Despite the deployment of 1,000 Frontier Corps (FC) personnel and additional Rangers and police contingents, Karachi remained in the death-grip of political and ethnic violence on Friday with at least another 29 people killed and several more injured in shootouts in various areas of the city.
The law and order situation in Karachi compelled citizens to stay indoors to avoid a wave of violence that has claimed more than 102 lives in the last four days and paralysed routine life. The situation worsened to the point in some areas that people were short of food but were too frightened to go out to buy groceries, and the ones that could found the city shuttered down completely following Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)’s call for a strike to mourn the victims of the violence. Adherence to the strike call was also echoed in other parts of Sindh, with Hyderabad, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas similarly deserted.
The Sindh government appointed Manzoor Wasan the provincial home minister, a private TV channel reported, as the Centre ordered 1,000 extra paramilitary troops to deploy in Karachi with instructions to shoot-to-kill, with the streets of Karachi painting the picture of a ghost town as even public transporters kept their buses off the roads for fear of losing them to vandalism. PPP leader Dr Zulfiqar Mirza was likely to be appointed the provincial works and services minister, sources said. At least 29 people fell prey to targeted killings in the provincial capital and 32 people received bullet wounds in various parts of the city.
TALIBAN PRESENT
Interior Minister Rehman Malik claimed that security forces had arrested 173 suspects over the killings and killed two assailants in an encounter while conducting an operation. Malik said police, Rangers and FC would conduct targeted operations in the city and no media coverage would be allowed, the private TV channel reported.
The minister told reporters after a meeting at the National Crisis Management Cell that control of troubled areas of the city would be handed over to police, Rangers and FC and they would take action in their respective areas. He said additional forces could be called from other provinces if needed. Citing intelligence reports, Malik said Taliban were present in Katti Pahari and other areas of the city. He said political parties would be called to the Chief Minister’s House in a few days for a meeting.
SHOOT-ON-SIGHT AND AMNESTY
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said the government had ordered security forces to “shoot-on-sight” armed men involved in the attacks. But Amnesty International said the “shoot on sight” policy had effectively declared Karachi “a war zone” and sent the message that government security forces were “above the law”.
All petrol and CNG filling stations in the city were shut down for fear of falling prey to armed miscreants prowling the city. Taking full advantage of the situation, taxis and rickshaws – the only means of transportation left available to the residents of the embattled city – were seen grossly overcharging customers.
Aside from the areas worst hit by the ongoing spate of violence, the presence of police and Rangers contingents and pickets was thin throughout the city, which increased the sense of insecurity among citizens. Areas such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, Empress Market, Lines Area, Stadium Road, Jamshed Road, University Road and Nagan Chowrangi were insufficiently protected. All markets and commercial grounds where weekly “bachat bazaars” are organised were also deserted.
As the security situation in the city deteriorated rapidly, the MQM and ANP accused each other of involvement in the killing of innocent citizens. The MQM appealed to the people to express solidarity with the families of the victims. The party also cancelled a planned rally from Karachi Press Club to Chief Minister’s House because of the alarming security situation. The private TV channel reported that the national exchequer was losing Rs 10 billion per day because of the halt of business activities in Karachi.
Karachi mourns 29 more
