Karachi News


DAWN/The News International, KARACHI	17 October 2007, Wednesday, 4 Shawal 1428

www.karachipage.com (click on underlined key-words/dates to get more details)
City on terror alert
Arbab, PPP in row over hoardings
Kazmi withdraws kidnap case against police (more)
7 die in different incidents
Shoot-out claims bandit’s life
17-year-old shot dead
Private TV channel employee shot dead
20-day-old body found
18 drown in Gadani
Gadani tragedy devastates victims’ families
Gas pipeline blown up near Dera Bugti (more)
Waziristan calm amid talk of ceasefire (more)
Tailoring shops, music centres blown up (more)
What caused Musharraf to advise Benazir to delay return? (more)
Singh tells Bush India not yet ready for N-deal (more)
Putin, Caspian leaders warn against attack on Iran (more)

City on terror alert
KARACHI: A federal agency has informed the Karachi police that four suicide bombers have landed in Karachi to launch terrorist strikes on the day of the planned arrival of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in the metropolis, sources said on Tuesday.

Karachi police chief Azhar Ali Farooqi confirmed there is no general or political threat but a terrorist threat on the day. The sources on Tuesday claimed that a letter had been sent to the Sindh Home Department and the Sindh Police claiming that four teenage suicide bombers hailing from Waziristan have landed in Karachi for terrorist attacks which could include bomb blasts or car bomb blasts on October 18.

After receiving the information the sensitive units of the Sindh police department were ordered to be active and increase their informer network and catch the terrorists. Security was also tightened in the city on the directives of the Karachi police chief and heavy patrolling was ordered in all three zones, including checking of vehicles and sensitive places.

Regarding Benazirís security vehicles the sources added that she will be safely pouched on top of an improvised metallic object placed on a container trailer. This will protect her from any expected suicide terrorist attack.

CCPO Karachi Azhar Ali Farooqi said the security plan has been finalised and about 7,000 policemen would be deployed on the Sharea Faisal on Wednesday night. The airport security has been handed over to the Airport Security Force and the Rangers, he added.

Two zonal deputy inspectors general of police, Sain Rakhio Mirani, DIG East Zone and Javed Ali Bukhari, DIG South Zone, would oversee the procession as their areas have also been announced as affected. Furthermore, SP Bin Qasim, SP Shah Faisal, SP Gulshan Town, SP Jamshed Town, SP Saddar and SP Clifton are also part of security arrangements.

Regarding the closure of Sharea Faisal, CCPO Farooqi said that no policy as such was made but there is a likelihood which would depend on the situation. On the display of arms, he said section 144 was imposed and no one is allowed to display arms, but policemen would be armed.

CCPO Farooqi maintained that the entire security plan has been finalised with the close coordination of the Pakistan Peopleís Party leadership. Jammers and close-circuit cameras have also been installed on the main Sharea Faisal and strict surveillance is being made. About 3,000 party activists were also part of security arrangements, he added. Captain Fazal of Sindh Rangers said 3,000 troops would be deployed in the inner portion of the airport and the troops would also check the place with the help of sniffer dogs.

Arbab, PPP in row over hoardings

KARACHI, Oct 16: Directives from Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to remove hoardings and banners put up by the Pakistan People’s Party to welcome its chairperson Benazir Bhutto upon her return on October 18 seem to have gone unheard as the local administration has failed to enforce the orders, while police officials have also remained aloof claiming it was not part of their job.

The Sindh police have turned down orders from the Chief Minister’s House to take down the promotional material citing the reason that they were busy finalizing security arrangements for the former prime minister.

Sources in the police said a meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), wrapped up with a clear message to the CM’s House concerning the issue, which was the second setback to the chief minister after the city government also appeared less than enthusiastic about removing the material from its properties.

“The police, in fact, have no authority to act like a local administration,” a senior official said, citing discussions at the meeting. “The Sindh police are in the middle of planning for Oct 18, which would be a big day in terms of security measures. It demands consistency in the arrangements. We don’t have much spare time to remove such things [banners and hoardings], neither is it our job,” he added.

‘Not our jurisdiction’

The city government of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – a major coalition partner in the centre and in Sindh – has already declined to follow the CM’s directives saying the hoardings and banners he was referring to were not in its areas of administration, as these were placed mostly in the cantonment board’s jurisdiction.

Hundreds of billboards have been put up across the city with slogans welcoming Ms Bhutto’s return, as PPP workers are considerably excited ahead of their leader’s return after spending eight years in self-imposed exile to avoid corruption charges.

The twice-elected prime minister was given an amnesty by President General Pervez Musharraf earlier this month against corruption charges through the National Reconciliation Ordinance. However, the ordinance apparently hasn’t convinced the Sindh CM.

“We will not allow any threat to law and order,” said Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim. “The Supreme Court has already issued a stay order on the National Reconstruction Ordinance, while there are some cases pending against Benazir. So she will have to decide to return or not.”

He asked the local administration to remove all the banners and hoardings put up to welcome the PPP leader from all public buildings and other properties, warning of action against those who defied the government’s orders. However, different agencies have given various justifications for defying the CM’s orders.

“Actually, there is a misconception about the police,” said CCPO Azhar Ali Farooqi. “The police can only help those government agencies which are responsible for such a job if they face any resistance. But it can’t do these things on its own. It’s not the police’s job,” he reiterated.

He denied any instructions were received by the police for such action from the chief minister.

Sources in the Chief Minister’s House said Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim was set to take a round of the city late on Tuesday to check the extent of his orders’ implementation.“After that the chief minister can take a final decision against those who failed to enforce his orders,” said a source.

Police protocol

Two officers of the Sindh police have been given charge of escorting Benazir Bhutto’s cavalcade on Oct 18.

Two officers -- SP Javed Baloch currently posted at New Karachi and SP Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi, posted in the CID -- will escort the motorcade.

Sources said that representatives of the Pakistan People’s Party, who are in negotiations with the government, had requested for A.D. Khawaja to accompany Benazir, but the city police chief showed his inability to post him for the duty.

Sources said that SP Javed Baloch will lead the cavalcade while Pir Fareed Jan Sarhandi will escort the tail of the motorcade.

Kazmi withdraws kidnap case against police

KARACHI, Oct 16: Civil rights campaigner Mohammad Iqbal Kazmi has withdrawn the case against police, pertaining to the abduction of his wife. The case (FIR 312/07) was registered in Sept 2007 on a court order.

Shazia alias Sadia Kazmi, wife of Mohammad Iqbal Kazmi, on Saturday told Dawn that an application to the Sindh Home Department was submitted to withdraw the case “with a firm belief in the justice of Almighty”.

Iqbal Kazmi was arrested by Darakhshan police on June 12, 2007 for his alleged involvement in issuance of dud cheques to five different parties.

Although courts have granted him bail in all the cases, he is still behind the bars due to non-payment of surety bonds of Rs200, 000.

His wife said that the police had been taking unilateral action against them and were bent upon torturing them.

“We have also got cases registered against people for giving us bogus cheques in 2006, kidnapping me and my husband but the police officials are not taking any action and in the prevailing circumstances the only option left is to withdraw the cases and reduce the mental agony”, she said.

She, however, said that the cases against Haq Nawaz Gabol (Kazmi’s business partner), Ghazanfar and others had not been withdrawn.

It may be recalled that Iqbal Kazmi had submitted an application on Aug 9 to the court of district and sessions judge, South, Zaheeruddin S. Leghari, under Section 22-A of the Criminal Procedure Code, stating that his wife and her cousin Mohammad Imran Shehzad were coming to the Sindh High Court on Aug 1 in an auto-rickshaw when some unidentified men intercepted the vehicle and kidnapped them in a Parado from a road near the Defence Central Library situated on Sunset Boulevard.

The kidnappers, he alleged, had tortured and injured them with a sharp-edged weapon and later dropped them in Sea view area. He said that the Station House Officer of Defence police station had refused to register a case against the unknown culprits.The court on Aug 11 summoned the SHO but he submitted a written explanation in his defence stating that Shazia alias Sadia Kazmi and Imran Shehzad, son of Mohammad Islam, came to the police station on Aug 1 and said they wanted to go to hospital for treatment.

The duty officer referred them to the Jinnah Hospital with a police letter for medical examination and treatment. After that none of them came to the police station to formally lodge a report.

In their arguments, Iqbal Kazmi and his wife said that the police statement was false, adding that the police officials had simply refused to register the case.

According to the couple, both Sadia Kazmi and Mohammad Imran Shehzad had visited the police station on Aug 1, 2 and 8, but the police officials did not pay any heed to their requests.

The court after hearing the arguments had directed the SHO to register a case according to the applicant’s statement.

Mr Kazmi had submitted a contempt application to the court on Sept 16 under Section 204 of the constitution, contempt Act 1976 stating that the SHO was not complying with a court order to register a case against Sindh Home Adviser Waseem Akhtar, DSP Zahid Hussain Shah, SI Munir Chandio and Hanif Memon for their alleged involvement in the abduction and torture of his wife and her cousin.

The SHO was again summoned to the court on Aug 18. In his written statement, the SHO submitted that he was ready to register a case according to the statement of Shazia alias Sadia Kazmi.

After hearing the arguments and recording statement of the SHO the court had rejected the contempt application on Aug 28, submitted against the SHO and directed him to register a case according to the statement of the complainant Shazia.

Mr Kazmi had submitted another application to the court on Aug 29 stating that following the court’s order his wife went to the Defence police station for the registration of a case but SHO Asif on gunpoint forced her to sign three different papers and refused to include the name of Waseem Akhtar in the FIR.

He alleged that instead of providing a copy, the SHO only gave the reference number of the FIR i.e. 312/07. Mr Kazmi had pleaded for the registration of case against the SHO for allegedly threatening his wife. After hearing arguments and submission of affidavit by the SHO to court, the judge had disposed of the petition on Sept 16.Mr Kazmi has also submitted an application for the withdrawal of his petition in the Sindh High Court against MQM chief Altaf Hussain, Sindh CM Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim and Adviser to the Sindh CM on Home Affairs Waseem Akhtar.

The petition was filed against them under Article 6 (of high treason) for their alleged involvement in the May 12 mayhem.

7 die in different incidents

Several persons including a minor girl died in various incidents that occurred on Tuesday. Five days old tortured dead body of Mohammed Jawad, 25, was found from Shah Latif police limits. An unidentified six year old girl died when the car ATD-590 she was traveling in turn turtled due to over speeding on the Super Highway An unidentified 22 year old stabbed dead body was found in Rehri Goth. An oil tanker overturned on the Coastal Highway due to which two persons Safdar and Aslam died. A watchman Inaam was shot dead in Jackson police limits.

Shoot-out claims bandit’s life

An alleged bandit was killed in a police encounter on Tuesday. As per details, four armed men riding a motorcycle intercepted Irfan Mehboob in Garden East in Jamshed Quarter police jurisdiction, while he was going in his car. The armed men at gunpoint snatched his cash and mobile phone. In the meantime, two policemen of Jamshed Quarter police station reached the spot and challenged the robbers. At this, the armed men opened fire upon the policemen and tried to escape. The police retaliated and as a result, one of the dacoits was killed, while his three accomplices managed to flee from the scene. The bandit was identified as Rana Nadeem, 26. The police claimed that they recovered a TT pistol and looted valuables from the deceased bandit.

17-year-old shot dead

A student was shot dead in Saeedabad police limits on Eid-ul-Fitr. Mohammed Umair, 17, was shot dead by unidentified men outside his house in Saeedabad. The police said that the deceased was standing outside his house on Eid day when unidentified armed motorcycle riders came and sprayed him with bullets. The family stated that they had no enmity with anyone and were not sure that who killed their son. The deceased was studying in a Madrassa situated in the vicinity. A case was registered at the police station on complaint of deceased’s brother Mohammed Tayyab. The police maintained that some of the deceased’s family members belong to the banned religious outfit. Further probe is underway.

Private TV channel employee shot dead

A private TV channel employee Azar Abbas, 28, was shot dead in Kalakot police jurisdiction by unidentified armed riders. Abbas was coming towards his house situated in Bihar Colony in a rickshaw on Sheedi Village Road. The passers-by informed the police which reached the spot.

The police said that the deceased’s uncle Zahid Abbas Haideri who was an Engineer in the Water Board, while giving details informed the police that the deceased was working with a private TV channel and came to Karachi from Islamabad to celebrate Eid with the family members and after a month was to get married.

On the day of Eid at about 8am deceased Abbas informed him that he was going to NIPA area to meet his friends and at about 1.30pm he called his mother and informed her that he had taken his lunch and was coming home. But suddenly they were informed at about 2.30pm his dead body was found from Kalakot police jurisdiction.

He further stated that after a few weeks of Eid his nephew got married to a girl who he loved from the time of his college days. However, he had no enmity with anyone. A case was lodged at the police station. The police said that the criminals shot one bullet which hit his stomach and it seemed that he was shot and killed over resistance with dacoits. It was stated that the rickshaw driver also seemed to be involved in the offence as the passers-by said that they after killing him they threw his body and fled with the rickshaw driver. However they had impounded the rickshaw and called the owner of the rickshaw for verification and soon the case was disclosed. However, further probe is underway.

In another incident Abdul Rahim was stabbed to death by unidentified men in Lyari. The deceased was residing in Zainab Manzil and went out for shopping on Chand Raat and did not return. The next day his dead body was found near his house. The deceased left behind a widow and three children. A case was lodged and interrogation is underway.

20-day-old body found

A twenty-day-old body was recovered in Mominabad on Eid Day.

A decomposed body of an unidentified 20-year-old man packed in a gunny bag was found in a Nullah near Orangi Town Sector 4/F within Mominabad police area. The victim was blindfolded and his hands and legs were tied with a piece of rope.

The MLO Abbasi Shaheed Hospital said that the body of deceased was at least 20 days old and the cause of death could not be known.

The police said that unidentified people first kidnapped the deceased and after killing him they threw his body in their police limits.

Meanwhile, another decomposed body of an unidentified 17-year-old boy was found in the bushes in Khuda Ki Basti within Surjani Town police vicinity.

The MLO Abbasi Shaheed Hospital said that the body of deceased was at least three days old.

Two commit suicide: Two people committed suicide in different areas on Eid Day.

Kashif, 17, son of Sultan, shot himself to death with his father’s pistol over a dispute with his family members near New Lyari Express Way Colony within Surjani Town police precincts.

The police said that the cause of the death could not be ascertained.

Meanwhile, an unidentified 28-year-old man ended his life by jumping from the Shaheed-e-Millat Bridge in Baloch Colony police jurisdiction.

The police said that the cause of the death could not be known.

18 drown in Gadani

Karachi: The occasion of Eid brought gloom and disaster for the families of Gadani victims who, though young, also happened to be the source of financial support for their families. A total of 33 people had gone to the Gadani Beach on the second day of Eid, out of which 18 lost their lives in a tragedy that assumed tragic proportions on an occasion that was meant to be joyous.

Gadani tragedy devastates victims’ families

The occasion of Eid brought gloom and disaster for the families of Gadani victims who, though young, also happened to be the financial support for their families. A total of 33 people had gone to the Gadani Beach on the second day of Eid, out of which 18 drowned in a tragedy that assumed tragic proportions on an occasion that was meant to be joyous.

Ejaz Ahmed, a relative of one of the deceased, claimed that fishermen have dredged the beach to anchor their boats, which has created a dangerous slope. Unaware of this fact the ill-fated boys trapped in the slope and were soon engulfed by violent waves.

Despite being young most of the victims used to work to support their families.

One of the victims Mohammad Zubair, 17, was a Matric student and had been helping

his elder brother Hanif, 20, in running a small electrical appliances repairing shop at Dhobi Gath.

The deceased has three elder sisters and his parents remained unconscious since the arrival of his corpse. Jamil, a laundry man, was also among the depressed parents who lost his 16-year-old son Mohammad Adnan in the incident. Adnan was studying in seventh class.

Jamil is now left with only one son and a daughter. One of his sons had earlier expired due to serious illness few years ago and his remaining infant son is said to be mentally handicapped.

Waqas, 15, one of the survivors, said that they had been screaming for help but no one came to their rescue.

Another victim Naeem, 17, was a student of class seven and after his studies he used to go to his father’s laundry shop in Liaquatabad. Naeem’s body was recovered late night along with Adnan, who was also his cousin.

Imran, 15, another survivor, said that some fishermen saved the lives of few drowning people by throwing a rope which came into the grip of a few lucky drowning picnickers.

The body of Harris (17) s/o Mohammad Javed was sent to Dastagir for funeral. He had worked in double shifts during Ramazan and recently joined as salesman to lift the living standard of his family.

Faisal, 19, another victim, used to work hard along with his two elder sisters to earn livelihood for the entire family. His elder brother is a patient of epilepsy and his father Ashraf used to sell homemade chutney on bicycle.

Both the families of Harris and Faisal are said to have been devastated following their deaths.

Sheroz, 12, s/o Mohammad Shafi was the youngest victim and he was a student of fourth class. He used to work at a decoration shop with his elder brother. His father is out of the country for work and could not return to attend the funeral.

The Namaz-e-Janza of Faisal and Sheroz was offered after Zohr prayers and they were laid to rest in Sakhi Hasan graveyard.

Gas pipeline blown up near Dera Bugti

QUETTA, Oct 16: Supply of gas to the main Sui purification plant from the Pir Koh gas field was disrupted when militants blew up another gas pipeline on Tuesday.

Police sources, confirming the incident, said the militants had planted explosive device under the 18-inch-diameter pipeline supplying gas to the main purification plant from Pir Koh gas field near Dera Bugti.

After the blast, the pipeline caught fire which was brought under control by suspending gas supply from Pir Koh.

However, the PPL sources claimed that despite reduction in gas supply from Pir Koh the plant was working smoothly and gas supply was not suspended to any area of Punjab and Sindh.

It may be pointed out that the people in Quetta have been facing decline in gas pressure for about a week.

The SSGC sources said that repair work was under way on the two damaged portions of gas pipeline of 24-inch and

18-inch diameter and affected portions were likely to be repaired in next twenty four hours.

The shadowy Baloch Liberation Army had claimed responsibility for blowing up gas pipelines in Dera Bugti.

Waziristan calm amid talk of ceasefire

MIRAMSHAH, Oct 16: The government on Tuesday said it was considering a ‘request’ by militants to cease fire and negotiate an agreement to restore peace in the Mirali sub-district after days of bloody clashes with security forces left over 200 people dead and many more wounded.