Violence erupts in Karachi

[ajpirzada]

no im not talkin about where they live. im talkin about how can u say that 27 pashtuns who were killed were killed by police?? did u read it some where?? any link will be much appreciated.

 

[pak avatar]

I Think Husain works at NADRA or ISI
how does he know everyone who lives in nazimabad is pushtun?and were does he get his info from?
P.S I also live in Karachi.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I thought most people were killed in the attacks by the thugs on either side, and not the police or rangers, at least that is what the official statements suggest.

The police/ranger statements indicate they arrested 25 plus suspects, not killed.

The only silver lining in this so far is that masses have stayed out of it, and its the thugs on either side going nuts and killing innocent people.

 

[Gabbar]

The Karachi question: Ethnicity or extremism? ​

​

People chant slogans against the Taliban at a rally in Karachi. - AP​

Uneasy calm Law and order

'Shoot at sight' orders issued in Karachi Once again, Karachi is burning, and everyone has a theory. On April 29, at least 29 people were killed in an escalating wave of violence across the port city. Most of the dead were Pathan, though the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) also claimed losses. Even before funeral processions were organised and the last fires were doused, politicians began finger pointing.

Speaking from London, MQM chief Altaf Hussain appealed for peace, indirectly blaming the Taliban for the recent urban violence. He claimed that criminal elements belonging to the land and drug mafia were stirring trouble with the support – in the form of arms and money – of the Taliban. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League chief Nawaz Sharif hinted at the ethnic dimensions of the clashes, pointing out that Karachi’s residents were being pitted against each other as part of a larger plot. For his part, Minister of State for Ports and Shipping, Nabeel Gabol, claimed that the fighting had been instigated by a ‘foreign agency’ that is working in collaboration with a religious party.

Outside political circles, there is an assumption that this week’s killings are the result of a long-standing ethnic rivalry between Karachi’s Urdu-speaking and Pashto-speaking communities. Newspaper reports, for example, have described the clashes as ‘ethnic violence’ and city police chief Wasim Ahmed even split up Wednesday’s death toll as ‘16 Pathans and three Urdu-speaking people.’

What explains the resurgence in Karachi violence? Is it an attempt by the city’s ethnic stakeholders to drawn new battle lines? Or are the recent clashes somehow connected to the broader militant threat that Pakistan is currently wrestling?

The politics of militancy

For almost a year, the MQM has been warning against the Talibanisation of Karachi. The party’s cautionary rhetoric gained resonance when the MQM became the only political force to resist the passage of the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation, which has established qazi courts in NWFP’s Malakand division. In all their anti-Taliban speechifying, MQM leaders are careful to point out that they are not targeting an ethnic group. As Naib Nazim Nasrin Jalil puts it, ‘Pashtuns are not all Taliban, but some of them are harboring the Taliban. It’s impossible to identify militants from others.’

But members of Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community argue that the MQM is making no effort to distinguish between honest workers and militants. ‘The MQM is playing up the issue of Talibanisation for political gain,’ says Ameen Khattak, the secretary general of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Sindh. They’re trying to attract the attention of the international community while pursuing their hidden agenda.’

In fact, ANP officials claim that the threat of Talibanisation in Karachi is being over-stated by the MQM. They point out that the Pashto-speaking community, which has been targeted by Taliban militants in Pakistan’s tribal and northern areas, is most at risk. ‘Who will they kill first?’ asks Khattak. ‘They’ve killed 150 ANP workers in Swat and will do the same in Karachi.’ He adds that the ANP is determined to stave off the extremist threat: ‘We have assured the MQM that if they provide specifics of Taliban influence in the city, we’ll work together to combat the Taliban.’

The Taliban factor

While they disagree about the extent to which Karachi has been Talibanised, MQM and ANP leadership do agree that militancy is on the rise in Pakistan’s commercial hub. Party leaders on both sides admit that fund-raising for militant activities is rampant. MQM chief Hussain’s comments that the Taliban is now enmeshed with the local land and drug mafia point to the well documented fact that militants and criminals have joined hands to carry out robberies and kidnappings, the gains of which are used to finance terrorism in the northern areas and Federally Adminstered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Indeed, officials of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) have stated that over one billion rupees have been raised by criminals in Karachi over the past two years to finance jihad. The Citizens-Police Liaison Committee has also confirmed that ransom money in many high-profile kidnappings is being collected in Fata. Faisal Sabzwari, an MQM leader and the Sindh minister for youth affairs, adds that ‘land grabbing in the name of religion’ is also on the rise.

In this context, ANP’s Khattak admits that some members of the Pashto-speaking community are connected with the Taliban through ‘chanda’ (alms). ‘People based in Karachi may be paying off the Taliban to keep their families in the northern areas safe,’ he explains.

Beyond criminal activities, both MQM and ANP leaders point to the resurgence of banned sectarian outfits such as Jaish-e-Mohammad, Laskar-e-Taiba and Lashakar-e-Jhangvi as the biggest threat facing Karachi (particularly in the wake of last November’s Mumbai attacks). As a police officer stationed in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth puts it: ‘The Taliban are only in Karachi to the extent that they’re reaching out to militants who have been based here for decades.’ According to the CID, there are over 5,000 trained militants with ties to banned militant groups currently stationed in the city.

Since the leadership of these militant groups trace their origins to the Punjab and Siraiki belt, how has an ethnic clash between mohajirs and Pathans hijacked the conversation about urban Talibanisation?

Drawing battle lines

In recent months, MQM party workers have been mobilizing, by their account, to ward off the Taliban threat. Hussain has called for Karachiites to arm themselves and take up martial arts training. Naib nazim Jalil adds that MQM has reinstated a ‘chowkidari’ (neighbourhood watch) system in mohajir localities. ‘Our activists are physically protecting their areas,’ she says. Moreover, the City District Government Karachi has requested that Rangers and paramilitary personnel be deployed in sensitive spots across the city.

On another level, MQM has increased vigilance across the city. ‘No other party can boast the grassroots level set-up that the MQM has,’ says Sabzwari. ‘We have been involved in ground-level information collection for some time now. Our people let us know what’s happening in their areas.’ He explains that MQM activists monitor unusual activities at mosques and note the presence of foreigners or strangers in different neighbourhoods. Noteworthy information is then passed on to the Sindh and federal governments.

Karachi’s Pashto-speaking community views this mobilization as an attempt to consolidate MQM’s stranglehold over the city and target the Pathan population. ‘There are between three and four million peace-loving Pathans in Karachi,’ says Khattak. ‘But the MQM is watching them all as if they are criminals, pretending to be on the look out for the Taliban.’ He points to several areas where MQM activists or security personnel have in effect cordoned off Pathan areas from the rest of the city. ‘If things go on like this, Karachi will be the next Beirut. The city has already been carved up and the battle lines are being drawn.’

MQM’s leadership rejects Khattak’s analysis of the situation. ‘It’s not an ethnic issue,’ insists Sabzwari. ‘It’s a criminal issue. It’s an issue of law and order. What can we do if the criminals happen to come from Pashto-speaking localities? Is it my fault if Baitullah Mehsud’s right-hand man was caught in Karachi?’ [Badshah Deen was arrested in Karachi’s Sachal area on April 13.] He adds that ANP is giving a simple law and order situation an ‘ethnic run’ so as to consolidate its vote bank.

Caught in the crossfire

Either way, it is Karachiites who end up dead. Anayat Khan, a fruit seller at Bacha Khan chowk in Karachi’s Benaras area, says a ‘political game’ is under way. ‘There are no Taliban here,’ he says. ‘We listen to music, we have functions, are women go shopping. The only people we have to fear are the workers of a certain political party.’

Meanwhile, across town, Naeem Hussain, a resident of Azizabad, shakes his head. ‘The city is completely shut down, even though the end of the month is so important for business. We’re just trying to live our lives … I don’t know who to believe anymore.’

 

[SurvivoR]

3 out of 30 doesnt means that remaining were all pashtuns, some local peoples are also killed, and the du u know why pashtuns was killed?? Bcoz they killed 2 MQM men, then rangers and police started operation against them, they kill terrorists and land mafia, all of them were pashtuns, i m not saying all pashtuns are terrorists, but the people who were killed in police operation, were pashtuns that hill area is all ANP area!!



How more u want to kill!! I know u want to see all karachiiites dead!!

Stop your lies. The two MQM men were killed by criminal gangs who are led by locals and people from Balochistan NOT Pathans. The criminal gangs are backed by non-Pashtun political parties aka PPP and Balochistan National Party.


Stop speading lies that those were killed by Pathans. And also do not spread the wrong notion by posting pics of ANP supporters who have come out to roads only after 27 of their people were wrongly and brutaly killed by MQM activists.

Bcoz they are landmafia, and fighting against police, i think u didnt heard any thing abt police operation!!
So why they have such a huge support from karachi, even opposition dont argue on this!!


I think u didnt heard any thing abt mustafa kamal, if some one is better then him then tell me!!

The land mafia is not linked to ANP or pathans. The land mafia is the one led by Rehman alias Dakait who was supported and safegaurded by your ally PPP and BNP.

Stop telling lies like Altaf Hussain who has been trying his level best to create tenson in Karachi.

 

[Luftwaffe]

Hasnain2009 bhai i am a pushtoon and i have all my relatives in N.W.F.P same goes so many sindhis ppl from karachi migrated to Peshawar because of good businesses opened so many factories and industries go to Hayatabad Industrial complex as well go to hayatabad housing complex either u'll see afghans in some of the phases thanks to zia ul haq and or good nice ppl from karachi almost all of them owned by ppl of karachi and not a single pushtoon is harming them their families and or their business it only happens uniquely in KARACHI!! MQM is a terrorist organization it has been doing all its acts of terrors from 1980s, There are MQM pics out there as well go get them and post them as well why don't you post them instead of showing one side does it mean that someone is holding weapon is doing all the mess may be its for self defense that is now i am going to counter ur argument about these pics..saying that 63000 migrate to karachi is merely speculations by you not confirmed and like a hawaie patakha by you.. no sir pathans are better in N.W.F.P atleast they are not killed and snubbed and robbed and their businesses are not destroyed as in Karachi by your badmash MQM party forget recent violence talk about what's been cooking for the past so many years in Karachi!!

 

[Bane Blade]

@Hasnain
how can u say that ppl killed in police operation were pashtun. so far i havent heard any news which says that police have killed anyone. therefore pashtuns became a target of this violance and not police operation.

I am wondering along the same lines I hope Hasnain2009 isn't emotionally carried away however his land mafia bit may be true.

GEO Pakistan
Rehman Malik orders for report on Karachi violence
Updated at: 0355 PST, Thursday, April 30, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Rehman Malik has directed the concerned authorities to submit report on the loss of lives in Wednesday’s unrest in Karachi.

According to the spokesman of Interior Ministry, Rehman Malik has ordered DG Rangers Sindh to deploy additional force in those parts of the city which are most affected by violence.

The Minister also said that strict action will be taken against the alleged land mafia for what it was said the involvement in the violent incidents


Rehman Malik orders for report on Karachi violence - GEO.tv

 

[Hasnain2009]

MQM is a terrorist organization it has been doing all its acts of terrors from 1980s, There are MQM pics out there as well go get them and post them

U post pics as i have posted, but it must should b clear as i did!!

as well why don't you post them instead of showing one side does it mean that someone is holding weapon is doing all the mess may be its for self defense that is now i am going to counter ur argument about these pics..

wah wah!!
ANP is holding guns for self defence??
What will u say if u caught MQM men in pehawar holding guns??

saying that 63000 migrate to karachi is merely speculations by you not confirmed and like a hawaie patakha by you..

Will u vote MQM if i showed source??

no sir pathans are better in N.W.F.P

Why they are coming to karachi??
Why number of pathans in karachi is higer then the number of pathan in peshawar!!

atleast they are not killed and snubbed and robbed and their businesses are not destroyed as in Karachi by your badmash MQM party forget recent violence talk about what's been cooking for the past so many years in Karachi!!

What business??
80% of Pahtans in karachi are poor and illiterate, only those pathans are rich who are smugglers, some are educated also!!

If MQM creates voilence in karachi then no one will vote them,
And karachiites voted MQM bcoz they know they only loyal to karachi, and MQM carries arm for self defence!!

Fact is that ANP and Imran KHan, combined cant win single NA seat from karachi bcoz of there acts of terrorism!!

 

[Hasnain2009]

Stop your lies.

Mind your language

The two MQM men were killed by criminal gangs who are led by locals and people from Balochistan NOT Pathans. The criminal gangs are backed by non-Pashtun political parties aka PPP and Balochistan National Party.

Fact is that, if someone MQM caught someone in any bad act, then it fires him from MQM!! But for ANP, if someone is terrorist, land mafia, vbut he's pashtun then ANP starts politics, and starts shouting that pashtuns are innocent!!

Stop speading lies that those were killed by Pathans.
And also do not spread the wrong notion by posting pics of ANP supporters who have come out to roads only after 27 of their people were wrongly and brutaly killed by MQM activists.

Even ANP is not saying that they were killed by MQM, they are saying that they were land mafia!! And u are saying they were killed by MQM!!

Stop telling lies like Altaf Hussain who has been trying his level best to create tenson in Karachi.

I can only laugh on this!!
U are tring to say that a owner of house is destroying his own home, and now u will say MQM dont have support in karachi!!
Then i will again laugh!!

 

[Hasnain2009]

Stop speading lies that those were killed by Pathans. And also do not spread the wrong notion by posting pics of ANP supporters who have come out to roads only after 27 of their people were wrongly and brutaly killed by MQM activists.

These pics are not from today, they are from 12 may, they tried to stop MQM rally!!

 

[Hasnain2009]

I m posting someone pics, which shows MQM's mass support!!

 

[Omar1984]

^ How can you guys support someone who lives in UK, makes speeches on a telephone, and called partition the biggest blunder in history in his visit to hindustan?

 

[Zob]

Ok HASNAIN...firstly who "OWNS KARACHI"(i hate the words you choose my friend karachi is not owned by any one political party karachi is a part of pakistan) like you said...MQM...MQM has been in power for 20 years in KARACHI...and yet cannot stop land mafia?? you said ANP can not win one seat of NA from karachi i agree with you...and yet they are the miscreants making all the chaos when they have no support....63,000 pathans are coming to karachi...do you HATE PATHANS...it honestly seems like that....

MQM says talabanaziation is happening in karachi...what will happen once karachi is talabanized...terrorism....right?? well isn't karachi terrorized since the last 20 years....??? as for pictures i posted VIDEOS...of 12th may....and yet you deny them or just don't want to see them....

who killed MAJOR KALEEM....?? if ANP is powerless and has no support how can it terrorize karachi...as for the public in RALLIES...well HITLER had the biggest crowd turn out.....reason FEAR....MQM plays on FEAR.....don't tell me your sector incharges are not told to get as many people to rallies by hook or by crook....

 

[Hasnain2009]

^ How can you guys support someone who lives in UK, makes speeches on a telephone, and called partition the biggest blunder in history in his visit to hindustan?

Whats wrong if he lives in england??

 

[Zob]

Whats wrong if he lives in england??

GORDON BROWN LIVES IN BRITIAN AND HAS BRITISH PASSPORT.....i think he has come to pakistan more than ALTAF hussain hell let's make him the head of MQM.....