Alauddin Khanzada - narrates about Lyari, Karachi A beautiful past, a violent present and an uncertain future...This is Lyari. DawnNews' Special Report on Lyari takes you deep into the Gang wars and political double-dealing that has turned Lyari into one of the most dangerous areas of Karachi. Alauddin Khanzada: A journalist with an experience of 29 years in reporting crimes and investigative stories in Karachi, the biggest city of Pakistan. Secretary, Karachi Press Club.
[NOTE: News articles/pictures have been inserted by me.]
Lyari Market - At the end of the nineteenth century the Trans-Lyari Quarter of the city was made up of a cluster of poor settlements mostly consisting of reed and mud plastered huts with some more permanent dwellings. At this time one-quarter of the population of Karachi lived in this area across the Lyari River. Old ( Karachi City) Courtesy: http://forum.urduworld.com/f144/karachi-jab-kulachi-tha-335273/
This is Lyari by Alauddin Khanzada Dawn News Special Report - 1
Courtesy: DAWN NEWS PAKISTAN http://www.youtube.com/user/dawnnewspakistan
“Nisar Baloch understandably became a thorn in the side of the land-grabbing mafia, reportedly backed by influential ethnic and political parties of the city. Ironically, he had addressed a press conference only a day before he was murdered where he highlighted the issue in detail and pinpointed (perhaps fatally) the forces lending administrative and political support to the illegal occupation of the land of Gutter Baghicha. Importantly, Nisar Baloch had criticised both the MQM and PPP in equal measure, the former for complicity in coercion and the latter for its expedient tardiness. The Sindh chief minister had slapped a ban on the disposal and leasing of plots by the city government in July 2009. The ban was challenged by Nazim Mustafa Kamal but this public interest matter was settled out of court as if it was a compoundable dispute.” REFERENCE: Death of a social activist By Ardeshir Cowasjee Sunday, 15 Nov, 2009 http://archives.dawn.com/archives/19346
Nisar Baloch, a resident of Old Golimar and an activist endeavouring to save Gutter Bagicha, was gunned down in cold blood near his house on Saturday morning. On Friday, he addressed a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on an issue that he was extremely passionate about: saving Gutter Bagicha Park for the beneficial use of the hundreds of thousands of poor people who lived in the congested vicinity. Gutter Baghicha, situated at Manghopir Road, was originally spread over 1,016 acres, but has being encroached upon by citizens, government officials and the land mafia since long. In an interview with The News some two months ago, Baloch said that Gutter Baghicha was first encroached upon by immigrants arriving in Pakistan after the Partition of the subcontinent in 1947. As a result, several colonies, including Asif Colony, Hasrat Mohani Colony, Zuberi Colony, and Wilayatabad were established on parcels of land from the Baghicha.The government constructed a boundary wall around these new colonies that were spread over 480 acres, according to Baloch. Had it been confined to the needs of impoverished refugees, perhaps nobody would have made an objection over the encroachment. However, government officials were also eyeing the prime land, Baloch had told The News. The minutes of a meeting held on March 7, 1993 at the secretariat of the Sindh local government (LG) minister had stated: On the request of the KMC [now-defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation] Officers Cooperative Housing Society, the [LG minister] had passed an order that 200 acres of KMC land at Sewage Farm, Manghopir Road, may be granted to them for housing purposes at the rate of Rs10 per sq. yard (occupancy value) and at the rate of Rs15 per sq. yard (developmental charges). The matter was discussed and all the participants concerned agreed to [the proposal]. It was unanimously decided that senior director [of] land and estate [or the] KMC council director may put up CR accordingly. The minutes were signed by the then-Sindh LG minister, Mohammad Irshad Ahmad. On July 25, 1993, Section Officer-IV Muhammad Siddique Dar, issued a letter on behalf of the Sindh secretary, stating: In exercise of powers conferred by Section 45(5) (i) of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance-1979, the Sindh government [has approved] the KMC Council Resolution no.2, dated March 11, 1993, regarding the allotment of 200 acres of waste KMC land in Sewage Farm, Manghopir Road, Karachi, in favour of the KMC Officers Cooperative Housing Society for allotment to its registered members, at the rate of Rs10 per sq. yard occupancy value plus development charges at the rate of Rs15 per sq. yard, for residential purposes, on a 99-years lease, on the terms and conditions specified in the resolution. REFERENCE: Gutter Baghicha over the years by Shahid Hussain, Sunday, November 08, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=207306&Cat=4&dt=11/8/2009
This is Lyari by Alauddin Khanzada Dawn News Special Report - 2
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During General Musharraf's Martial Law.
KARACHI, Aug 22: After remaining three months and four days in the custody of police and intelligence agencies, high-profile gangster Abdul Rehman alias Rehman Dakait escaped from police custody early Tuesday morning, making it his second successful attempt. He was wanted in more than 150 cases. Earlier in 1997, Rehman had escaped while being taken to court. However, some top police officials were of the opinion that Rehman’s escape was facilitated by certain quarters. Three police officials of the Kalri police station have been detained and a raid was carried out at the house of the SHO of Kalri police station, Bahauddin Babar, who was detained, a senior police official told Dawn on the condition of anonymity. A source said that two days back Rehman was shifted from the lockup of Kalri police station to a safe house in Nazimabad. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Rehman Dakait escapes from police custody: Official connivance suspected By S. Raza Hassan August 23, 2006 Wednesday Rajab 27, 1427 http://archives.dawn.com/2006/08/23/local2.htm
During General Musharraf's Martial Law.
The former Sindh IG Jahangir Mirza acknowledged the arrest of gangster Rahman Dakait only after his retirement. He said the outlaw’s arrest and subsequent escape was not brought to his knowledge while he was in office. KARACHI, May 9: People of the southern part of Lyari are looking to the authorities and law-enforcement agencies to bring about an abiding peace in the area which has suffered a gang war between two rival groups for almost four years. Although the intensity of the gang war has decreased because of various factors, the police have finally disbanded the Lyari Task Force formed in March 2005 with the stated aim of dealing with the criminals firmly. “The law and order situation in Lyari is now under control and the LTF had almost completed its task to contain the criminal activities and there was no need for its existence,” Adviser to the Chief Minister on Home Affairs Wasim Akhtar told journalists some time back at a luncheon meeting at the Central Police Office. Sources in the Sindh police said that the Lyari Task Force was established as a reward to DSP Aslam Khan and his team as they had arrested underworld don Shoaib Khan in December 2004, who subsequently died in the Central Prison of Karachi in January 2005. DSP Aslam Khan was also promoted to the rank of superintendent of police. REFERENCE: KARACHI: The rise and fall of Lyari Task Force By Arman Sabir May 10, 2007 Thursday Rabi-us-Sani 22, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/10/local4.htm
Things, however, were not destined to pass so smoothly. The minutes of a September 12, 2001, meeting of the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC)-1 of the Sindh services general administration & coordination departments enquiries and anti-corruption establishment, discussed the illegal allotment of land survey no.108/10.K 28 Trans Lyari Sewerage Farm Municipal Garden, Gutter Baghicha Manghopir Road, Karachi†for 200 acres at the rate of Rs10 per sq. yard for KMC Officers Cooperative Housing Society. The ACC-1 decided to register a case against the then-municipal commissioner, Allauddin Sabir, and the then-senior director of the KMC land and estate, Syed Tanveer Abbas Naqvi. The ACC-1 also decided to hold an open enquiry against Shafi Ahmed Ansari, the then-deputy director (land) of the KMC. However, no action was taken against any of the three men. A letter written on November 15, 2003, by the then-LG chairman, Brig. (retd) Mukhtar Ahmed, stated: “Despite a lapse of two years, the decision of the ACC-1 has not been complied with. So many reminders have been issued but a response is not forthcoming. On February 12, 2004, LG special secretary, Muhammad Ayub Shaikh, wrote a letter to the then-city Nazim Naimatullah Khan, stating that although it was decided on September 12, 2001, to cancel the allotment of 200 acres out of Survey No.108/10-K-28, Trans Lyari, Gutter Baghicha, the decision of the ACC-I had neither been complied nor has any progress been intimated. According to Sheri-Citizens for a Better Environment (Shehri-CBE), a civic rights organisation, in 1993, after some 530 of the 1,017 acres had been swallowed up by various mafias, the government decided to allot 200 acres to the KMC Officers’ Cooperative Housing Society, and auction cottage industry plots on 50 acres of Gutter Baghicha. Concerned citizens and area residents, appalled at this proposed desecration of the remaining amenity park space, filed a human rights petition in the Supreme Court. The very concept of establishing a housing colony on an amenity park plot is anathema, especially in a situation where there is a severe paucity of open spaces, parks and playgrounds for the burgeoning population of this city. Nisar Baloch doggedly followed the case through various courts, which seemed not to give this critical issue of public interest the attention it deserved. Presently, a suit is pending in the high court, where co-petitioners include Ardeshir Cowasjee, Abdul Sattar Edhi, Shehri-CBE and other concerned citizens. Despite a status quo order, over the past six months, various mafias have invaded the amenity plot and have constructed houses on about 30 acres of park land. REFERENCE: Gutter Baghicha over the years by Shahid Hussain, Sunday, November 08, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=207306&Cat=4&dt=11/8/2009
Gutter Baghicha, situated at Manghopir Road, was originally spread over 1,016 acres, but is being encroached upon by the citizens, government officials and the land mafia since long. According to Nisar Baloch, an activist in the area, it was first encroached upon by immigrants arriving in Pakistan after the Partition of subcontinent in 1947. As a result, several colonies, including Asif Colony, Hasrat Mohani Colony, Zuberi Colony, and Wilayatabad were established on parcels of land from the Baghicha(garden).The government constructed a boundary wall around these new colonies that were spread over 480 acres, according to Baloch. Had it been confined to the needs of impoverished refugees, perhaps nobody would have made an objection over the encroachment. However, government officials were also eyeing the prime land, Baloch said. The minutes of a meeting held on March 7, 1993 at the secretariat of the Minister for Local Government, Government of Sindh, stated: “On the request of KMC (defunct Karachi Municipal Corporation) Officers Cooperative Housing Society, the Honourable Minister Local Government had passed an order that 200 acres of KMC land at Sewage Farm, Manghopir Road may be granted to them for housing purposes at the rate of Rs10 per sq. yard (occupancy value) and at the rate of Rs15 per sq. yard (developmental charges). The matter was discussed and all the concerned participants agreed to the above proposal. It was unanimously decided that Senior Director Land and Estate/Director Council KMC may put up CR accordingly.” REFERENCE: Land mafia devouring Gutter Baghicha in connivance with officials By Shahid Husain Saturday, September 12, 2009 Karachi http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=197950&Cat=4&dt=9/12/2009 [Note: Daily Jang/The News International have changed their format therefore the link is dead]
The minutes were signed by the then Sindh Minister Local Government, Mohammad Irshad Ahmad.
On July 25, 1993, Muhammad Siddique Dar, Section Officer-IV, on behalf of Secretary to Government of Sindh, issued a letter that said: “In exercise of powers conferred by section 45(5) (i) of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 1979, Government of Sindh are pleased to accord approval to the KMC Council Resolution No 2, dated March 11, 1993, regarding allotment of 200 acres of waste KMC land in sewage farm Manghopir Road Karachi in favour of KMC Officers Cooperative Housing Society for allotment to its registered members, at the rate of Rs 10 per sq. yard occupancy value plus development charges at the rate of Rs 15 per sq. yard, for residential purposes, on 99 years lease basis, on the terms and conditions specified in the above resolution.” REFERENCE: Land mafia devouring Gutter Baghicha in connivance with officials By Shahid Husain Saturday, September 12, 2009 Karachi http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=197950&Cat=4&dt=9/12/2009
However, things were destined not to pass so smoothly. The minutes of a meeting of “Anti-Corruption Committee-1” of Enquiries & Anti-Corruption Establishment, Services General Administration And Coordination Department, Government of Sindh, dated Sept 12, 2001, held at Sindh Secretariat Building No-1, Karachi discussed “illegal allotment of Land Survey No. 108/10.K 28 Trans Lyari Sewerage Farm Municipal Garden, Gutter Baghicha Manghopir Road, Karachi” for 200 acres at the rate of Rs10 per sq. yard for KMC Officers Cooperative Housing Society. ACC-1 decided to register a case against Allauddin Sabir, Municipal Commissioner at the time and Syed Tanveer Abbas Naqvi, the then Senior Director, Land and Estate, KMC Karachi. The ACC-1 also decided to hold an open enquiry against Shafi Ahmed Ansari, the then Deputy Director (Land) KMC, Karachi. However, strangely enough, no action was taken against Municipal Commissioner Allauddin Sabir and other accused despite a lapse of two years. A letter written by Brig (retired) Mukhtar Ahmed on November 15, 2003, the then Chairman, Local Government said: “Despite a lapse of two years the decision/direction of ACC-1 has not been complied with. So many reminders have been issued but the response is not forthcoming.” On February 12, 2004, Special Secretary, Local Government, Muhammad Ayub Shaikh wrote a letter to the then Nazim, City District Government Karachi, Naimatullah Khan, stating although it was decided on Sept 12, 2001, to cancel the allotment of 200 acres of land out of Survey No. 108/10-K-28, Trans Lyari, Gutter Baghicha but the decision of ACC-I has neither been complied nor has any progress been intimated “despite a lapse of two years.” Today fresh attempts are being made to encroach Gutter Bagicha, by the land mafia in connivance with officials. REFERENCE: Land mafia devouring Gutter Baghicha in connivance with officials By Shahid Husain Saturday, September 12, 2009 Karachi http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=197950&Cat=4&dt=9/12/2009
During General Musharraf's Martial Law.
KARACHI, Oct 11: Unlike the detention of Rehman Dakait which was kept secret throughout his period of confinement, police on Wednesday wasted no time in disclosing the arrest of Arshad Pappu, Rehman’s rival in Lyari gang-war. Arshad Pappu’s arrest materialised early Wednesday morning when sleuths of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) accompanied by police, raided an apartment building in Lyari. Later in the evening, speaking at a press conference at police head office, the Capital city police chief Niaz Ahmed Siddiqui, said a special team of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), with the cooperation of an intelligence agency, raided the apartment of Arshad Pappu in Nayabad, Lyari, around 3am. The raid resulted in the arrest of Arshad Pappu and his accomplice, Imam Bukash, following an alleged encounter. However, no one was reportedly injured in the ‘encounter’ claimed by the CCPO. Police recovered two Kalashnikovs, a hand-grenade and two magazines, the City police chief added. To a query about the identification of Imam Bukash as a policeman posted in Turbat, the CCPO said that at this point we are investigating him and could not make a comment on his background. Describing the criminal background of Arshad Pappu, carrying a head money of Rs 30 lakh, Mr Siddiqui said he is wanted in over 60 cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and police encounters. Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister on Home Affairs Waseem Akhtar who was also present on the occasion while replying to a query dispelled the impression that Rehman Dakait would now enjoy a free-hand in Lyari following Arshad’s arrest, and expressed the hope that Rehman would also be arrested soon. Meanwhile, sources said Arshad Pappu had recently returned from Iran following an apparent and abrupt end of his hunt with the arrest of SP Aslam Khan with his associates. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Gangster Arshad Pappu arrested By S. Raza Hassan October 12, 2006 Thursday Ramazan 18, 1427 http://archives.dawn.com/2006/10/12/local4.htm
This is Lyari by Alauddin Khanzada Dawn News Special Report - 3
Courtesy: DAWN NEWS PAKISTAN http://www.youtube.com/user/dawnnewspakistan
During "An Elected Government"
KARACHI, Aug 12: At the end of three days of mourning for the death of wanted ‘gangster’ Sardar Abdul Rehman alias Dakait, hundreds of people gathered at Lyari’s Gabol Park, named after Sardar Khan Bahadur Allah Bukhsh Gabol. It is perhaps an odd quirk of history that the walls of the park named after the first deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly are now splattered with graffiti, accusing his grandson, PPP MNA Sardar Nabeel Ahmed Gabol, of “political backstabbing”. After Sunday’s alleged police encounter, which led to the killing of Rehman Dakait along with his three associates, the political temperature in Lyari has been running high. The majority of residents of the locality seem to agree that with the life that Rehman led, a violent end was not unexpected, but they have questioned the character of political leaders in the area, who they say enjoyed close connections with the outlaw. While the nature of Rehman’s connection with political leaders is unclear, it is known that several sitting ministers visited him frequently both before and after taking office. With Rehman’s death, it may now never be made clear what exactly his relationship with these politicians was. “It’s not a question of why they killed him; it’s a question of why they pampered and patronised the man who they believed was a criminal for years,” says Haji Namdar, a man in his 80s who claims to have enjoyed the companionship of Sardar Khan Bahadur Allah Bukhsh Gabol and former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Lyari wonders how Rehman Dakait lost politicians’ love By Imran Ayub Thursday, 13 Aug, 2009 http://archives.dawn.com/archives/161776
During "An Elected Government"
KARACHI, Aug 10: ‘Gangster’ Abdul Rehman Baloch, variously known as Rehman Dakait and Khan Bhai, and his three associates were allegedly killed in police custody on Sunday night after their capture earlier in the evening in Malir, Dawn has learnt. Police announced on Sunday night that Rehman Dakait and his three associates – Aurangzaib alias Baba, Nazeer alias Balla and Aqil – were gunned down in a police encounter on the link road in the remit of the Steel Town police station. According to the SP for investigation (East II), Aslam Khan, the police received a tip-off that Rehman Dakait was returning from Hyderabad. When they tried to stop him on the link road, a shootout ensued in which Rehman and his three associates were killed.None of the policemen suffered even bruises during the alleged encounter with the “most notorious gangster of the province carrying a head money of Rs50 million”. Well-placed sources told Dawn that Rehman was not in hiding. He moved around with his men in one or more vehicles. He reportedly had a good relationship with some provincial ministers. On Sunday, Rehman along with his four associates went to a transporter’s in Gadap Town, where he owned around 50 acres. The visit was related to a land deal. However, the sources added it appeared that Rehman was invited there. On his way back, Rehman and his associates were intercepted by a police party near Memon Goth, the sources said, adding that there was no resistance during the arrest. Rehman might be feeling confident that he would again walk free from the police custody and this time with enhanced dignity. REFERENCES KARACHI: Question mark over killing of Lyari ‘gangster’ By S. Raza Hassan Tuesday, 11 Aug, 2009 http://archives.dawn.com/archives/66179
KARACHI, Jan 13: Abdul Rehman Baloch, better known as Rehman Dakait for his reported role in the deadly Lyari gang warfare, is stated to be edging his way into politics. As a first step, efforts are being made to bring about a lasting truce between him and his rival gangster, Arshad Pappu, it has emerged. Last week the heads of the two Lyari gangs agreed to put their long-running and blood-drenched feud behind them. The gang warfare, triggered by the murder of transporter Mama Faizu in 2002, is said to have claimed hundreds of lives of the common people, policemen and gang members. Several children have also fallen victim to battles erupting intermittently over the years. A provincial leader of the Pakistan People’s Party has written to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah seeking a general amnesty for PPP workers of Lyari, insisting that criminal cases against party workers and sympathisers are mostly politically motivated. Well-placed sources told Dawn that efforts to work out a settlement between the two gangs began last year, and for the last six months the matter had progressed to such an extent that both sides had agreed to sit across the table and talk it over. Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chairman Akhtar Mengal is also said to have played a crucial role in bringing the two sides to the negotiating table. It was during his incarceration in the Central Prison Karachi, when Haji Lalu, father of Arshad Pappu, wrote to Mr Mengal describing the cause of the differences between the two warring gang leaders and requesting him to play his role in ending the bloodshed in Lyari. The sources said serious efforts for reconciliation were made during the last six months when local leaders helped initiate talks behind the scenes and demanded a pardon for the elements involved in the Lyari gang warfare. MNA Nabil Gabol and MPA Rafiq Engineer continued their efforts to make the two groups begin negotiations and tried to convince them that a surrender before the authorities would be a better option for them. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Lyari ‘gangster’ seeking role in politics By S. Raza Hassan January 14, 2009 Wednesday Muharram 16, 1430 http://archives.dawn.com/archives/164279
This is Lyari by Alauddin Khanzada Dawn News Special Report - 4
Courtesy: DAWN NEWS PAKISTAN http://www.youtube.com/user/dawnnewspakistan
But though the public curses the MQM for trying to do away with Rehman, Nadia Gabol, the MPA for MQM from Lyari, condemns the killing herself. "I live two minutes away from Rehman Baloch, and I have never had any problem with him, even though he supported the PPP. And let me make this clear, if Nabeel Gabol and Rafiq Engineer had not been supported by Rehman Baloch, they would never have won the seats." Nadia Gabol, the niece of Nabeel Gabol, says that no matter what anyone says, Lyari was definitely 'picking up'. "There was no firing at weddings, there was an abrupt drop in boys doing drugs in the lanes, there was 600 gallons of water being supplied to Lyari in one day. The roads were in a better condition, the man (Rehman Baloch) gave away ration during Ramzan. As far as his death is concerned, it was a shock to the people. I am sure he had it coming, but the way it came his way was unfair. Every one, innocent or guilty, deserves a fair trial. And MQM did not have anything to do with his death." Nabeel Gabol, MNA People's Party, said "Rehman was a notorious character and governor Sindh had also announced Rs1 million head money for him. To the questions of accusations that PPP was responsible for his killing and used him he said this was "baseless propaganda against him and his party." Today, though Lyari's reaction to Rehman's death has been unnaturally controlled and quiet, in spite of some aerial firing at his funeral, and the protest the families held at the Karachi Press Club, the general public in Lyari remembers him as a Robin Hood figure rather than a petty criminal. "He was the only one who did anything for us," cries an old man. "Each Ramzan he gave out food for us poor people. Now will the political parties promise to do what they have never done before?" he questions. REFERENCE: Lyari's Robin Hood - The killing of Adbur Rehman Baloch aka Rehman Dakait has raised doubts about the police encounter and the 'beneficiaries' of his death By Xari Jalil Dated 30 August 2009 http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2009-weekly/nos-30-08-2009/dia.htm#1
ROLE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES
KARACHI, Jan 3: As the setting sun of Dec 27 saw Pakistan’s popular political leader lie dead in the Rawalpindi General Hospital, Karachi streets witnessed quick disappearance of Rangers and police, leaving the people rushing home in panic from their workplaces at the mercy of robbers, plunderers and arsonists. Disappearance of police and Rangers from streets and roads after devastating bomb blasts and target killings in Karachi has become a routine feature during the last few years. Motorists, shopkeepers, petrol pumps and the public on roads become easy target of armed assailants, who come from nowhere and disappear after completing their mission. The year 2007 has left behind a trail of blood, looting and arson as unprotected people in Karachi and elsewhere in the province were deprived of their belongings and subjected to all sorts of vandalism from the evening of Dec 27 to Dec 31. More than three dozen people were killed and many others wounded. Though the loss of property is still being assessed, a rough estimate puts it at something between Rs60 billion and Rs80 billion. All this loss of life and property has been suffered by the poor province of Sindh, which has spent as much as Rs90 billion on police and Rs15 billion on Rangers in the last 16 years. The bulk of this amount went to salaries and perks. A substantial amount has been spent on the purchase of vehicles but very little on upgrading skills and competence of the law enforcers. ‘’Police and Rangers are not motivated enough,’’ a teacher of a local law college said, pointing out that our law enforcers were ruthless when it came to dealing with unarmed trade union activists and civil society members, but they could not face armed miscreants to protect citizens. On all crucial occasions, police and Rangers have abandoned the citizens.
What were police and Rangers doing during the four days from Dec 27 to 31? This is the question being asked commonly. Neither is any assembly in place nor the senate is being convened where an answer or explanation could be sought. The caretaker ministers are not obliged to give answers to the people many of whom were target of highhandedness. Many people were pulled out of their cars, robbed of their cellphones and cash and their cars were set on fire. Food warehouses were looted, shops were plundered and set on fire. Trailers on the highways were emptied of their cargoes and burnt down. Since 1991, Rangers have been a regular part of the law enforcing outfit in Sindh. Every year in July, the Sindh government makes a formal request to the federal interior ministry for one-year extension in their deployment in the province and Islamabad readily obliges. Since 1991, the crime graph in the province has maintained an upward trend. In fact crimes have been more heinous than before. There were bank robberies and target killings during the ‘80s. In the ‘90s, there were bomb blasts at places of worship and after the year 2000 suicide bombings have become frequent. A top bureaucrat, who is now abroad but previously served Sindh as home and finance secretaries, recalls the year 1983 when the province came in the severe grip of lawlessness and there were frequent incidents of ethnic and sectarian violence. It was then that people in rural areas had put up resistance against the military dictatorship and were brutally suppressed. Since then the army was called out and paramilitary forces were deployed. It was also during those years that private security forces were set up that drew their personnel mostly from retired army men.
But in 1991, the Rangers were deployed and since then every year in July there is a ritual of making a formal request to Islamabad. It happened even in the year 2003 when the Muttahida Qaumi Movement joined the Sindh coalition government as its major partner. During the 1980s and the 1990s, police and Rangers reportedly targeted MQM cadres. In 1998, the MQM set up a protest camp against Rangers and police in front of the Karachi Press Club. Police also sponsored some people to set up a counter protest camp opposite the MQM. But to everyone’s relief nothing untoward happened despite tension. In 2003, the MQM controlled the Sindh home department and approached the federal interior ministry through the chief minister for a one-year extension in Rangers’ deployment. It was a very uncomfortable situation for all those involved in this ritual — the MQM, the interior ministry and the Rangers. But as it was, Rangers served the MQM well and demolished the rival MQM faction’s headquarters in Landhi. After 2003, the MQM leaders are full of praise for Rangers. An official document of the Sindh government shows that over Rs4 billion was spent on Rangers and the Frontier Constabulary during 1991-92 to 1998-99. Since then the expenditure has gone up manifold because of the rise in wages, fuel prices and the impact of inflation. After their induction, Rangers were given control of the lucrative fishing lakes and seashores in Sindh. The fishing licences were auctioned to the highest bidders, depriving the fishermen of their living. They were made to quit after much protest recently. Rangers also supply water in Karachi through tankers. They have opened a general store in the city. A Rangers spokesman was contacted but he was unavailable for comment. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Where were Rangers during recent riots? By [LATE] Sabihuddin Ghausi January 03, 2008 Thursday Zilhaj 23, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/2008/01/03/local7.htm
جنگِ کراچی !
وسعت اللہ خان
بی بی سی اردو ڈاٹ کام، اسلام آباد
آخری وقت اشاعت: اتوار, 10 جنوری, 2010, 13:29 GMT 18:29 PST
چھ ماہ میں دو سو ستر کے لگ بھگ افراد ٹارگٹ کلنگ میں ہلاک ہوچکے ہیں
اب سے چھ ماہ پہلے جولائی کے دوسرے منگل کو پاکستانی وزیرِ داخلہ رحمان ملک نے کراچی میں ٹارگٹ کلنگز کی روک تھام کے لئے وزیرِ اعلیٰ ہاؤس میں ایک پریس کانفرنس کی جس میں انہوں نے الٹی میٹم دیا کہ جمعرات کی رات بارہ بجے کے بعد اگر کراچی میں ٹارگٹ کلنگ کا ایک بھی واقعہ ہوا تو پھر ان سے برا کوئی نہ ہوگا۔
انہوں نے یہ بھی کہا کہ اب تک ہونے والی ٹارگٹ کلنگز کی عدالتی تحقیقات ہوں گی۔ جو شخص کسی بھی ٹارگٹ کلنگ کے بارے میں مفید معلومات فراہم کرے گا اسے پانچ لاکھ روپے انعام دیا جائے گا۔ایک کرائسس مینجمنٹ سیل قائم کیا جائے گا جو ٹارگٹ کلنگس سے متعلق انٹیلی جینس نظام کو مربوط کر کے زمہ داروں کو دبوچےگا۔سندھ کی مخلوط حکومت میں شامل پیپلز پارٹی، ایم کیو ایم اور اے این پی نے وعدہ کیا ہے کہ وہ اس لعنت کے خاتمے کے لئے ہرممکن تعاون کریں گے۔
آج ٹھیک چھ ماہ بعد حالت یہ ہے کہ اس عرصے میں دو سو ستر کے لگ بھگ مزید افراد ٹارگٹ کلنگ میں ہلاک ہوچکے ہیں۔جن میں متحدہ قومی موومنٹ، مہاجر قومی موومنٹ ، عوامی نیشنل پارٹی ، پیپلز پارٹی، جماعتِ اسلامی اور سنی تحریک کے کارکنوں سے لے کر زمینوں پر ناجائز قبضے کی مزاحمت کرنے والے سماجی کارکن اور جرائم پیشہ گینگسٹرز بھی شامل ہیں۔
ن چھ ماہ کے دوران کسی شخص نے رحمان ملک کو کسی بھی ٹارگٹ کلنگ کی اطلاع دے کر پانچ لاکھ روپے انعام وصول کرنے کی زحمت نہیں کی۔اگر کوئی عدالتی تحقیقات ہوئی بھی ہیں تو ان کا کسی کو نہیں پتہ۔اگر کرائسس مینجمنٹ سیل بنا بھی ہے تو نہیں معلوم کہ اس کا ہاتھ کس کس کے گریبان تک پہنچا ہے۔اگر کوئی ٹارگٹ کلر گرفتار ہوا ہے تو اس کا نام کسی کو نہیں معلوم
ان چھ ماہ کے دوران کسی شخص نے رحمان ملک کو کسی بھی ٹارگٹ کلنگ کی اطلاع دے کر پانچ لاکھ روپے انعام وصول کرنے کی زحمت نہیں کی۔اگر کوئی عدالتی تحقیقات ہوئی بھی ہیں تو ان کا کسی کو نہیں پتہ۔اگر کرائسس مینجمنٹ سیل بنا بھی ہے تو نہیں معلوم کہ اس کا ہاتھ کس کس کے گریبان تک پہنچا ہے۔اگر کوئی ٹارگٹ کلر گرفتار ہوا ہے تو اس کا نام کسی کو نہیں معلوم۔
کوئی بھی شخص جس کی آنکھیں زرا سی بھی کھلی ہوئی ہوں۔اسے کراچی میں ٹارگٹ کلنگز کی تین موٹی موٹی وجوہات سمجھنے میں نہ تو رحمان ملک کے فوٹو سٹیٹ بیانات کی محتاجی ہے ، نہ کسی سیاسی جماعت کا سہارا چاہیے اور نہ ہی کسی انٹیلی جینس ایجنسی کی فائلوں تک پہنچنے کی ضرورت ہے۔
پہلی وجہ کراچی نامی کثیرالنسلی سونے کی چڑیا پر سیاسی حاکمیت کی رسہ کشی ہے۔ پونے دو کروڑ آبادی والے اس شہر کے جس علاقے پر جس بھی جماعت یا گروہ کا تسلط ہے وہ اس تسلط کو ہر قیمت پر برقرار رکھنا چاہتا ہے۔کیونکہ اسی تسلط سے زمینی، مالیاتی، ووٹ بینک اور اقتدار میں شراکت کے بے شمار فوائد جڑے ہوئے ہیں۔
دوسری وجہ اربوں روپے کی قیمتی زمین ہے۔جس پر سیاسی، اقتصادی اور نسلی طاقت کے بل بوتے پر قبضہ جمایا جاتا ہے اور اس میں مسلسل اضافے کی کوشش کی جاتی ہے۔ اس جنگ میں جو جس علاقے میں جتنا زور آور ہے، اسی تناسب سے قانون نافذ کرنے والے اور دیگر سرکاری اداروں اور جرائم پیشہ گروہوں کو بھی حصہ داری میں شامل کرتا ہے۔
پولیس مقابلے، نسلی جھگڑے یا گینگ وار دراصل لینڈ مافیا کے بڑے کھیل کی ہی زیلی شکلیں ہیں۔یہ سارا کھیل سیاسی پشت پناہی کے بغیر ممکن نہیں اور اسی کھیل سے وہ اثرورسوخ اور سرمایہ ہاتھ آتا ہے جو سیاسی دھاروں کو کنٹرول کرنے کے کام آتا ہے۔پچھلے چھ ماہ میں کراچی میں جتنی ٹارگٹ کلنگس ہوئی ان کا شکار ہونے والوں میں رئیل سٹیٹ کے سترہ کاروباری بھی شامل ہیں۔
تیسری وجہ مذہبی اختلافات کی بنیاد پر ٹارگٹ کلنگ ہے۔ جو کبھی زور پکڑ جاتی ہے تو کبھی تھم جاتی ہے۔لیکن کراچی کی موجودہ گریٹ گیم میں اس کا تناسب بہت کم ہے۔
سوال یہ ہے کہ پھر کوئی پکڑا کیوں نہیں جاتا؟ بات یہ ہے کہ جب وارداتی ہی مجرم کا تعاقب کرنے والوں میں شامل ہوکر چور چور کا شور مچانے لگیں تو کون کسے پکڑے گا
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