MQM TO OBSERVE A “DAY OF MOURNING” AND A PEACEFUL STRIKE ON 2ND. MAY 2002 TO MOURN THE MURDERS OF MUSTAPHA KAMAL RIZVI AND DR NISHAT MALLICK

MQM TO OBSERVE A “DAY OF MOURNING” AND A PEACEFUL STRIKE ON 2^ND. MAY 2002 TO MOURN THE MURDERS OF MUSTAPHA KAMAL RIZVI AND DR NISHAT MALLICK
CENTRAL CO-ORDINATION COMMITTEE APPEALS TO TRADERS, SHOPKEEPERS, TRANSPORTERS, INDUSTRIALISTS TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESSES CLOSED

Karachi-30 April 2002
The Central-Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) has decided to observe a “Day of Mourning” and a totally peaceful strike in Sindh province on 2^nd. May 2002 to mourn the deaths of its Parliamentarians former Senator Mustapha Kamal Rizvi and former Member of the National Assembly Dr Nishat Mallick to condemn the failure of the Government in apprehending the perpetrators.

This decision was taken in an extra-ordinary emergency meeting held at the Head Office of the MQM commonly known as “Nine Zero” at Azizabad, Karachi and presided by Dr Imran Farooq, Convener of the party, from London. In a long deliberation, the members present at the International Secretariat in London also fully interacted in the meeting.

The Co-ordination Committee has appealed to the people of Sindh to make the “Day of Mourning” and the peaceful strike successful by closing their businesses, shops, transports and industries and totally avoid their usual activities to demonstrate their solidarity and sympathy to the bereaved family members of the martyrs and also to condemn of the murders of the righteous parliamentarians.

The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee stated that during the midnight and early hours of 27^th. April 2002, Mustapha Kamal Rizvi and Dr Nishat Mallick were callously murdered outside the house of Dr Nishat Mallick. On this naked terrorism, the people were outraged, nevertheless, the MQM appealed to the people to maintain calm and exercise patience and restraints. MQM demanded of the Government to apprehend the genuine perpetrators within 72 hours or else the MQM would be compelled to formulate policies of its future actions. However, 72 hours ultimatum has now elapsed and not a single step has been taken to apprehend the perpetrators of the gruesome murders of the MQM parliamentarians.

The Members of the Co-ordination Committee stated that not only the perpetrators have not been arrested but within 48 hours of the harrowing murder, the President of Pakistan General Parvez Musharraf held a rally in Karachi, which was overly attended by the MQM supporters at their own initiative despite this tragic murders but General Musharraf did not utter a single word of condolence nor did he sympathise with the members of the bereaved families. Being the President, it was his responsibility to condemn the brutal murder of two renowned parliamentarians. Mustapha Kamal Rizvi served the nation so did Dr Nishat Mallick while in the field of sports medicine; he promoted the name of Pakistan throughout the world. But President General Parvez Musharraf, let alone arresting the murderers, did not even condemn the their heinous murders. The Government also failed to take any action to arrest the culprits even after the elapse of three days ultimatum set by the MQM. The MQM Co-ordination Committee has, therefore decided to observe the 2nd. May 2002 as a "Day of Mourning" throughout Sindh by observing a peaceful strike. The Co-ordination Committee has appealed to the general public, traders, shopkeepers, factory owners and workers, journalists, engineers and people of every trade to observe 2nd. May as a "Day of Mourning" and make the strike successful throughout Sindh. They also appealed to Mr. Bashir Khan Qureshi, Chairman JSQM and other leaders and supporters of JSQM to join hands with the MQM in making this strike successful in solidarity and sympathy with the bereaved family members and to condemn the cowardice act of brutal murders of the MQM parliamentarians.