MQM CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE TO START PEACEFUL PROTEST
OVER UNENDING VIOLENCE AND BLOODBATH IN KARACHI

KARACHI: 7^TH JULY 2011

The fast deteriorating situation of Karachi, particularly the continuing attacks by armed terrorists on localities in the areas of Qasba Colony, Orangi Town, Gulfamabad and other areas of the city, is not hidden from anyone. The terrorists have erected fortifications and battlements on the hills from where they are firing indiscriminately on the adjoining localities. Houses are being looted and set on fire. Public transport buses are being attacked and fired upon ruthlessly. Innocent people including the elderly, women and children are falling victim to the unbridled acts of terrorism and there is no one to give them security and protection. 

The police and the rangers are standing as silent spectators at the behest of the government instead of moving in the affected areas to control the failing situation. They are not taking any semblance of action against the terrorists who are operating with impunity without any fear of the law. The people living in these localities have been virtually besieged for the past several days. 

The Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has taken stock of the situation prevailing in Karachi in a joint meeting held simultaneously in Karachi and London. The committee has taken various decisions after careful deliberations in order to register peaceful protest over the bloodbath in Qasba Colony, Orangi Town, Gulfamabad and other areas of the city by armed terrorists. The Committee has decided that the members of provincial assembly (MPAs) belonging to the MQM would march from Karachi Press Club to the Chief Minister’s House tomorrow on Friday. It has also been decided to agitate the Karachi situation in the National Assembly, the Senate and the Sindh Assembly. We are in the process of contacting other opposition parties in this regard and preparations are being made to requisition the session of the respective houses.

If the government failed to stop the unending armed attacks on the localities in the city immediately and did not provide security to the people, then the MQM will be forced to take other steps including a peaceful general strike.

We also want to dispel the impression created by the government that the current situation in Orangi Town, Qasba Colony, Gulfamabad and other areas was the fallout of the conflict between two groups. There is no conflict between two groups in these localities. Unarmed people are being subjected to horrendous bloodbath by armed terrorists.

We would ask the media to observe the prevailing situation for themselves by visiting the affected areas. We will also request the human rights organizations to send their representatives in order to discover facts and the manner in which innocent people are being subjected to worst form of repression. We also appeal to all the political parties to raise their voice and see the manner in which the MQM is being punished for opting to come out of the coalition government by carrying out armed attacks on our localities.

We also want to assure the people living in the affected areas that the MQM stands by them at this critical juncture in every possible way. We will raise our voice against the brutalities done at every forum.

We also want to make it clear that we have been patience for the sake of peace but will not bow down before this terrorism. We will not back out of our principled stand. Those who construe our peaceful policies to our weakness are living in a fool’s paradise.