all decisions and now it’s our turn to chalk out our strategy<br />
on how to cope with the entirely different Fascism-based situation,” the charged nationalist leader said.<br />
MMA’s Maulana Gulnaseeb said the ruling clique, led by General Musharraf, had miserably failed to<br />
deliver and therefore it must quit and pave way for the general elections. He said the entire nation had given its<br />
verdict against the rulers, as they stood with the lawyers and the opposition and wanted to see the back <strong>of</strong> the<br />
rulers.<br />
PML’s Senator Ishaq Dar said the opposition had been given a message not to turn to Karachi. A<br />
corps commander has declined to appear before the Sindh High Court chief justice. “To which direction, they<br />
are pushing this country!” he wondered. “The nation can no longer sustain all this.” Pr<strong>of</strong> Ibrahim contended that<br />
the MQM had proved that it was not a political party but a fascist group. He called upon all the political forces to<br />
expose its (MQM’s) real face.<br />
The News 15 May (c)<br />
Eight more die in Karachi<br />
By M Zeeshan Azmat & M Azeem Samar<br />
***<br />
KARACHI: Eight people, including a 10-year-old boy, were killed in different areas <strong>of</strong> Karachi,<br />
apparently in continuation <strong>of</strong> the May 12 carnage, taking the death toll in three days <strong>of</strong> violence to 48.<br />
The dead included Muhammad Ashraf, who was killed on Sunday, but it was not acknowledged by the<br />
local police, and most <strong>of</strong> the deceased people belong to some political party whereas some innocent and nonpolitical<br />
people also lost their lives during heavy gunfire.<br />
Three people, including a minor, fell victim apparently to the ‘shoot-to-kill’ powers <strong>of</strong> the Rangers in the<br />
Lyari locality on Monday night. However, the area police claimed that killing <strong>of</strong> only two young persons had<br />
occurred in the jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> Baghdadi police in Lyari and that too owing to an armed clash between gangs <strong>of</strong><br />
Arshad Pappu and Rahman Dakait.<br />
HRCP<br />
Residents and political quarters concerned said police and rangers had opened fire on the people who<br />
had been protesting on late Monday evening against the violent incidents <strong>of</strong> May 12. The incidents occurred<br />
near Maqbool Masjid, Baghdadi and Slaughter House Road, in Shah Baig Lane area.<br />
According to a Lyari police <strong>of</strong>ficial, two young men Sunny, son <strong>of</strong> Gulzar, (17), and Sohail son <strong>of</strong> Saleh<br />
Mohammad, (27), were killed, while Amjad, (25), and Sajjad Sharif, (17), were injured due to exchange <strong>of</strong> fire<br />
between rival gangs <strong>of</strong> criminals. According to the <strong>of</strong>ficial, the Rangers and police were not involved in the<br />
incident. He said the injured, whose condition was not serious, were shifted to Civil Hospital.<br />
According to the locals, another minor Faizan, (10), son <strong>of</strong> Abdul Karim also fell victim to the firing by<br />
the law-enforcement agencies. They said the police and the Rangers had resorted to firing as they faced<br />
opposition, protest, and stone pelting in the area.<br />
Meanwhile, according to a spokesman for the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party, “state-sponsored terrorism”<br />
had been perpetrated against the politically motivated protesting quarters in Shah Baig Lane area <strong>of</strong> Lyari and it<br />
proved the “ill and criminal” intentions <strong>of</strong> senior government authorities for giving “shoot-to-kill” orders to the<br />
Rangers. He said the provincial governor had given such orders to the rangers without due authorisation.<br />
Meanwhile, according to unconfirmed reports two people were shot dead near Pehlwan Goth near<br />
Gulistan-e-Jauhar area on late on Monday. However, both the Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Sharea Faisal police<br />
stations have denied such reports.<br />
However, a spokesman for the PPP acknowledged the killing <strong>of</strong> only two in Lyari who were Sohail<br />
Ahmed and Sunny, belonging to a minority community. A body in a gunny bag was recovered from the Bin<br />
Qasim police station’s limits on Monday. The area police, quoting the relatives <strong>of</strong> the deceased, stated that the<br />
murder was a result <strong>of</strong> personal enmity.<br />
The area police further claimed that Yaseen, son <strong>of</strong> Ghulam Akbar, was killed somewhere in the night<br />
<strong>of</strong> Monday and then his body was put in a gunny bag. The deceased, in his 30s, was said to be a native <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Rahim Yar Khan district and he was teaching at a local Madrassa in Lassi Goth locality <strong>of</strong> Bin Qasim Town.<br />
107
The police have lodged an FIR number 49/2007 against unknown people. However, a spokesperson<br />
for the Awami National Party (ANP) claimed that the deceased was their worker. The spokesperson further<br />
claimed that another deceased <strong>of</strong> Monday’s incident within the Peerabad police’s jurisdiction was also<br />
associated with them.<br />
Abrar Hussain, 32, was murdered in his house when three masked persons forced their entry into his<br />
house and fired at him, police claimed. The deceased was a resident <strong>of</strong> Islamia Colony No 2. The local police<br />
have lodged an FIR number 149/2007 against unidentified people and quoting the relatives <strong>of</strong> the deceased<br />
police claimed that the murder was the result <strong>of</strong> personal enmity.<br />
Disputing the police claim, the ANP spokesperson said both the deaths were related to violence. An<br />
unidentified middle-aged man fell victim to a firing incident near Kashmir Hotel in the jurisdiction <strong>of</strong> Al-Falah<br />
Police. The incident occurred after midnight and the unidentified armed men after opening fire on the victim fled<br />
the spot. The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for identification and further medical<br />
examination. An <strong>of</strong>ficial <strong>of</strong> the Al-Falah Police informed The News that the firing incident might be related to the<br />
recent wave <strong>of</strong> violence in the city.<br />
Many incidents <strong>of</strong> protest were reported from different areas. The residents <strong>of</strong> Lyari, several localities<br />
<strong>of</strong> Orangi Town, Malir, and Quaidabad witnessed another tense day. They observed firing, pelting <strong>of</strong> stones at<br />
vehicles and passers-by and torching <strong>of</strong> tyres.<br />
Stick-wielding people created tension at Hasht Chowk, during midday on Monday and five people,<br />
including a Sepoy, were injured after receiving bullet shots. Some protesters attempted to block the road at New<br />
Sabzi Mandi but the Rangers removed all obstacles from the road. Meanwhile, one personnel <strong>of</strong> Rangers was<br />
reported wounded by a stone thrown in the area by protesters. The Rangers arrested four protesters on the<br />
spot. In another incident in Qasba Colony a mob set a hotel on fire.<br />
Reports <strong>of</strong> pelting police and Rangers with stones were reported from different localities <strong>of</strong> Baldia<br />
Town. Two people were reported injured as a result <strong>of</strong> aerial firing at Banaras Chowk and Kalakot.<br />
According to some reports, the road which links Water Pump and Gulburg remained closed for every<br />
kind <strong>of</strong> traffic due to tense situation, which occurred on Sunday. Some areas like Patel Para, Jamshed Road,<br />
Nadra Hotel in Nazimabad witnessed burning <strong>of</strong> tyres and some incidents <strong>of</strong> pelting vehicular traffic with stones<br />
were also reported.<br />
Areas like Old Sabzi Mandi, Banaras Chowk, Orangi Town, Surjani Town, Quaidabad, Landhi, Malir<br />
and National and Super highways witnessed hide and seek between law enforcement agencies and protesters.<br />
According to some reports, the Rangers and area police continuously patrolled the sensitive areas on<br />
Monday to keep the situation under control, but some people complained to mediapersons that they were left<br />
alone in their respective areas as personnel <strong>of</strong> law-enforcement agencies did not patrol the streets <strong>of</strong> these<br />
sensitive localities like Qasba Colony, Banaras, Aligarh Colony, Landhi.<br />
Meanwhile, Karachiites remained uncertain as to when the normalcy <strong>of</strong> law <strong>of</strong> order would be restored<br />
to the city. Since Friday evening the security situation has seriously degenerated with the mysterious withdrawal<br />
<strong>of</strong> police and rangers personnel from the security hotspots <strong>of</strong> the city. The citizens are unsure whether the<br />
peace and law and order situation would be revived for full restoration <strong>of</strong> public life, business, commercial, and<br />
trading activities on Tuesday (today) in the city after a gap <strong>of</strong> three days.<br />
Students, especially the school-going ones, also do not have authentic information as to when their<br />
academic activities would resume, especially their annual examinations. The claimed heavy deployment <strong>of</strong><br />
rangers and police personnel in various sensitive areas <strong>of</strong> the city has not been much helpful and supportive to<br />
the citizens’ life.<br />
Jang 15 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim said that the government <strong>of</strong>fered helicopter<br />
to CJ but he followed suggestion <strong>of</strong> Chaudhri Aitzaz Ahasan and refused.<br />
***<br />
Jang 15 May (b)<br />
Press Release from London- The leader <strong>of</strong> Muttahida Qaumi Movement Mr Altaf Hussain lauded the<br />
nation, especially Karachi and the Sindh province. He urged activists to act with tolerance and patience and to<br />
preserve peace instead <strong>of</strong> attacking terrorists. He also praised the Governor <strong>of</strong> Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad, Chief<br />
Minister Sindh Dr. Arbab Rahim, advisor home Mr Wasim Akhtar, Government <strong>of</strong> Sindh, Rangers, Police and<br />
108
<strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> law enforcing agencies for their patience and unity. Because <strong>of</strong> this they were able to curb the<br />
violence and plans <strong>of</strong> terrorists to destroy the development works as well as the peaceful situation <strong>of</strong> Karachi.<br />
Jang 15 May (c)<br />
***<br />
APP Islamabad- The parliamentary leader <strong>of</strong> MQM in the national assembly said that riots in Karachi<br />
were done under a planned conspiracy against MQM.<br />
Jang 15 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Near to the Jamia Malir, 30 year old, Muhammad Aslam was killed in firing. He was<br />
resident <strong>of</strong> Hansaabad Malir.<br />
Jang 15 May (e)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- On Monday evening 18 year Samee, 22 year Suhail, 10 year Faizan were killed and 25<br />
year Amjad son <strong>of</strong> Lal Bux, 17 year Sajad Ali were injured at Lyari Shah Beg Line. After confirmation <strong>of</strong> death<br />
by hospital’s administration people got back the dead bodies <strong>of</strong> Samee and Suhail without postmortem<br />
process. PPP’s Syed Qiam Ali Shah president <strong>of</strong> Sindh Province, Rashid Hussain Rabani member National<br />
Assembly, Nabeel Gabol, Dr.Saleem Hingoro, Nasreen Chandio, Provincial secretary information Waqar<br />
Mahedi and Rafiq Engineer strongly condemned the Rangers for the killings and the injuries. They said that the<br />
Rangers’ men involved should be arrested. The representative <strong>of</strong> Rangers, Caption Fazal said that Rangers had<br />
no connections with the firing incident. According to the TPO Lyari Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi said that Mulla<br />
Nawaz and other 6 person related with Lyari gang on motorbikes had opened firing which caused death <strong>of</strong> 2<br />
and injured persons.<br />
Jang 15 May (f)<br />
APP Islamabad- The parliamentary leader <strong>of</strong> MQM in the national assembly said that riots in Karachi<br />
were done under a conspiracy against MQM. Amir Liqat, Hyder Abbass Rizvi and Farooq Sattar unconditionally<br />
apologized for misconduct with journalists and AAJ TV on the behalf <strong>of</strong> the government, and said that if any<br />
worker <strong>of</strong> MQM found involved in misconduct then action will be taken against him.<br />
Jang 15 May (g)<br />
***<br />
Spokesman <strong>of</strong> provincial information department in a press release refuted the allegation that any type<br />
<strong>of</strong> misconduct done with Media. AAJ TV incident was propaganda, neither was the building was not damaged<br />
nor was any person injured.<br />
Jang 15 May (h)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter: Unknown person opened fire on Edhi Ambulance in Baldia Town. The Ambulance was<br />
damaged and driver managed to get away.<br />
Jang 15 May (i)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- The Rangers did flag marches in Karachi city with 21 mobile and 2-dozen motorbikes<br />
on Sharae-Faisal, Tariq Road, MA Jinnah Road and other areas <strong>of</strong> city.<br />
Express 15 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- The police have detained more than 200 persons from Sharae-Faisal, Alfalah, Airport,<br />
Model colony, Saoodabad, North Nazimabad, Ferozabad, Baloch colony, Orangi town, Mominabad, Pirabad,<br />
Manghopir, Surab and Sachal goth allegedly involved in killings, attempt to murder, riots and damaging<br />
government property. The cases could not be registered because <strong>of</strong> Police Station’s jurisdiction disputes.<br />
Express 15 May (b)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Express Reporter - MQM blamed intelligence agencies and Government <strong>of</strong> Sindh for violence,<br />
contempt <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice and attacks on print and electronic media. MQM’s deputy parliamentary leader<br />
Farooq Sattar, Aamir Liaqat and Hyder Abbas Rizivi proclaimed that MQM had opposed the act <strong>of</strong> summoning<br />
109
the Chief Justice to the Army House. The roads to airport and high court were barricaded by intelligence<br />
agencies.<br />
Express 15 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Firing continued in Alaflah Malir leading to one death and one person being injured. At<br />
the Malir Alfalah in the street <strong>of</strong> Kashmir Hotel Muhammad Aslam son <strong>of</strong> Allah Wasaya was killed. In Sachal<br />
area, Tariq Maseeh was injured in firing.<br />
Express 15 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Aziz Hassan Khan brother <strong>of</strong> deceased, Altaf, identified his brother’s body among 4<br />
unknown bodies. Muttahida claimed that Altaf was sympathetic to the MQM, and he was killed by unknown<br />
terrorists at Paposh Nagar area at Chandni Chowk, while he was returning from MQM’s rally. Altaf was a<br />
resident <strong>of</strong> Azad Kashmir Muzaffarabad.<br />
Express 15 May (e)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter - 50 year old Mehtab Hussain son <strong>of</strong> Mirza Hussain was injured crossfire between rival<br />
groups in the Mianwali Colony Qasba Mor area.<br />
Express 15 May (f)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Ambulance <strong>of</strong> Edhi Centre was send to Gulshan Maymar but because <strong>of</strong> firing it was<br />
forced to return.<br />
Express Karachi 15 May (g)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter-- Mehtab Hussain 50 years-old, son <strong>of</strong> Mirza Hussain, was injured in an armed clash<br />
between two groups in Pirabad area near Bilal Masjid area <strong>of</strong> Mianwali Colony Qasba Mor. At the Benares<br />
Chowk in a clash between two groups, 26 year old, Muhammad Fazal son <strong>of</strong> Nazir Muhammad was injured. At<br />
the Kalakot area near Chapal Chowk, a 35 year-old Police constable Gul Anwar son <strong>of</strong> Ali Akbar was injured in<br />
firing.<br />
In Gulstan-e-Johar at Chaman Iqbal Colony in a clash between two armed groups, Tariq was injured.<br />
Firing continued in Alflah Malir, which caused the death <strong>of</strong> a person and injured one. Muhammad<br />
Aslam, son <strong>of</strong> Allah Wasaya, was killed at the Malir Alfalah on the Kashmir Hotel street. In Sachal area, Tariq<br />
Maseeh was injured in firing.<br />
Express 15 May (h)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter: In Pirabad area near Bilal Masjid some unknown accused entered the home <strong>of</strong> 35-yearold<br />
Abrar Khan son <strong>of</strong> Altaf Gul and killed him. The accused ordered him to stand against a wall and then<br />
opened fire on him. SHO Parvez Akhtar Bangash said that there were 3 alleged perpetrators, and they resorted<br />
to heavy firing in order to make good their escape.<br />
Express 15 May (i)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- In Lyari unknown person’s firing injured 1 policeman and one pedestrian. A dead body<br />
found in a sack on Port Qasim Road. The dead body was later identified as <strong>of</strong> Pesh Imam Muahmmad Yasin<br />
resident <strong>of</strong> Dhabechi. A parchi (short written message) was there with a message that “Mukahbri Ka Anjam”.<br />
Ummat 15 May (a)<br />
***<br />
News Islamabad: Asma Jehangir leader <strong>of</strong> HRCP said in her statement that President Perziaz<br />
Musharaff and MQM were responsible for 12th May incident.<br />
Ummat 15 May (b)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
110
Special reporter- Farooq Sattar said that actually Sharae-Faisal was not the route for MQM’s rally.<br />
Ummat 15 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Special Reporter- Farooq Sattar’s press conference the journalists protested that “this is not Karachi<br />
but this is Islamabad”. In Karachi MQM was pressurizing journalists through security agencies. The journalists<br />
in Islamabad press conference demanded an unconditional apology.<br />
Ummat 15 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Anonymous reporter- Sakhi Rehman, son <strong>of</strong> Darvesh Khan, resident <strong>of</strong> Umar Farooq Colony, Pahar<br />
Ganj in North Nazimabad was killed. He worked in a hosiery factory in Metroville. The story was narrated by<br />
his friend Sikandar.<br />
On 12 th May at 8.00 am Sakhi Rehman, Sikandar, Nawaz and Rehmat Shah went for work in the<br />
factory. The hosiery factory was in the Metroville area. At about 3 pm they came to know that situation <strong>of</strong> city<br />
was getting bad. They left their work, came out <strong>of</strong> the factory, and saw that there was no transport on the roads.<br />
They chose to walk through the side streets to take a shortcut to reach their respective homes.<br />
They reached Asia Textile Mills, and while they started to go up on Chandni Chowk Bridge about 20-25<br />
boys were standing on bridge. When Sikandar and others reached near them, they saw that all boys were<br />
armed with TT pistols and Kalashnikovs. The group <strong>of</strong> armed boys encircled them and ordered them to stand in<br />
a row. They started to interrogate them asking where they were from, where they were coming from and where<br />
they intended to go. Sakhi and his friends told them that they were coming back from work in Metroville and<br />
were residents <strong>of</strong> Pahar Ganj. The boys demanded to see their Identity Cards but none except Rehmat Shah<br />
had an ID card. The group <strong>of</strong> armed boys returned the card and ordered them to go ahead.<br />
At a very short distance another group <strong>of</strong> 8-10 armed boys interrogated them again and handed them<br />
over to two armed boys and instructed them to be taken below the bridge near the tree. Those two armed boys<br />
led the four <strong>of</strong> them near the tree and asked them to sit there. During that time, they also brought two other<br />
persons but it was difficult to recognize them because all 4 hostages were ordered to bow their heads down.<br />
Sikandar said that during that time, the boys received instructions on their mobile phones. Some boys came<br />
from bridge areas and asked, “what do we do with them?” to a boy who was getting instructions. That armed<br />
boy said to take them towards the Women’s Park.<br />
HRCP<br />
Four to five <strong>of</strong> the armed boys followed the orders and led them towards the grassless park. “Sit in a<br />
row and bow down your heads, your time is over, if some one wants to recite Kalima he can”. Simultaneously<br />
they heard chamber-loading sounds <strong>of</strong> automatic weapons. Sikandar and others started to run. Sikandar could<br />
not know whether his other friends escaped but he heard a voice call out “no one should be let <strong>of</strong>f”, as the<br />
armed boys started firing. Sikandar was lucky not to get struck. He ran for his life towards Paposh Nagar. He<br />
had tried to enter any door open on the street to save his life. When he reached a street in Paposh Nagar he<br />
saw two armed persons. They tried to hold him but he managed to get away from them. Again, he started to<br />
run and at very end <strong>of</strong> the street four other armed boys stopped him. Now he had no way to run. Those four<br />
boys did not ask any question but kicked him and beat him with their fists and the butts <strong>of</strong> their weapons. He<br />
felt faint but then he saw a boy came on a motorbike and recognized him as one <strong>of</strong> the 20 boys he had<br />
encountered earlier on the bridge, and thought that his end was near.<br />
That boy picked him up by his hair and said “You know how to run but how will you get away from<br />
us?” He ordered two armed boys to put Sikandar on his motorbike and to follow him. They brought Sikandar<br />
back to the Women’s Park. Sikandar could not see Sakhi his cousin, or his friends Rahamat and Nawaz there.<br />
He saw only one dead body out <strong>of</strong> two others who had also brought under the bridge near to the tree. After 10<br />
minutes, the boys put him near the tree and asked to bow down his head. While he sat down a boy fired two<br />
bullets straight at him. Sikandar instinctively put his arm on his face and felt that a hot iron rod entered his arm<br />
and shoulder.<br />
He became like an unconscious body and blood was oozing form his bullet wounds. But Sikandar was<br />
still conscious and he heard “should we leave this body here or should we throw it elsewhere”. Sikandar posed<br />
like a dead body and his assailants also thought that he was dead because they felt no movement in his body.<br />
One <strong>of</strong> them held Sikandar’s legs while the other one grabbed his arm and they dragged him to a open drain<br />
and threw him. He was there for 1½ hour without any voice and movement, beeling from the wounds on his<br />
arm, shoulder and head. Then he heard voices <strong>of</strong> people and asked for water. Someone from the Tableeghi<br />
Jamaat took him in a vehicleand left him at a hospital.<br />
***<br />
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Dawn 16 May (a)<br />
SHCBA to sue top <strong>of</strong>ficials<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
KARACHI, May 15: The Sindh High Court Bar Association resolved on Tuesday to initiate contempt<br />
proceedings against the home secretary and the inspector-general <strong>of</strong> police for their failure to provide ‘foolpro<strong>of</strong>’<br />
security to Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on May 12 to enable him to travel from the Karachi<br />
airport to the SHC on a route <strong>of</strong> his choice as ordered by a division bench on May 11.<br />
Addressing a general body meeting <strong>of</strong> the association, SHCBA President Abrar Hasan said he had<br />
informed the administration <strong>of</strong> the lawyers’ plan to proceed to the airport to receive Justice Iftikhar but all roads<br />
around the court premises were blocked at midnight on May 11. Even some <strong>of</strong> the judges were compelled to<br />
alight from their cars at some distance, walk their way and scale the boundary wall to reach the court premises.<br />
He contacted the police authorities on Saturday morning but to no avail. The government functionaries instead<br />
asked him to advise the CJ to cancel his visit in view <strong>of</strong> the tense situation in the city but he refused to oblige as<br />
the bar could not turn away its honourable guest.<br />
The meeting was also addressed by <strong>Pakistan</strong> Bar Council member Yasin Khan Azad, Sindh Bar<br />
Council members Saathi M. Ishaq and Salahuddin Gandapur and Sindh Unity Party leader Syed Ghulam Shah<br />
Bukhari.<br />
They squarely blamed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the provincial and federal governments, the<br />
provincial governor and the president for the violence and killings in the city. The speakers particularly<br />
condemned excesses against lawyers at the City Courts.<br />
The lawyers, meanwhile, observed a complete strike on Tuesday. No cause list could be published or<br />
distributed on Saturday and Monday. There would be no protest on Wednesday but Thursday would be marked<br />
by day-long boycott <strong>of</strong> court proceedings in pursuance <strong>of</strong> a decision taken by the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Bar Council and the<br />
Supreme Court Bar Association. SHCBA members <strong>of</strong>fered Fateha for those killed on Saturday in the SHC<br />
compound after the general body meeting.<br />
Dawn 16 May (b)<br />
Govt shies away from parliamentary debate on Karachi killings<br />
By Raja Asghar<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 15: The government on Tuesday chose an easy way out <strong>of</strong> parliamentary protests<br />
against the weekend killings in Karachi by proroguing the National Assembly and having the Senate put <strong>of</strong>f until<br />
Thursday amid uproars, provoking opposition charges it had lost the nerve to face criticism and the right to rule.<br />
Opposition slogan-chanting, mainly directed at President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Sindh-based<br />
government ally Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), had brought both the houses to a standstill before the<br />
ruling coalition moves.<br />
The National Assembly sitting in the morning lasted only 15 minutes <strong>of</strong> angry exchanges and<br />
opposition cries <strong>of</strong> “murderers”, before a presidential order prorogued the 23-day session without a scheduled<br />
debate on the Karachi happenings <strong>of</strong> Saturday linked to an aborted visit there by suspended Chief Justice<br />
Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry to address a lawyers’ convention.<br />
The Senate, which began its present session on May 9, met for just 10 minutes in the evening, marked<br />
by a hard-hitting speech by opposition leader Raza Rabbani mainly blaming President Musharraf and his<br />
policies and slogan-chanting he led before Chairman Mohammedmian Soomro adjourned the house until 5pm<br />
on Thursday.<br />
Mr Rabbani described shoot-on-sight orders given to Rangers in Karachi as unjustified and contrary to<br />
law and said even Tuesday’s deadly bomb blast in Peshawar city was a consequence <strong>of</strong> the government’s<br />
“wrong policies” as were the violence in Balochistan and tribal areas.<br />
Both the prorogation <strong>of</strong> the National Assembly and the adjournment <strong>of</strong> the Senate meant some respite<br />
for the government from some <strong>of</strong> the severest criticism it has to face over Karachi’s massacre, particularly<br />
when a three-day Islamic conference <strong>of</strong> foreign ministers began in Islamabad.All opposition members stood up<br />
from their seats to shout slogans at the start <strong>of</strong> the proceedings while Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sher Afgan<br />
Khan repeated his assurance <strong>of</strong> Monday to encourage a frank debate to pinpoint the guilty and so that<br />
safeguards for the future could be taken.<br />
The slogan-chanting stopped briefly to allow a speech by Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) deputy<br />
parliamentary leader Liaquat Baluch, who said President Musharraf, the MQM and London-based MQM leader<br />
112
Altaf Hussain were responsible to “bathe Karachi in blood” under a planned move and called for MQM’s<br />
removal from the government.<br />
Some MQM members present in the house also stood up to challenge opposition slogans but found<br />
themselves drowned out, with no verbal support from other ruling coalition members.<br />
However, an apparently exasperated <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League president Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain<br />
had a word <strong>of</strong> encouragement for the MQM when he intervened in the opposition slogan-chanting to say that<br />
those with a guilty conscience would call others guilty and advised the chair to better prorogue the house if the<br />
opposition continued its stance.<br />
PML member Zaheer Abbas Khokhar, who was chairing the sitting in the absence <strong>of</strong> Speaker<br />
Chaudhry Amir Hussain, immediately read out the prorogation order that he already had with him.<br />
Two PPP women members --- Naheed Khan and Fauzia Wahab ---- rushed to the treasury benches<br />
shouting anti-MQM slogans before they were moved away by their party colleagues.<br />
Opposition leader in the National Assembly Maulana Fazlur Rehman told reporters later that the<br />
government had no courage to face opposition criticism and betrayed defeatism.<br />
“It has lost the ability to govern,” he said while objecting to the prorogation <strong>of</strong> the lower house and<br />
added: “The rulers are incapable to run the government.”<br />
Other spokespersons <strong>of</strong> opposition parties said their parliamentary groups were consulting among<br />
themselves to requisition a fresh session <strong>of</strong> the National Assembly to discuss the Karachi killings, which they<br />
blamed on the MQM and what they called the backing from President Musharraf and the federal government.<br />
They said the opposition parties had planned to speak in the debate after some slogan-chanting but<br />
the government had planned to ignore the opposition adjournment motions.<br />
PPP information secretary and MNA Sherry Rehman accused the MQM and the federal government <strong>of</strong><br />
Karachi “barbarism” for which she demanded a high-level judicial probe.<br />
Another PPP member, Nabeel Gabol from Karachi, accused the paramilitary Rangers for shooting<br />
dead three innocent people in his constituency and said a civil war had begun in the city “leaving no way for us<br />
but to defend ourselves”.<br />
PML-N member Saad Rafiq said the Karachi massacre would prove to be “Gen Musharraf’s last<br />
conspiracy” while his party colleague Khwaja Mohammad Asif said he thought the opposition should resign<br />
from the assemblies where “people with blood on their hands” were also sitting.<br />
DEFECTION: At the start <strong>of</strong> the Senate sitting, Balochistan National Party (Awami) Senator Israrullah<br />
Zheri announced his dissociation from the ruling coalition and asked the chairman to allot him a seat on<br />
independent benches.<br />
Dawn 16 May (c)<br />
Slow return to normality<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 15: Frustrated by a bloody spell <strong>of</strong> violence that left over 40 dead in three days,<br />
citizens on Tuesday hoped for a return to normality as the city remained largely peaceful.<br />
Towns.<br />
However, ethnic strife caused two rival groups to trade gunfire in violence-hit areas <strong>of</strong> Lyari and Orangi<br />
Residents <strong>of</strong> Banaras, Aligarh Colony, Mujahid Colony, MPR Colony and Islamia Colony said they<br />
spent a sleepless night as they heard the sound <strong>of</strong> gunshots out in the street.<br />
The provincial police chief, Niaz Siddiqui, told Dawn that patrols by security forces had been<br />
increased.<br />
blast.”<br />
HRCP<br />
“We have put the police on alert to maintain law and order in the province in view <strong>of</strong> the Peshawar<br />
A bomb killed 25 people in Peshawar on Tuesday. No one claimed responsibility for the suspected<br />
suicide blast in the lobby <strong>of</strong> a hotel popular with Afghans in the capital <strong>of</strong> the NWFP, where militants opposed<br />
to government support for the United States have launched attacks.<br />
Strife-torn areas like Nusrat Bhutto Colony, dominated by Pushto-speaking people, saw an outbreak <strong>of</strong><br />
violence when a young man was shot dead on Tuesday.<br />
113
The slain man’s family claimed that the victim, identified as 25-year-old Shahjahan, was gunned down<br />
as soon as he opened his shop. Police insisted it was a suicide case, however.<br />
Shops, markets, educational institutions, industrial units and other business and commercial activities<br />
resumed on Tuesday. Motorists made a dash for petrol stations, which remained closed since May 12.<br />
Dawn 16 May (d)<br />
CJ’s counsel, lawyers begin hunger strike<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 15: The lawyers and counsel <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> observed a one-hour<br />
token hunger strike in front <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> Supreme Court, here on Tuesday, protesting against the presidential<br />
reference.<br />
The participants <strong>of</strong> the hunger strike included advocates Tariq Mehmood, Shafqat Abbasi, Taufeeq<br />
Asif and Mehreen Anwar Raja, who sat on the pavement under the sizzling heat from 12:30pm to 1:30pm to<br />
observe the strike.<br />
The protesters said that the one-hour token hunger strike would continue till the judicial crisis came to<br />
an end, the presidential reference was withdrawn and the independence <strong>of</strong> the judiciary and supremacy <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Constitution was restored.<br />
Later, the strike was joined by PPP MNAs, Naheed Khan, Fouzia Habib, Rabina Sadiq Khyamkhani,<br />
Khwaja Asif <strong>of</strong> PML-Nawaz, Fareed Paracha <strong>of</strong> MMA, Senator Safdar Abbasi <strong>of</strong> PPP and Maj-Gen (retired)<br />
Hamid Gul, former chief <strong>of</strong> ISI.<br />
The protesting lawyers vowed to continue holding the strike on a daily basis, during the hearing <strong>of</strong> the<br />
presidential reference against the CJ, until it was withdrawn.<br />
Dawn 16 May (e)<br />
Lawyers protest against Karachi killings<br />
By Our Correspondent<br />
***<br />
NAWABSHAH, May 15: Members <strong>of</strong> District Bar Association (DBA) held a demonstration after<br />
boycotting court proceedings on Tuesday in protest against the government’s mishandling <strong>of</strong> chief justice’s visit<br />
to Karachi. They also <strong>of</strong>fered prayers for the innocent people killed in the city on May 12.<br />
Lawyers including DBA Secretary Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and former presidents Rahim Bux Jamali and<br />
Qazi Mohammad Saleh held the demonstration inside the court premises.<br />
They charged that the chief justice was held hostage for nine hours at the airport and was later forced<br />
to leave and demanded arrest <strong>of</strong> the culprits involved in the carnage.<br />
Our Naushahro Feroze correspondent adds: Lawyers in Naushahro Feroze, Kandiaro and Bhirya Road<br />
town boycotted court proceedings and staged rallies. In Naushahro Feroze, lawyers led by DBA Vice-President<br />
Abdul Salam Luhrani brought out a rally which started from the building <strong>of</strong> district court and ended at the press<br />
club.<br />
They condemned what they called the target-killing <strong>of</strong> Supreme Court's additional registrar and<br />
demanded immediate arrest <strong>of</strong> the culprits.<br />
Our Khairpur correspondent adds: Lawyers boycotted court proceedings and observed a token hunger<br />
strike outside the sessions court building for about two hours in protest against Saturday’s killings in Karachi.<br />
They condemned manhandling <strong>of</strong> lawyers and armed attack on the <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>of</strong> Aaj TV channel and<br />
vowed to continue their protest till the withdrawal <strong>of</strong> presidential reference against the CJP<br />
Dawn 16 May (f)<br />
PPP activists hold hunger strike<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
THATTA, May 15: Activists <strong>of</strong> People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP), <strong>of</strong>fice-bearers and a number <strong>of</strong><br />
former legislators observed a token hunger strike outside the press club on Tuesday in protest against loss <strong>of</strong><br />
innocent lives in Karachi and probable division <strong>of</strong> Thatta district.<br />
114
Members <strong>of</strong> District Bar Association and a large number <strong>of</strong> activists <strong>of</strong> Awami Tehrik, Sindh Taraqqi<br />
Pasand Party and Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz also joined the hunger strikers’ camp and <strong>of</strong>fered Ghaibana<br />
Nimaz-i-Janaza <strong>of</strong> all the people who lost their lives in Karachi.<br />
The leaders said that the rulers had exposed their real face by using MQM to sabotage scheduled visit<br />
<strong>of</strong> chief justice, but their days were numbered and MQM would soon be made accountable for its crimes<br />
against humanity.<br />
They claimed that homework for the creation <strong>of</strong> a new district "Bhambhore" had been completed<br />
secretly by revenue experts under a pre-planned conspiracy to provide maximum opportunities to MQM to<br />
widen its political and financial influence in rural Sindh. The government was now cunningly examining the<br />
public pulse to go-ahead with the plan, they said.<br />
They said that landlords had grown more influential in the new districts. The party would launch a<br />
province-wide campaign if the rulers went ahead with their plan, they warned.—Correspondent<br />
Dawn 16 May (g)<br />
Musharraf shrugs <strong>of</strong>f criticism over Karachi killings<br />
By Ahmed Hassan & Iftikhar A. Khan<br />
***<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 15: President Gen Pervez Musharraf at a meeting with parliamentarians <strong>of</strong> the<br />
ruling PML and its coalition partners on Tuesday showed defiance in the face <strong>of</strong> criticism over the ongoing<br />
judicial crisis and shrugged <strong>of</strong>f the criticism over Saturday’s killings and violence in Karachi.<br />
Inside sources told Dawn after the meeting that the president was poised and composed during<br />
deliberations on the political turmoil, acts <strong>of</strong> terrorism in Karachi and elsewhere and gave guidelines to coalition<br />
partners for working cohesively as a well-knit unit.<br />
He said there was no threat to the ‘democratic system’ and accused the opposition <strong>of</strong> politicising a<br />
judicial matter and creating chaos in the country.<br />
About 150 lawmakers <strong>of</strong> the ruling <strong>Pakistan</strong> Muslim League, Muttahida Qaumi Movement, <strong>Pakistan</strong><br />
People’s Party (Sherpao) and the PML-F attended the meeting.<br />
The president said the government would deal with an iron hand with those creating unrest and<br />
involved in arson and laying sieges.<br />
HRCP<br />
He again ruled out the possibility <strong>of</strong> a deal with the exiled leadership, saying “we have contacts with all<br />
political forces but he will not ditch the PML by striking a deal with any party”.<br />
President Musharraf, after analysing the Karachi violence, judicial issue, political situation and<br />
government’s actions, asked participants to give their input.<br />
He said he would seek re-election before next general elections and the present coalition partners<br />
would remain his team in the next government.<br />
“I’m used to challenges and we’ll take on this challenge as well,” he said. An insider said: “The<br />
president’s tone and tenor gave a clear message to the participants that they cannot go beyond the agenda<br />
which he had explained.”<br />
Then took place a tense open house in which the participants expressed their views and gave<br />
suggestions, some <strong>of</strong> which were either ignored or rejected.<br />
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz also came under criticism on the question <strong>of</strong> what was termed ill-advised<br />
and ill-timed presidential reference against the CJP.<br />
A member suggested action against those who had advised the president to <strong>file</strong> the reference in the<br />
Supreme Judicial Council against the chief justice, which had caused embarrassment to the government. The<br />
president, however, brushed aside the demand.<br />
One lawmaker said: “Mr President, this reference is a conspiracy against you as you yourself have<br />
admitted in one <strong>of</strong> your speeches.”<br />
And the prime minister in his brief remarks said: “Mr President, we are your team and we are<br />
determined to stand by your side.”<br />
Representatives <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement refuted allegations <strong>of</strong> involvement in the planned<br />
terrorism in Karachi and demanded a judicial inquiry into the incidents to fix responsibility on those involved in<br />
the tragedy.<br />
Some lawmakers, insiders said, tried to expose the MQM’s act but they were not encouraged.<br />
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The president said in unequivocal terms that he had decided to take on the current challenges and to<br />
go ahead with his plan <strong>of</strong> re-election in September-October and removing the bottlenecks in this way before<br />
that. He also asked the coalition parliamentarians that they should prepare for the next general election without<br />
taking any strain <strong>of</strong> the current situation.<br />
Some members, according to the sources, wanted to talk against the MQM’s role in the Karachi<br />
violence but they were silenced politely. Some tried to provoke the president against the ones who had advised<br />
him on filing the reference against the CJP but they were snubbed too. The president asked them: “That is over<br />
now, see ahead.”<br />
There was an overwhelming feeling in the meeting that before the Karachi incidents and in their followup,<br />
there was a lack <strong>of</strong> coordination between the Sindh chief minister and the interior ministry.<br />
The meeting took serious notice that the Karachi incidents were over-sensitised by the media. Some<br />
members even proposed to put certain curbs on the media to stop it from causing undue sensitivities to events<br />
which could disrupt peace and tranquillity in the society.<br />
A source said Pemra, which is working under the cabinet division, might be transferred to the Ministry<br />
<strong>of</strong> Information and Broadcasting. A way out must be found out to restrain media from unnecessarily politicising<br />
and sensitising things, some members said.<br />
Dawn 16 May (h)<br />
Many drivers missing since May 12, say transporters<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 15: Transporters on Tuesday expressed anger over torching <strong>of</strong> and damage to their<br />
vehicles on May 12 in Karachi. They described the day as ‘Black Saturday’.<br />
Karachi Transport Ittehad President Syed Irshad Bukhari, Karachi Goods Carrier’s Association<br />
President Muhammad Khalid Khan, and representatives <strong>of</strong> Transport Carrier Association Union Karachi Port<br />
Trust, and Karachi Trucks, Trailers, Brokers Association said that hundreds <strong>of</strong> their vehicles were torched and<br />
damaged while many <strong>of</strong> drivers were still missing.<br />
Mr Bukhari said many drivers and owners <strong>of</strong> public transport were missing, after they went to police<br />
stations in connection with their burnt vehicles. He said their vehicles hired for ‘government duty’ to block<br />
streets were torched. He charged that the government first took out vehicles forcibly, which were, later, set<br />
ablaze on May 12, 2007.<br />
HRCP<br />
Expressing grief over loss <strong>of</strong> innocent lives, Mr Bukhari said that the transporters would hold a meeting<br />
soon to devise a strategy for claiming damages. He said he could not give an exact figure <strong>of</strong> the burnt or<br />
damaged vehicles because majority <strong>of</strong> them were taken away from streets at gunpoint and not hired on a<br />
proper basis.<br />
Karachi Goods Carrier's Association President Khalid Khan said condolence messages <strong>of</strong> rulers were<br />
not enough to compensate human and financial losses <strong>of</strong> the ‘black Saturday’ in Karachi.<br />
“We do not know how to console the affected transporters, who had lost their livelihood. They had<br />
obtained their vehicles after hard work <strong>of</strong> decades, many others had bought vehicles on borrowed money on<br />
interest basis,” said General Secretary KGCA Ashiq Hussain Khan Niazi.<br />
He said it was the first time that heavy transport was taken in the city at gunpoint by armed persons in<br />
the presence <strong>of</strong> police and rangers. He said that the worst affected were owners <strong>of</strong> trucks and trailers whose<br />
vehicles were lifted from local streets at gunpoint.<br />
“They started lifting our vehicles at gunpoint from different areas <strong>of</strong> the city from Friday afternoon till<br />
Saturday early morning. They parked them to block roads and streets and deflated their tyres,” General<br />
Secretary Transport Carrier Association Union KPT Maddad Khan said.<br />
He said the drivers were deprived <strong>of</strong> cash and other valuables and manhandled in Landhi, Malir, Ghani<br />
Chowrangi, Ranchore Line, Baloch Colony, Port Qasim and other areas and their vehicles were snatched at<br />
gunpoint.<br />
Amir Kalam <strong>of</strong> the Karachi Trucks, Trailers and Brokers Association claimed that when their<br />
organization contacted the Inspector General Sindh Police, he showed his helplessness.<br />
Sharing his personal experience, another member <strong>of</strong> the association, Aslam Niazi, said: “They<br />
snatched two <strong>of</strong> my trailer-trucks, which were on their way to the Keamari port from Port Qasim, parked them<br />
on Sharea Faisal and burst their tyres.” He said he had to spend Rs150,000 just to buy new tyres.<br />
The transporters wondered why the police and law enforcement agencies abandoned the city on the<br />
black Saturday and why transporters were not given security.<br />
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They expressed grief and sorrow over the loss <strong>of</strong> innocent lives and appealed to President General<br />
Pervez Musharaf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, Governor Sindh and all other higher authorities to compensate<br />
the affected people and transporters.—PPI<br />
Jang 16 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Nadia Rehan Yousafzai’s Article- Sakhi Rehaman was returning from his job in a factory. He was not a<br />
political activist or participant in any rally. Sakhi and his friend Sikandar appealed to the killers that they were<br />
not part any political party or rally but no one listened them, and opened fire on them. Sikandar friend <strong>of</strong> Sakhi<br />
was injured and is now under treatment and Sakhi was killed. He was only bread earner for his wife, one son <strong>of</strong><br />
one and half year, seven sisters and two minor brothers.<br />
Jang 16 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Press Release issued on behalf <strong>of</strong> Mr Altaf Hussain and Rabita Committee to condole the death <strong>of</strong> 48<br />
year old, Mansoor Ahmed. The martyr was resident <strong>of</strong> Qasba Aligarh Colony and was an employee in the<br />
police department and elder brother <strong>of</strong> martyr Imran Ahmed who was a member <strong>of</strong> MQM Aligarh sector. Armed<br />
terrorists stopped him and killed him at Kunwari Colony Manghopir while he was returning from his duty; his<br />
motorbike was also set on fire. He had four sons and two daughters. In a press release, it was stated that 14<br />
members <strong>of</strong> MQM were killed and more than 50 were injured.<br />
Jang 16 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Karachi Bar Association in a urgent general body session announced to <strong>file</strong> cases<br />
against violent atrocities committed by Mr Altaf Hussain’s relevant sector incharges, and the government <strong>of</strong><br />
Sindh. They also announced a social boycott <strong>of</strong> MQM related advocates in the Karachi Bar. KBA’s president<br />
Iftikhar Javed Qazi disclosed that during his meeting with IG Sindh it was promised that if KBA will keep<br />
opposition political parties at a distance then road-blocks and barricades would be removed. The advocates<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered to change the date <strong>of</strong> the CJ’s address if the IG could assure them that the MQM would not announce a<br />
rally on the alternate date. IG Sindh said that he could give such an assurance. The advocates said that Chief<br />
Justice Sindh High Court Mr. Justice Sabihuddin Ahmed called IG Sindh for the removal <strong>of</strong> barricades from<br />
around the High Court but the IG said that he was powerless. CJ High Court also summoned the Corps<br />
Commander but he failed to turn up.<br />
Jang 16 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Special Reporter: MQM’s parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar responded to criticism <strong>of</strong> his party on<br />
the part <strong>of</strong> unhappy members <strong>of</strong> the ruling party and allies in a session chaired by General Pervez Musharraf.<br />
Mr Riaz Fatiana suggested that if MQM would not have arranged a rally on 12th May then the rally <strong>of</strong> PML (Q)<br />
in Islamabad would have had a positive impact. On that statement, Babar Ghauri and Farooq Sattar said that<br />
they were not alone in making the decision to hold a rally and that the rally was organized after consultations<br />
with PML (Q). MQM leaders said that whatever happened in Karachi they had to face the consequences in<br />
Punjab and NWFP. They also complained that PML (Q) had not defended them while opposition parties<br />
agitated against them in the Senate and Assembly.<br />
Jang 16 May (e)<br />
***<br />
Syed Ghulam Shah and Mustafa Lakhani said that Sindh High Court Karachi, Malir Bar were<br />
blockaded by government’s ally party on 12th May.<br />
Ummat 16 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Saljooq Ali Aizma in his report cited a Gulf newspaper Peninsula Qatar that HRCP had demanded<br />
from the government that it should disarm its ally party the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. HRCP alleged the<br />
federal government and its ally party were responsible for 12th May incident. Seattle Times cited an Associated<br />
Press reporter who witnessed MQM activists freely roaming on roads with weapons. They were calling for more<br />
ammunition and had taken positions on buildings in order to ambush rallies <strong>of</strong> opposition parties. British<br />
newspaper Telegraph reported that injured 23-year old Adil Bashir lay on the road all day and was brought to<br />
Jinnah Hospital only in the evening. Adil Bashir had three bullets in his body. He told reporters that he was not<br />
part <strong>of</strong> any rally but MQM’s minor age boys with other armed persons stopped him and alleged that he was<br />
117
going to participate in welcome rally for CJ. Adil Bashir insisted that he was not going to participate in any rally<br />
despite that he was ordered to stand in a row with other persons who were all shot.<br />
Ummat 16 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Anonymous reporter- Eyewitness Advocate Adil Khan, member <strong>of</strong> the managing committee KBA. Adil<br />
Khan left his home on 12th May and was on his way to the City Courts when armed person who tried to force<br />
him to go back home stopped him at various places. Nevertheless he overcame all hindrances and reached the<br />
City Court premises but armed terrorists had completely cordoned the City Courts and were assaulting lawyers.<br />
Adil Khan said that the advocates present in premises <strong>of</strong> City Courts decided to march to High Court to<br />
welcome CJ at the Airport. When the procession <strong>of</strong> advocates reached the Lighthouse, some persons were<br />
tried to block their path. All the advocates resisted and succeeded to go ahead when suddenly armed terrorists<br />
opened fire on the procession. Dozen <strong>of</strong> advocates rushed into the Lawyers’ Chamber to save their lives. The<br />
armed persons locked the doors <strong>of</strong> that building and besieged the advocates. The armed persons targeted<br />
female advocates for physical assault. Shazia Mugul got injuries on her hand and Noor Naz Aga was also<br />
injured. They also attacked Women Advocates Bar Room in city court and set it on fire. Advocate Aftab Ahmed<br />
tried to resist them but they beat him brutally.<br />
Ummat 16 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Reporter - Eyewitness Advocate Ghulam Mujtaba who was injured in firing at Qaidabad told us that on<br />
12th May terrorists were openly playing the game <strong>of</strong> death in Qaidabad, Malir, and Kala Board. They were<br />
killing/hunting openly innocent unarmed participants <strong>of</strong> rallies. He said that police and Rangers were not there.<br />
Ghulam Mujtaba was under treatment in Civil Hospital Hyderabad in surgical ward # 3 bed No. 20. Reporter<br />
gave details as informed by an eyewitness Advocate Zahoor-ul-Hussan Mahar president Malir Bar Association.<br />
Zahoor said that on 12th he left his home in Qaidabad for Malir court. The terrorists at Qaidabad Chorangi<br />
assaulted him and his car was also damaged. Flags and banners kept in car were also thrown down. Then<br />
other advocates <strong>of</strong> Malir court brought him to Malir court and they prepared to proceed in a rally to welcome CJ.<br />
Soon as the rally crossed Malir Halt firing was started on the rally from both sides <strong>of</strong> the road. The advocates in<br />
the rally rushed into an under-construction house to save their lives but again they were chased and faced firing<br />
by terrorists. Later they fled to a nearby village to save themselves. During that assault and firing Zia Rehman,<br />
Amanullah, Zafar Nadeem, Gul Muhammad Farooq, Asadullah Memon and others were injured.<br />
Ummat 16 May (d)<br />
***<br />
Reporter - Informant Advocate Ghulam Mujtaba, junior to Muhammad Akram Siddiq, and resident <strong>of</strong><br />
Gulshan-e-Hadeed. Mujtaba and his brother were on motorbike and reached Malir. In Malir came under fire<br />
from all sides and hid under a parked bus to save their lives. They said that they saw young boys wearing<br />
bulletpro<strong>of</strong> jackets and roameing with the latest automatic weapons in their hands. They saw three dead bodies<br />
at a short distance from them when they were under the bus. They saw a dead body who had a red ANP flag<br />
tied to his head. The armed terrorists started to set vehicles on fire and then police reached there to disperse<br />
them. After the arrival <strong>of</strong> the police squad, Mujtaba and his brother came out and started their motorbike to<br />
runaway but they had gone only a short distance when they once again came under fire. Ghulam Mujtaba<br />
received two bullets to his arm and back, while his brother who was driving the motorbike received one bullet on<br />
his waist. Then they stopped a bus near Qaidabad to reach Steel Mill hospital where the administration finally<br />
agreed to administer first aid after much pleading and negotiation. Mujtaba said that they went Civil Hospital<br />
Hyderabad instead <strong>of</strong> any Karachi hospital. He added that they did not see any Ranger in their 2½ hour ordeal.<br />
Ummat 16 May (e)<br />
***<br />
Reporter- The number <strong>of</strong> injured advocates on 12 th May was 24 and an advocate Parvez Akhtar Kiani<br />
was killed. He left his home to welcome CJ. The armed terrorists also targeted and fired at Gul Muhammad<br />
Farooqi Advocate, and Ghulam Mujtaba Advocate.<br />
Ummat 16 May (f)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Reporter- Informed by eyewitness Iqbal Aqeel Advocate <strong>of</strong> Islamic Lawyers Forum who reached the<br />
city court where he was encircled by armed terrorists and assaulted. The armed person said that today the<br />
black coats will not be spared and you will see today who is powerful. Some advocates reached the police<br />
station and tried to register FIR but the Station House Officer city court police station, Zahid Hussain, led them<br />
to the same terrorists. The SHO said to them “see the advocates are here to register complaints against you”<br />
then they again started to assault the advocates.<br />
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***<br />
Ummat 16 May (g)<br />
Staff Reporter- On Wednesday Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat-Ibad went to see injured under treatment<br />
Jinnah Hospital. When he reached the special ward the provincial deputy secretary general <strong>of</strong> Awami National<br />
Party Bashir Khan refused to receive compensation and said that “if I shoot you and then pay you five lakhs will<br />
you agree to that”. Governor faced hostile slogans form injured workers <strong>of</strong> ANP.<br />
Ummat 16 May (h)<br />
***<br />
Unknown Reporter- The number <strong>of</strong> injured advocates on 12 th May was 24 and advocate Parviez Akhtar<br />
Kiani was killed. Among the injured advocates including ex-vice chairperson Noor Naz Agha, Shazia Mughal,<br />
Amanullah Yousafzai, Asadullah Memon, Riaz Hussaini, Ashraf Samoon, Shahzad, Mujtaba Khan, Fida<br />
Muhammad, Abbass Ali, Zafariab Beg, Aftab Ahmed Gulshan, Ghulam Mustafa Awan, Abdul Saeed Qureshi,<br />
Nasrullah, Abdul Wasee Kakar, Mazhar Qayoom, Mujtaba Mughal and others were brutally beatend and<br />
wounded by armed terrorists.<br />
Express 16 May (a)<br />
Staff Reporter- Police thwart attempt to create ethnic violence after killing. Twenty-year old Shahjahan<br />
who was disabled with a bad leg was shot in the head and killed as he stood outside his shop in Sir Syed Town<br />
sector 7-C. He was resident <strong>of</strong> Kunwari Colony Manghopir. The police <strong>of</strong> the area handled the situation with<br />
help <strong>of</strong> residents <strong>of</strong> the sector 7-C. Some persons tried to make the incident appear as a case <strong>of</strong> ethnic<br />
targeting. The police SHO Inspector Zulqarnain Akhtar and ISI Allah Warayo with help <strong>of</strong> locals dispersed<br />
people and delivered the dead body <strong>of</strong> Shah Jehan to his brother Hamayoon.<br />
Express 16 May (c) An article by Tausif Ahmed Khan “Karachi ki Tanahaee” -On 12th May the judges<br />
were dishonoured. One judge had to seek rescue in a police station and he reached high court in the police<br />
mobile. Chief Justice <strong>of</strong> Sindh High Court Justice Sabeehudin Ahmed could not enter in high court. He had to<br />
walk through the barricades fixed by the administration therefore the other judges had to follow his action. Chief<br />
Justice Sindh High Court called IG Sindh but he expressed powerlessness and the Corps Commander could<br />
not came on call <strong>of</strong> CJ because <strong>of</strong> law and order situation <strong>of</strong> Karachi.<br />
Dawn 17 May (a)<br />
Benazir draws judiciary’s attention to Lyari killings<br />
By Our Reporter<br />
***<br />
HRCP<br />
ISLAMABAD, May 16: Chairperson <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party Ms Benazir Bhutto has condemned<br />
the use <strong>of</strong> disproportionate force against innocent youths by the Rangers, who killed several people in Lyari the<br />
other day.<br />
In a statement, she said that the Rangers were sent to the troubled area to protect citizens, and not to<br />
eliminate innocent youths and a child.<br />
She demanded an inquiry into the killings which, she observed, had devastated the families who could<br />
never recover from the tragedy. She said it must be ensured that such killing did not take place again.<br />
Ms Bhutto called upon the judiciary to take suo motu notice <strong>of</strong> the killings, and demanded immediate<br />
halt to the bloodshed.<br />
She said her party was unhappy to see that the people <strong>of</strong> Karachi had first suffered at the hands <strong>of</strong><br />
suspected MQM terrorists and now they were being killed by the Rangers. She also called for the formation <strong>of</strong><br />
an inquiry commission to investigate the May 12 events.<br />
The former premier pledged her party’s continued political support to the lawyers’ ongoing movement,<br />
and observed that the movement for the protection <strong>of</strong> judiciary was expanding into a political one. “Free and fair<br />
elections cannot be held if gangsters, thugs and terrorists held cities hostage,” she remarked.<br />
She noted that the terrorists who had come with sticks to beat up the opposition in Islamabad and with<br />
guns to kill them in Karachi would never permit fair elections to be held. Therefore, under the banner <strong>of</strong> the<br />
lawyers’ movement, the political parties were all getting together to carry on their struggle for the removal <strong>of</strong> the<br />
present regime and formation <strong>of</strong> a national government <strong>of</strong> consensus to hold fair elections and transfer power<br />
to people, she added.<br />
Under the present regime, the state authority had collapsed and the country was heading towards<br />
anarchy and chaos, she observed, adding that the regime was contributing to civil war by usurping the<br />
constitutional rights <strong>of</strong> freedom <strong>of</strong> movement and freedom <strong>of</strong> association with sticks and guns.<br />
119
Ms Bhutto said that the tribal areas had been parcelled out to the Taliban, whereas Tank and Bannu<br />
had been given to religious elements, parts <strong>of</strong> Islamabad to the Imam <strong>of</strong> Lal Masjid, Gujrat to Chaudhrys,<br />
Attock to the Nazim Šunder and Karachi to the terrorists, suspected <strong>of</strong> belonging to the MQM. She noted that<br />
terrorism had spread throughout the country.<br />
She said that democracy could only be restored when a national government was able to <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
protection to the innocent citizens in casting their vote free from the shadows <strong>of</strong> the thugs and terrorists.<br />
She also condemned the bomb blast in a Peshawar hotel on Tuesday that killed nearly 30 people as ‘a<br />
despicable crime against humanity’, and said the regime had miserably failed in checking militants and<br />
extremists.<br />
“By previously signing peace treaties with terrorists and extremists in the tribal areas, the regime had<br />
emboldened to spread to the settled areas <strong>of</strong> the country as well,” she remarked, adding that the PPP was<br />
alarmed by the spread <strong>of</strong> violence and terrorism across the country.<br />
She said that extremists and militants had regrouped and grown in strength following rigging in the<br />
2002 general elections.<br />
Dawn 17 May (b)<br />
Opposition move to discuss May 12 violence in assembly<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 16: The combined opposition in Sindh Assembly on Wednesday moved a substantive<br />
motion under Rule 179 <strong>of</strong> the Rules <strong>of</strong> Procedure <strong>of</strong> the assembly to requisition session <strong>of</strong> the assembly at the<br />
earliest to consider the mayhem <strong>of</strong> May 12 in Karachi for fixing the responsibility.<br />
A substantive motion is a self-contained proposal drafted in such a way as to be capable <strong>of</strong> expressing<br />
a decision <strong>of</strong> the assembly. The motion, signed by over 44 MPAs belonging to <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party and<br />
Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, was submitted by Leader <strong>of</strong> Opposition Nisar Ahmad Khuhro in the assembly<br />
secretariat. Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Rafique Engineer, Sharfunnisa Leghari, Hafiz Naeem, Abdul Rehman Rajput<br />
and other MPAs were also present.<br />
Mr Khuhro told a group <strong>of</strong> media persons present on the occasion that the speaker had to summon the<br />
assembly session under Rule 179 within seven days to consider the issue raised in the motion.<br />
He said thousands <strong>of</strong> viewers <strong>of</strong> electronic media had seen the footage showing activists <strong>of</strong> a ruling<br />
coalition partner holding the flag <strong>of</strong> Muttahida Qaumi Movement in one hand and Kalashnikov in the other. The<br />
incident could not be ignored as the government appeared helpless for the whole day when several people,<br />
including the ambulance driver <strong>of</strong> Edhi Trust, were gunned down on streets and roads <strong>of</strong> the city.<br />
He pointed out that the whole nation observed complete strike to protest against the mayhem in<br />
Karachi which was no less than a referendum against the government.Mr Khuhro observed that the measures<br />
being taken by the government against people indicated that the days <strong>of</strong> government were numbered.<br />
The substantive motion reads: “The Sindh government failed to protect the lives <strong>of</strong> innocent people<br />
who were killed by the armed activists <strong>of</strong> the Muttahida Qaumi Movement throughout the main Sharea Faisal in<br />
presence <strong>of</strong> the unarmed police, although the government knew that the workers <strong>of</strong> various political parties<br />
would go in processions to the airport to receive the chief justice <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Court who had to arrive on<br />
May 12 at the invitation <strong>of</strong> Sindh High Court Bar, Karachi bar and Malir District bar. The assembly holds the<br />
chief minister and his adviser on home affairs responsible for the killings as well as the loss <strong>of</strong> property worth<br />
millions <strong>of</strong> rupees in Karachi.”<br />
Dawn 17 May (c)<br />
MQM slams Asma Jahangir<br />
By Our Staff Reporter<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
KARACHI, May 16: Terming Asma Jahangir a `chauvinist lady’, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has<br />
advised her to form a political party instead <strong>of</strong> making `cheap’ statements against the MQM under the cover <strong>of</strong><br />
human rights.<br />
In a statement issued here on Wednesday, the MQM MNAs criticised Ms Jahangir, the chairperson <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong> <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>, for her ‘biased political views’ against the party and advised her to<br />
form a ‘chauvinist party’.<br />
They alleged she had secret relations with the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party and that the MQM was<br />
collecting evidence against her to inform the public and the media about her alleged wrongdoings.<br />
120
***<br />
The News 17 May (a)<br />
NPSC dismayed at police performance<br />
By our correspondent<br />
QUETTA: The National Public Safety <strong>Commission</strong> (NPSC) has expressed its dismay at the<br />
performance <strong>of</strong> the police and other law-enforcement agencies on May 12 in Karachi.<br />
“The police did not play its due role in maintaining law and order in Karachi,” said acting chairman and<br />
a former Sindh governor Lt-Gen (retd) Moinuddin Haider while addressing a news conference here on<br />
Wednesday.<br />
“Yes certain security lapses were witnessed on May 12 in Karachi and the <strong>Commission</strong> is establishing<br />
contact with the Sindh government to determine the reasons whether the police could not provide safety to the<br />
general public in Karachi,” Moin said.<br />
He said the <strong>Commission</strong> would make sure that such security lapses that occurred in Karachi may not<br />
take place in future.<br />
He said those responsible for the security lapses should be awarded punishment, adding the NPSC is<br />
an important part <strong>of</strong> the Police Order-2002, the formation <strong>of</strong> which was notified in June 2006 with a view to<br />
bringing improvement in the existing policing system in the country by building its capacity and keeping a vigil<br />
on its performance.<br />
Moin said the NPSC is a body, which has representation <strong>of</strong> six elected Parliamentarians (three each)<br />
from the treasury and the opposition benches besides six from the civil society.<br />
The top priority <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong> is to create such an environment through interaction between the<br />
police and the civil society under which the people may feel them secure.<br />
He said the Public Safety <strong>Commission</strong>s would be established at the provincial and district levels.<br />
Referring to measures being taken to improve the policing system under the police reforms in the<br />
country, he noted that the projects costing Rs 8 billion would be implemented for the purpose and the National<br />
Police Bureau (NPB) is working on them.<br />
He said a modern national forensic science laboratory would be established in Islamabad and at<br />
provincial level.<br />
This would facilitate the courts in getting the evidences. He said police stations would be set up with<br />
the recruitment <strong>of</strong> new police force at the tri-border junction (Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan) to improve the law<br />
and order situation there.<br />
Moin said the law and order situation has improved significantly in the province, and he lauded the<br />
initiative <strong>of</strong> the government for converting the “B” areas into the “A” ones.<br />
He termed it a historic advancement in the Balochistan policing. He said the government is spending<br />
Rs 10 billion on the project, which includes raising a new police force, Balochistan Constabulary. He said the<br />
amount being spent on bringing improvement in the police system is unmatchable in other parts <strong>of</strong> the country.<br />
Present on the occasion among the members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Commission</strong> were MNA Maulana Abdul Ghafoor<br />
Haideri (JUI), MNA Shahina Talat (Muttahida), MNA Ghulam Rasool Sahi (PML-Q), Muhammad Abbas<br />
advocate, Dr Sabiha Hassan, Mrs Sarkar Abbas, Mir Sikandar Hayat Jamali, besides NPSC Secretary and<br />
Director-General National Police Bureau Dr Shoaib Suddle and provincial police <strong>of</strong>ficer Balochistan Tariq<br />
Masood Khosa.<br />
The News 17 May (b)<br />
Opposition requisitions Sindh PA session<br />
By our correspondent, Karachi<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Opposition members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong> People’s Party (PPP) and the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)<br />
have requisitioned a Sindh Assembly session to discuss the May 12 killings and violence in Karachi.<br />
The opposition leader and other opposition members submitted the requisition application in the<br />
assembly secretariat on Wednesday. The opposition also submitted motions along with the requisition, wherein<br />
the members blamed the chief minister and his adviser on Home Affairs for the May 12 carnage and the<br />
incidents thereafter.<br />
According to the opposition, 44 members have signed the requisition application and under the rules<br />
121
the speaker must convene the session within 14 days <strong>of</strong> the submission <strong>of</strong> the requisition application.<br />
Talking to newsmen after submitting the requisition, opposition leader Nisar Khuhro said that the<br />
members have asked the government through a motion as to who handed over the city to terrorists on May 12<br />
to kill innocent citizens. It was also asked in the motion as to who had ordered for unleashing killing spree, he<br />
added. He said that the terrorists even did not allow shifting <strong>of</strong> the injured and dead to hospitals and they<br />
targeted the ambulance drivers who tried to take the inured people to hospitals.<br />
Khuhro said opposition members believe that the Sindh government had failed to save the lives <strong>of</strong> the<br />
innocent people and asked where the Rangers and police were when terrorists were shooting at the people.<br />
He said the opposition did not commit any unlawful act <strong>of</strong> taking out processions to welcome the Chief<br />
Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> to show solidarity with him who was victimized for refusing to follow the wishes <strong>of</strong> President<br />
Musharraf.<br />
Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Hafiz Naeem, Shama Mithani and other opposition MPAs were also present on<br />
the occasion.<br />
Jang 17 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the National Assembly <strong>of</strong> MQM issued a press release- Reacting to Ms Asma Jahangir’s<br />
statement against MQM they said that if Ms Jahangir is keen on politics she should remove the veil <strong>of</strong> human<br />
rights and should come openly with her own political party. She should name her party as “chauvinist party”.<br />
They said that people knew that Asma Jahangir is an extremist chauvinist woman and actually, <strong>Human</strong> <strong>Rights</strong><br />
<strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong> is Chauvinist <strong>Commission</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Pakistan</strong>. That was why Asma Jahangir remained silent<br />
on extra-judicial killings <strong>of</strong> 15,000 youngsters <strong>of</strong> MQM. In the press release, they further said that people are<br />
getting to know about the secret relations <strong>of</strong> Asma Jahangir with PPP. They further said that Muttahida’s<br />
research committee was busy collecting pro<strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> ill doings <strong>of</strong> chauvinist RCP and Asma Jahangir and will<br />
disclose them to the people and international media.<br />
Jang 17 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Karachi Bar Association: 300 advocates, led by Naeem Qureshi, marched to try and<br />
lodge an FIR but managed only to record a complain against Government <strong>of</strong> Sindh, MQM and <strong>of</strong>ficers. Naeem<br />
Qureshi in his record reported that on 12 th May Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry was invited to address Golden<br />
Jubilee <strong>of</strong> the Sindh High Court. At about 10 am, advocate’s procession left the City Courts for High Court when<br />
unknown (but identifiable) terrorists opened fire attempting to kill advocates in the procession. The advocates<br />
dispersed into two groups; one group ran to Karachi Bar and other one fled toward Lunda Bazaar to save their<br />
lives.<br />
The group, which ran to Lunda Bazaar, faced some vehicles with MQM flag and armed persons. They<br />
opened fire that aimed to kill, and when advocates ran and escaped to a nearby building the Muttahida persons<br />
threw stones, fired, maltreated them and threatened to kill them by spraying petrol.<br />
The MQM activists threw inflammable material into the Women Advocates’ Bar Room in the City<br />
Courts to set fire to it. As a result the furniture was completely burnt. The armed persons injured many<br />
advocates including Shazia Mughal, Tabasum Naz, Syed Abbas Ali, Aftab Ahmed Kalmati and Zafariab Beg.<br />
On the same day, the armed persons made Noor Naz Agha member Bar Council hostage in Densol Hall. The<br />
SHO City Courts refused to take any action against the culprits.<br />
Jang 17 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- About 200 advocates and leaders <strong>of</strong> Karachi Bar Association went to register cases<br />
against Altaf Hussain, MQM’s relevant sector in charges, government <strong>of</strong> Sindh and other leaders <strong>of</strong> MQM for<br />
atrocities on 12th May including attacks on advocates and barricade to resist Judges from work. After half an<br />
hour wait, the city court police told KBA leaders that the reason for not registering the complaints was that<br />
nothing happened on 12th May in their jurisdiction. After that type <strong>of</strong> response, the advocates in the procession<br />
raised slogans against police and government.<br />
Awam 17 May (a)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
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News Desk - Chief Minister Sindh said that to secure High Court the roads were blockaded through<br />
containers.<br />
Express 17 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter: The Director-General Sindh Rangers General Javed Zia was spoke with a delegation <strong>of</strong><br />
Pakhtuns and journalists in the Ranger’s Headquarters at Jinnah Courts. He said that if the Rangers had taken<br />
any action on 12 May then a large number <strong>of</strong> deaths would have occurred due to their lethal weapons. The<br />
Rangers were ordered to provide security at airport, banks, franchised institutions, consulate generals, and<br />
government <strong>of</strong>fices including high security zones and to CJ only. He said that Rangers also fulfilled the<br />
responsibilities to provide security to specific rallies but were not responsible for others. He said that it was the<br />
first time that 13,000 Rangers were deployed in Karachi. He added that actual and fundamental responsibility <strong>of</strong><br />
Rangers was to provide security in the Sindh segment <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Pakistan</strong>-India border.<br />
Jang 18 May (a)<br />
***<br />
Brigadier Ghulam Muhammad Mohtaram Secretary Home Department in his press conference<br />
accompanied by IG Sindh Niaz Ahmed Siddiqi and CCPO Karachi Azhar Farooqi said that the government was<br />
informed that Chief Justice Supreme Court Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry had to come in Karachi on 12 th May to<br />
address the Sindh High Court Bar. On that event, the opposition parties announced their rallies to welcome<br />
him. The Muttahida Qaumi Movement applied on 8 th May for permission for their rally on 12 May. The City<br />
District Government allowed that request application on 10 th May.<br />
To handle that situation the government discussed and got supporting reports from federal intelligence<br />
agencies. The federal agencies suspected riots in Karachi because <strong>of</strong> rival rallies. Considering that situation the<br />
Secretary Home Department contacted the leaders <strong>of</strong> opposition and MQM. The opposition leaders said that if<br />
MQM would postpone it’s rally they also could withdraw and he got the same answer from MQM leaders.<br />
During the press conference, CCPO Karachi Azhar Farooqi responded to a question that considering<br />
security measures 170 persons <strong>of</strong> various organizations were arrested on 11 th and 12 th May night. There were<br />
12 persons arrested with weapons who had planned to attack the rally <strong>of</strong> Chief Justice, and after 12 th May 21<br />
persons were arrested. When asked how many persons arrested were involved in armed clashes on 12 th May<br />
he gave the figure <strong>of</strong> 21 people. He was then asked about the number <strong>of</strong> arrests <strong>of</strong> persons shown in firing<br />
weapons in the print and electronic media. The Home Department Secretary responded that an investigation<br />
was in processes.<br />
Although it was the MQM that had blockaded Share-Faisal and other roads by buses, trucks and other<br />
vehicles the home secretary only named the other parties and not the MQM in his replies. CCPO Karachi Azhar<br />
Farooqi responded to a question regarding 6 hours continuous firing on Aaj TV – he said that the Patel Para<br />
firing was started people returning home from the Muttahida rally were attacked. He said that Patel Para was<br />
largely populated with Pakhtuns and the area was always prone to political and other types <strong>of</strong> conflict.<br />
Jang 18 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Notice against police’s inefficiency: The chairman <strong>of</strong> National Public Safety <strong>Commission</strong> Lt-Gen (rtd)<br />
Moinuddin Hyder said that NPSC had recognized the inefficiency <strong>of</strong> the police on 12 th May and will collect<br />
information regarding their mistakes that caused many deaths and financial loss to the country. He said that<br />
action would be taken against them. In his statement he admitted the inefficiency <strong>of</strong> the police and assured<br />
action will be taken.<br />
Jang 18 May (d)<br />
***<br />
News - <strong>Pakistan</strong> Peoples Party (Shaeed Bhutto) Hyderabad leaders condemned killings <strong>of</strong> 3 persons<br />
by Rangers in Lyari. They said that Rangers and Police were authorized to shoot on sight but no action was<br />
taken against armed terrorist who were playing with lives <strong>of</strong> innocent people.<br />
Jang 18 May (e)<br />
HRCP<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter - (Pakhtun Loya Jirga) Pakhtun Action Committee’s chairman Shahi Syed distributed 1<br />
lakh and 25000 rupees to heirs <strong>of</strong> the dead and injured respectively. Chairman <strong>of</strong> action committee and other<br />
leaders stated that Pakhtun are a non-violent nation and they had come to Karachi to work and earn.<br />
***<br />
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Express 18 May (a)<br />
Editorial Section – The statement <strong>of</strong> head <strong>of</strong> Police <strong>of</strong> Sindh was available on the record that he was<br />
not able to take any action.<br />
Express 18 May (b)<br />
***<br />
Editorial Section- Director general Sindh Rangers General Javed Zia said that if the Rangers would<br />
have taken action on 12 th May than there would be heaps <strong>of</strong> dead bodies in Karachi.<br />
Express 18 May (c)<br />
***<br />
Staff Reporter- Muhammad Buksh Lashari (who was the only advocate that reached inside airport) in<br />
his address to Sindh High Court Bar Association’s general body gathering on 17th May disclosed that on 11th<br />
May he had information that there was a plan to kill Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry. The area around Falaknaz<br />
was under control <strong>of</strong> terrorists, and they may have planned to kill the CJ by firing from the bridge. He said he<br />
wanted to inform CJ and so he tried to deceive the administration by purchasing an air ticket so that can could<br />
go inside the airport as a passenger to inform the CJ about the assassination plan.<br />
Eyewitness: Karachi, May 12, 2007<br />
Beena Sarwar<br />
May 30, 2007<br />
***<br />
“Here in Karachi, we avoid ‘name calling’ and ‘finger pointing’ due to fear <strong>of</strong> having our knees<br />
drilled…”<br />
01:00 p.m., she was stopped by a political worker who put a TT pistol to her forehead (“NOT the<br />
temple, the FOREHEAD).” She was allowed to proceed after showing her press card.<br />
HRCP<br />
Over at the Sindh High Court, lawyer Ayesha Tammy Haq sent this text message around 5 pm Karachi<br />
time: "In the High court. Things getting worse. Judges will not leave as there will be a rampage. I was with the<br />
CJ. City courts being attacked as re Aaj and Geo. We are going to have army rule in Karachi. It looks like that<br />
was always the plan i.e. redemption <strong>of</strong> the army.” (Later in an interview, General Musharraf denied such plans<br />
and reasserted his commitment to democratic politics. But then, he has also justified what happened in Karachi<br />
as “the political activity” <strong>of</strong> a political party attempting to show its strength to its constituency – interview with<br />
Talat Hussain, Aaj TV, May 18, 2007)<br />
Another lawyer emailed: “Not only was the Sindh High Court under virtual siege by armed activists, but<br />
lawyers attempting enter the Court were repeatedly beaten and roughed up. The armed activists did not even<br />
spare the Judges <strong>of</strong> the High Court.” One judge was held at gun point and his car damaged. “While holding me<br />
at gun point, the youth called someone and stated ‘Yeh bolta hai kay High Court ka judge hai...kya karun is<br />
ka?...achaa theek hai, phir janay daita houn.’ (He says he’s a judge <strong>of</strong> the High Court. What should I do with<br />
him? Ok then, will let him go).” Many judges, unable to drive to the Sindh High Court, had to leave their <strong>of</strong>ficial<br />
`flag` cars and make their way through menacing crowds and climb over the court’s back wall in order to reach<br />
their chambers.<br />
Munir A. Malik, one <strong>of</strong> the 25 lawyers accompanying Chief Justice Iftikhar Choudhry from Islamabad to<br />
Karachi, narrates how they were forced to remain inside the airport. The Sindh government representatives<br />
<strong>of</strong>fered to transport the Chief Justice by helicopter but this <strong>of</strong>fer was for him alone. Since the lawyers with him<br />
had already foiled the attempts <strong>of</strong> “two uniformed people” to “snatch the CJP and take him from the other side,”<br />
he refused. (‘Story at the airport’, The News on Sunday, Special Report, May 20, 2007)<br />
Armed men attacked lawyers at Malir District Bar, Iftikhar Choudhry’s scheduled first stop in Karachi,<br />
killing a lawyer and injuring several others, including female lawyers. The Chief Justice and his team, <strong>of</strong> course,<br />
were ‘externed’ to Islamabad after several hours. Late that night, residents in the low-income Ranchore Lines<br />
mohalla were awakened by loud banging on their doors. One resident relates that it was two young boys<br />
distributing freshly cooked biryani and suji in plastic bags: “Yeh chief justice ki wapsi ki khushi mein hai” (This<br />
is to celebrate the Chief Justice’s return [to Islamabad]).<br />
On the Karachi streets, Uzi’s press card had saved her again at around 05:00 p.m. as she and a<br />
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colleague tried to reach the Rangers Headquarters in Dawood College. “A car chockfull <strong>of</strong> ammunition passed<br />
in front <strong>of</strong> us, stopped, backed up and stopped in front <strong>of</strong> us, Kalashnikovs pointing at the two <strong>of</strong> us from the<br />
windows. We showed our press cards and the car moved on. NEVER in my LIFE have I felt more grateful to my<br />
press card than I did yesterday.”<br />
At around 06:00 p.m., she and her colleague were trapped by gunshots all around. “Short <strong>of</strong> climbing<br />
the walls and entering one <strong>of</strong> the houses around, there really was no other place for us to go.” They stopped a<br />
police mobile and asked which way would be safe to go. The answer, accompanied by laughter: “You can be<br />
killed wherever you go. Choose your place.”<br />
In published reports, journalists prudently avoided naming the parties involved. “Young men toting<br />
flags and banners had set up camp outside the airport departure lounge. They hid, however, when policemen<br />
came by. Reporters in the vicinity were asked whether they had seen any political activists around. Munawar<br />
Pirzada (from Daily Times) said that he had seen some nearby. After the policemen had left, the activists came<br />
up to the reporter, dragged him by the hair and took him aside. They then proceeded to threaten him with dire<br />
consequences if he said anything the next time the policemen came around” (Urooj Zia, Daily Times, May 14).<br />
But the affiliation <strong>of</strong> these gangs was visible in the live coverage provided by several private television<br />
channels, which showed plainclothes men brandishing weapons on the deserted roads, using government<br />
tankers as cover, exchanging gunfire with unseen opponents, the tri-colour MQM flag visible on their<br />
motorcycles.<br />
After Aaj TV’s continuous live coverage <strong>of</strong> such scenes, armed men attacked the television station,<br />
firing at it for several hours. Instead <strong>of</strong> stopping the coverage, Aaj showed live footage <strong>of</strong> reporters ducking<br />
behind a desk, shots being fired at their <strong>of</strong>fice, as anchor Talat Hussain provided an account <strong>of</strong> the situation on<br />
the phone. Reporters in the area asked the Rangers posted nearby to help the Aaj workers trapped inside their<br />
building. The answer: “We’re helpless. We can’t do anything unless we have orders from above.”<br />
Aaj TV’s refusal to suspend its live coverage emboldened the new breed <strong>of</strong> ‘citizen journalists’. “My<br />
faith in independent media was restored and I was confident that I am not alone,” wrote one blogger. He had<br />
hesitated to post out the testimony <strong>of</strong> a doctor at a Karachi hospital who witnessed armed political workers turn<br />
up to finish <strong>of</strong>f an injured political worker. Encouraged by the Aaj re-broadcasting <strong>of</strong> images that clearly showed<br />
the involvement <strong>of</strong> MQM workers in the violence, he published the testimony with a disclaimer that “it was an<br />
anonymously posted comment and could be entirely false, you be a judge for yourself.”<br />
The testimony was apparently sent by a doctor who had been at work for several hours attending to<br />
multiple gunshot wound victims in his hospital lobby, where a makeshift emergency room had been set up.<br />
Nothing, he writes, “struck down my soul more than what 9 fully armed workers <strong>of</strong> MQM along with 2 sector<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice bearers did. They tried to drag out the wounded and dying body <strong>of</strong> a Sunni Teri worker (whose identity<br />
they later learnt) for presumably finishing him <strong>of</strong>f.” The protesting doctors were slapped around and dragged by<br />
their legs to the back <strong>of</strong> the gurney alley. With “shotguns, pistols and ak-47`s in hand,” the men ran back to the<br />
lobby presumably to find their target again.<br />
HRCP<br />
The doctor ran out to the rangers and police near the hospital front gate. Their answer to his appeal:<br />
“Jaante ho inn logon ko phir bhi kyon larta ho…hamain upar se order hai ke inn ko char baje tak karne do jo<br />
karna hai. Char baje ke baad kuch dekhainge` (When you know who these people are why do you still fight<br />
them … we have orders from above to let them do whatever they want until 4pm. After 4pm we will see).<br />
As a previous MQM supporter, the doctor had recognized some <strong>of</strong> the assailants and called a friend<br />
related to MQM deputy leader Farooq Sattar. Five minutes later the men received a phone call and left,<br />
threatening the doctors (and stealing one <strong>of</strong> their cell phones, “Chikna set hai” -- it`s a cool set). “The guy they<br />
had come looking for had been shot one more time in the head. The o.t dress we had dressed him in 10 mins<br />
earlier was freshly bloody.” Full text at: http://karachi.metblogs.com/archives/2007/05/is_this_what_ha.phtml<br />
There is a story behind each <strong>of</strong> those who were killed, some belonging to one or other political party,<br />
and others just because they were there. Masked men stopped ambulances and sprayed them with bullets,<br />
killing an Edhi Ambulance driver, Faizur Rahman Khan, 65, when he refused to throw out a wounded person he<br />
was transporting to hospital from near the airport; the wounded man was also shot again. Armed gangs herded<br />
passers-by into an alley and shot dead a young overlock machine operator along with another man, in front <strong>of</strong><br />
two colleagues who were also shot but survived to tell the tale (‘They shot us one by one...’ by Munawar<br />
Pirzada, Daily Times, http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\14\story_14-5-2007_pg12_3).<br />
There have been reports about an SHO who guided a procession into an ambush and a pregnant woman who<br />
had to deliver her baby in the car when armed men refused to let her proceed to the hospital with her husband.<br />
The <strong>Pakistan</strong> Press Foundation (PPF) reports that several journalists were manhandled and nine wounded.<br />
Some TV cameramen were beaten and their cameras snatched or damaged.<br />
In all these stories <strong>of</strong> horror, there is at least one amusing aside: the stranded reporter Uzi had the<br />
thrill <strong>of</strong> getting to ride a motorbike when her editors sent a senior reporter to pick her up. “You couldn`t use a<br />
car etc, because on a bike your press card was visible, and that was a kind <strong>of</strong> immunity. In a car or a van,<br />
they`d shoot at you on sight. So yeah, I got to ride pillion on a bike, and I didn`t sit sideways either, like women<br />
125
usually do here. :D I sat like guys usually do – ‘handsfree mode.’ :D Initially I was scared shitless, but then I got<br />
used to it, and it was AWESOME -- like flying! MQM-waalahs on the way kept turning and staring at the weird<br />
Chick who was riding pillion like guys do and didn`t have to hold on to anything to maintain her balance. :D<br />
AWESOME, it was! I want a bike now! :P"<br />
All power to Uzi, I say. I hope she gets her bike and I hope she gets to ride it. Someone should do a<br />
study on why <strong>Pakistan</strong> is the only Southasian country where it`s a no-no for women to cycle or drive scooters,<br />
or sit pillion astride (rather than side-saddle as they do, uncomfortably and dangerously, sometimes holding on<br />
to several children). It wasn`t always that way – until the 1960s college girls in Lahore, Karachi, even Peshawar<br />
bicycled around pretty freely, some even in saris. A trivial matter perhaps, given what`s happening in the<br />
country but these issues are not entirely unlinked.<br />
Karachi educationist, Anwar Abbas, later emailed: “My son-in-law and daughter who live in a building<br />
adjoining Baloch colony flyover had a good look at the ‘thugs’ in action from their ro<strong>of</strong>top. Their only regret is<br />
that they did not have a camera to capture the ghastly scenes.” They returned to their flat because their little<br />
daughter was alone with the maid and because the ‘thugs’ had also climbed the ro<strong>of</strong>s <strong>of</strong> adjoining buildings in<br />
order to obtain an aerial view <strong>of</strong> their targets and shoot at random.<br />
He added: “It is not important which group they belonged to; it is important that they could behave the<br />
way they did in complete disregard to the rule <strong>of</strong> law; if indeed the law was awake or not in collusion with the<br />
‘thugs’.” Many others, including Aaj TV’s Talat Hussain and MQM’s Dr. Farooq Sattar have also suggested that<br />
the “blame game” be avoided.<br />
But a lawyer friend, “angry and distressed in Karachi”, argues that “If we avoid ‘name calling’ and<br />
‘finger pointing’, we will simply be brushing the events <strong>of</strong> last Saturday under the carpet <strong>of</strong> indifference. Here in<br />
Karachi, we avoid ‘name calling’ and ‘finger pointing’ due to fear <strong>of</strong> having our knees drilled. Even Urdu<br />
speaking lawyers, while talking <strong>of</strong> last Saturday’s events at the Sindh High Court look over their shoulders and<br />
speak in hushed tones when mentioning the name <strong>of</strong> MQM…<br />
“As we try to understand the carnage <strong>of</strong> 12th May, we have to ask the following question: Which<br />
political group stands to lose the most in a Musharraf ouster? Not the PML (Q). The Chaudhrys and their ilk will<br />
merely disperse and filter back into the PML (N) or the PPP. The unprecedented power and privilege <strong>of</strong> the<br />
MQM however is firmly tied with Musharraf`s hold in Islamabad. It was the threat to their benefactor from the<br />
supporters <strong>of</strong> the Chief Justice, which unleashed the gunmen on 12th May. Zaffar Abbas is correct when he<br />
writes that Karachi was only at peace for the past many years because it suited its militants (`Back to the<br />
future?` Dawn, May 14, 2007)…<br />
HRCP<br />
“’Finger pointing’ is necessary, because throughout our history, instead <strong>of</strong> a catharsis, we simply go<br />
through a ‘jo ho gaya ab bhool jaao, aagay daikho’ (forget what has happened) attitude. Already, with the<br />
President’s pat on the back at the emergency meeting <strong>of</strong> the ruling party in Islamabad (on Monday) the MQM is<br />
back on the front foot…<br />
“Although it is unlikely that the perpetrators <strong>of</strong> Saturday’s violence will ever be brought to justice, at<br />
least they should continue to be exposed before the entire country. More importantly, they should face the<br />
consequence <strong>of</strong> such exposure. Public image is very important to the MQM and the national outrage at their<br />
conduct may be the best prospect <strong>of</strong> compelling them to change their ways.”<br />
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