Zardari steps in to calm furious MQM

KARACHI – President Asif Zardari on Sunday stepped in to soothe concerns in Karachi as at least 11 people were killed by unidentified assailants in a fresh spate of targeted killings in various part of the city, with Muttahida Qaumi Movement Rabita Committee Convener Farooq Sattar saying the party’s patience was beginning to run out with the killings.
A private TV channel reported that Zardari told Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah to take stern action against those responsible for targeted killings in Karachi, where four vehicles were also set on fire. The channel said the directives came after Zardari telephoned Qaim following the latest verbal clash between the MQM and PPP over the targeted killings, with the MQM accusing the disbanded People’s Amn Committee for targeting its workers.
The channel said that Qaim announced in a statement that those responsible for disturbing peace in the city would be dealt with sternly. Sattar said in a press conference earlier on Sunday that the party was bearing the targeted killings of its workers and supporters for the sake of democracy and stability of the country, but its patience was wearing thin.
“The government and the people at the helm of affairs must take heed and take steps to control the situation,” Sattar said. He said that the party’s policy of toleration and forbearance should not be misconstrued as weakness, adding that the president’s writ was being challenged by the targeted killings.
Sattar said that several MQM workers, supporters and innocent citizens had been killed or wounded in Nazimabad, Old Layari, Hazara Chowk, Ahsanabad, Kharadar, Korangi, Defence, Clifton, Qasba Aligarh, Lyari, Ranchore Lines, Agra Taj and Usmanabad areas.
Sattar demanded that President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Shah arrest the “terrorists” involved in the killings of MQM workers and supporters and attacking the party’s offices.
Meanwhile, the PPP Sindh Media Cell said in a statement that those accusing Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza of misconduct should look at their own misdeeds because people knew what went on in political circles.
The PPP’s policy of reconciliation should not be considered its weakness, they said, adding that some elements were trying to sabotage the PPP’s efforts to carry out fair and peaceful politics by issuing false statements, adding that people were proud of Dr Mirza and Sindh had never had a home minister as honest and as capable as he was.
Meanwhile, two buses and two cars were set on fire by unidentified gunmen in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Orangi Town as tension engulfed the city and aerial firing was frequently heard. A 40-year-old man was shot dead in Baldia Sector 8 and two young men were killed by unidentified gunmen in Kharadar.
Another two men were killed and three others were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at a teashop in Gulshan-e-Iqbal. A bullet-riddled body that also bore signs of torture was found from Teen Hatti. The body could not be identified and was taken to Edhi Morgue, Sohrab Goth.
Two handcuffed and bullet-riddled bodies were also found in Lucky Marriage Lawn in the Garden area, and neither could be identified. A MQM worker was gunned down by unidentified assailants at the Karachi Metrological Office, while another man was shot dead by unidentified gunmen late last night at Musa Lane in Baghdadi.