The city peace has disturbed by target killing

Targeted killings in city: MQM, ANP not involved: Malik

By Razzak Abro

KARACHI: Neither the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) nor the Awami National Party (ANP) are involved in targeted killings in Karachi, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday.

Malik was speaking at a press conference held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House soon after holding separate meetings with the officials of the Sindh government and the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh.

He supported MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s previously expressed apprehension regarding the city witnessing Talibanisation, and said a third element was behind the targeted killings.

Malik, Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah and Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza appealed to the political parties, especially the MQM and the ANP leaderships, not to accuse each other for incidents of targeted killings.

He held the government responsible for identifying the real culprits involved in the murders, and asked the media to avoid declaring all incidents as targeted killings without confirmation.

“The government will take action against the terrorists at any cost, and it does not care whether it remains in power or not,” he said.

He added that the government would pursue the terrorists even if they crossed the border, and would apprehend them by asking for Interpol’s assistance.

He said he had directed the Rangers officials to increase deployment of their personnel in most of the affected areas of the city.

All the mobile phone companies have been directed not to issue SIM cards directly to the consumers, and send them at their residential addresses after verifying their computerised national identity cards through the National Database Registration Authority, he added.

He also said information through mobile phones was acceptable as evidence in the court, and the government would reward the people who provide information or photographs in connection with the incidents of crime and terrorism.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have also expressed concern over the incidents of targeted killings in the city, he added.

He further said Gilani had assured all-out help including financial aid to combat the incidents of murders.

China has assured to provide loan on soft terms, and the government has planned to install closed-circuit television cameras on all the highways to monitor the activities of the criminals, he added.

Malik said the government was aware of the situation wherein the criminals are acquitted by the courts due to lack of evidence.

In this regard, the government is working on introducing necessary amendments in the Anti-Terrorism Act and Criminal Procedure Code, Malik added. He said the government was already working on steps to deweaponise the country and rid it of illegal arms.

He also emphasised the need to revise the policy of licensed arms.

Judicial probe of targeted killings: The Sindh CM announced conducting a judicial probe of incidents of targeted killings in the city.

He said a judicial commission would be established and given 30 days to submit its report.

He also announced a reward of Rs 5 million for those who provide video films of the recent targeted killings.

He termed “outsiders” responsible for trying to disturb the peace in the city and attempting to destabilise it.

Responding to a question, he said the Pakistan People’s Party government was in constant touch with the MQM and the ANP leaderships.