Karachi operation watching only govt's interests: Farooq Sattar

MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar has said that Sindh government is launching operation in the city for its vested interests.

While talking to the media at Lahore Airport, he said that everybody knows about the dens of terrorists.

Law enforcement agencies must exterminate all the secret hideouts of terrorists who have nothing to do with the peace of the country; rather their aims are to horrify citizens in the name of so-called slogans and manifestos of justice.

He contended that all stake holders and political parties should make endeavours to make the military operation in Karachi successful, adding that this job can’t be made successful without cooperation and coordination of the MQM which is real representative of people in the metropolis.

He said that the MQM offered cooperation in this regard but the Sindh government is taking the issue with irresolution.

It seems that the MQM is being targeted as it had demanded an operation against terrorists without discrimination.

Sattar urged upon Sindh government to take measures for dispelling such an impression of politicized targeted operation in the city.

He said his party was never consulted about the targeted actions, adding that had the govt sought cooperation from all political parties, the targeted action would have been a success from the very beginning.

He alleged that the ongoing Karachi operation was not directed against criminals, as every single child of Karachi knew where the crime dens were across the city.

(FP Report)

5 year girl sexually assaulted in Lahore

Unidentified men sexually assaulted a five-year-old girl in Lahore, Local TV reported.

After the assault, they dumped the minor girl outside Ganga Ram hospital and managed to flee.

DSM Dr Asif said the ill-fated girl was still unconscious, adding she need surgery, however, pediatric surgery facility was not available at Ganga Ram hospital.

He said the girl was being shifted to Children Hospital.(FP Report)

Karachi Central jail under threat, alleged terrorists shifted

Five alleged terrorists belonging to different outlawed organisations including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, were shifted to different prisons in rural Sindh due to security concerns. According to jail officials, the decision was taken due to reports that terrorist organisations plan to attack Central Jail Karachi and free their members. The inmates who were shifted includ Mohammad Abdullah aka Taimur, son of Riaz Shahid; Waseem Barodi, son of Sami Ahmed; Hafiz Qasim Abdul Rasheed, Mohammad Shafiq alias Bashir and Inamullah.(DailyTimes)

Cheque distribution at CM House: Harmful drinking water served,10 women fall unconscious

At least 10 women, belonging to the families of the victims who lost their lives in Karachi’s Abbas Town bombing, fell unconscious when they were served harmful drinking water during an event to distribute cheques at Sindh Chief Minister House here on Tuesday. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was scheduled to distribute compensatory cheques among the families that lost their homes and loved ones in the bombing that killed 51 people and injured over 140 others. 

The women who were seated in the front rows asked the event organisers for water. Around 10 women fell unconscious after drinking the water served to them. Later, when to news come to the surface, the CM House’s spokesman said that the water served by the caterers in event was harmful for health. He, however, said that only two people including a woman and a man fell unconscious after drinking the water. Meanwhile, nine people were shifted to the Civil Hospital Karachi in the early hours of Tuesday when they fell unconscious after a toxic gas filled a house located on Mauripir road.(FP)

HRCP has deep concern at Sindh University situation

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the recent developments atSindh University where, following the killing of Professor Bashir Channar on January 2, unjustified action has been taken against protesting teachers.

A statement issued by the Commission on Thursday said: “HRCP notes with alarm that the services of two representatives of Sindh University Teachers’ Association, Dr. Arfana Mallah and Dr. Azhar Ali Shah, have been terminated and show-cause notices issued to other teachers. The university had only reopened a few days ago on the assurance of the Sindh Governor that the vice-chancellor of Sindh University, who is past the age of retirement, would be replaced in accordance with the demands of the teachers.

“HRCP also has serious reservations over the authorities’ apathetic approach towards acknowledging and addressing teachers’ concerns. It defies reason why the teachers must protests for weeks upon weeks before their concerns register on the official radar. The teachers have protested long and in a peaceful manner for demands that are not unreasonable: a judicial probe into the assassination of Professor Bashir, withdrawal of police and Rangers from the campus, restoration of student unions and removal of the vice chancellor.

“It is regrettable that Sindh University and most other universities in the province are headed by academics who have crossed the retirement age. In a recent meeting with the HRCP vice-chairperson for Sindh and members of HRCP Council, the Sindh Governor had agreed to look into the issues concerning the Sindh University. HRCP calls upon the Governor, in his capacity as chancellor of Sindh University, to rescind the decisions regarding the dismissal and issuance of show-cause notices to teachers and take effective steps to fulfil the government’s obligation to ensure an atmosphere free from intimidation and conducive for academic progress at the university.”