THERE IS A SINISTER CONSPIRACY TO CREATE LAW AND ORDER SITUATION IN KARACHI

Respected Journalists

First of all, we are thankful to you for coming to attend this Press Conference. This press conference has been called to inform you and the people of Pakistan about the conspiracy aimed at undermining peace and order in Karachi.

Respected Journalists

Police have recovered a large cache of arms containing hand grenades, rocket launchers and antiaircraft guns after raiding a house in Mochko area of Karachi west the other day. According to the SSP West, a huge cache of arms containing 100 hand grenades, 15 rocket launchers with mortars and antiaircraft guns have been recovered during a raid in Mochko area after receiving a tip-off.

It would also be in your knowledge that a number of innocent young people were kidnapped during the previous Ramadan by the criminals and antisocial elements. They were taken to torture cells located in different parts of Lyari and subjected to brutal and inhuman bodily torture. Their heads were chopped off and their bodies were stuffed in gunny sacks and dumped in different parts of Karachi. Several kidnapped persons were released from the captivity of the terrorists of Lyari gang war on the intervention of Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

When the law-enforcing agencies started their operation against the criminals in Lyari a few days ago they were attacked with rocket launchers and other latest firearms.

TheAlmi Mushairaorganized by the MQM also came under attack by the armed terrorists who resorted to heavy firing for quite some time.

Ahmed Ali Magsi, a notorious terrorist belonging to the Lyari gang war stormed into the house of the MQM Sector Member Mansoor Mukhtar with other terrorists and opened indiscriminate fire. Mansoor Mukhtar and his brother Masood Mukhtar were killed while the wife of Mansoor Mukhtar was seriously injured during the attack.

Armed terrorists martyred four innocent persons on Banaras flyover by firing. Several other persons were injured in the incident.

Three police personnel were killed in the PIB area of Karachi when armed terrorists attacked a police mobile van.

These incidents are causing great concern to the people living across Pakistan.

Respected Journalists

The MQM is always ready to offer any sacrifice for establishing a durable peace in Karachi. The elected representatives of the MQM are working strenuously to keep the wheel of economy rolling. They are doing everything possible for protecting the life and property of the citizens, but it seems that there is a sinister conspiracy to create a law and order situation in Karachi. The discovery of the huge cache of arms in Mochko area is a stark reminder that certain elements want to create havoc and anarchy in Karachi. Apparently, this is being done to destabilize Pakistan itself because Karachi also happens to be the largest industrial city of the country.

Respected Journalists

The economic progress of Pakistan largely depends upon the law and order situation in Karachi. Certain influential elements are sponsoring mafias in Karachi for their vested interests. This includes land mafia, drug mafia, weapons mafia, and extortion mafia. Criminals are openly demanding huge extortion money from businesspersons and citizens through mobile, and they seem to have no fear of the law. They threaten people with kidnappings and murders if their demands are not met.

The criminals are killing guiltless persons and impeding the economic advancement of Pakistan by keeping Karachi simmering. Those involved in the kidnappings and killings of innocent persons and demanding huge extortion money are, in fact, enemies of Pakistan.

Respected Journalists

We commend the officers and personnel of the law-enforcing agencies whose timely action recovered the arms in Mochko area containing hand grenades, rocket launchers and antiaircraft guns. They have saved the citizens from some big tragedy.

The recovery of the large cache of arms is a serious issue, and the elements involved in it must be exposed before the nation. Who owns the house? Who brought the weapons in Karachi? What was the purpose for which these weapons were brought in Karachi? The nation should be informed about the answers to these questions.

Respected Journalists

We demand President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Governor Sindh Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Home Minister Manzoor Wassan to take serious notice of the recovery of arms in Mochko. The elements involved in it should be arrested and given exemplary punishment.

Once again, we are thankful to you for coming to attend this press conference.

Co-ordination Committee

Muttahida Quami Movement

Pakistan

Note: Press Conference addressed by Mr Waseem Aftab and other members of Central Co-ordination Committee.