Updated at: 1048 PST, Saturday, July 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD: Taking strict notice of the barbaric targeted killing incidents happening for some days in metropolis, federal interior minister Abdul Rehman Malik has issued orders to constitute a joint investigative team on Thursday.
The decision came following overnight attack on an office of a political party in Gulistan-e-Johar locality, which resulted in killing of an activist and left four others injured.
Sources said, minister phoned MQM Chief Altaf Hussain and expressed grief over attack on unit office and killing of activists.
Malik also ordered DG Rangers for deputation of more contingents at sensitive places in Karachi in order to bring restive law and order situation under control.
Updated at: 0644 PST, Saturday, July 24, 2010
WANNA: At least 16 people were killed while scores others injured in suspected US drone strikes in Angora Adda locality in South Waziristan district on early Saturday, Geo news reported.
According to sources, US drone fired five missiles on a compound, reportedly a hideout of the defunct Tehreek-e-Taliban outfit, resulting in killing of as many as 16 persons and injuring scores others.
The identification and association with banned TTP outfit of those killed in missile attacks could not be determined due to unavailability of officials, sources said.
Local people have kick started rescue activities following the barbaric drone attacks and are engaged to clear off rubble for hurrying wounded men to hospital.
16 people are confirmed dead whose bodies are being shifted to hospital for autopsy, witnesses said.
The death toll has been feared to rise as some, among injured persons, are reportedly in critical condition, rescue workers said.
Updated at: 0226 PST, Saturday, July 24, 2010
KARACHI: At least five persons were killed and six others injured in incidents of firing here in Gulistan-e-Johar locality while furious people set ablaze many buses and shops, Geo News reported Friday.
According to sources, the incidents of violence across Karachi came in action when unknown armed men opened fire on an office of a political party in Gulistan-e-Johar Block 17, leaving several persons injured, some of them seriously.
Three among the injured persons succumbed to their injuries while another two lost their lives at a local hospital while six were confirmed injured in the incidents, sources said.
According to Muttahida Qaumi Movement, its unit office in Gulistan-e-Johar came under fire attack by armed men.
The activists of a political party set three busses, garments shops, timber markets and three police mobile vans on fire at various places as violence erupted after the firing incident, witnesses said.
Heavy contingents of police and rangers have started patrolling in affected areas including Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Gulistan-e-Johar, Ghareebabad, Rashid Minhas Road, Shah Faisal Colony and others but incessant firing is still underway in some areas, sources told media.
Among many incidents of violence, another four persons were killed in separate parts of metropolis, which police linked to the reaction of firing on MQM office.
In his statement from London, condemning the firing incidents at MQM’s Unit Office, and mourning the deaths of party activists, party chief Altaf Hussain has appealed to activists to remain peaceful.
“The government should take strict notice of killing of MQM’s activists”, he urged.
Updated at: 2312 PST, Friday, July 23, 2010
KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari Friday said that the government has initiated a drive against the encroachers and ordered a survey of all those areas which had been encroached upon, adding, all the encroached areas would be cleared of the encroachers.
He suggested the authorities to use the Google Earth to check whether the Goths of Karachi were old and not encroached upon.
"We welcome all those who are coming to Karachi, as it is their constitutional right, but not in the form of 'Qabza groups," he said.
Speaking at the ceremony of 11th draw of Waseela-e-Haq and Smart Cards programmes of Benazir Income Support Programme here, he said, the government would fulfil the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto of women empowerment.
The president congratulated the gathering that the Parliament has unanimously passed the Benazir Income Support Programme bill as all the political parties, under the reconciliation policy and showing maturity has acknowledged that it should be continued in future as well as it is in the best national interest and benefits the downtrodden section of the society.
"Government is committed to steer the country out of the present crisis and we all will together give a better Pakistan to our coming generations," the President said.
He said that Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has done his B.A Hons and got the same marks which Shaheed Benazir Bhutto had obtained. He said, "now we will start his training-the politics is in his genes”.
"We will give the youth of Pakistan in his hand and he (Bilawal) will make progammes for the coming generations," he said.
President Zardari said that presently the users of internet in the country are 20 million and in coming years they would reach to 200 million, adding, the present government wanted to provide internet service and a laptop to every home.
He said that now the time has come that the son of a 'Hari' in Sindh should know the outflow of River Indus.
The president said that he had raised the issue of water with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the UN summit two years back and he (Singh) had said that Pakistan can take the issue to the World Bank.
He said that the government had hired an international arbitrator who would talk with India on the issue.
