34 replies to this topic

[saint]

More Than 300 People Die in 2 Pakistan Fires

By SALMAN MASOOD
Published: September 12, 2012

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Over 300 people were killed when fires engulfed two factories in two major cities, renewing concerns about lax building safety measures and dismal working conditions for factory workers in Pakistan.


The fires broke out Tuesday evening and swept through a shoe factory in the eastern city of Lahore and a garment factory in the southern port city of Karachi.

The fire in Karachi killed at least 289 people, according to government officials and rescue workers, who were still trying to retrieve bodies from the charred building on Wednesday.

“The death toll is expected to rise,” said Roshan Ali Sheikh, the commissioner of Karachi. “The building has developed cracks and can collapse any time.” Dozens of bodies were still believed to be trapped in the building, local media reported.

About 1,500 people worked in the factory on the outskirts of Karachi, the commercial and economic hub of the country.

Officials said panicked workers were trapped inside the multistory building, which had just one exit. All the other doors had been locked, a common practice to ensure that workers do not leave the premises before their shift ends.

The windows of the building were also blocked by metal grills. Many survivors suffered third-degree burns, rescue workers said.

“Workers, who were in the basement, died due to suffocation. All exit ways were closed,” Ehtisham-ud-din, the chief fire officer of Karachi, told reporters.

Officials said that the Tuesday evening fire at a Lahore shoe factory killed 25 people and that forensic examination showed that the fire was caused by a generator that caught fire and ignited chemicals stored nearby.

Muhammad Amjad, a witness who works at a nearby factory, said the fire suddenly erupted from the generator that was at the entrance of the building. “The door caught fire, and there was no way to come out,” he said. “It was just like an inferno all of sudden,” Mr. Amjad said. “Many people from the neighborhood tried to break the back wall of the building to help those trapped inside to get out.”

Most of the dead were believed to be young workers, men and women, between 18 and 25 years old.

Officials said the shoe factory was set up illegally and made to look like a residential house from the outside.

Omar R. Quraishi, the opinion page editor of the English daily The Express Tribune, based in Karachi, said he expected more accidents because governments and civic bodies had repeatedly failed to enforce building laws and maintenance checks.

“The startling lack of safety is quite a norm,” Mr. Quraishi said. “Builder mafias have taken over, and government officials have proved lacking in keeping a vigilant eye on illegalities and violations of all sorts.”

Waqar Gillani contributed reporting from Lahore.

[saint]

Tragic pictures

http://www.nytimes.c...3-PAKISTAN.html

[nuclearpak]

Another example of gorrific working conditions, and non-existent safety precautions in this part of the world.

Basement has still not been searched till now, fear of collapse. Danger that the most people are in basement trapped.

Cause reported to be a generator explosion, soon after the electricity went.

[seacad]

Inna Lilah Wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioon. Unbelievably tragic

[KudosBot]

Inna Lilah Wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioon..... May all the people have a place in jannah inshallah...




BREAKING>>>>>>> OWNER HAS FLED THE COUNTRY.... Wouldnt be surprised if he is linked to the government

[Felicius]

Lack of fire exits, minister for Labour should resign; he failed to implement the law and penalize factory owners before the mishap.
Local fire department fire chief needs to resign as well, why didn't he survey the factory, that was his job that he failed to do.

Edited by Shehz, 12 September 2012 - 02:51 PM.

[KudosBot]

Trust me owner has links with gov n nothing will happen....

[KudosBot]

Karachi Factory Fire- Worst Inferno of decades


September 11, 2012 proved to be a devastating day for Karachites as horrendous fire engulfed a garment factory located in Baldia Town.

The ruthless fire claimed 289 precious lives so far while death toll may rise as some of the wounded may succumb to their injuries.

Quite a few workers of the factory were injured as they jumped out of windows of the four-storey building in a bid to save their lives.

Earlier the same day at least 25 died in Lahore Band Road shoe factory fire incident.

It has been the worst inferno that the city has witnessed in decades probably that’s why being called 9/11 of Karachi too.

According to media reports more than 1,000 workers were present in the factory at the time of the fire. One report state that it was pay day for the laborers and all the four gates of the building were closed to prevent theft. Apparently all the emergency exits (if there were any as some media reports suggest they were not at all present) were also closed.

The cause of the incident is still not well known but as per the statement of production incharge of the factory, who managed to escape soon after the fire erupted, fire broke out at approximately 6:30PM when there was a blast in generator. It took few hours to spread throughout the building but sadly it did not let hundreds of workers to take breath again.

There are speculations that Shahid Bhaila, the owner of the factory, was under extortion threats and it could be sabotage.

Whatever the reason was, hundreds perish today who were the sole bread earners of their families. A Street of Orangi Town had 17 funerals at a time, a family lost its 6 members and a brother jumped into the fire to save his sisters & lost his life too. There were hundreds of grieved families still searching for their loved ones in hospital mortuary and there will be hundreds of Funerals in Karachi today.

Truly a black day in Karachi as the city is mourning not only for the loss of hundreds of lives but also for the criminal negligence of authorities.

An inquiry has been ordered by Sindh Industry and Commerce Minister Rauf Siddiqui while according to Roshan Shiekh, commissioner Karachi an investigation report of the incident would be completed within three days. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has also directed IG Sindh to investigate the incident and include the name of factory’s owner in the Exit Control List.

Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah has announced Rs500,000 compensation for the families of the victims and Rs200,000 to those who were injured.The Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court (SHC) Mushir Alam has taken notice of the issue while Justice (retired) Zahid Qurban Alvi has also been appointed to investigate.

Fire Alrams, emergency exits, workplace safety, Fire safety drill; all of these terms are still not implemented in factories of Pakistan. Whoever is responsible for this negligence should be penalized rather than blaming only the owner of the factory.

[KudosBot]

Fire incident:PTI demands judicial probe


KARACHI: The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) also announced three days of mourning on the national tragedy.



PTI Chairman Imran Khan, Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, President Javed Hashmi, Secretary General Dr Arif Alvi and Information Secretary Shafqat Mahmood expressed their condolences with the families of the unfortunate victims of the incident in Karachi.



The fire that killed over 300 and injured many others was disastrous and of enormous proportions, and it needed to be seriously investigated, they said.



The PTI leaders showed concerns over the presence of unsafe factory conditions and lack of planned emergency exits.



They said the Sindh government should be taken to task for being ignorant of the unsafe working environment in factories, an FIR registered against the owners and their properties confiscated to compensate the victim families, and the authorities be held accountable.



The injured must be provided immediate and adequate medical assistance to avoid any further loss of life, the party demanded.



The PTI chairman expressed shock and grief over the tragedy. He also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured.



Javed Hashmi, expressing grief over the tragic incident, held the Sindh labour department, the city government and civil defence responsible for the incident. He said that despite collecting taxes, the authorities did not provide protection to labourers.



Addressing a meeting of workers of the party on Wednesday here, Hashmi demanded that a judicial inquiry be constituted to investigate the cause of the fire and those involved given exemplary punishment.



ANP expresses sorrow



Leaders of Awami National Party (ANP) also expressed deep sorrow over the tragic fire incident.



ANP leader Asfandar Yar Wali and Senator Shahi Syed in their statements demanded a high-level inquiry and punishment for those responsible so that such incidents did not happen again anywhere in Pakistan.



Former provincial labour minister Amir Nawab Khan along with other leaders of the ANP Sindh visited the factory on Wednesday. The ANP asked its workers to offer Fateha and recite the Holy Quran for the victims of fires in Karachi and Lahore.

[Pak-Son]

Inna lillahi wa inna elaihi rajeoon. Who is responsible for this? Everyone is pointing the finger at each other and no one is claiming responsibility for this tragic incident. No one is hearing the voices of the poor people who lost their loved ones. I feel so sorry for them. Humari qaum itni bebass hogai hai. People are getting killed on daily bases and these shameless politicians are debating on TV channels on how much sacrifices they gave to implement democracy. Shame on you.

[KudosBot]

Malik Riaz announces cash aid for fire victims

Lahore: Real estate tycoon Malik Riaz Hussain has announced cash assistance of Rs 200,000 for the family members of those killed in the factory fires in Karachi and Lahore and Rs 100,000 for the injured.

In what are apparently the worst industrial fires of the country’s history, more than 300 people have lost their lives and dozens suffered burn injuries.

The fires have raised questions about the safety standards in factories and highlighted the need for proper fire exits and on-premises firefighting equipment.

The aid announced by Riaz would be given to the victims of both the Lahore and Karachi fires. pr


http://www.dailytime...y_13-9-2012_pg7_13

[Felicius]

Trust me owner has links with gov n nothing will happen....

Do you know the owners?

[Felicius]

http://dawn.com/2012...factory-owners/

“We will prove ourselves not guilty,” say Baldia factory owners


An image of the factory that was struck by fire – Photo by AFP

LARKANA: The owners of the fire-struck garment factory in Karachi’s Baldia Town, Shahid Bhaila and Rashid Bhaila claimed they got the bail from SHC in order to record their statements before the concerned authorities investigating the horrific incident.

” We want to be part of the investigation … we will prove ourselves not guilty, ” they added.
Talking to media representatives in Larkana, the owners alleged that despite their repeated calls to concerned authorities the fire brigade reached the site nearly 90 minutes late when entire factory was engulfed by the terrible flames.

They refused the allegation that the doors of the factory were locked.
Bhalia brothers revealed that they were present at the site till late at night but were threatened by somebody to leave the site adding they avoided to reveal the names of those persons.

They said that they were equally shocked over the sad incident and would not leave the families of fire victims alone in their grief and trouble.
Earlier, the SHC on Friday granted interim bail to the owners of the factory.

[Caesar]

This is shameful and pathetic ..... this is a perfect example of SLAVE Labour in Pakistan. Even the chicken farms in the West have 100 times better Safety and OHSE requirments.

Once again this country is in such a pathetic condition due to these swine generals and these shameless animals occupying the government and the helm of various businesses.

The entire country needs cleansing from these swines and animals.

[KudosBot]

British firm diverts export order to Dhaka in protest against factory tragedy


KARACHI: A British firm has diverted millions of dollars worth of export order of garments from Pakistan to Bangladesh on Saturday in protest of Karachi factory’s fire incident that took the lives of nearly 300 workers this week, reported a participant at the Jang Forum.



“A British woman, who had travelled all the way from UK to Pakistan to place an export order of garments worth millions of dollars, left the country without doing so in protest of the Karachi tragedy,” said Muhammad Javed, who is a social worker and a former politician from Peshawar.



He said that she had travelled to Dhaka, Bangladesh to place the same order after she received a phone call from her principal officer from the UK. “She had a scheduled flight to Dhaka at 4pm today,” he added.



Two speakers at the forum – Ahsanullah Khan, chairman of Workers Employers Bilateral Council of Pakistan and Engineer MA Jabbar, former chairman of SITE Association – were of the opinion that Pakistan could see more cancellation of exports’ orders, especially in the garment sector.



“The country may continue to face problems in receiving exports order till the owners of the factory and responsible officials do not clarify the situation,” said Khan.



Speakers reiterated that all the required laws for health and safety of workers at factories were available but there was great need to implement them.



Jabbar said that it’s common practice to see factory owners fail to implement health and safety measure for workers. He added that there were some measures only on papers to acquire exporters’ certificates but they were not implemented in letter and spirit.



He also admitted that factories running illegally avoided factory inspections and bribed concerned officials. “There are as many as 29 inspection agencies for checking health and safety measures at manufacturing units in the country but the cost factor keeps factory owners escaping such inspections,” he said.



A participant, who works at a firm located at the Karachi Export Processing Zone, reported that his factory dealt in flammable chemicals and made exports to Africa. He revealed that his firm itself had issued health and safety assurance letters to its importing firms against some bribe to the concerned officials.



CL Nankani, former joint director of labour, health and safety department, said that the penalty of non-compliance of health and safety laws provided in the Factory Act of 1934 remained unchanged at Rs500 for owners.



He suggested reviewing the penalty provision in the law.



Another participant at the forum observed that the concerned officials have not yet ordered initiating a survey to check work standards for employees of other factories in the country nor was any other factory closed for the same problems.



Another participant suggested registering the affected family under the Benazir Income Support Program, saying that many of the families had lost their bread earners.



He further said that trade unions just talked about raise in pay and issuance of bonuses to workers but they seldom highlighted issues related to workers’ health and safety.

[seacad]

This is shameful and pathetic ..... this is a perfect example of SLAVE Labour in Pakistan. Even the chicken farms in the West have 100 times better Safety and OHSE requirments.

Once again this country is in such a pathetic condition due to these swine generals and these shameless animals occupying the government and the helm of various businesses.

The entire country needs cleansing from these swines and animals.

Its not just the leaders, its the disregard for any value of human life by even certain commoners.

Apparantley the latest news is that the owner was in England, and his son was running things in this factory. When the fire broke out the b@$tard told the security guards to lock that one fire exit as he didnt want ppl running away with stolen goods.

[KudosBot]

Thank You MOFO Zardari.... Since this govt has been in power all we have had is tragedy after tragedy....

[KudosBot]

Seacad, There are 3 owners of the factory....

[Felicius]

^ 3 were managing the factory, owners were quite a few.
I think seacad is talking about the Lahore factory? Karachi factory was the case of revenge, to incite loss to the owners. Little did they realize that they murdered over 200 people in their vendetta game.

Edited by Shehz, 19 September 2012 - 05:28 PM.

[Felicius]

http://dawn.com/2012...o-the-tribunal/

Karachi fire factory owners recorded their statements to the tribunal

KARACHI: Owners of the factory, destroyed in a devastating fire in Karachi which left over 250 workers dead, Arshad Bhaila and Shahid Bhaila recorded their statements on Monday to the tribunal formed to investigate the incident, DawnNews reported.

Earlier on Sept 13, Police in Karachi have registered a murder case against the owners of a garment factory.
At least 258 workers perished in the horrific fire that destroyed the garment factory in Karachi, an unprecedented industrial tragedy that prompted calls for an overhaul of poor safety standards.

The attorney of the factory owners claimed that the police had the footage of 36 CCTV cameras. Adding that, the footage should be presented to the tribunal as evidence.

The owners said that the doors of the factory were not closed. They said that despite many calls to the fire department, the fire fighters reached the factory after an hour of the incident.

“The Police, who reached the factory after 20 minutes of the fire, also tried calling the fire engines,” the brothers claimed.
The owners also claimed that during the fire-fighting and rescue operation by the fire department, the water in their reserves was finished and the rescue operation was halted for sometime.

Shahid Bhaila said that he himself went to the SITE fire station, where he was told that water in there was no water in their reserves and it has been called off from Sakhi Hassan station.

Chief of the tribunal Justice retired Qurban Alvi was recording the statement.
Replying to a question of Justice Alvi, Shahid Bhaila said that his factory’s human resource was outsourced to contractors so he was not aware if salaries were being given to the labourers on that day.

The brothers told the tribunal that their factory had an international certificate which said that their factory abided all the international standards to operate.

[MoThSmOkE]

Heard something similar to Shehz.

A case of revenge or non-payment of bhatta.

[HAROON RASOOL]

MQM disowns Baldia factory arson accused

February 07, 2015 - Updated 1910 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: The Rabitta Committee of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) on Saturday said it had no links with Rizwan Qureshi – the accused in the Baldia Town factory fire tragedy.

The statement of the Rabitta Committee emphasised the MQM had zero-tolerance for extortionists and other criminals. The party also appealed to the media to stop referring to Rizwan Qureshi as a member of the MQM.

On Friday, the report of the joint investigation team (JIT) pertaining to the fire was submitted in the Sindh High Court along with the statement of a Rangers official according to which the information was disclosed by an alleged MQM worker Rizwan Qureshi.

The report stated that Rangers had recently arrested a prime suspect who confessed to setting the factory on fire intentionally along with a group of miscreants.

Termed as the worst fire in Pakistan’s history, at least 250 employees were killed in Baldia Town factory which burnt down in 2012.

 

http://www.thenews.c...y-arson-accused

[HAROON RASOOL]

Group of miscreants set fire to Baldia Town factory: report

February 06, 2015 - Updated 1220 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: The Baldia factory fire which consumed over 250 lives was a result of the owners not paying extortion demanded by a certain political faction, according to the Joint Investigation Report (JIT).

The report submitted by Sindh Rangers on Friday during the hearing of the Baldia Town factory fire case revealed, that the fire was intentionally caused by miscreants.

According to the report, the Rangers recently arrested a prime suspect who confessed to setting the factory on fire along with a group of miscreants intentionally.

A two member bench headed by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar of the Sindh High Court heard the case.

According to the Rangers Law Officer, further interrogations are being carried out with the prime suspect in custody.

The case was adjourned for one week.

More than 250 employees were charred to death following the eruption of fire into the Baldia Town factory in 2012, dubbed as the worst fire incident in Pakistan's history.

 

http://www.thenews.c...actory:-report-

[HAROON RASOOL]

Baldia factory door was shut from outside: Rauf Siddiqi

February 07, 2015 - Updated 30 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: Former provincial minister Rauf Siddiqi says that exit door had been shut from the outside when the Baldia Town factory burnt down in 2012, claiming the lives of over 250 employees.

According to a Joint Investigation Report (JIT), the factory fire – dubbed the worst fire incident in Pakistan's history – was the result of the owners not paying extortion demanded by a certain political faction.

Then-provincial minister Siddiqi says that there was no negligence on the part of any institution or department in the incident.

Speaking to Geo News on Saturday, he said that he had reached the location as soon as he heard news of the fire.

“I got the FIR of the incident registered with the police and ordered immediate investigation,” he said.

“The doors of the factory were shut from the outside,” he added.

Siddiqi said that he had tendered his resignation following the tragic incident to ensure that families of the victims received their rightful compensation.

"On the third day when I saw that these poor families might not even get compensation, i resigned in protest so that they may get what is their right," said Siddiqi.

The former minister said that there were no reports of extortion from the area where the incident happened.

According to the JIT report, Rangers recently arrested a prime suspect who confessed to setting the factory on fire intentionally along with a group of miscreants.

A two-member bench headed by Chief Justice Maqbool Baqar of the Sindh High Court heard the case on Friday.

According to the Rangers Law Officer, further interrogations are being carried out with the prime suspect in custody.

The case has been adjourned for one week.
 

http://www.thenews.c...e:-Rauf-Siddiqi

[HAROON RASOOL]

There must be an end to mafia politics, armed wings: Imran Khan

February 07, 2015 - Updated 1255 PKT
From Web Edition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Saturday said that the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) report regarding the Baldia Town incident has come as a shock to him.

In a message posted on his official twitter account, he expressed concerns over the involvement of a certain political faction which is being blamed for the accident according to the report. The PTI chief said, “There must be an end to mafia politics and armed wings of political parties.”

He added, “Our ruling elite has complete disregard for lives of ordinary citizens.”

Khan further tweeted that the killing of 258 labourers by setting the Balida factory on fire was utterly inhumane.

The report submitted by Sindh Rangers on Friday during the hearing of the Baldia Town factory fire case revealed, that the fire was intentionally caused by miscreants as the owners were not paying extortion demanded by a certain political faction.

According to the report, the Rangers recently arrested a prime suspect who confessed to setting the factory on fire along with a group of miscreants intentionally.

 

http://www.thenews.c...ngs:-Imran-Khan

[HAROON RASOOL]

MQM to challenge Baldia Town JIT report in court

February 08, 2015 - Updated 1837 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar said his party has decided to challenge in a court of law the findings of the Joint Investigation Team’s (JIT) report on Baldia Town factory fire.

Addressing a press conference here at Nine Zero, Dr Sattar flanked by members of MQM Rabitta Committee termed the JIT report on Model Town tragedy as fabricated and based on lies.

“An attempt has been made under a conspiracy to implicate MQM through a baseless report,” he said.

Haider Abbas Rizvi on the occasion said thousands of concocted JIT reports were also prepared in the past to indiscriminately target the party chief Altaf Hussain as well as workers.

He said the JIT report of Model Town tragedy was made on hearsays, as the ‘report is based purely on anecdotal evidence’.

He said the report was prepared about one-and-a-half-year ago in 2013 and made public now.

Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui termed the report part of a conspiracy against MQM.

Earlier, the party chief Altaf Hussain strongly condemned the JIT report on Balida Town factory blaze – the worst incident of fire in Pakistan’s history in which more than 250 people had lost their lives.

http://www.thenews.c...report-in-court

[HAROON RASOOL]

MQM agrees to rejoin Sindh govt, claims Rehman Malik

February 07, 2015 - Updated 1830 PKT
From Web Edition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Senator Rehman Malik on Saturday claimed that Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has agreed in principle to join the Sindh government and that both the parties will also be allies in the Senate.

Talking to Geo News, Senator Rehman Malik said PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and MQM Chief Altaf Hussain had put bitterness of the past behind.

“On the directives of Asif Zardari, I am leaving for London to meet Altaf Hussain”, Malik said.

On the other hand, MQM leader Babar Ghauri denied reaching any agreement with the PPP, saying the media will be informed if any progress takes place in this regard.

He said the MQM will take decision in the largest interest of the people of Sindh and urban population of the province.

Ghauri said after a long time a contact was made between MQM and PPP yesterday. He further said that former president Asif Ali Zardari will direct his party leadership to hold talks with MQM.

“Altaf Hussain had informed Asif Ali Zardari about the conspiracy being hatched to push MQM against the wall”, the MQM leader said.

He said doors of Altaf Hussain are open for all the political parties and all the issues will be resolved if the PPP approaches with a sincere intention.

Commenting on the Baldia factory arson, Babar Ghauri said MQM is being blamed for almost everything, claiming that his party knows who is conspiring against it.

Ghauri said MQM is being subjected to a media trail and he slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) spokeswoman Shireen Mazari, asking her to first clarify allegations against her own party.

 

http://www.thenews.c...ms-Rehman-Malik

[HAROON RASOOL]

Rangers arrest May 12 carnage accused

Paramilitary force claims Abdul Rafique is sector in-charge of MQM; production in court today to seek 90-day detention
 
our correspondent
Monday, February 09, 2015
From Print Edition

KARACHI: The Rangers on Sunday claimed to have arrested an alleged target killer during a raid in the Mehmoodabad area. The detainee is also said to be involved in the May 12 carnage.

A spokesman for the Rangers said they conducted a targeted raid on a tip about the possible presence of a hardened criminal in Mehmoodabad.During the raid, Abdul Rafique alias Kaein, Mehmoodabad sector in-charge of the MQM-A, was arrested, who during initial interrogation confessed to his involvement in the May 12, 2007 massacre.

He had weapons hidden at different locations, which were often used for disrupting law and order and in target killings. He is said to be using his bank job as a decoy to plan and commit killings.

Rafique told interrogators that a team of target killers, headed by Amir alias Dawani of Manzoor Colony, used to take orders from him.He has also confessed to numerous killings and gunbattles with Ashok and Kobra group in Chanesar Goth area.

He has also been sheltering target killers, including notorious Raees of Mama group. Besides target killings and other heinous crimes, Rafique is also involved in land grabbing in the Mehmoodabad area.

The arrested criminal will be presented before the court on Monday (today) with a request for his 90-day detention under relevant laws.An application for setting up a joint interrogation team (JIT) to probe the matter will also be filed with the home department the same day.

http://www.thenews.c...carnage-accused

[HAROON RASOOL]

Altaf wants UN or Scotland Yard to probe

Baldia Town tragedy

our correspondent
Monday, February 09, 2015
From Print Edition

HYDERABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has raised the question of why the JIT report on Ziaul Haq’s plane crash and the incident of Ojhri Camp had never surfaced.

He demanded that an investigation into the Baldia Town factory fire be conducted by Scotland Yard or the United Nations. He added that the Legal Aid Committee should file a case against the Joint Investigation Team (JIT).

He said this while addressing a ceremony to celebrate the establishment of Altaf Hussain University here on Sunday.He stated that in North Waziristan, the armed forces were fighting against terrorists, the Taliban, Daish and al-Qaeda, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, Rangers and police were safeguarding the citizens by rendering sacrifices. He regretted that unfortunately there were some black sheep in the institutions. He said that these black sheep gave the criminals involved in heinous crimes an opportunity to escape and even the immigration staff did not take them into account.

He stated that the dream of the establishment of a university in Hyderabad was about to be realised, but when the day of the inauguration of the varsity came, bodies of political workers were thrown on the roads.

Afterwards, the Shikarpur tragedy took place, and now the JIT report of criminals involved in the Baldia Town incident showed when they were arrested, who released them and when they were again arrested. He queried why the statements of the factory owners were not mentioned in the report.

He further said that there were some black sheep who did not reveal the JIT on incidents with regard to Quaid-e-Azam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, the tragedy of Aligarh-Qasba Colony, the martyrs of September 30, the murder of innocent women in Pucca Qila, and other such incidents.

He said that the Baldia Town incident must be condemned in the strongest terms. He prayed whoever was involved in the incident should be punished not only in this world but also in the hereafter.

He stated that if any of the workers of MQM were involved in the incident, then instead of a single minute, he should be hanged for three minutes.He said that these were the activities which had destroyed half of the country. If the situation continues to prevail, the rest of the country will be at stake.

He said that not hundreds but thousands of people were members of the party and if someone murdered anyone, it would be his individual act and blaming the whole party for his act was unconstitutional, immoral and un-Islamic.

He said if this impression was given intentionally, he had instructed the party lawyers to file a writ against it. He said that Benazir Bhutto murder could not be solved yet. He said that the Ojhri Camp tragedy report was not brought forward and the same was the situation of the C-130 incident in which General Ziaul Haq, along with senior generals, was killed. He said that Imran Khan, while standing atop a container, claimed that the women present were his sisters while all ills were happening at the sit-in, and all these things were beyond his understanding.

He said that Altaf Hussain is a humble person and he should be persecuted and this was done, no one would face the consequences. He said that the MQM was the party of Altaf Hussain and the party could have its head cut but it could not bow down.

He called upon the law enforcement and intelligence agencies to allow them to stage a sit-in for 365 days or 1,000 days. He alleged that terrorists were found from the houses of the Jamaat-e-Islami leaders.

He said that it was the fault of Altaf Hussain that he gave a big hospital to Hyderabad, ambulance service, a university on 80 acres of land, a medical college and did a number of welfare projects.

He said that he had requested the army chief to conduct an inquiry into the Baldia Town incident through an international agency and if any MQM worker was found involved in it, he must be kept hanging for 40 days.

He called upon the journalists not to blame the party for the act of an individual and not to involve the party in such incidents. He said if they reported incidences on the basis of allegations and bogus proof, they would be responsible for their own doings.

He said that on May 12, ANP’s Asfandyar Wali was tasked to unleash street firing as soon as the processions were taken out in the morning while in the meeting of JI’s Muhammad Hussain Mehnti, workers of Haqiqi were also invited. It was said that a hundred lawyers were burnt. He said not to say about burning the lawyers, not a single lawyer was even slapped. He said that he had been advising his workers to exercise patience till now and would have been doing so. He said that General Raheel Sharif should not trust the Jamaat-e-Islami and Tehreek-e-Insaf because they were the supporters of al-Qaeda and anti-state elements. He said the proof was that both the parties had not issued any statement against the anti-state elements and al-Qaeda.

Altaf Hussain urged his workers to pay attention on get education, respect teachers and devote themselves to studies whatever time they get. He said that it was better to face failure instead of getting passed through unfair means. He said that they should also concentrate on religion.

Our correspondent adds from Karachi: The MQM Coordination Committee on Sunday condemned what it called an attempt to involve the MQM in the Baldia Town tragedy and conduct its media trial on the basis of a baseless statement of an allegedly detained criminal.

Talking to the media at the Khursheed Begum Secretariat here, Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Haider Abbas Rizvi and Dr Farooq Sattar said the JIT report was nothing but a pile of junk and the MQM would challenge it.

They said some elements in the Establishment were involved in spreading false allegations against their party.Haider Abbas Rizvi said the MQM was once again targeted and some malicious elements tried to tie it to the Baldia tragedy in order to isolate it from the national scenario.

He said the people knew the history of such biased JITs and the MQM’s acquittals in cases filed on baseless allegations.He said the malicious designers of the Establishment blamed the MQM discriminately within 17 minutes and unfortunately it needed them 17 years to remove the allegation of Jinnahpur. He said thousands of MQM workers had to sacrifice and live miserable lives because of that allegation.

Rizvi said the JIT report on Baldia Town incident had already been presented to the court in which there was no evidence of extortion or terrorism in the incident.

He said some parties were connected with Al-Qaeda and Taliban and were blaming the MQM for no fault of it.

Dr Farooq Sattar said the JIT had no legal worth and the MQM lawyers would soon go to the court against it.

He said it was just an allegation on the basis of a statement of an allegedly detained criminal, who stated that he had heard the story.He said the dumped JIT was used against the MQM to create an issue and carry out a media trial of the party.

He said they were pleased that the JIT was treated on merit in the media and some unfolded questions were raised against it. He demanded a judicial commission to probe the entire issue independently and also question the people involved in the submission of a fake JIT report to the court with the intention to defaming the MQM.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference here, MQM leader Amir Khan said their party worker Muhammad Rafique Rajput had been arrested to dent the image of the MQM in the public eyes. He said innocent MQM workers were being arrested on the basis of baseless allegations and urged the quarters concerned to stop this game of accusations. He said the May 12 tragedy was in fact an attempt to clip the wings of the MQM.

 

http://www.thenews.c...d-Yard-to-probe

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Plot hatched in ISI office: Altaf

May 12 tragedy

Monday, February 09, 2015
From Print Edition

HYDERABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief, Altaf Hussain, has said the conspiracy of the May 12 tragedy was hatched at the ISI office.

He said that ANP’s Asfandyar Wali was given the task to resort to street firing on May 12.He said that there was a group of black sheep in the agencies which did not allow the formation of Joint Investigation Teams (JITs) on Quaid-i-Azam, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (ZAB) and Benazir Bhutto (BB), the Aligarh- Qasba Colony tragedy, the September 30 tragedy and the murder of innocent women in Pucca Qila. He called upon the Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, ISI chief Rizwan Akhtar and the heads of the IB, FIA and police if the state of affairs continued to prevail, the nation could lose the country.

He was addressing a programme to celebrate the Jashn-e-Subh-e-Nau here on Sunday.He said that the reality would unfold if he informed the real name behind the JIT.He said that Imran Khan rose on the container and said that the women were his sisters, but what happened there ‘could not be stated in words’.

Altaf Hussain said that the agencies and the government should allow them to hold a sit-in for 365 or 1,000 days. He noted that terrorists were recovered from the leaders homes of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Addressing the media persons, he said that the blame for an individual act of someone should not be put on a party. He warned that journalists would themselves be responsible if they did reporting based on lies.

http://www.thenews.c...SI-office-Altaf

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Chances are that JIT issue will be dumped

Perspective

Shaheen Sehbai
Monday, February 09, 2015
From Print Edition

DUBAI: There are serious fears that the issue of the JIT report in Karachi, in which the MQM has been blamed by the Pakistan Rangers for an inferno, may spin into a nasty clash between the Rangers (read ISI) and the MQM.

The MQM decision to take this matter to the Supreme Court and seek a judicial commission is an indication that the party fears this report may be used to pressurise it for some other political concessions.

If the matter is not settled with some give and take, as normally happens when at critical times votes or support of any party is needed by the Establishment, the potential of the JIT issue getting out of hand can be explosive.

The MQM is to a degree right that if any of its members had started singing, under duress as they claim, why was the matter then put on the shelf and not pursued to follow up the leads and get to its bottom. Political expediency may have come in the way.

The full MQM leadership, present at a news conference minus Altaf Bhai, had a point when they alleged that this matter was kept for a rainy day to be used against their party. Has that rainy season arrived?

If seen using the same telescope, the sudden telephone call by Asif Ali Zardari to Altaf Bhai and the almost immediate PPP-MQM patch-up also appear to be linked to moves by parties to gain votes and take U-turns if needed, in a rainy voting season.

Likewise, at such times the Establishment also jumps into action and every closet is searched to bring parties, groups, individuals and governments under pressure. The ongoing Uzair Baloch episode may be linked to this as well, in a way. The decision to present the May 12 accused in a court by the Rangers could be a step further.

But the deep fear is that if the JIT report is used against the MQM, then the party will react and drag the Rangers, the head of Rangers of the time who is now the ISI boss and this could complicate matters a lot.

At a time when the army, the Rangers and the government, plus some political parties are fully on board in the war against terror, such frictions in their ranks could cause diversions that could help the terrorists.

The Nawaz government will also get caught in the mess. If they reject the MQM’s demand for another judicial commission, that would be one scenario. But if it is set up, which is highly unlikely as the Aabpara boys may not like it, a Pandora’s box may open besides Imran Khan would feel more slighted, rather insulted.

So the most likely outcome appears to be that the JIT issue will be dumped, sooner than later as probably the political mileage that was to be extracted has already been done, at the cost of MQM’s anger and outrage, of course.Otherwise, the prospects look like a major eruption of events that could lead anywhere.

http://www.thenews.c...-will-be-dumped

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Rabita Committee hits back at Imran’s tirade

February 09, 2015 - Updated 2010 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: Following Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief Imran Khan’s tirade against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain, the party’s Rabita Committee responded in kind on Monday evening.

Addressing an emergency press conference held at the party's Nine-Zero headquarters in Karachi , MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi condemned the derogatory remarks made by Khan against the MQM chief.

Rizvi termed the day as one of the darkest in Pakistan's political history.

“The provocative manner in which Khan used derogatory, immoral and inflammatory language against MQM chief Altaf Hussain is highly condemnable," he said.

“Today, every single worker of the MQM is sad and hurt by these immoral statements,” said the MQM leader as he picked apart skeletons from Khan’s closet.

Earlier, addressing a press conference Imran Khan had attacked the MQM chief directly using harsh words against Hussain’s character. He called on the Pakistani nation to stand united against what he called ‘the terrorism of Altaf Hussain’, accusing the MQM chief of terrorizing the business community of Karachi.

Imran Khan had called on the government to hand over two witnesses in the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq to British authorities, adding that he would mount pressure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to do so.

He also claimed that he would write a letter to the British government against the MQM over the Baldia Town tragedy and alleged murder of Dr Zahra Shahid.

Khan also claimed that late MQM leader Azeem Tariq’s son told him that his father’s killers were the same people who carried his coffin.

Khan enraged millions of MQM workers: Sabzwari

Earlier in the evening, MQM leaders Mustafa Azizabadi and Faisal Sabzwari also took the PTI chairman to task over his remarks against the MQM chief.

Talking to Geo News, Mustafa Azizabadi said: “terrorism from Pakistan cannot be eliminated until people like Imran are present in politics.” He said Imran Khan should see his past before leveling allegations against anyone.

Azizabadi went on to say that the entire world knows Imran Khan's character, bringing up the court ruling confirming Imran Khan as the father of Sita White's daughter.

The MQM leader also accused Khan of attacking the police and getting PTI workers released from the police station by force.

Faisal Sabzwari also criticized Imran for using derogatory remarks against Altaf.

Speaking to Geo News after Imran Khan's press conference, Faisal Sabzwari said they would make Imran pay if he continued to use abusive language against Altaf Hussain.

“I am ashamed of pronouncing the disease that Imran Khan is suffering from”, Sabzwari said.

Sabzwari claimed that Imran spoke ill of MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain after he received a signal from somewhere, adding that the PTI chief is in pain because Taliban were not allowed to open their offices in Pakistan.

He said Imran Khan enraged millions of MQM workers by delivering derogatory remarks against MQM leader Altaf Hussain.

http://www.thenews.c...t-Imrans-tirade

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Azizabadi, Sabzwari strongly react over Imran remarks against Altaf
 
February 09, 2015 - Updated 1751 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Rabitta Committee incharge Mustafa Azizabadi has strongly reacted over Imran Khan’s derogatory remarks against Altaf Hussain.

Talking to Geo News, Mustafa Azizabadi said, “terrorism from Pakistan can not be eliminated until people like Imran are present in politics.” He said Imran Khan should see his past before leveling allegations against anyone.

He went on to say that the entire world knows the character of Imran Khan and a court decision on it is its proof.

MQM leader also accused Khan of attacking the police and getting released PTI workers from the police station.

Earlier MQM leader, Faisal Sabzwari also criticized Imran for using derogatory remarks against Altaf.

Talking to Geo News after Imran’s press conference, Faisal Sabzwari said they would make Imran pay if he continued to use abusive language against Altaf Hussain.

“I am ashamed of pronouncing the disease that Imran Khan is suffering from”, Sabzwari said.

Sabzwari claimed that Imran spoke ill of MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain after he received signal from somewhere, adding that the PTI chief is in pain because Taliban were not allowed to open their offices in Pakistan.

He said Imran Khan enraged millions of MQM workers by delivering derogatory remarks against MQM leader Altaf Hussain.
 
http://www.thenews.c...s-against-Altaf

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Imran asks MQM to disassociate itself from Altaf

February 09, 2015 - Updated 1652 PKT
From Web Edition

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan held a news conference on Monday where his focus was the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and the party’s chief Altaf Hussain.

Imran Khan called on the Pakistani government to hand over two witnesses in the murder case of Dr Imran Farooq to British authorities, adding that he would mount pressure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to do so.

During the news conference the PTI chief made several references to Altaf Hussain using harsh words in his statements against the MQM chief. Khan also announced that he would file a defamation case over inappropriate langue used by Altaf Hussain to describe female members of the PTI.

He said the nation should stand united against the terrorism of Altaf Hussain, adding that MQM chief has terrorised the business community of Karachi.

Khan called on MQM workers several times during the news conference to dissociate themselves from Altaf Hussain.

The PTI chief said his party would sit in any forum or attend any event in the future where the MQM was present. Imran added that he would write a letter to the British government against the MQM over the Baldia Town tragedy and murder of Dr Zahra Shahid.

To a question, Imran Khan said all kinds of terrorism cases must go to military courts including that of Baldia Town factory inferno where 258 people were killed.

Khan claimed that the son of MQM’s slain leader, Azeem Tariq, told him that the killer of his father was the same people who had lifted his coffin.

http://www.thenews.c...self-from-Altaf

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Sabzwari urges Imran to respect emotions of MQM workers

February 09, 2015 - Updated 171 PKT
From Web Edition

KARACHI: Reacting to a press conference by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Faisal Sabzwari urged Imran Khan not to disrespect the emotions of MQM workers.

“There is no doubt that Khan has made several below the belt statements, and has used disrespectful words against my leader (Altaf Hussain)," said Sabzwari.

The MQM leader said that the baseless JIT report that Khan was referring to actually originated in June 2013 but was released in January 2015, and that none of the people identified had since been arrested.

Sabzwari said that the baseless JIT report could not compared to the tragic killing of Army Public school schoolchildren by the Taliban in December.

He said that MQM workers, who are in the hundreds of thousands, were extremely angry at the PTI chairman's statements.

He warned the PTI chairman to choose his words with caution and respect the emotions of MQM Workers.

Rabita Committee asks workers not to react to Khan’s statement

Meanwhile, the MQM’s Rabita Committee asked workers and supporters to not react to the PTI chairman’s statement and to act with patience.

In a statement issued shortly after Imran’s press conference, the Rabita Committee also asked citizens of Karachi not to pay heed to rumours, and to continue business and commercial activity as usual.

http://www.thenews.c...-of-MQM-workers