24 March 1998
MORE THAN TWELVE COLD BLOODED MURDERS BY HAQIQI TERRORISTS

COLD BLOODED MURDERS OF MORE THAN TWELVE INNOCENT MQM WORKERS AND SUPPORTERS BY THE HAQIQI TERRORISTS IN THE NO GO AREAS OFKARACHI, PAKISTAN.

On 23 March 1998, within a span of a few hours, more than twelve innocent relatives of MQM workers were cold bloodedly murdered by the State sponsored terrorists Haqiqis. This reign of murders was unleashed in those localities of Karachi which remained "No Go" Areas since 19 June, 1992. The areas which have been targeted in these recent attacks are Malir, Landhi, Shah Faisal Colony, Korangi and Lines Area. This act of terrorism was carried out by the Haqiqi terrorists with the blessings and patronage of the Intelligence Agencies.

Invariably, all such pre-meditated attacks and killings orchestrated by the Intelligence Agencies are followed by a distorted version and story as a part of such nefarious designs to misguide and hoodwink the national and international media and the international community. This time too the Agencies have twisted the facts of this pre-planned massacre in an attempt to portray a picture that the killings in Karachi have occurred due to "infighting" or "revenge clashes" between the MQM and the Haqiqi terrorists. Whereas the facts are contrary to what has been propagated by the Intelligence Agencies.

Since the murders of more than twelve innocent MQM workers and supporters have occurred in "No Go" areas of Karachi, a brief description of such areas is essentially important for a clear understanding of this tragic incident.

"No Go" Areas:

The "No Go" Areas are those localities of Karachi where the MQM's workers, leaders and even its elected representatives cannot enter due to the forcible occupation of Haqiqi terrorists. The areas of Karachi included in this category are Korangi,Malir, Landhi, Shahfaisal Colony, Lines Area, some parts of Liaquatabad and Pak Colony. They were established soon after the commencement of the Army Operation "Clean-Up" which started against the MQM on 19 June, 1992. The Haqiqi terrorists enjoy full support and patronage of the Para-Military Rangers and the Intelligence Agencies of Pakistan. Due to establishment of "No Go" Areas hundreds of families of MQM workers and supporters had to abandon their homes due to persistent raids by Intelligence Agencies and attacks and killings by Haqiqi terrorists. Although those localities have become a hell for the families of workers and supporters of the MQM, still thousands of such families are living in those areas since they do not have the resources to find a safer place. But despite all the brutalities inflicted upon them they are still firmly affiliated with the MQM. They have repeatedly exhibited their support for MQM in the consecutive elections of 1993 and 1997.

The MQM has been raising the issue of abolition of the "No Go" Areas for the past many years. Following the General Elections of 1997, when the MQM became a coalition partner in the present government, it raised this issue and the related issue of rehabilitation of twelve hundred families from such "No Go" Areas with the negotiating Team of PML of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

This issue was not only accepted but it was agreed that the "No Go" Areas would be abolished as soon as possible. Consequently,the issue of abolition of "No Go" Areas became a part of the signed Accord between the PML and MQM. Subsequently, the MQM, as a coalition partner, reminded the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of this issue at various occasions. The MQM also raised this issue internationally. The affected families, particularly those who were displaced from the "No Go" Areas also vigorously complained about their grievances.

Sequence of events leading to the tragic murders of twelve innocent MQM workers and supporters:

As a result of all furore against the "No Go" Areas, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif publicly announced and ordered their immediate abolishment on 22 January 1998, in a public meeting at the inaugural ceremony of Blood Bank of Khidmate Khalq Foundation of the MQM at Karachi. But this announcement and orders by the Prime Minister failed to receive any heed by the Intelligence Agencies.

When the Government announced local body elections the MQM once again raised its protest against No Go Areas since in presence of such areas it would not be possible to participate in elections in a free and fair manner. However, as a consequence to the protest of the MQM the Chief Minister Sindh on 19 March, 1998, promised and assured the Central Co-Ordination Committee of the MQM that the abolishment process of these No-Go areas would be completed within one month.

Following this announcement by the Chief Minister Sindh,Intelligence Agencies started their nefarious schemes. According to the schemes designed by the Intelligence Agencies, the Haqiqi terrorists killed their own gang members in the area of Malir, Karachi. The two gang members of Haqiqi who were killed had long standing conflicts amongst themselves. This area is not only a part of "No Go" Area but also is under absolute forcible control of Haqiqis and where Para-Military Rangers are always present. It is important to point out that the Intelligence Agencies are blaming the MQM for the killings of two Haqiqi terrorists. But this preposterous claim fails to stand any credence since the MQM members and workers are unable to even enter those areas let alone to kill any one as allegedly claimed by the Intelligence Agencies.

Following these killings, the Haqiqi terrorists in a pre-planned manner started arson, attacks, looting and other terrorist activities in Malir, Shah Faisal Colony, Korangi, Landhi and Lines area of Karachi on a pretext of retaliation against these two killings. The terrorists broke into houses of MQM workers and supporters ransacked and plundered the households and ruthlessly murdered twelve innocent people.

The sequence of events leading to the brutal premeditated murders of twelve MQM workers and supporters and their family members clearly demonstrate that the blame upon MQM for the killings in no-go areas is patently baseless. Propagation of such a distorted version by the Intelligence Agencies is only a deliberate attempt to divert the facts to suit their nefarious designs.

Available details of more than twelve innocent workers and supporters of the MQM who were brutally murdered by the State sponsored terrorists Haqiqis on 24 March, 1998:

Al-Falah society area of Shah Faisal Colony, Karachi:

1-- Mohammad Moeen, 11, s/o Mohammad Ashraf.

2-- Mohammad Nasir, 18 s/o Mohammad Ashraf.

3-- Mohammad Tahir, 21, s/o Mohammad Ashraf.

The Haqiqi terrorists attacked and entered into the house of Mohammad Farooq, Unit Committee Member of MQM Unit 105. The terrorists shot dead his three young brothers:

Malir, Karachi:

4-- Zeeshan, 20, s/o Mukhtar.

Haqiqi terrorists attacked the house of Rehman, a worker of MQM unit 97. They mercilessly dragged his younger brother Zeeshan outside his house and shot him dead at point blank range.

5-- Imran, 15, s/o Sultan ul Haq.

Haqiqi terrorists attacked the house of Sohail, a worker MQM Unit 97. The terrorists killed his younger brother Imran.

6-- Saeed-ur-Rehman, 38, a supporter of the MQM Unit 98,Moeenabad, Karachi. His house was attacked by the Haqiqi terrorists who dragged him out on the street and shot him dead atpoint blank range.

7-- Mr Ahtisham Uddin, 33, son of Anees Uddin. He was the elder brother of MQM worker Rehan of MQM unit 99. Ahtisham was kidnapped by the Haqiqi terrorists. He was brutally tortured and murdered in cold blood.

8-- Shaukat, 30, a worker of the MQM Medical Aid committee. The Haqiqi terrorists shot him dead in cold blood when he was returning from Jinnah hospital to his home.

9-- Riasat Hussain, 33, s/o Mehmood Hussain, a supporter of the MQM. He was shot dead by the Haqiqi terrorists and his body was dumped in Indus Mehran area.

10-- Mohammad Jameel, 45, s/o Mohammad Sharif. He was the father of Akbar, a worker of APMSO - Student wing of the MQM. This incident took place in Khokra Par No 3 area. The Haqiqi terrorists shot dead Mohammad Jameel when he was sitting outside his house.

11-- Mohammad Sohail, 18, s/o Abdul Ghaffar, brother of MQM worker, was shot dead by Haqiqi terrorists at point blank range at Korangi area of Karachi.

Liaquatabad, Karachi:

12-- Mohammad Ismail s/o Allah din. He was a supporter of the MQM. The terrorists of Haqiqi group shot him dead at point blank range when he was sitting outside a shop in Liaquatabad, Karachi.

13-- Haqiqi terrorists shot dead one young man named Jehangir who had dissociated himself from them for the past two years because of their terrorist activities in Malir 96 area.

Details of arson, loot and plunder:

In Lines area Haqiqi terrorists attacked the houses of several MQM workers, caused damage to the property and at gun point took the car of Mr Nisar Ahmed, who is the personal secretary of provincial minister Mr Wasim Akhtar, and set it ablaze.

The terrorists also attacked the house of Sabir, a joint incharge of MQM unit 97, and set fire to his household effects.

In addition to the above specific cases of murder and arson, Haqiqi terrorists applied similar high handed tactics in Landhi, and other areas of Karachi where the houses of MQM workers relatives were attacked.

The horrendous murders of more than twelve innocent workers and supporters of the MQM by the Agencies' sponsored terrorists following the announcement of abolishment of "No Go" Areas by the Chief Minister Sindh manifestly imply a threat. The threat which the Intelligence Agencies have conveyed to the Government through such acts of terrorism is clear and that is to refrain from abolishing the "No Go" Areas.

This recent incident of murders of twelve MQM workers and supporters and their relatives and the events persistently occurring such as on 2 October, 1997, further exhibit the horrifying facet of vendetta and tenacity with which the Intelligence Agencies are determined to persecute and politically victimise the workers and supporters of the MQM. The consistently occurring tragic fate of the MQM workers and supporters who fell victims of such State terrorism explicitly suggests that despite being a coalition partner in the Government the State policy of persecution against it is unending.

The manner with which more than twelve innocent workers and supporters of the MQM and their family members which include even 11 and 13 years old children have been brutally murdered patently and profoundly suggest the terrible insecurity to such victims no matter which government is in power. This utter lack of slightest iota to provide security to such unfortunate victims from the wrath of Intelligence Agencies and their sponsored Agents conclusively prove the incapacity of the Government to fulfil its obligation as envisaged in the Constitution of the country. This further establishes the unlimited latitude and powers of the Intelligence Agencies to persecute and victimise whom they wish to at the time of their choosing.

We appeal to the international community and human rights organisations to take serious notice of the persistent killings of innocent MQM workers, supporters and their relatives by the State Agencies' sponsored terrorists Haqiqis, particularly, in the No-go areas of Karachi. We also request you to use your good offices to end murders and political victimisation and persecution against the MQM.