Has due diligence been done in investigating the allegation?
The MQM has long been accused of encouraging extortionists and killers. Despite the accusations none of the charges have so far been proved in a court of law. This time a report submitted by a Rangers official in Sindh High Court maintains that the party was behind the fire incident that claimed the lives of at least 258 garment factory workers in Karachi in 2012. It is not for the first time that a Joint Investigation Team has levelled a sensational charge against the party. Two years back, another JIT had accused Ajmal Pahari, an alleged MQM activist, of involvement in no less than 111 murders. The court however had thrown out the case for lack of proof. Any major charge that the agencies make without actionable evidence provides the MQM an opportunity to portray itself as a victim and accuse the establishment of being prejudiced against the Mohajir community.
The biggest weakness in the JIT case is that it is based on the evidence of a single witness named Rizwan Qureshi. No cross-checking of his confessional statement seems to have been done before taking the case to the court. Why didn’t the agency which arrested the man interrogate MQM’s former sector in-charge? Why didn’t it question the unnamed top MQM office bearer allegedly behind the demand for Rs200 million from the factory owner? The negligence is a reflection on the efficiency of the agencies which have failed to produce a comprehensive report after nearly three years of the tragedy?
The MQM which had parted company with the PPP amidst an acrimonious debate was trying to build an alliance against the Sindh government. As the latest developments indicate the case has made it easier for the PPP to bring MQM back to the fold on the PPP’s terms. In case the agencies fail to prove the case after three years of investigation, they would have to answer a number of uneasy questions.
Pakistan represents a labyrinth in which the whole nation is stuck. In such situations when there is no exit in sight and there are more than half a dozen activists share holders all vying for "iqtedar", rivalries are commonplace. Lust for power started by Maulana Maudoodi, whose ideology even infiltrated in the Army. His JI legacy is still considered as biggest pseudo-religious-cum-political party. Religion of Islam lies stuck in its past with little relevance with our modern age, though its valid for all ages till the sun rises from the West. Next comes the politicos. They are worse in comparison to the clergy in that democracy didn't come with and for us accompanying independence. It is still a distant dream. Army lacked a direction with independence and it still does. Judiciary is mired in muck at its bottom line with witnesses that can be bought and manipulated with few coins. Business and industry is a fertile turn for thuggery. Just imagine to find hundreds of industries with political patronage and liberal bank lones; however; without its expertise and soon filed and bank loans over a billion written off. Police corruption and incompetence beats politics, And people by and large are quite oblivious with God and His Book that He had endowed to us as a great "heritage." Everyone seems expecting a "Khooni Inqalab" least aware of its impact on the whole country. Let us divert our attention to the issue at hand the saddest tragedy of fir in a factory that consumed a large number of lives that were burnt alive in it. It is a clear case of extortion and the scourge of extortion is in full cry. One political party has earned its notoriety from its inception. Notwithstanding who might be the culprit political party, the focus needs to be set on two elements. First is the families of the dead in the factory. They needed relief which is still denied them. The other is the culprit who set the factory on fire. Those who get Scott free in their crimes had better come forward and admit gulty and get the punishment including death sentence. They should be inspired to repent to God and seek His forgiveness before dearh. That might save them from eternal abode i the fire of Hell. One wonders if this was taught to the criminals in the past. Let us start this ritual from now on. I will come back with a road map and a blue print for a radical silent change but this might shame all culprits and scoundrels in society and hunted out of our society.
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