PRESS CONFERENCE
KHURSHEED BEGUM SECRETARIAT
KARACHI: 26TH MARCH 2012:
Respected Journalists
First of all we are thankful to you for coming to attend this Press Conference. The press conference has been called to inform the people of Pakistan about the elements that are responsible for undermining the environment of peace and amity in Karachi by their vicious activities.
You know it very well that the MQM is committed to restore the former glory of Karachi and it is striving to promote political, cultural and social activities in the city with a view to giving a message to the world that there is peace and tranquillity in Karachi which is also the epicentre of economic activities in the country. The MQM wants the world to know that political, social and cultural activities are thriving in the city and continue even late in the night.
Respected Journalists
The Defence and Clifton Residents Committee of the MQM had organized an “Almi Mushaira” the previous night. The venue of the Mushaira was in the vicinity of the “Do Talwar” area of Clifton. Noted poets from Pakistan and from outside the country were invited to charm the audience with their poetry. The MQM leaders, elected representatives, dignitaries, and a large number of local residents had also come to attend the Mushaira. No sooner had the programme started than the terrorists, riding in vehicles, started firing with latest automatic weapons.
There was commotion and disorder in the Mushaira due to the intense firing and it was evident that the terrorists had come with the aim to sabotage the programme. The firing continued unstoppably for quite some time and the vehicles of the audience, the police and other people were also vandalized and damaged.
The unfortunate attack of the armed assailants was covered live by various television channels and it was seen by people across the country. The public would have formed a clear idea as to why the peaceful Mushaira was made the target of the terrorist attack.
The police personnel, present on the scene for security purpose, challenged the terrorists and returned fire. One of the terrorists, identified as Kamran, was killed by the firing of the police, while other terrorists managed to flee the scene. The terrorist killed in the police encounter and identified as Kamran Khan belongs to the Awami National Party (ANP). The attackers who managed to escape also belong to the ANP.
Respected Journalists
On the one hand the leader of the ANP speak ad nauseam about the philosophy of non-violence of the Bacha Khan day in and day out, while on the other hand the ANP resorts to blatant terrorism for spoiling peace in Karachi. The ANP terrorists are actively involved in extortion, looting and terrorism in Karachi. It does not befit the elements carrying out terrorism for their vested interests and brandishing latest automatic weapons to speak about the philosophy o f the Bacha Khan.
You will also be aware of the fact that the ANP terrorists had attacked the offices of Jang and Geo Television some days ago and manhandled the cable operators. They had roughed up the cable operators and threatened them with dire consequences. Expensive cable were cut down in different parts of the city causing huge financial loss to the cable operators.
These incidents would have made it abundantly clear to the people of Pakistan that it is the ANP that it directly responsible for bloodshed and terrorism in Karachi. The ANP does not like the environment of peace and tranquillity in Karachi and hence it is terrorizing innocent citizens.
We believe that the ANP government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has failed miserably in protecting the life and property of the people and the tales of pervading corruptions are commonplace. The provincial government of the ANP is being dubbed as the most corrupt government in the country.
It is because of this reason that the ANP looking at controlling Karachi by resorting to terrorism but the people of Karachi are determined that they would not succumb to the terrorism unleashed by the ANP. They have resolved that they would not hesitate from offering any sacrifice for continuing the political, social and cultural activities for bringing a durable peace in Karachi.
Respected Journalists
The MQM is a peace-loving and democratic party. It believes in the policy of “live and let live”, nevertheless, we would like to make it clear to the handful of terrorists that are trying to control Karachi that the policy of peace should not be misconstrued as weakness on the part of the MQM. It must always be borne in mind that if the patience of the peaceful citizens of Karachi gave way, the handful terrorists would not even be able to find a place of retreat.
Respected Journalists
We will appeal President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Home Minister Manzoor Wassan through this press conference to take action against the ANP terrorists and their sponsors involved in the attack on the “Almi Mushaira” of the MQM. The ANP terrorists involved in terrorism and loot in Karachi should be dealt with strongly according to law. Steps must be taken on urgent basis to foil the conspiracy to subvert peace in Karachi.
We praise the police personnel who challenged the terrorists and the media persons who covered the incident live and showed the world the real face of the ANP.
Once again we are thankful to you for coming to attend this press conference.
Co-ordination Committee
Muttahida Quami Movement
Pakistan