RAW TERRORISM!

As Sindh CM claims evidence of RAW’s involvement in Safoora tragedy has been found, defence minister joins in to accuse India of fomenting terrorism in Pakistan

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Sunday claimed that evidences pertaining to Indian spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW)’s involvement in terrorists activities being carried out in the country have been found by local intelligence agencies.

During a press conference in Sukkur, the Sindh chief minister said the intelligence agencies of the country have found the evidences of RAW’s involvement in terror activities, adding that  the Pakistan Army was assisting his government in Sindh in the operation launched against criminals and terrorists in the port city.

He, however, admitted shortage of weapons available for police, adding that Sindh IGP Ghulam Haider Jamali has already handed over a list of arms and ammunition needed for the operation to the army chief.

Qaim Ali Shah also expressed his annoyance over him being called “the captain” of the operation. “Armies have captains… I am chief minister,” he added.

Answering a question, the chief minister said that he would issue the policy statement over the issue of his resignation demands today (Monday) in the assembly session.

Commenting over Zimbabwe cricket team’s scheduled tour to Pakistan, he said law and order situation of Karachi was better than Lahore and international cricket should also return in the Sindh capital as well. Shah added that he has spoken with the cricket board’s chief over the issue.

Blaming Islamabad indirectly for the prevailing water crisis in Karachi and Sindh, the chief minister said that the water projects were being delayed due to non-issuance of funds by the federal government.

“We haven’t received a single penny from Islamabad for water projects, which has also affected the Sindh government’s performance.”

Moreover, Sindh CM said that criticism for the sake of criticism will not be tolerated, adding that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan should ‘mind his own province’ and answer about the lives lost in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa first.

Shah claimed that the government has completely eliminated extortion from Karachi, adding that “only one extortionist is left” and would be apprehended soon.

Regarding PPP firebrand leader Zulfiqar Mirza’s recent astonishing appearance in court, the CM said ‘there must have been somebody igniting and mentoring him’.

The chief minister had earlier defended his performance in the wake of the gruesome Safora tragedy, saying “he would have resigned if he had not delivered”‎.

MINISTER SPEAKS:

Sindh CM’s statement was endorsed by Federal Minister for Defence, Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif who said on Sunday that India was supporting terrorism in Pakistan, however he said that Pakistan wanted durable peace with its neighbours, including India.

Addressing a public meeting at Kingra village after laying the foundation stone of a project of establishing Government Girls Degree College at Bajra Garhi besides inaugurating Sialkot-Kingra Road in Pasrur, the minister said that Pakistan was well-aware about the situation and was committed to weed out terrorism from the country, adding that armed forces of Pakistan had been playing their excellent role in rooting out militancy, insurgency and terrorism from the country.

SAFOORA INCIDENT REVELATIONS:

In the meanwhile, police investigation and interrogation of eyewitnesses has revealed that eight terrorists carried out the attack on the Ismaili community bus last week which claimed 46 lives.

According to statements from two watchmen who are under police detention, two of the eight attackers wore helmets. It was previously believed that six terrorists had carried out the deadly attack on the minority community.

The watchmen further revealed that after the attack four terrorists fled towards Sohrab Goth area, while the others fled towards Madras Chowk.

The watchmen, Abdul Rehman and Abdul Sattar, were guarding nearby buildings in Safoora Chowrangi area where the gruesome attack took place on May 14.

According to police sources, the eyewitnesses have revealed in their statements that some accomplices of the attackers were also present in a vehicle parked nearby. The number of attackers may be greater than eight, sources in the police investigation team said.

Moreover, the first information report (FIR) of Karachi bus attack was registered with Sachal police on Sunday.

NISAR IN KARACHI:

In lieu of the deterioration law and order situation in Karachi, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan will have a meeting with DG Rangers at Rangers headquarters today. He would also lay floral wreath on Yadgaar-i-Shuhuda at Rangers Headquarters.

The meeting with DG Rangers will follow a detailed briefing, with Interior Minister in chair, on Safoora Chowrangi incident and law and order situation in the province especially in Karachi.

Rangers DG, Sindh chief secretary, home secretary, Sindh IG, Karachi AIG and other senior officials will attend the briefing. The minister will also meet Sindh CM and governor at CM House and Governor House respectively.

A LOOK AT THE KARACHI OPERATION:

The operation against criminal elements in Pakistan’s commercial hub was initiated back in September 2013 after the federal cabinet empowered Rangers to lead a targeted advance with the support of police against criminals already identified by federal military and civilian agencies for their alleged involvement in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi.

Days after a deadly attack on a bus of the Ismaili community that left at least 45 people dead and eight others injured, Karachi Corps Commander Lt. General Naveed Mukhtar said that the crackdown on militants in the megalopolis will continue indiscriminately till it reaches its logical conclusion.

Addressing a seminar in Karachi on Saturday, Lt Gen Mukhtar said that the city was stricken with criminal elements, ranging from smugglers to terrorist organisations while political and administrative deficiencies had exacerbated the situation. He added that security agencies were trying to purge the megalopolis of sectarianism, targeted killings, extortion and kidnappings.

“The operation will meet its logical conclusion and terrorism will be eradicated in all its forms and manifestations to ensure lasting peace and calm.”

The Corps Commander urged upon political parties to eliminate their ‘militant wings’, adding that terrorists and their facilitators will now be dealt with iron hands.

Acknowledging that KarachiPort enables 80 per cent of trade in the country, Mukhtar said terrorists had made the city their target, adding that extraordinary measures were needed to overcome the situation. He maintained that the operation has produced good results and emphasised that ‘time is strife to eliminate sectarianism