The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday gave a strike call to protest against the killing and abduction of Mohajirs in Karachi.
Sources told Pakistan Today that according to the MQM’s schedule, it was supposed to announce joining the government, but changed its plans at the last moment as “some issue between the PPP and the MQM remain unresolved”.
Addressing a press conference at Nine Zero, MQM Coordination Committee Deputy Convener Dr Farooq Sattar announced “a peaceful general strike” to protest against the killing of Mohajirs.
“We are appealing to the people of Pakistan to observe August 23 as a peaceful protest to mourn and condemn the killings of Mohajirs in the city of Karachi by the People’s Amn Committee. People will wear black armbands. Traders, businessmen, transporters are requested to keep their businesses closed.”
Sattar said over a 100 people were killed or abducted in Karachi in the past three months. “Mohajirs have been made target of genocide. It is not hidden anymore who is behind the killings and kidnapping of Mohajirs.
It is clear that Mohajirs were tortured and killed in torture camps in Lyari. Some influential people in the PPP are supporting the People’s Amn Committee Lyari. They are patronising these terrorists. Gang war and extortionists of Lyari are involved in the kidnappings. We appealed and demanded action against the terrorists of Lyari but it was ignored.”
He said pressure on the MQM by the people of Karachi had intensified as they demanded us to take action against the worsening situation. “Therefore as a first step, we are announcing a peaceful general strike,” Sattar said.
He said if the demands of the MQM were not accepted in the best interests of Karachi and its people, any step could be taken within the law and constitution of Pakistan.
He said bloodthirsty terrorists not only subjected the Mohajirs to cruel bodily torture but also cut off their heads. Bodies of some were cut into pieces and stuffed in gunny sacks.
Their recovery from Lyari speaks volumes of the people involved in the abduction and killing of the Mohajirs.
