ISLAMABAD: MQM presented a list of 500 individuals involved in destroying peace in Karachi to the National Assembly and blamed the government for the unrest in the city, Geo News reported. The debate on the situation in Karachi continued in the National Assembly and PML-N MNA, Shereen Arshad said that the government had failed to take action against those destroying peace in the city. MQM leader, Farooq Sattar said all those individuals on the list submitted by his party were criminals and terrorists and Karachi had been handed over to the underworld. He added that if the government was sincere then peace could be restored in Karachi within three days. According to Sattar 1,500 people had fallen victim to target killing in the metropolis since 2007and the government was involved in ruining the situation in the city and this was being done on purpose. The National Assembly session was adjourned till Monday evening. REFERENCE: MQM submits list of 500 miscreants in NA Updated 3 hours ago http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=20132&title=MQM-submits-list-of-500-miscreants-in-NA Friday, August 05, 2011, Ramzan almubarak 04, 1432 A.H
Waseem Aftab (MQM) Contradicts Farooq Sattar (MQM) (Aaj Ki Khabar 18-7-2011)
URL: http://youtu.be/zVWEKVC1Cas
MQM on Sardar Akbar Bugti's Death in 2006.
LAHORE, Aug 28: The MQM is politically caught in a dilemma. It ideologically differs both with the government and the opposition but had to choose one of them. MQM organiser Dr Farooq Sattar stated this at a press conference here on Monday. Facing a barrage of questions about the party's responsibility (being a part of the government) in the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti, he said the MQM condemned it in unequivocal terms. The MQM is a party limited to urban Sindh as far as electoral politics is concerned. In these circumstances, it can hardly make independent choice in national politics. That is why, it had to choose between the government and the opposition, and it went for former. But this partnership does not exclude being ideologically different, he insisted. The party, he said, believed that it could better serve national interest by being part of the government as it could influence official decisions and fight for the rights of downtrodden from within the system. The party is certain that it could better fight for provincial autonomy and other irritants in national politics by being in the government and that is the only reason for it being part of official set-up. Facing more and more questions on the killing of Akbar Bugti, Dr Farooq did not go beyond already stated position of the party: The MQM condemns killing and stands for maximum provincial autonomy, which originally triggered the crisis between the government and Mr Bugti. About demands like the judicial inquiry into the killing, he said the party would measure its further response once the initial phase of grief was over. Earlier, Dr Farooq announced a 16-member organising committee representing some 14 districts of the Punjab. He said the number would be taken to 25 in near future. The members of the committee would organise the party in Punjab according to the principles of party chief Altaf Husain. REFERENCE: Farooq explains MQM dilemma By Our Staff Reporter August 29, 2006 Tuesday Sha'aban 4, 1427 http://archives.dawn.com/2006/08/29/nat8.htm
Farooq explains MQM dilemma
ISLAMABAD: The annual statements of assets and liabilities of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNAs show one member has business and assets abroad which he did not have in 2008, while a few have tripled their fortunes and some have lost wealth compared to 2008. Going through statements, the MQM’s Khawaja Sohail Mansoor has shown assets worth Rs115,312,138 in Pakistan and $790,000 abroad. His liabilities abroad amount to $805,000 while he has taken Rs2,396,212 as advance rent. In 2008 he had assets worth Rs133,416,739 and liabilities worth Rs5,231,109 as advance rent. He did not mention anything about his foreign business and foreign assets in his 2008 statement. Abdul Waseem has shown his assets at Rs9,145,000 with liabilities amounting to Rs239,091. He had Rs2,560,000 in 2008 with a loan amounting Rs318,000. He has tripled his wealth since 2008 according to his own statement. Dr Abdul Kadir Khanzada has assets worth Rs12,130,000. In 2008 his statement filed with the ECP stated that he had assets worth Rs6,410,000. In 2010 he had almost doubled the wealth, according to his own handwritten statement filed with the Election Commission of Pakistan. Khush Bakht Shujaat owns property and assets worth Rs17,599,189 with a loan liability of Rs8,896,470 in 2010. In 2008 she had assets worth Rs5,976,500 with loans at Rs14,104,856. She too has tripled her fortune in the last three years. Farhat Mohammad Khan has assets worth Rs2,326,798 in Pakistan and $1,250,000 outside Pakistan. He had property and business worth Rs873,553 in the country and $1,450,000 abroad in 2008. Haider Abbas Rizvi has material goods worth Rs19,551,622 plus foreign assets worth $570,000. In 2008 he showed to the ECP that his assets were worth Rs1,047,7891. His own handwritten statements says he has almost doubled his fortune since 2008. SA Iqbal Qadri has Rs6,485,814 property in his name at present while in 2008 he had worth Rs4,746,137 fortune. Sheikh Salah-ud-Din has declared that he has assets worth Rs10,326,188 while he owned Rs8,762,002 worth assets in 2008. Sufyan Yusuf has property worth Rs16,700,000 in his and his family’s name and had Rs34,330,000 assets in 2008. Nadeem Ehsan owns assets worth Rs4,640,000 in 2010 while in 2008 he had Rs3,333,000 fortune. Dr Muhammad Farooq Sattar has shown that he owns property worth Rs5,136,080 while previously he had Rs5,700,174 assets in 2008. Wasim Akhtar owns a property worth Rs91,630,000 in 2010 while previously in 2008 he had assets worth Rs84,142,503. Abdul Rashid Godil has assets worth Rs11,385,897 while he had filled the statement of his assets in 2008 which were worth Rs11,945,000. Dr Muhammad Ayub Sheikh has assets worth over Rs2,775,000 in 2010 while in 2008 he had Rs3,483,000 assets. Syed Asif Hasnain has shown his assets worth Rs8,900,000 while previously he owned Rs6,250,000 fortune. Iqbal Muhammad Ali Khan has Rs3,350,000 material wealth this year while previously in 2008 he had Rs3,931,000 assets. Sajid Ahmad of the MQM owns Rs12,541,497 property which was worth Rs11,200,000 in 2008. Syed Tayyab Hussain has worth Rs6,029,000 assets while in 2008 he had Rs5,797,500 assets with no car. Salah-ud-Din has fortune worth Rs3,700,000. For the year 2008 he had over Rs3 million worth. REFERENCE: Most MQM MPs are millionaires Usman Manzoor Saturday, April 23, 2011 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=5493&Cat=13 MQM in 1999 on Punjab.
KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s parliamentary party leader, Dr Farooq Sattar, has claimed that various officials of Lahore Development Authority (LDA) are being deputed in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) “under a planned conspiracy to make Karachi a colony of the Punjab.” In a statement issued on Thursday, he said that “the MQM will never allow Karachi to become a colony of Punjab despite all odds and hurdles.” He claimed that just after the imposition of Governor’s rule in Sindh, various officials of Punjab were being deputed to different organisations like KDA and KMC, “which is not hidden from anyone.” “This indicates that the only aim of the government is to impose Punjab’s policy as it wants to capture Karachi instead of restoring peace in the city,” he added. REFERENCE: Karachi being made Punjab’s colony: Farooq DAWN/The News International, KARACHI 08 January 1999, Friday, 19 Ramzan 1419 http://www.karachipage.com/news/Jan_99/010899.html Mr. Altaf Hussain & MQM on Punjab through a Letter to Sindhis????
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ALTAF HUSSAIN’S OPEN LETTER TO THE MOST REVEREND SINDHI ELDERS, CARING MOTHERS, LOVING SISTERS AND EXUBERANT YOUTH http://www.mqm.org/English-News/Jan-2000/ah-letter-sindhi-260100.html
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KARACHI, June 9 The Sindh home department has washed its hands of the material and record of the criminal cases withdrawn under the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) saying that the files and summaries are no longer available. Well-placed sources told Dawn that the home secretary informed Sindh Prosecutor General Shahadat Awan through a letter on June 4 that his office could not produce the details of implementation of the criminal cases revived after the NRO was repealed on Dec 16, 2009 by the Supreme Court. On May 21, Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry had ordered the home secretary to provide a list of all criminal cases abolished under the NRO in Sindh. The order was issued following a meeting that was also attended by Justice Ghulam Rabbani and Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Sarmad Jalal Osmany. The prosecutor general and the member inspection team of the SHC were also present. The meeting had discussed the progress of the implementation of the criminal cases revived after the NRO was repealed and the prosecutor general had assured the court that a complete report on the progress of all such cases would be provided as soon as possible.However, the sources said, the home secretary through his letter categorically stated that no material evidence — ie files, applications, orders abd approved summaries of the criminal cases withdrawn under the controversial ordinance — was available with the home department. They said that only 32 files submitted by retired Justice Roshan Essani to the home department and a few summaries were submitted to the prosecutor general office for the perusal of the apex court. The sources said that the few summaries available in the home department apparently did not bear any clear orders of the competent authority. They said that the home department suggested to the prosecutor general that the officials posted at that time, including then home secretary retired Brigadier Ghulam Mohammed Mohtaram, then Advocate General Khawaja Naveed, then prosecutor general Rana Shamim Ahmed and the section officer concerned might be summoned on `court`s notice` to explain the whereabouts of the record pertaining to the withdrawal of the cases under the NRO.
The sources said that the home department also suggested that the then adviser on home affairs, Waseem Akhtar, could also be asked to assist the court “as the whole working about these cases was done while he was the home affair advisor”. “This office is handicapped to produce before the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan anything beyond what is being submitted,” the home secretary`s letter said. According to a statement of Law Minister Ayaz Soomro, as many as 3,576 cases were withdrawn under the NRO in Sindh, among them, are included corruption and criminal cases. The NRO beneficiaries include politicians, bureaucrats, industrialists and capitalists. The controversial ordinance was promulgated by retired General Pervez Musharraf in order to grant amnesty to all those against whom `politically-motivated` cases were registered between Jan 1, 1986 and Oct 12, 1999.
According to official sources, over 3,500 criminal cases were registered only against different leaders and activists of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas and Nawabshah. These cases were withdrawn as part of the reconciliation policy for which a review board was formed under the supervision of retired Justice Ghous Mohammad. The members of the board had included Law Secretary Ghulam Nabi Shah and the then AG Khwaja Naveed Ahmed. According to an official list, the highest number of cases were withdrawn against MQM chief Altaf Hussain — ie 72, including 31 on murder and 11 on attempt to murder charges. Dr Farooq Sattar, the MQM`s parliamentary leader in the National Assembly, occupied the second slot. A total of 23 cases were withdrawn against him, including five murder and four attempt to murder cases. The third biggest beneficiary appeared to be provincial minister Shoaib Bukhari of the MQM against whom 21 cases were withdrawn, including 16 on murder and attempt to murder charges. REFERENCE: Record of criminal cases withdrawn under NRO goes `missing` By Tahir Siddiqui http://archives.dawn.com/archives/157031
Jang Group/The News "DENY" their own Report within a Day.
Saturday, July 16, 2011, Shaban-ul-Muazzam 13, 1432 A.H
http://jang.com.pk/jang/jul2011-daily/16-07-2011/u76197.htm Updated at: 1430
KARACHI: MQM Deputy Convener, Farooq Sattar said that the Rangers were deployed to Kati Pahari after the intervention of DG ISI, Geo News reported. Sattar said that the government and Interior Minister, Rehman Malik did not listen to the MQM and did not send the Rangers to Kati Pahari for four days. He said that MQM Chief Altaf Hussain contacted DG ISI, Lt General Shuja Pasha and informed him of the situation after which Rangers were sent to the area. The MQM Chief informed the ISI Chief that it had become essential to deploy forces in order to bring an end to the killing of innocent people and firing on mosques and imam bargahs. After the conversation took place, Rangers entered the area within 6 hours and cleared it. REFERENCE: Rangers deployed to Kati Pahari after DG ISI contacted: Sattar Updated 10 hours ago http://www.thenews.com.pk/NewsDetail.aspx?ID=18807&title=Rangers-deployed-to-Kati-Pahari-after-DG-ISI-contacted%3A-Sattar
Rangers deployed to Kati Pahari after DG ISI contacted: MQM Deputy Convener Dr. Farooq Sattar (GEO TV/Express News 16 July 2011)
URL: http://youtu.be/GRew5F0yYJg
Altaf said June 26 should be observed as a day of condemnation each year to mark the dictatorial actions of the present government. “They have trampled democratic principles, ethics and norms in order to force the MQM, the third largest political party of the country, out of the elections.” He said in 1993, the then corps commander of Karachi Lt Gen Naseer Akhter had also tried to browbeat the MQM into accepting four seats only, but the MQM had refused to bow down and boycotted the elections. He appealed to journalists, media persons, human rights organisations and democracy loving people to raise their voice against the undemocratic actions of the government. “We are always criticised for supporting the government despite its betrayals. We supported the government not for our personal gains, but for the continuation of the democratic process and for establishing brotherly relations in the province.” He said the MQM had faced coercive power of the state in the past and ‘we are ready to test it even now’. But he warned that it was 2011 and not 1993. REFERENCE: Govt cheated us, its destruction starts from today: Altaf Fasahat Mohiuddin Monday, June 27, 2011 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=7024&Cat=13&dt=6/27/2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011, Shaban-ul-Muazzam 13, 1432 A.H Updated at: 2340 | http://jang.com.pk/jang/jul2011-daily/16-07-2011/u76242.htm
Daily Express News 17 July 2011
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KARACHI, May 25: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed resentment over a press release issued on May 22 by the Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) that “included a list of journalists described as chauvinistic, among other insults”. A statement issued by IFJ said: “It is alleged that the list included Zaffar Abbas (resident editor, Dawn, Islamabad), Mazhar Abbas (AFP bureau chief in Karachi), Azhar Abbas (DawnNews TV channel), Ayaz Amir (Dawn), Sajid Mir (anchor of TV One), Shaheen Sehbai (head of ARY One World), Dr Shahid Masood (anchor of GEO TV), Aneeq Ahmed (anchor of ARY One World), Afsar Imam (Aaj TV), Zarar Khan (Bureau chief, AP, Karachi), Zahid Hussain (chief reporter, GEO) and Irfan Siddiqui (columnist, Nawa-i-Waqt).” The statement condemned the MRC press release and called it “very disappointing”. “The last thing Pakistani journalists need is future generations of enemies being developed,” IFJ president Christopher Warren is quoted in the statement as saying. “Threats such as these lead to self-censorship among journalists, which of course is the goal of the intimidators, but which is also a condition that governments who are committed to press freedom cannot allow to develop,” Mr Warren said. “Journalists need to know that they will be protected from threats or attack, and the Pakistani government needs to step up and provide that protection,” he said. REFERENCE: IFJ enraged by MRC’s threat to journalists May 26, 2007 Saturday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 09, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/26/nat6.htm
Ugly Racist Role of Muhammad Saleh Zaafir (Jang Group, GEO TV, The News) (1997)
URL: http://youtu.be/yuMWieusbZs
Muhammad Saleh Zaafir is a paid agent and he is paid through SECRET FUND.
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Real Face of Jang Group's Saleh Zaafir:) the house in which he lives in Islamabad is meant for Government Officer, and Zaaifr was given the house of 4 Canal in his wife name who is a Teacher in Grade 17 but Youfus Raza Gillani (Zaafir is personal contact of Prime Minister) allowed Zaafir to live in House which is meant for Federal Secretary, the same Saleh Zaafir "day in day out lecture" everybody like his catamite boss Mir Shakil ur Rehman.
Pakistani Journalists Living in Government Houses - Part - 5 (Matiullah Jan Dawn News)
URL: http://youtu.be/mK1vC4d4Obk
KARACHI, May 24: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in an appeal to all media groups, has called for immediate safety and security measures for journalists, including comprehensive life insurance, in view of increasing incidents of violence and threats against them. In a statement issued here on Thursday, the PFUJ expressed concern over what it termed record rise in incidents of violence against journalists and other media personnel in 2007. Terming unacceptable a recent press release issued by the Muhajir Rabita Council, which had named some journalists and columnists as chauvinists, the PFUJ urged the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) to use its influence on organisations like the MRC to withdraw the statement, as it would not only create a feeling of insecurity among media personnel but would also harm the democratic culture and freedom of expression in the country. REFERENCE: PFUJ demands adequate security May 25, 2007 Friday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 08, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/25/nat17.htm
KARACHI, May 25: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has urged the president and prime minister to take notice of recent statements of Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) and MQM Rabita Committee against journalists and said that such deliberations may generate hatred against the press. In a statement signed by APNS secretary-general Mohammad Aslam Kazi, it was said that the society was concerned over the statements of the MRC and the Rabita Committee “denouncing journalists and analysts in the print and electronic media as being anti-Mohajir and biased chauvinists”. In the statement of the MRC, which was issued by four high ranking office-bearers, 13 leading journalists from the print and electronic media were named in a publicly announced hit list as ‘Mohajir dushman’ (enemies of Mohajirs), the APNS statement said, adding that the president of the MRC, Syed Safwanullah, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement minister in the federal government, upon contact had expressed his ignorance about the statement and promised a contradiction, which remained unrealised so far. According to the APNS, another statement issued in the names of two members of the MQM Rabita Committee, Mohammad Ashfaque and Javed Kazmi, had used almost the same expressions as the MRC and hurled similar charges. The APNS believed that the statements of both the MRC and the Rabita Committee against journalists “are likely to provoke hatred against the press in general and incite supporters of the two parties to the possible commission of an offence against those journalists named in the statements,” it said. It urged the MQM committee to formally denounce the inclusion of a hit list in the Rabita Council’s statement and to persuade them to withdraw the inflammatory declaration and also re-examine the statements issued by two of its members, and withdraw it as well in the interest of better relations between political parties and the press. REFERENCE: APNS assails statements of MRC against journalists May 26, 2007 Saturday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 09, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/26/nat5.htm
Karachi --- The Mohajir Rabita Council has condemned death threats to some Karachi-based journalists, and described it as yet another conspiracy to malign Mohajirs. It demanded a high level inquiry into the matter and punishment to the culprits. In a statement faxed to Dawn by its press secretary Minhajul Arfeen, MRC's Senior Vice-President Yaqoob Bandhani, General Secretary Tasadduq Hussain, Finance Secretary Ms Raeesa Mohani and members of the working committee claimed that they had come to know from the print and electronic media that some unidentified people had dropped envelopes containing bullets and threatening letters in the vehicles of three journalists. It may be pointed out that cars of the two reporters and photographer were parked outside the Karachi Press Club when the envelops were discovered. Each envelope contained only one bullet and no threatening letter. The media also reported accordingly. Demanding a high level inquiry into what it described as a deplorable threat to journalists, the MRC press release maintained that the organisation comprised elders who had played a pivotal role in the creation of Pakistan and had always, through peaceful means, struggled for the rights of Mohajirs. It maintained that after the May 12 mayhem in the city, conspirators had expedited their drive against Mohajirs, and claimed that the envelopes with bullet and threatening letters were part of that conspiracy. REFERENCE: Mohajir community denies allegations that they threatened journalists Dawn Thursday, May 31, 2007 Asia Media PAKISTAN: Threats to journalists termed 'conspiracy against Mohajirs' http://www.international.ucla.edu/asia/news/article.asp?parentid=71119
Karachi --- The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has expressed resentment over a press release issued on May 22 by the Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) that "included a list of journalists described as chauvinistic, among other insults".
A statement issued by IFJ said: "It is alleged that the list included Zaffar Abbas (resident editor, Dawn, Islamabad), Mazhar Abbas (AFP bureau chief in Karachi), Azhar Abbas (DawnNews TV channel), Ayaz Amir (Dawn), Sajid Mir (anchor of TV One), Shaheen Sehbai (head of ARY One World), Dr Shahid Masood (anchor of GEO TV), Aneeq Ahmed (anchor of ARY One World), Afsar Imam (Aaj TV), Zarar Khan (Bureau chief, AP, Karachi), Zahid Hussain (chief reporter, GEO) and Irfan Siddiqui (columnist, Nawa-i-Waqt)."
The statement condemned the MRC press release and called it "very disappointing". "The last thing Pakistani journalists need is future generations of enemies being developed," IFJ president Christopher Warren is quoted in the statement as saying. "Threats such as these lead to self-censorship among journalists, which of course is the goal of the intimidators, but which is also a condition that governments who are committed to press freedom cannot allow to develop," Mr Warren said. "Journalists need to know that they will be protected from threats or attack, and the Pakistani government needs to step up and provide that protection," he said.
APNS assails statements of MRC against journalists
Karachi --- The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has urged the president and prime minister to take notice of recent statements of Mohajir Rabita Council (MRC) and MQM Rabita Committee against journalists and said that such deliberations may generate hatred against the press. In a statement signed by APNS secretary-general Mohammad Aslam Kazi, it was said that the society was concerned over the statements of the MRC and the Rabita Committee “denouncing journalists and analysts in the print and electronic media as being anti-Mohajir and biased chauvinists”. In the statement of the MRC, which was issued by four high ranking office-bearers, 13 leading journalists from the print and electronic media were named in a publicly announced hit list as ‘Mohajir dushman' (enemies of Mohajirs), the APNS statement said, adding that the president of the MRC, Syed Safwanullah, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement minister in the federal government, upon contact had expressed his ignorance about the statement and promised a contradiction, which remained unrealised so far. According to the APNS, another statement issued in the names of two members of the MQM Rabita Committee, Mohammad Ashfaque and Javed Kazmi, had used almost the same expressions as the MRC and hurled similar charges. The APNS believed that the statements of both the MRC and the Rabita Committee against journalists “are likely to provoke hatred against the press in general and incite supporters of the two parties to the possible commission of an offence against those journalists named in the statements,” it said. It urged the MQM committee to formally denounce the inclusion of a hit list in the Rabita Council's statement and to persuade them to withdraw the inflammatory declaration and also re-examine the statements issued by two of its members, and withdraw it as well in the interest of better relations between political parties and the press. REFERENCE: Asia Media Date Posted: 5/25/2007 Council releases a list of journalists deemed subversive to society Dawn Friday, May 25, 2007 PAKISTAN: IFJ enraged by MRC's threat to journalists http://www.international.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=70724
KARACHI, May 29: In what appears to be a direct death threat, bullets were found on Tuesday night in the cars of three senior journalists parked outside the Karachi Press Club. The cars belonged to secretary-general of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Mazhar Abbas, Zarar Khan and photojournalist Asif Hussain. When the journalists opened their vehicles, each of them found a bullet wrapped in a brown paper envelope. It may be pointed out that names of Mazhar Abbas and Zarar Khan had appeared in a statement of the Mohajir Rabita Council in which they were described as anti-Mohajir chauvanists. The journalists immediately informed Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and IG Police Azhar A. Farooqi. An FIR was lodged with the police. The Karachi Union of Journalists has strongly condemned death threats to the journalists and demanded that the culprits be brought to justice. It also demanded that the organisations whose names have appeared in this connection must publicly denounce and disassociate itself from such terrorist activities. REFERENCE Journalists get death threats By Our Staff Reporter May 30, 2007 Wednesday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/30/nat4.htm
LAHORE, May 30: The Punjab Union of Journalists on Wednesday staged a demonstration in front of the Lahore Press Club to condemn death threats to three senior Karachi journalists. A large number of city journalists carrying placards and banners urged the government to protect journalists. They also raised slogans against the MQM and the government. The journalists given death threats included Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Secretary General Mazhar Abbas, Zarar Khan and Asif Hussain. Speaking on the occasion, PUJ President Arif Hameed Bhatti and General Secretary Amer Raza urged the government to take stern action against the MQM, and ban it. It should also expose those disturbing peace in Karachi, they said. They also urged the Punjab government to ban the entry of the members of the party into Punjab.
They said the union would give a call for a hunger strike if the government failed to protect journalists who would continue to perform their duty without caring for the consequences. Meanwhile, in a statement the South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) expressed its anger over threats to the life and property of journalists in Karachi and Peshawar given by, what it said, different extremist organizations. It urged the Pakistani authorities to protect the journalists. The statement issued by SAMC Regional Coordinator Husain Naqi here said the life threats to the three Karachi journalists came a week after a shadowy organization, The Mohajir Rabita Council with links to the MQM, a party that supports military ruler President Pervez Musharraf, issued a list of a dozen journalists, declaring them as enemies, it said.
It said on May 25 gunmen attacked the Peshawar home of Daily Times cartoonist Muhammad Zahoor at around 2am. Four-time winner of the All Pakistan Newspaper Society’s annual best cartoonist award, Zahoor had drawn many cartoons on the Supreme Court chief justice’s dismissal in recent weeks. The home of Nasrullah Afridi, the Urdu language daily Mashriq in the Khyber Agency section of the Tribal Areas, came under grenade attack after death threats made against him five days earlier by the head of Lashkar-i-Islam. “We believe it is a very serious threat to working journalists. It is an attempt to muzzle the free media. The government should arrest those behind the threats,” SAMC Chairperson N Ram and General Secretary Najam Sethi said. They said journalists needed to know that they would be protected from threats or attack. “If the government fails to do so, we will be justified in believing that there is complicity of the government in the current campaign to harass journalists,” they said. They said the Muhajir Rabita Council had issued a threatening statement on May 22 with a list of some 20 journalists it described as chauvinist and hostile to their movement. REFERENCE: PUJ rally condemns threats to journalists By our Staff Reporter May 31, 2007 Thursday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 14, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/31/nat45.htm
HYDERABAD, May 30: Journalists staged protest demonstrations and held rallies in different parts of Sindh on Wednesday against the issuance of life threats to PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas, AP correspondent Zarar Khan and photographer Asif Hussain, and attack on Shakeel Turrabi, Editor-in-Chief, Sana News. Members of the press club and Hyderabad Union of Journalists demonstrated against the harassment of journalists by ‘terrorists.’ President Hyderabad Press Club Shahid Shaikh said this was only a symbolic protest demonstration but if such threats were not stopped media people will resort to direct action. NAWABSHAH: Journalists of Nawabshah staged demonstration outside the press club. They carried placards and raised slogans in favour of press freedom. Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Anwar Shaikh said that the government was claiming that press and media were free but threats were being issued to journalists. The members condemned such threats. JACOBABAD: Journalists of Jacobabad took out a rally led by Nazar Abbas Shah, president district union of journalists, while activists of political parties and social organisations also participated in it. Protesters staged a sit-in near the DCO Chowk. REFERENCE: Threats to journalists condemned May 30, 2007 Wednesday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/31/nat31.htm KARACHI, May 29: In what appears to be a direct death threat, bullets were found on Tuesday night in the cars of three senior journalists parked outside the Karachi Press Club. The cars belonged to secretary-general of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Mazhar Abbas, Zarar Khan and photojournalist Asif Hussain. When the journalists opened their vehicles, each of them found a bullet wrapped in a brown paper envelope. It may be pointed out that names of Mazhar Abbas and Zarar Khan had appeared in a statement of the Mohajir Rabita Council in which they were described as anti-Mohajir chauvanists. The journalists immediately informed Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan and IG Police Azhar A. Farooqi. An FIR was lodged with the police. The Karachi Union of Journalists has strongly condemned death threats to the journalists and demanded that the culprits be brought to justice. It also demanded that the organisations whose names have appeared in this connection must publicly denounce and disassociate itself from such terrorist activities. REFERENCE: Dawn Report Journalists get death threats By Our Staff Reporter May 30, 2007 Wednesday Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/30/nat4.htm
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