|
Violence against Pakhtoons in Karachi
ANP may quit coalition, warns Loya Jirga Rally to pay homage to May
12 victims to be held at Nishtar Park Karachi
The
Pakhtoon Action Committee (Loya Jirga) will organise a public
gathering at Nistar Park on May 12 to pay homage to the people
killed during the violence that accompanied the aborted visit of
now-restored Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Iftikhar Mohammad
Chaudhry to Karachi in 2007, Loya Jirga Chairman Shahi Syed
announced during a press conference on Sunday at the Bacha Khan
Centre.
This is first time that the Loya Jirga will hold any public meeting
at Nishtar Park, which is historically known for mammoth political
gatherings. “The government should arrest the murderers of Phaktoons
and if they fail to address this serious issue, then the Awami
National Party (ANP) will immediately quit the coalition government
in Sindh,” Syed, who is also the ANP Sindh President, warned.
“Pakhtoons are being targeted throughout Sindh, particularly in the
Sharah-e-Noor Jahan, Sohrab Goth and Phelwan Goth areas of Karachi.
Land grabbers are creating a law and order situation and are also
involved in creating tension in the city, particularly in the said
areas,” he said.
Syed told journalists that several party leaders had received death
threats and have informed the Home Department and the Sindh chief
minister in this regard. “The Loya Jirga condemns such tactics and
we reserve the right to retaliate if such attitude towards our
workers continues,” he said.
Syed said that the names of miscreants involved in creating a law
and order situation had been given to officials concerned and now it
was the government’s job to address the problem.
He demanded that the government to pay compensation to the heirs of
May 12 (2007) victims. He also demanded that culprits involved in
killing innocent people be taken to task.
“If any of our leaders are targeted, we will reply in the same
manner and the government will be responsible for the law and order
condition,” he warned. “We never claim to be the owners of Karachi,
but we want peace throughout the province, particularly in Karachi,
and are ready to talk to everyone in this regard.”
“The Loya Jirga is a peaceful and non-political organisation working
for the rights of the poor, particularly Pakhtoons,” he said. “The
purpose is not to snatch someone else’s rights, or grab land.”
Recalling November 29 (2008) incidents, Syed said that Pakhtoons
were killed in ethic violence, their properties destroyed and their
businesses forcibly closed, which followed an indefinite period of
violence against the community.
Earlier, Syed congratulated the nation over the restoration of CJP
Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and hoped that all expectations will be
fulfilled. “We believe that there will be real supremacy of law, and
justice will be given to the victims of the May 12 mayhem,” he
added.
He alleged that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was involved in the May
12 mayhem. He added, however, that they were ready to hold
negotiations with anybody, including the MQM, for the restoration of
peace in the city.
(The News ,Karachi:Monday, March 30, 2009)
|
