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DAWN WIRE SERVICE
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Part A. Week Ending : 19 October, 1995 Issue : 01/41
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(c) Pakistan Herald Publications (Pvt.) Ltd., Pakistan - 1995
CONTENTS
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Karachi
..........Two killed on MQM strike day
..........Policeman among six killed in violence
..........DSP, four cops among 11 killed in metropolis
..........Ten killed in two-day violence
..........Strike paralyses city five die in violence
MQM
..........Khan invites MQM to talks
..........MQM men arrested
..........MQM fears for arrested workers life
..........PPP replies to MQM points
..........Altaf seeks Ghali s help
..........Killing of workers Altaf wants case registered
..........Altaf wants to harm country, says Shah
..........Four held with rocket launcher
..........PPP flays MQM, India over city situation
..........Dehlavi blames govt for present situation
..........MQM chief demands change in govt policy
..........MQM threatens protest on Wednesday
..........MQM to support protest, says Ghous
..........MQM strike today
..........Altaf warns govt of more protests
..........Murtaza seeks MQM s support
..........Altaf urges Press to voice concern at State terrorism
EC has no plans for new delimitation s
PPP flays PML s silence over rocket attack
PPP chalks out plans to counter black day
Polls in held Valley will be a farce PM
PM confirms some army men under investigation
Country sliding into anarchy Nawaz
PPP holds anti-MQM rally in London
PM s brother-in-law held
Coup leaders wanted Islamic revolution
JSQM flays deaths in custody
No one will be allowed to disturb peace, warns Saroop
Fate of Brown Amendment to be decided today
Coup inquiry report to be made public, says Leghari
Delay resented PM orders privatisation of PTC by December
PML girds up for protest day
Police facing organised terrorism, says Babar
Black day today Gohar issues chargesheet
Case against Nasser termed victimisation
Altaf has deviated from people s mandate, says Shah
JI chief calls on President
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Overall economic situation improves, says IFC review
Further loans for Pakistan IMF calls for cut in deficit
Action against tax evaders New steps to yield Rs 30 to 40bn
Rupee falls by 6 paisa against $
Habib Bank to be sold in June 96
LCCI chief seeks tariff reforms
Pakistan on way to economic stability
IMF rejects Islamabad s request on ESAF terms
See
Part B for rest of 19th Oct. 1995 Issue
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EDITORIALS & FEATURES
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Sitting ducks Ardeshir Cowasjee
Dark forebodings about the future M.B. Naqvi
Prices the reality is far more disturbing M. Ziauddin
A lunch with the Sharifs Editorial Column
What's the truth about this 'ambush' episode? Editorial Column
New anti-corruption tools Sultan Ahmed
The grand design Mazdak
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SPORTS
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3-Nation hockey tournament gets under way today
AAMIR S ALL-ROUND SHOW Pakistan turn tables on Lanka in Sharjah
Islamabad seeks Indian pledge safety of cricketers
BASIT, MOIN Ramiz steers Pakistan to victory over W.I.
West Indies coast to easy win against Pakistan
Germany overpower Pakistan in 3-nation hockey
Pakistan, S. Korea draw 2-2 hockey
W. Indies snatch 3-run thriller from Lanka
Pakistan humbled by Lanka in Sharjah
West Indies jrs in sight of victory in Test
Inquiry demanded into disappearance of players
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951013
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Two killed on MQM strike day
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 Thursday was a relatively lesser violent day of the
strike called by the MQM to mourn the death of its seven of its
workers allegedly gunned down by law enforcers on Tuesday.
In an abortive attempt, unidentified men fired three Russian- made
rockets at a firewood stall near Sohrab Goth, but it caused no
casualty.
Unidentified men fired two rocket-propelled grenades at the Gulzar-i-
Hijri police station, but they missed the target. The grenades blasted
through the boundary wall of the firewood stall and the debris
injuring two kids.
A heavy contingent of rangers cordoned off the locality at midday to
flush out suspects. However, no arrest was reported till late in the
night.
Later, two rockets were reportedly fired at Sachal Rangers
headquarters but they too missed the target and hit a tree outside the
building.
The day long shutdown disrupted normal life. However, there was thin
traffic in districts South and East and some parts of the district
West throughout the day.
A KTC spokesman claimed that despite the strike its buses operated as
usual throughout the day. No incident of burning or damage to buses
was reported from any of the KTC s seven depots.
Two men were shot dead, four wounded and three vehicles burnt in the
city on Thursday.
The bullet-riddled body of an unidentified man was found in Orangi
Extension. There was marks of torture on his person, the police said.
His identity and political affiliation could not be known.
The body of a heroin-addict was found at a desolate place in Orangi
Extension. He was identified as Mohammad Ayub, 40. He died of a bullet
shot on his head in Shah Waliullah Nagar. Police said his was a
chronic addict case.
951014
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Policeman among six killed in violence
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 Six persons, including a policeman, were shot dead
and 10 others wounded in the city on Friday.
Two bullet-riddled bodies were found in the rear seat of a Suzuki in
Sharifabad. The Suzuki was taken away by unidentified men at gunpoint
in the Gulbahar area on Thursday, police said.
The car was found abandoned on service road near Erum Bakery on
Friday. There were marks of torture and bullet holes on the bodies of
the victims. The bodies, with their hands tied, were found stuffed in
gunny bags.
They were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy. One of the
victims was identified from his ID card as Hayatullah Khan. A card of
Metropolitan Security Service was also found on him.
The identity of the other victim could not be known till late in the
night. The police had also found a note on them stating a gift for
Babar .
A batch of under-training police constables, patrolling in a private
van, was caught in a shootout in Malir. According to the police, some
unidentified men opened fire on the van patrolling in Mohammad Nagar.
Constable Sikandar Ali was killed on the spot, while constables Yaqeen
Ali, Mohammad Sharif and Iqtedar Ahmad wounded in the attack. An 18-
year-old boy, Azfar Hussain, was also wounded.
Three people were killed and four others injured in an encounter
with police in Azizabad. According to the police, a raid was conducted
in a desolate place in Banghoria Goth to nab some suspects. As the
police mobile reached there, a shootout took place.
One unidentified person was killed on the spot and another one
identified as Sharif, succumbed to injuries on way to hospital.
Those injured were identified as Mohammad Ayub, 35, Ghulam Hussain,
37, Zaheer Ahmad, 23 and Rasheed, 30. Constable Ejaz was also wounded
in the shootout . The police claimed that they had seized four TT
pistols from the suspects.
According to other reports, the victims were going to Gadap to attend
a marriage ceremony. When the police tried to stop them near Bhopal
cottage they ignored the call.
Police allegedly fired on them killing Sharif and two others and
injuring four others.
Sher Khan, 18, was wounded by snipers in Pirabad and Katay Khan in New
Town.
951016
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DSP, four cops among 11 killed in metropolis
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 A deputy superintendent of police and four policemen
were among the 11 people killed in city violence on Sunday.
Moreover a rocket was fired at rangers headquarter in Khwaja Ajmir
Nagri.
Some unidentified persons barged into the house of Bashir Ahmad
Noorani, 50, a prosecution deputy superintendent of police in North
Karachi, and fired at the family.
Bashir was killed on the spot and his elder son, Tanvir Ahmad Noorani,
25, was critically wounded.
In Liaquatabad, body of a police constable bearing marks of torture
was found near Choona Depot early in the morning. Police identified
him as Raja Mehmood, 35, who was kidnapped on Saturday.
His body was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for autopsy. Police said
Mehmood was kidnapped while on way to Liaquatabad. Some unidentified
men fired at Ghulam Mustafa Panhwar, 30, a head constable, near Ali
Public School in Korangi and escaped.
He was ambushed during patrol. His body was taken to the JPMC for
autopsy.
Head constable Khan Bahadur, 45, was killed in Orangi Extension.
Police said he was on way to duty when some persons riding a taxi
fired at him near Yaqoobabad and fled. The victim was posted at
district West headquarters.
Bullet-riddled body of a man was found in a gunny bag near Garden. He
was gunned down after severe torture. The victim had been kidnapped on
Saturday and taken to unknown destination where he was allegedly
tortured. Police identified him as Mohammad Hanif, 32. The victim was
a resident of Keamari.
A 12-year old girl, Ruqyya, was killed after a bullet hit her when she
was in her house in Saeedabad. It could not be ascertained whether she
was hit by a stray bullet or it was a targeted shooting. Her body was
shifted to the mortuary for autopsy.
Farhana, 18, was killed in her house in New Karachi, when unidentified
men entered her house and shot her. Two motorcyclists shot and killed
owner of a car show-room in Gulshan-i-Iqbal. Police identified him as
Abdul Mobeen, owner of Usman Motors. The motive of the murder could
not be ascertained. Pervez Kazmi, 20, was shot dead near a body-
building club in North Karachi. His father, late Qamar Kazmi, a
councillor of the area was killed in a similar style a few months
back. His body was found in a deserted street.
Subhanuddin, 53, was shot dead by unidentified men in Pirabad. The
motive of his murder could not be known. A gang of unidentified men
opened fire at Karim Bukhsh in Jumma Goth, Korangi and escaped. The
Korangi police did not reveal details of the incident.
951018
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Ten killed in two-day violence
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 Ten people were shot dead and several wounded in two
days of violence in the city on Monday and Tuesday.
Unidentified men fired a rocket at the Liaquatabad police station on
Tuesday evening which missed target. An armoured personnel carrier
(APC) also came under fire in the same area.
Three blasts rocked the Bahadurabad locality on Tuesday. The area
plunged into darkness when a PMT was damaged in one of the explosions.
Eyewitnesses said the blasts were believed to have been caused by
rockets fired from within Bahadurabad area. The first had blown up the
PMT, the second exploded near a restaurant and the third near a petrol
pump.
The Bahadurabad police, however, said the blasts were caused by fire
crackers.
Others witnesses said the explosions were caused by blasts in the
underground power cable of an under-construction building where the
labourers were working.
Ten people were injured and nine vehicles were set on fire by
arsonists during the two days.
Five people were shot dead in Districts South, Central and East on
Monday and two vehicles set ablaze.
Police said Asif Asghar, 26, was killed in an encounter near Gujjar
Nullah.
According to them, alleged terrorists were indulging in shooting near
Gujjar Nullah spreading panic in the area.
A police party reached the place and an exchange of fire followed
during which Khatri died, while his accomplices managed to escape.
The police claimed Khatri was involved in heinous crimes.
Imran Ali, 18, and Mohammad Badshah, 17, were attacked by unidentified
armed men in the Garden area while on their way home. Imran died
instantly but Badshah who was critically wounded died on Tuesday. The
unknown assassins fled, the police said.
The incident sent a wave of shock and markets were closed.
The body of an unidentified man with bullet wounds was found near
University Road.
The body of a young man was found in Model Colony with bullet holes.
He was identified by Edhi sources as Anees Ahmad.
Qadar, 28, was killed by unidentified men in Korangi. He was arrested
in March on a charge of possessing illicit arms and was released on
bail recently.
Mohammad Akbar, 36, was shot dead at the doorstep of his home in Old
Golimar, on Tuesday.
Police said some unknown persons pressed the bell of Akbar s house at
11.45 pm on Monday. When he opened the door and leaned out, they fired
at him and fled. His younger brother said they had no personal enmity
with anybody, the police said.
The body of an unidentified man with bullet wounds was found in
Liaquatabad on Tuesday. The Edhi ambulance took the body to hospital
for autopsy.
Shamroz Khan, 33, was killed in Orangi Town. The police said
unidentified men fired at an Al-Rehman passenger coach and killed
Shamroz Khan on the spot. Later, they torched the coach and fled.
Mohammad Akram, 26, was killed by a stray bullet while he was standing
on the rooftop of his house.
Dr Qurban, who was allegedly kidnapped by some unidentified persons in
Orangi Extension, was later recovered from the captors, police said.
Ten people, including a police officer, were injured in shooting
incidents in different localities during the two days.
Siraj, 30, was wounded in Nazimabad Shahsawar in Defence Housing
Authority Allah Rakha, 50 and Mohammad Akram in Liaquatabad ASI
Falak Sher in Arambagh Murad, 40, in Orangi Town Nek Mohammad in
Pirabad Mohammad Yar in Gulbahar Azam in Mochko and a young girl in
Baghdadi. An alleged terrorist , Haider Ali, was injured in an
encounter with police in Gulbahar.
At least ten vehicles were set ablaze on Monday and Tuesday.
Two mini-buses were torched in the Garden area on Monday. A truck
loaded with chemical drums, a Suzuki and a Mazda were set on fire in
Liaquatabad a bus in Arambagh, a car in Jauharabad and a taxi in
Orangi Town.
A water tanker and a taxi were burnt in Orangi Town. Fire- brigade
sources, however, confirmed burning of nine vehicles in the city.
Heavy shootings were reported on Burns Road, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad,
Gulbahar and Orangi Town, which spread panic there forcing the people
to stay behind indoors.
951019
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Strike paralyses city five die in violence
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By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 On a relatively peaceful day, five people were killed
and life in parts of Karachi was paralysed. As the MQM observed its
third strike of the month to denounce what it called extra-judicial
killings of its seven workers in the police custody
The Karachi Stock Exchange, big shopping centres, some of the
financial institutions, main markets and shops and private business
houses remained closed.
Two vehicles were set ablaze and six people, including two policemen,
were wounded during the violence.
Some protesters allegedly opened fire at a police mobile van near
Liaquatabad.
Some unknown persons scaled down into the house of Mohammad Tariq, 24,
in early in the morning, shot him dead and injured his brother.
According to the family sources, six masked men climbed down by a
ladder into the house. When they were opening grill, Tariq s father
woke up and raised alarm. As his sons came towards the gate, the
assailants pressed the trigger of the gun and fled.
Tariq, died on the spot and his elder brother Zubair, 28, and a worker
of the JUP, was injured.
According to the JUP sources, the police had picked up the shopkeeper
>from whom the killers had purchased the ladder for interrogation and
were trying to track down the killers.
A passenger was killed and another critically wounded when some
unidentified men opened a volley of bullets on bus in Korangi.
According to the KTC sources, the bus when it reached near the
Korangi, it came under fire. While other passengers escaped unhurt,
Mohammad Farooq, 30, died on the spot. Inayatullah, who was critically
wounded, was later admitted to the JPMC.
Aamer, 24, was killed in an encounter with the police in Federal B
Area and one of his accomplices, Asif Rahim Abbasi, was arrested.
The police claimed that a gang of terrorists , who were riding in two
Suzuki cars, opened fire on a patrolling party when they were
signalled to stop for checking. As a result, Aamer was wounded, but he
later succumbed to his injuries in the JPMC, they said.
An unidentified young woman, 28, was shot dead by unknown men in
Bahadurabad. Her body was found in a street in KDA Scheme No. 1. It
was shifted to the JPMC for autopsy. The police investigation was
under way to find out the motive of the murder.
A mentally deranged 17-year-old, Kashif, who was suspected as an
informer, was shot dead by unidentified men on Nishtar Road, the
police said.
Six people, including a girl, were wounded in different areas. Police
constables Ashiq Hussain and Ejaz Hussain were shot and injured near
Al-Azam Square Shahid Khan in Saeedabad Inayet in Korangi Rizwana
in New Karachi and Shahid in Liaquatabad.
951013
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Khan invites MQM to talks
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 Law Minister N.D. Khan, who is also leading the
government side at the peace talks with MQM, has asked the MQM
leadership to resume the stalled talks before he leaves for a 10-day
foreign tour.
He said Mr Dehlavi had written an 11-page letter to him raising new
issues and making new demands to resume talks. We are ready to even
discuss these new issues at the talks.
The minister said the resumption of talks was necessary to give
confidence and a new hope for peace to the people who are facing
terrorism in Karachi. I will like to repeat my offer, let s have
talks, he said. For the sake of peace and normality we must meet.
When pointed put that Mr Delhavi had demanded an end to the siege of
MQM localities by para-military forces as a pre-condition for resuming
talks, he said if the MQM team returns to the talks, this issue can
also be discussed.
He regretted that MQM was resorting to strikes and thus causing damage
to the national economy. Political issues, he said, must be resolved
through political means.
The minister said a political settlement of the issue could be
achieved within a week provided the MQM stops terrorism. He said if
peace could be maintained in Karachi for only three months, we can
hold local bodies elections in that city.
The MQM has majority in Karachi and in case of local bodies elections
their members are likely to be elected in Karachi Metropolitan
Corporation so peace will only help them, he maintained.
951013
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MQM men arrested
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KARACHI, Oct 12 The police claim to have unearthed the terrorists
involved in the murder of the SDM of Arambagh, Nawaz Khushk, and his
gunman Bashir Ahmed Magsi.
The police said on Thursday that the actual culprit Raza Imam alias
Raza Bhai had been arrested in this regard with a pistol and a
motorcycle.
They said that after the killing of terrorist Farooq Dada, Amir
Zaki, Khurram and Saulat Mirza had, on the instruction of Shakil Azam
of Altaf group planned the killing of government officers.
The terrorists were unearthed by a special investigation team led by
SHO Zeeshan Kazmi of Nazimabad Police Station. The police said further
investigation was in progress and more arrests were expected.
According to the police the wife of Raza Imam had allegedly been
involved in the smuggling of arms and ammunition with Altaf Group s
most wanted terrorist Naim Sheri .
951013
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MQM fears for arrested workers life
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 The MQM s Deputy Leader of Opposition, Shoaib
Bukhari, has urged the chief justice of Sindh High Court to take
action for the recovery of Rehan Ahmed Khan, an interned MQM worker,
and expressed apprehensions that he might be killed in a fake police
encounter like many other MQM workers.
In a statement, he said Rehan was arrested on Oct 10 at his residence
and he is being continuously subjected to torture in custody. As a
result, he is precariously ill.
951013
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PPP replies to MQM points
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 12 Continuing his rebuttal to the MQM reply, the PPP
spokesman has challenged the claim that there are no gang leaders in
the MQM, so there is no question of handing anyone to the government.
When the government made such a demand, the MQM denied that the
government demand had any truth, and it made a counter- allegation
that there was a government-Al-Zulfikar axis. The allegation was
promptly denied by the government.
The spokesman claimed that the manner in which Farooq Dada and others
were owned by the MQM was a clear indication that it had gang leaders
within its ranks, who were allegedly involved in terrorism in the
city.
The PPP spokesman alleged that Farooq Dada had been killed with three
terrorists who were gang leaders of their respective areas. Each
gang leader, with the help of several youths, collected bhatta for
his gang and some for the self-exiled founder of the MQM, the PPP
spokesman alleged.
Striking at the contradictions in the stand of the MQM leadership, the
PPP spokesman said that the evening when Farooq Dada was killed on Aug
2, the deputy opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly and member of
the MQM negotiating team, with Kazi Khalid and Shaikh Liaquat Hussain,
had told newsmen that Farooq Dada had nothing to do with the MQM (A)
and that he had been expelled a year ago because of his alleged
criminal activities.
But at 10 in the night of Aug 2 a fax message from London was received
in newspaper offices in which Mr Altaf Hussain had described Farooq
Patni as a martyr .
Soon after this fax message, Shoaib Bokhari and other MQM(A) leaders
started pleading with the newspapers to mention Farooq Dada as an MQM
worker.
The PPP spokesman contended that if Altaf Hussain had not supported
the gang leader and notorious terrorist Farooq Dada, all other
gang leaders would have gone out of his control.
The PPP spokesman also denied MQM allegations that his party had any
links with Al Zulfikar.
Demanding that the Altaf Group should furnish the exact number of
people who had sought refuge in various countries the PPP spokesman
maintained that even if the claim of the MQM (A) was accepted, then
one would like to know who provided finance to so many people because
only travel expenses for about 20,000 people would be around one
billion rupees.
He contended that the weapons which filtered down to the MQM ranks in
Karachi was not beneficial for the country. He added that all acts of
the MQM (A) were detrimental to Pakistan s interest and was being
exploited by India.
He said the special relationship of Javed Langra with top Indian
leaders, including the interior minister, needed to be explained.
Emphasising the need for peace in the city, the PPP spokesman urged
Altaf Hussain to renounce terrorism and cooperate with Pakistan.
951013
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Altaf seeks Ghali s help
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Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 12 The United Nations Secretary-General has been informed
of the latest killings of MQM workers in Karachi, some of whom were
in judicial custody and were brought under police escort to a place
where they were shot dead .
Mr Hussain in his letter adds that attempts to reason with the
authorities in Pakistan, including the President and the army chief,
have been in vain, thus far. The UN secretary general had been
requested to circulate the petition from the MQM to the Security
Council members and to use his own position to alleviate the present
suffering of the Mohajirs, and initiate a move in defence of
international law.
Copies of the letter to the UN secretary general have, as before, been
sent to the President and the army chief in Pakistan, the Supreme
Court and high courts as well to world leaders and human rights
organisations.
951014
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Killing of workers Altaf wants case registered
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Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 13 MQM chief Altaf Hussain has asked the President to
order the registration of a murder case against those responsible for
the killing of three MQM workers who had been in judicial custody
since Aug 6.
In a statement issued here, Mr Hussain said all three of them were
brought to Nazimabad on Oct 10 on the pretext of providing
identification. They were killed when they were under police escort
and were handcuffed and had their feet in fetters.
The hospital report shows that they were shot at from a close range.
There was a fourth body also found and this was described by the
police to be that of another victim of the same ambush that killed the
other three.
Mr Hussain said that the interior minister said on the same day that
the three MQM workers Faheem, Zeeshan and Yousuf were killed due
to sniper fire and one of the attackers died because of police firing.
He also admitted that Khurshid Anwar and two of his sisters had been
arrested on suspicion of supplying arms to the attackers.
The MQM had issued a call for the release of the women of Khurshid
Anwar s family. The mother and one sister of the deceased on Friday
turned up at the MQM headquarters claiming that they were never
arrested and that Khurshid Anwar was still in custody, having been
arrested from his house on the morning of Oct 10. Mr Hussain said that
this statement seems to have been made under police duress.
Mr Hussain has said that he held the prime minister, the interior
minister and others responsible for the killings of the MQM workers.
If the President did not proceed against them in four days, he said,
the MQM would launch an appropriate protest, details of which would be
announced later.
951014
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Altaf wants to harm country, says Shah
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KARACHI, Oct 13 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah said here on
Friday, there was mini insurgency and foreign interference in
Karachi and charged that MQM leader Altaf Hussain wanted to cause harm
to the progress and dignity of Pakistan.
Syed Abdulah Shah said that MQM in the initial stages had wanted a
separate province carved out of Sindh and then go for unilateral
declaration for independence and have a separate country.
This kind of programme suits the enemies of Pakistan and that is why
they (MQM) get covert and overt support from India and the Zionist
lobby who can never tolerate the emergence of any strong Muslim state.
We have evidence that foreign-trained terrorists are in Karachi and
are still coming. The influx of illegal arms to this province from
various sources and modern communication system prove our contentions
that there is foreign interference, he maintained.
He said the situation was now changing in a manner that the law
enforcement agencies were having an upper hand and the terrorists were
on the run.
The rocket attack at new Sindh Secretariat building a few days back
was aimed at damaging the image of the law enforcement agencies. It
was a high profile case to create fear among the people of Karachi.
The chief minister said that clearing the minds of the people of
Pakistan vis-a-vis the MQM was one achievement of our government. He
said any terrorist having a criminal record was owned by the MQM after
he was killed. Their frequent calls for strike for no reason were
meant to damage the economy of the country.
He said his (Altaf Hussain s) letters to the international
organisations and staging of demonstrations against the prime minister
only point to one thing he (Altaf Hussain) wants to cause harm to the
progress and dignity of Pakistan and was helping India in its actions
in Kashmir.
Asked whether the government would continue talks with the MQM in such
a situation the chief minister replied We have to have negotiations
with the MQM as the party has representation in the Senate and the
Sindh Assembly. People of Karachi voted for them but they did not keep
the mandate of their electorates in the assembly. They boycotted Sindh
Assembly session. If they did not want to go to the assembly why did
they get elected, he asked.
He said that by having talks with the MQM, the government wanted to
show its sincerity for solving all political problems. The only
condition of the MQM was release of all their criminals and giving
them a free hand. We will not permit this .
He admitted that in a few cases law enforcement agencies had committed
excesses, and added that the government had taken strict action
against policemen. In a situation like this, I do not deny excesses
as these are compulsions of the situation. I feel uncomfortable on
excesses by police, and go for judicial enquiry. Even on false
allegations of the MQM we have held judicial enquiry to restore
confidence of the people, he added.
951014
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Four held with rocket launcher
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KARACHI, Oct 13 Four MQM men were nabbed after chase of a yellow cab
in Federal B on Thursday night and a rocket launcher, 200 rounds of
kalashnikov, two mousers, and a TT pistol were recovered from them,
the police said on Friday.
The four were involved in siphoning weapons from Balochistan , police
said. Giving details of the incident, the police said during checking
of vehicles for suspicious persons it spotted a yellow cab and a white
car each carrying four persons.
When signalled to stop neither of the vehicles complied and instead
began racing into the lanes in Gulberg area. On being chased, their
occupants began firing on the police party which returned the fire. It
ultimately succeeded in catching the yellow cab in the lane of Power
House in the area.
Its four occupants Muhammad Naeem, Muhammad Panah, Rahim Dino and
Muhammad Rasheed were arrested. They were identified as activists of
the MQM, involved in supplying arms from Balochistan , police said.
951014
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PPP flays MQM, India over city situation
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The MQM was bitterly criticised for its alleged links
with India after New Delhi s representative at the United Nations on
Thursday referred to the situation in Karachi and cited Altaf
Hussain s letter to the Secretary-General in this regard.
In a joint statement, provincial ministers Nisar Ahmed Khuro and Abdul
Hakim Baloch, and adviser on information Mohammad Yousuf castigated
India for interfering in the internal affairs of Pakistan and asked
Altaf Hussain not to play in the hands of India .
The ministers alleged that Altaf Hussain had gone too far and ignored
Pakistan s vital interests just to satisfy his personal interests .
It does not auger well for Pakistan and no patriotic person would
tolerate that anyone collaborates with the enemies of Pakistan, said
the ministers.
They alleged that on the one hand Altaf Hussain and Mian Nawaz Sharif
were conspiring against the democratic system in the country while,
on the other, they were joining hands with India.
As the leader of the opposition, it was the responsibility of Mian
Nawaz Sharif to dissuade Altaf Hussain to leave the suicidal path of
friendship and collaboration with India , said the provincial
ministers.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Dehlavi blames govt for present situation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The Chief MQM negotiator Ajmal Dehlavi said on Friday
we must put our house in order so that the opponents of Pakistan do
not get any chance to take advantage of it and embarrass us .
He was commenting on the criticism by some provincial ministers of the
Indian delegate s reference to the Karachi situation at the UN, and
Altaf Hussain s letter to the world body s Secretary General.
He was of the view that the government was to blame for the present
situation because it was not stopping what he called extra-judicial
killings and massive and indiscriminate arrests of the Mohajirs.
This situation, Mr Dehlavi said , was creating difficulties in the
negotiations and providing reasons for strikes. He contended if the
alleged State terrorism was stopped, the cause for strikes would not
be there.
The chief MQM negotiator recalled that when the talks had commenced,
his party had called off the strike and jointly condemned terrorism.
But he alleged State terrorism continued unabated and more and more
people were executed in police custody in a questionable manner,
providing a pretext for a strike.
Replying to a question, he confirmed that members of the MQM
negotiating team would visit London for instructions from Altaf
Hussain. The purpose of this visit would also be to inform Mr Hussain
about the various aspects of negotiations and the general situation
prevailing at home.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM chief demands change in govt policy
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Athar Ali
LONDON, Oct 13 The government policy to implicate MQM s female
workers and supporters in criminal cases or to involve their families
has to stop, said Altaf Hussain.
Mr Hussain called for the immediate release of four women, three
sisters and a mother of the MQM worker Khurshid Anwar, who was killed
while in police custody on the morning of October 10.
He added that the pattern of taking physical custody of the women
relatives of MQM workers, or of entire families of such people
emphasised that the Bhutto government is embarked upon this course of
action with a view to shatter the dignity, self-respect and personal
identity of the Mohajir nation .
He warned the authorities of an internal war if they do not desist
>from their designs. He said no self-respecting people can allow such
state inflicted brutality to go unchecked.
He also reminded that the whereabouts of Rais Fatima have not been
disclosed after her disappearance in June and Shazia Farooq, the wife
of an MQM worker, is under detention since August 2.
He added that if the four women arrested recently were not released
within 48 hours, the MQM will then announce its response.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM threatens protest on Wednesday
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 14 In less than a week the MQM has called for another
day of protest on Wednesday against the alleged custodial murder of
Mufeez Farooqi, elder brother of Fahim Commando, who was also killed
in a mysterious ambush on Oct 10.
The protest precedes the countrywide black day being observed by the
opposition on Oct 19. The MQM leader has asked the people of Sindh to
close their business and abstain from work on Wednesday (Oct 18).
After much confusion about the identity of the fourth person killed in
the encounter in which Fahim Commando was slain, the MQM claimed that
it was Mufeez Farooqi, 26, Fahim s elder brother.
According to the MQM chief, Mufeez Farooqi was arrested by the police
on Oct 6 in Rawalpindi and was allegedly brought to Karachi.
MQM sources had first contended that the unidentified body was that of
Altaf Qureshi but then said it was Khursheed Anwar s as identified by
Shaikh Liaquat and others at the Edhi centre. But on Saturday, the MQM
chief Altaf Husain claimed that it was the body of the brother of
Fahim commando, Mufeez Farooqi.
Mr Hussain has given the government 24 hours to apprehend those
officials who were responsible for the murder of Fahim Commando and
three other activists, failing which the MQM would be forced to
observe a day of protest throughout the Sindh on Oct 18.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM to support protest, says Ghous
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
SUKKUR, Oct 14 PML-N chief Sindh Syed Ghous Ali Shah claimed on
Saturday that the Black Day on 19th of October was the referendum
against the government and despite hurdles, victimisation and state
terrorism the nation would express its opinion about the PPP regime.
To a question he said negotiations between the PML-N and PML-N were in
progress and he hoped that a positive result will come out in the next
sitting.
To a question he said that the PML-N has decided in principle that he
would cooperate with PML-J in the recent bi-elections especially on
the seat vacated by Jam Mashooq and he hoped that the PML-J would
reciprocate in the same spirit.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
MQM strike today
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 The MQM observes a protest day on Wednesday to
mourn the custodial death of Mufeez Farooqi, brother of Fahim
Commando, who was killed on Oct 10.
The MQM had on Oct 14 given the government 24 hours to apprehend those
who were responsible for the murder of Fahim Commando and others.
Several vehicles were torched and heavy firing was reported from many
areas on Tuesday evening, preceding the strike.
The strike comes a day before the country-wide Black Day being
observed by some of the opposition parties. In view of the MQM strike
and the opposition s black day, the MQM negotiating team s departure
to London has been delayed.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Altaf warns govt of more protests
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 18 Altaf Hussain has said if the government did not put
an end to its repression more of such demonstrations will be held.
The MQM leader deplored what he called the partisan attitude of the
president in not holding the government responsible for the extra-
judicial executions of several MQM workers while in police or judicial
custody.
He also expressed surprise and concern over the remarks made by the
president to the effect that the crisis in Karachi and southern Sindh
will take some time to get resolved. He asked the president as to how
much time he thought was necessary to accomplish this goal.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Murtaza seeks MQM s support
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 Mir Murtaza Bhutto, head of his own faction of the
PPP, on Wednesday sought MQM s support for his party s candidate for
the Sanghar by-elections.
The by-elections were to be held after Jam Mashooq Ali was unseated by
the Election Commission, against which he has obtained a stay.
The MQM had played a vital role in his elections in 1993.
Mr Dehlavi said the proposal would be discussed by his committee and
advice would be sought from Altaf Hussain after which any decision
would be taken.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Altaf urges Press to voice concern at State terrorism
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 MQM chief Altaf Hussain on Tuesday reiterated his
condemnation of the alleged State terrorism and urged the press to
voice concern at the genocide of the Mohajir nation.
In a letter addressed to editors of Pakistan newspapers and journals,
he slammed the prime minister s remarks during her meeting with
newspaper editors that the killing of four under-custody MQM activists
on Oct 10 was the result of action by their comrades and not extra-
judicial killings, as claimed by the MQM.
He accused the government of following a policy of summary execution
of MQM workers who were in police custody.
Accusing the government of Benazir Bhutto of moving towards absolute
dictatorship, Mr Hussain contended that the prime minister could not
escape the responsibility for the murder of the Mohajirs.
More recently, he contended, removal of governments in the NWFP and
Punjab under emergency provisions of the constitution was carried out
in the most corrupt and fascist manner.
Mr Hussain contended that our beloved country has the misfortune of
being ruled again and again by such acknowledged practitioners of
State terrorism, adding that there is no one left in the
constitutional civilian set-up that can do anything about it.
He was of the view that the press represents the last obstacle to the
establishment of absolute dictatorship in the country and of one-party
State.
But he regretted that the press, too, was under attack. In this
context, he mentioned the suspension of six Karachi eveningers and
harassment of a woman editor.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
EC has no plans for new delimitation s
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Nasir Jamal
LAHORE, Oct 12 Chief Election Commissioner Justice (retd) Fakhre Alam
said here on Thursday the election commission was not considering
fresh delimitation of constituencies.
He said the commission would involve the Press as well as the people
whenever fresh delimitation of constituencies was undertaken.
He said the process of pre-printing revision of electoral rolls will
be completed by May 19, 1996. The existing electoral rolls will
remain valid as long as fresh lists are not finalised and printed, he
said.
Mr Alam rejected the opposition s charges that the names of its voters
were being deleted from the rolls. He said after the initiation of the
process of preparing new lists, the commission did not have powers to
delete any name from the existing voters lists.
Mr Alam said the commission had adopted several measures to reform the
electoral process. A control room would be set up at the Election
House in Islamabad where the leader of the House and of the
opposition, representatives of contesting parties and newsmen would be
invited during the elections to put an end to post-polling complaints
of rigging.
951013
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP flays PML s silence over rocket attack
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 State minister for labour Ghulam Akbar Lasi said on
Thursday that rockets attack on new Sindh Secretariat by terrorists is
condemnable and tantamount to challenging the state authority.
Meanwhile secretary and spokesman for PPP parliamentary group alleged
that PML(N) high command s mysterious silence over the recent rocket
attack at Sindh secretariat by terrorists has convinced the nation
that Mian Nawaz Sharif has some thing to do with the escalating
terrorism in Karachi.
951014
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP chalks out plans to counter black day
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 13 The PPP provincial leadership of has decided to
counter the opposition s black day on Oct 19 with a week-long
celebrations for the two years of democratic rule by the party.
Mr Shah said the week-long programme included two seminars, a rally of
workers in the Landhi area, besides programmes for children, sports
and cultural events in the city. Programmes for the rest of the
province would be announced on Oct 15.
Urging the people of Karachi to participate with full vigour and zeal,
the provincial PPP chief said his party believed in peace and
democratic dispensation and was determined to end hatred.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Polls in held Valley will be a farce PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto said here on Saturday
that All-Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC) was the sole and
legitimate representative of the people of the occupied Kashmir and
the so-called elections India proposed to hold in the valley were
nothing but a farce.
The APHC which comprised 34 political parties of the occupied Kashmir,
she said, was the sole and legitimate representative of the Kashmiri
people.
The prime minister said the APHC had already announced to boycott
these elections. These elections cannot be an alternative to the
plebiscite promised by the United Nations, Pakistan and India to the
Kashmiri people, she added.
She said India had held similar elections in the past and the whole
world was aware how they were held. Even the former governors and home
ministers of the occupied Kashmir had confirmed that previous
elections in the valley were rigged at every level, she pointed out.
She said the recent elections held in Leh area of the occupied Kashmir
had exposed the designs of the Indian government and their claims of
holding free elections. Out of 26 seats, the Indian administration
ensured unopposed success of their stooges on 22 seats. A similar
election drama has been arranged for the rest of the valley, she
added.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM confirms some army men under investigation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
M.Ziauddin
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto confirmed on Saturday
that some army officers were under investigation for being allegedly
involved in non-professional activities.
The prime minister, while confirming the arrests of the army officers,
said it would not be in the national interest to speculate on the
matter pending the completion of the investigations.
When a questioner asked about the future of Altaf Hussain, the prime
minister referred to Wali Khan and her own brother Murtaza and said
the two at one point of time had faced very serious charges, but now
Wali Khan, his wife Nasim Wali Khan and their son are all respected
politicians of this country while the latter two are members of
provincial and national assemblies, respectively, and my brother is an
MPA.
CORRUPTION In this connection she put part of the blame on the
attitude of her own party members, she said corruption was all
pervasive in the middle and lower echelons of the government, you
have to pay bribes to get anything done, even lowly jobs.
951015
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Country sliding into anarchy Nawaz
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 14 The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Mohammaed Nawaz
Sharif, in a statement said here on Saturday the country was
witnessing a decline of state institutions and proposed a new
citizens charter to reverse the situation.
Saying that the country was drifting fast into the orbit of anarchy,
the former prime minister accused the PPP government of failing to
respect the mandate of the Opposition and said pushed to the wall,
the Opposition has no option but to mobilise street power to counter
the misuse of state power.
He alleged that the Benazir government had politicised the bureaucracy
and attempted to destroy judiciary. The PPP government s large scale
victimisation of the Opposition, had created circumstances for
intense political polarisation he said.
The basic cause of the nation s ill, he said, was the loss of
political direction, and added, The incompetence and insincerity of
the present government has further accelerated this decline and as a
result increased the sense of despondency in the country.
This had resulted, he said, in such a state of national apathy that
even open admission by the Prime Minister that she saved India by
giving them information on the Sikh insurgency in the Indian Punjab is
not taken seriously.
This state of affairs cannot go on for any length of time without a
total collapse of the system.
People cannot be expected to dish out a certain proportion of their
income in taxes and get nothing in return as a matter of right.
Whatever strength of institutions we inherited at the time of
independence has also been gradually whittled away by a strong and
ambitious Executive. I propose an urgent review of the situation by
an app party parliamentary committee to re-establish state
Institutions and to ensure
Supremacy off the Parliament Independence of Judiciary Neutrality
and effectiveness of the civil service Non-interference in the
tenure and promotions of senior Defence Service personnel An
independent Election Commission along with neutral caretaker
governments to ensure free and fair elections That financial and
other state institutions are safeguarded against political pressures
That the system of merit based recruitment is followed at all levels
of government.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PPP holds anti-MQM rally in London
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
LONDON, Oct 15 Pakistan People s Party activists in the United
Kingdom have intensified their campaign against the Mohajir Qaumi
Movement.
Nearly 150 demonstrators, stood in front of the MQM office for nearly
three hours. The police kept a watch.
The PPP protesters carried banners and placards demanding Mr Hussain s
extradition to Pakistan. PPP President Afzal Khalid said the
demonstration was to condemn the MQM for the attack on the Sindh
Secretariat for which he held them responsible.
A similar demonstration was held by the PPP on Sept 11 but on that
occasion there was a verbal exchange between the PPP and the MQM
workers. This time the MQM workers were not there to respond to the
PPP slogan-mongering. Instead, they had a slight confrontation with
the police, who wanted the PPP protesters to leave as the MQM offices
were locked. These offices being located in a residential area, the
noisy protest the police said was disturbing neighbours on a Sunday.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PM s brother-in-law held
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 Nasir Hussian, brother-in-law of Mir Murtaza Bhutto
and a member of the central committee of PPP (SB) was arrested on
Sunday from Karachi airport for his alleged involvement in the murder
of Ali Ahmad Soomro.
Talking to Dawn, Murtaza Bhutto confirmed his arrest and condemned the
action saying he was falsely implicated.
Defence police, however, denied any arrest saying No one has come to
lodge an FIR in the case. How we can arrest anybody?
A duty officer at the police station told Dawn, police had only
completed preliminary formalities and had not lodged any case so far.
According to reports, police arrested Nasir Hussain before he could
board a Dubai- bound flight at Karachi airport on suspicion of his
involvement in the murder of Ahmad Ali Soomro.
Other reports suggest he was arrested from Islamabad airport.
Mr Bhutto said police constable Rafique, the so-called witness to the
incident, was on guard duty at Bilawal House on the night of the
incident and was still posted there.
This action has exposed moral and political bankruptcy of the present
government, Murtaza said.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Coup leaders wanted Islamic revolution
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 The arrested army officers had planned to take into
custody the high command of the army on Sept 30 during the scheduled
corps commanders meeting in Rawalpindi and then launch an Islamic
Revolution in Pakistan.
However, they were arrested on Sept 26 after Major-General Ali Quli
Khan, Chief of the Military Intelligence (MI), reported the issue to
the top leadership of the army.
Simultaneous investigations have started in Quetta and Rawalpindi
against the purported revolt of these army officers. All the arrested
officers were sent to Quetta on Saturday night by a special plane.
This is said to be the fourth failed coup attempt in Pakistan s
history. The first was the so-called Pindi conspiracy in early 1950s
led by Maj. Gen. (retd) Akbar Khan. The second was during late
Z.A.Bhutto s tenure in 1970s, known as Attock Conspiracy Case and the
third was against late Zia-ul-Haq in early 1980s when a number of
senior army officers including Maj. Gen. (retd) Tajammal Hussain were
arrested.
However, there have been three successful organised coups. The first
was in 1958 when Ayub Khan grabbed power from Skindar Mirza. Then Late
General Yayha Khan replaced Ayub Khan in 1969. Later Zia-ul-Haq
overthrew the elected government of late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
JSQM flays deaths in custody
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Correspondent
HYDERABAD, Oct 15 The governing body of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz
expressed concern over law and order situation in Sindh and condemned
the conversion of the province into a police state.
The meeting through a resolution remarked that there was no difference
between the so-called democratic government of late Zulfikar Ali
Bhutto and the undemocratic government of his daughter where people
were being arrested without warrant, kept in wrongful confinement and
tortured and the judicial process was being destroyed.
The meeting, however, observed that the most despicable and ghastly
act was death in police custody. It quoted the examples of Fahim alias
Commando and other MQM activists in this regard.
951016
-------------------------------------------------------------------
No one will be allowed to disturb peace, warns Saroop
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
LAHORE, Oct 15 Punjab Governor Raja Saroop Khan has said the
government will take action against the PML opposition if it tried to
disturb the peace during its planned black day on October 19.
The governor told newsmen it was the duty of the government to
maintain law and order and no one could be allowed to disrupt the
public peace.
He said the tenure of SHOs was being fixed and they were being made
accountable and responsible for the crime committed in their areas.
He admitted that the crime rate had not come down so far, but said the
government was putting in its best efforts in that direction.
Asked about the PPP s plan to also organise processions to highlight
the achievements of the PDF government on October 19, Governor Saroop
Khan said We ll make sure that the two parties do not clash.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Fate of Brown Amendment to be decided today
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, Oct 17 The nominees of the two houses of US Congress meet
on Wednesday to decide the fate of the foreign operations bill which
includes the Brown amendment, amid reports that President Clinton may
veto the bill if agreement was not reached on some controversial
clauses.
Indications that the president may be considering a veto were given by
the New York Times in a report on Pakistan on Tuesday.
All signals emanating from the Pakistan camp in Washington were mixed,
not predicting which way the conference of the two houses may go on
the Brown amendment.
The Indian lobby, was working hard to get the supply of military
equipment deleted from the version passed by the Senate last month as
the House had not adopted any such provision.
Pakistan, however, received unexpected support from a leading
Washington newspaper, the Washington Times, which strongly supported
adoption of the Brown amendment by the conference of the two houses.
A true display of bipartisianship in this town is about as rare as a
swallow in winter, but if you watch closely, there might just be one
on the horizon, the paper said editorially.
Believe it or not, it can be done. The paper said The legislation
in question is an amendment offered by Sen Hank Brown to clarify
restrictions on US aid to Pakistan, which has been frozen for the past
five years.
The appeal of the Brown Amendment is that it focuses on the
possible, which is to create a one-time exemption that will let
Pakistan get the weapons it paid for or at least a refund. The
amendment allows the delivery of $368 million in military equipment,
technology and defence services contracted for before Oct 1, 1990.
Given that the Pakistani defence is largely based on American weapon
systems, this is important. The bulk of the remainder consists of an
order for 28 F-16 fighter jets on which restrictions continue to
apply. However, if a third-party buyer can be found, Pakistan stands
to recoup its money. Simple fairness, it would seem, demands no less.
This should be one issue that the Republican Congress and the
Democratic president can readily agree on.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Coup inquiry report to be made public, says Leghari
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 President Farooq Leghari assured the nation on
Tuesday that the inquiry report about the arrested army officers, who
were allegedly hatching a conspiracy, would be made public.
Answering questions at a local function about the arrest of a major-
general, a brigadier and three dozen other officers, the president
said the people should await the outcome of the inquiry.
He advised the media to exercise restraint in making comments about
the case till the completion of the investigations. Responding to a
question, the president expressed satisfaction over the overall law
and order situation in the country.
Overall the law and order situation is improving in the country and
there is no restlessness anywhere, he said.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Delay resented PM orders privatisation of PTC by December
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtasham ul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 The government has decided to privatise the entire
Pakistan Tele-communication Corporation by December. Informed sources
told Dawn on Tuesday that the decision was taken after the prime
minister expressed her concern at the delay in the privatisation of
the PTC.
The commission has privatised 26 per cent shares of the PTC that
brought in about Rs30 billion. Mr Khan told the meeting that the prime
minister wanted the privatisation of the entire PTC by December by all
means.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
PML girds up for protest day
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 17 The PML Karachi division will observe protest day ,
not a strike, on Thursday, Oct 19, on the completion of two years PPP
rule which has ruined the country.
Calling for holding fresh elections in the country, the party leaders
announced the Black Day programme at a press conference at Karachi.
Whether it is a matter of interior policy, economy, educational
affairs or the foreign front, the government s sinister actions did
not spare even the army.
They warned that if corrective measures were not taken, no matter
whether Nawaz Sharif gave a call or not, people on their own would
come out on the streets.
On one side unemployment is on the rise, unprecedented price spiral
and anarchy all over the country. Then there is removal of the NWFP
and Punjab governments through unconstitutional methods and the latest
victim of the ruling PPP is Balochistan where in Dera Bugti and Sui a
more dangerous situation is surfacing which if not controlled, will
bring down the whole edifice of democracy.
They hoped that all opposition parties in general and the people in
particular would join the protest day in a big way to express their
resentment against the government.
Haji Karimullah Yusufzai, Karachi ANP President, said The situation
in Sindh is worsening day by day, particularly in Karachi not a single
day passes when the day does not begin with killing.
Mian Ejaz Shafi s stress was on the sinking ship of the economy.
Pointing out the paradox in the utterances of President Farooq Leghari
and Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto he said The president in his speech
has conceded about dismissal investment owing to law and order problem
while the prime minister in the last session of the National Assembly
claimed of investment to the tune of $22 billion investment in the
country.
Mr Faizi said The government has introduced a new phenomenon to the
killings by continual murders in judicial custody. They can escape
>from the grip of the law of the land, judiciary and even legislatures
but no one could save them once the people decided to try them in
their own (people s) court.
951018
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Police facing organised terrorism, says Babar
-------------------------------------------------------------------
KARACHI, Oct 17 The Interior Minister, Maj-Gen (Retd) Nasirullah
Babar, said here on Tuesday that police were faced with the challenge
of countering an organised terrorism supported by gun-runners and
drug Mafia having covert backing of foreign powers and their
terrorists .
Gen Babar said with the quality of training, the police force was
being imparted, he was fully convinced that our enemies at home and
abroad would not succeed in their nefarious designs.
He said in the present era such people or groups were not only
becoming united and organised but they were also being imparted
regular training from the enemy country.
The minister fully agreed with the IGP that the police were faced with
an organised terrorism with support facilities being provided to
criminal elements by our enemy.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Black day today Gohar issues chargesheet
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Deputy opposition leader, Gohar Ayub Khan warned on
Wednesday that the government s handling of the opposition s black day
protests would set the tone for our behaviour in the upcoming joint
parliamentary session on Oct 29 .
Gohar hinted that the opposition would not be taking as harsh an
approach as it did during last year s presidential address to the
joint session but threw the ball in the government s court by saying,
of course we will first have to see how the government behaves on Oct
19th .
He expressed the hope that the government would show restraint as the
opposition too had planned to take out peaceful protest processions
and rallies.
To another question, he denied any knowledge of mass arrests of our
workers or leaders till this time .
Earlier, the opposition leader accused the government of virtually
every possible act of commission and omission. Starting from foreign
policy fiasco s, to the deteriorating law and order situation in the
country, a dead economy, a corrupted judiciary and even the blatant
misuse of the Constitution.
The opposition s Fact Sheet accused the government of helping out
the Indians in Khalistan, capping the nuclear programme, isolating
Pakistan diplomatically, rendering the parliament irrelevant by
running government through ordinances and flaunting the rulings of the
speaker National Assembly and the chairman Senate among other things.
Gohar went on to blast the government for economic crimes. He said the
economy was virtually dead with over 70 per cent of the textile
industry facing certain death and cited IMF s refusal to release more
funds as a proof of the government s mucking up on the economic front.
He said that the business community was being hounded as never before
in the history of the country.
He said that the law and order situation had broken down all across
the country with Karachi being pushed to the brink of a civil war
where lawless acts of the government agencies have wiped of all sense
of security from the minds of the common citizens .
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Case against Nasser termed victimisation
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 The way a criminal case has been instituted against
Nasser Husain reeks of political victimisation, alleged Inayat
Hussain, spokesman for the 70-Clifton.
He said it was a normal practice in a criminal case that when the
prosecution side lodged a report with a police station, it was
incumbent on the SHO to examine defence witnesses before filing formal
charges.
In the above case, he said, as the procedure had not been adopted, the
whole process was biased.
The spokesman said in a statement, Nasser Husain is being punished as
the prime minister and her husband think he has grown too big for his
political boots .
Mr Nasser, with Ahmed Ali Soomro, had run Murtaza Bhutto s successful
election campaign in Larkana in 1993. He had joined the PPP (SB) and
become an observer in its central committee, he pointed out.
But, he said, on Oct 12 he hosted the Central Committee meeting of the
party in which it was decided that the party would take part in the
forthcoming by-election in Sanghar and put up Makhdoom Khaliq-ul-Zaman
as its candidate.
The next day, i.e. Oct 14, Nasser arranged a dinner meeting between
his chairman Murtaza Bhutto and Syed Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi alias
Raja Sain, who is president of the Sindh PML(F), the spokesman said
and added that when the murder of Ahmed Ali Soomro took place, Nasser
Husain, Murtaza Bhutto and Raja Sain were in the dinner meeting.
The Sindh Home Department had claimed, he said, that they had three
frightened eyewitnesses that accused Nasser of the murder of Mr
Soomro and had been shifted to safe homes and were under protective
custody as against this for Nasser Husain s part there were more than
25 unafraid eyewitnesses who would testify that he and Murtaza
Bhutto left 70-Clifton at 9.15 pm and were in Raja Sain s house from
9.15 pm till 1.45 am on the night of Saturday while Ahmed Ali Soomro
had reportedly been murdered at 11.30 pm.
Moreover, he said, there were a dozen of eyewitnesses who would
testify that just prior to the attack on the late Soomro, an adviser
of the chief minister from Larkana was seen driving several times by
the house of the deceased. They would testify that the perpetrators of
the crime came in a white Toyota and a yellow cab and were accompanied
by a police mobile which parted ways after the attack.
Recalling that these were the bare facts which an impartial
administration should have looked into before making arrest and filing
charges, the spokesman said We are facing an increasingly insecure,
isolated and repressive regime. Unnerved by the prospect of defeat in
Sanghar they were resorting, almost by instinct, to fascistic
measures. We will never succumb to these crude methods of control.
951019
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Altaf has deviated from people s mandate, says Shah
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Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 18 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah has alleged
that MQM chief Altaf Hussain has deviated from the mandate of his
electorate and is playing in the hands of India to harm Pakistan.
Mr Shah said anyone who tries to bring harm to Pakistan will be
crushed. He added People who have sacrificed everything for the
creation of Pakistan will not accept such elements.
Mr Shah also criticised Mr Hussain for using an abusive language
against the prime minister who was determined to crush terrorism in
Pakistan.
He said the people of Pakistan had now seen the true face of Mr
Hussain who, according to him, was out to destroy Pakistan by
frequent strikes and terrorist activities.
Mr Shah also asked the PML and other parties supporting MQM whether
they were not becoming a party to conspiracy against the country by
supporting those who raised slogans for its division.
While appreciating the role of the police and rangers in dealing with
the terrorists, he nevertheless conceded that there had been some
incidents of police excesses which were being looked into.
The chief minister was of the view that these were destabilising
factors with which the government had to deal. Many people, he said,
voted for the MQM because they believed it was championing their cause
and it was very difficult to convince them Mr. Hussain was really
pursuing a policy that was detrimental to the integrity of Pakistan.
The most difficult task, he said, was to expose the real face of Mr
Hussain and his real objectives, said the chief minister.
The chief minister claimed his government had a documentary proof that
certain elements of the MQM were involved in activities detrimental
to the interests of Pakistan.
He contended that Mr Hussain was fighting not only against this
government but against the State.
On the question of law and order, he said the government had achieved
some success.
Much to the dislike of the enemies of Pakistan, who want the army to
be bogged down in the law order situation in Karachi, the government
has taken concrete steps to pull out the army which was called out by
the Nawaz government, and instead vested the police and rangers with
greater responsibility, Mr Shah said.
Mr Shah said his government was planning to hold the local Body
elections in December and that will show how popular and strong is
the MQM as compared to the PPP and Pakistan-loving parties.
Asked to comment on the allegations of rampant police corruption, the
chief minister, while acknowledging the general complaint, said the
issue must be seen in the background of the difficult Karachi
situation and society as a whole.
When we speak about police excesses, we must also say something
about the circumstances and why it is so, said the chief minister. He
said if the situation was normal, such complaints would have been very
few. He repudiated the allegation that the police excesses had the
government s backing.
In the context of recent MQM criticism of alleged custodial murder
he said the government had already ordered a judicial inquiry. If
anyone is found to be crossing the limits of the law, he will be
prosecuted, said the chief minister.
He, nevertheless, alleged that the MQM had deliberately targeted
police and other government institutions to bring Pakistan into
disrepute.
GANGRAPE In this context he mentioned the allegations of gangrape
levelled by the MQM on three occasions and said these cases were
politicised with mala fide intentions.
When the government ordered a judicial probe, nobody came forward,
not even the ladies whose honour was put at stake, for narrow
political gain by the MQM, he said.
951019
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JI chief calls on President
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Bureau Report
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Qazi Hussain Ahmad on
Wednesday met President Farooq Leghari at the Aiwan-i-Sadr to discuss
the recent arrest of some army officers.
He said the meeting was held at the invitation of the president who
wanted to talk with the Jamaat chief on this issue.
Senator Qazi and his party had criticised the arrest of these officers
and had demanded of the government to take the people into confidence
on this issue.
He had also expressed his dissatisfaction over the government
statement regarding the arrest of these officers and threatened to
raise the issue in the National Assembly and the Senate.
The source said the president advised the Jamaat chief not to
politicise the issue which was purely a case of violating army
discipline.
The JI chief, the source said, was also requested by the president not
to raise this issue in the parliament as it would create unnecessary
unrest in an important security institution.
The source said the president assured Qazi Hussain Ahmad that the
inquiry report will be made public.
Senator Qazi also assured the president that his party would not
politicise the issue in the larger national interest, the source
added.
He said the two leaders also discussed the situation in Karachi and
the president sought Jamaat-i-Islami s support in helping the
government in its efforts to restore peace in the violence-hit city.
===================================================================
951013
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Overall economic situation improves, says IFC review
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12 The overall economic situation in Pakistan has
improved and particularly the Karachi Stock Exchange recovered
following the holding of number of rounds of talks between the
government and Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM)says the International
Finance Corporation (IFC).
The IFC quoted the Karachi Chamber of Commerce which estimates
that the prolonged disturbances has cost city businesses more than $
80 million each day. However, the IFC pointed out that International
Finance Corporation Investable (IFCI) and International Finance
Corporation Global(IFCG) Pakistan Index rose 12.2 % and 7.3 %
respectively in dollars terms while the KSE 100 % Index rose 8.7 % in
local currency terms.
951013
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Further loans for Pakistan IMF calls for cut in deficit
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaheen Sehbai
WASHINGTON, Oct 12 All the major financial institutions the World
Bank, the IMF and the IFC have told Pakistan to cut its fiscal
deficit and accept the IMF terms before any major project loan could
be sanctioned.
Mr. Jafarey had told newsmen that the IMF was concerned whether
Pakistan was pursuing the right policies they think that along with
the capital market, fiscal deficit is the major problem the country
has to resolve.
Mr. Jafarey had explained that the goal of the intensive dialogue
was to go back to a position where we are in line with the IMF. We
would like to go back to the IMF programme. How soon can we do it and
on what terms we will do it are the matters for negotiations.
Pakistan had brought a number of projects to be laid on the table for
World Bank assistance, including financing of the two billion dollar
hydro-electric project at Ghazi Brotha.
We were told to go and do something about the fiscal deficit during
the time the World Bank carries out an appraisal of the Ghazi Brotha
project. But the message was clear that unless we met their demands,
funding for the project would not be forthcoming, the Pakistani
official said.
It seems we have no option but to start meeting the conditions of the
IMF, we cannot possibly wait until the next budget as everything in
Washington will remain on hold until we start doing what they say,
the official said.
Economic experts said a decision by the government to meet the IMF
targets could mean an almost certain mini-budget by December in which
a lot of duties and taxes may be adjusted upwards cutting down the
deficit.
These experts said the slip of tongue by the Commerce Minister
Choudhry Ahmed Mukhtar that Pakistan may have to devalue its currency,
may not have been that innocent in essence because such a measure
would fit into the scheme of things that would shape up if the IMF
targets were to be met and exports had to be given a jump start.
A lot will again depend on the political situation as the right kind
of atmosphere is necessary for these difficult decisions.
If Punjab does not erupt into a crisis, Mr. Chattha stays the course
with the PPP, Karachi does not fall into a deeper morass and Nawaz
Sharif s opposition continues to play cool, only then Benazir Bhutto
may find the courage to go for such decisions, they added.
951016
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Action against tax evaders New steps to yield Rs 30 to 40bn
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Ihtashamul Haque
ISLAMABAD, Oct 15 The government has decided to take new measures
against tax evaders and those constantly showing less income in order
to increase the overall annual revenue of the country.
Although sources said, she has expressed her satisfaction over the
performance of Central Board of Revenue (CBR) which collected record
revenue of Rs 226 billion during 1994-95, she asked the concerned
authorities to net those who were avoiding to pay their due taxes.
Most importantly, only 32 tax-payers declared income exceeding rupees
half a million per annum. All of these belong to Karachi. In the given
sample the non-corporate business community of north of Karachi,
therefore, restricted its tax contribution to the exchequer by
limiting the maximum declaration of income to less than rupees half a
million.
951016
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Rupee falls by 6 paisa against $
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Commerce Reporter
KARACHI, Oct 15 The rupee depreciated by six paisa against the US
currency on Sunday as the central bank refixed its new parity rate for
spot buying and selling at Rs 31.68 and Rs 31.83 to a dollar.
The parity of the rupee was last lowered by seven paisa on October 3
at Rs 31.62 and Rs 31.77 for buying and selling.
Since July 1, the rupee has lost 71 paisa against the dollar in
monthly readjustments. Although the State Bank sources did not give
any specific reasons for the downward revision of the parity,
financial analysts said it was technical adjustment to keep the value
of the rupee competitive within the basket of currencies.
Dealers, however, predicted that the rupee could hit the high mark of
Rs 33 to a dollar in kerb during the next two weeks.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Habib Bank to be sold in June 96
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Pakistan has set June 1996 as the target month for
the sale of state-owned Habib Bank Ltd, the country s largest
commercial bank, a Privatisation Commission official said.
The official, who asked not be named, said the commission was in the
process of selecting a financial adviser for the sale of a 26-percent
stake and transfer of management.
Habib has total deposits of 179 billion rupees ($5.4 billion) in 1,868
domestic and 66 foreign branches and total assets worth 306 billion
rupees ($9.3 billion), the official said.
951019
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LCCI chief seeks tariff reforms
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Shaukat Ali
LAHORE, Oct 18 Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry President
Tariq Sayeed Saigol has proposed to the government to undertake tariff
reforms, set currency exchange rate in favour of exporters, and re-
start process of dialogue with leading business leaders to put the
economy on right path.
Mr Saigol said that there had been a trade imbalance of $ 1 billion
during the first quarter of the current financial year. If the
situation is not improved by radical measures, there is every
likelihood that the export target for 1995-96 fixed at $ 9.2 billion,
could not be met. Mr Saigol argued that reliance on cotton crop to
achieve the export target was not a good omen for the economy.
In my view if Rupee is devalued under the prevailing economic
conditions, it will damage our exports, he said.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Pakistan on way to economic stability
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on Wednesday said
that there is a harmony and affinity between the Centre and the
provinces, which was, perhaps, never there before.
This, she added, goes to prove that the elected government has not
only identified its political, economic and defence targets but has
also made sincere and serious efforts to achieve them.
When we came to power two years ago, the country s economy was in a
dismal condition. But now, the basic flaws have been removed. GNP
ratio has increased and has reached 4.7 per cent this year.
Pak-America relations had been deteriorating since 1990 but the
elected government s successful diplomatic endeavours have brought us
to a decisive turning point i.e. the Brown Amendment. This amendment
is a very happy news for all Pakistanis. All these achievements have
been made possible by the grace of Almighty and by people s
cooperation. Our goal is national security and solidarity side by side
with consensus among all political parties and organisations on
national issues. But we will not compromise our principles to achieve
this goal.
We want to eliminate crime from politics. Putting an end to terrorism
in Karachi is a part of this policy. We want the people of Karachi to
have an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity with all civic and social
facilities along with opportunities for economic development.
951019
-------------------------------------------------------------------
IMF rejects Islamabad s request on ESAF terms
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Aslam Sheikh
ISLAMABAD, Oct 18 Pakistan s plea for a one-year moratorium for the
implementation of conditionalities attached to the extended structural
adjustment facility (ESAF) has been rejected by the Inter-national
Monetary Fund (IMF), informed sources said on Wednesday.
Under the circumstances, according to informed sources here, Islamabad
has no other option but to accelerate the pace of implementing the
reform agenda formulated as the price for IMF s badly needed balance
of payments support.
It includes substantial privatisation, drastic containment of
budgetary deficit, brisker pace of tariff reform and realistic
adjustment of external value of the Pakistani rupee.
Pakistan s predicament is that any further resistance to IMF s
pressures means risking strained relations practically with all other
international donors grouped together in the Aid-to-Pakistan
Consortium.
In view of a recent setback to exports and fall in foreign exchange
reserves, Islamabad s bargaining position has been considerably
weakened.
Besides it needs substantial inflow of confessional loans every year
just to service old debts. For example, out of roughly two billion
dollars negotiated every year as new loans, 1,200 million dollars go
towards servicing of the external debt liability.
According to indications here, the situation arising out of the IMF s
insistence on immediate enforcement of its conditions will be reviewed
soon after the prime minister s return to Islamabad later this month
to decide upon future economic strategy.
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