Target killing raises its ugly head in Karachi again

KARACHI: Not only the target killing going on unabated but frequency of these crimes is on the rise despite tall claims, arrest of hundreds of criminals and operation in Karachi.Shahzeb Khanzada remarked this while giving his analysis in ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Saath’ on Wednesday.
There was, however, a little break for some time in these horrifying incidents after the beginning of the drive but recently there was revival of target killing incidents. A number of high-profile personalities were targeted during the last two weeks. Assistant Professor Waheedur Rahman of the University of Karachi was the recent victim whom the criminals targeted in broad daylight. Referring to the recent incidents, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said the recent killing incidents were being carried out on a particular style and design.
Shahzeb Khanzada, while speaking about latest developments in Saudi Arabia, said the extremely secure internal security of the country could be judged from the fact that only seven kings ruled there during the last 87 years. The shuffle at the top level by King Slaman Bin Abdul Aziz had, however, sent shock waves to the international media when he dismissed his step brother Prince Muqarin and replaced him with his cousin Prince Muhammad bin Naif.
“This decision is being considered as important and historical. It is against the old norms and regular practice of transferring such post to a grandson of King Abdul Aziz instead of the set tradition of posting a son. Yet another decision of the Saudi ruler is appointing his son Prince Muhammad Bin Slaman Bin Abdul Aziz as crown prince. Prince Muhammad is already minister for defence.
Prince Muhammad was known for commanding the war against Yemen. Another decision of King Slaman Bin Abdul Aziz would leave impact on the region, particularly on Pakistan and that was replacement of Saudul Faisal with former ambassador of Saudi Arabia in USA, Adil Aljubair. Saudul Faisal had been foreign minister of the country for the last forty years. Observers are relating this change to the Yemen issue while others are referring it to certain internal differences of the ruling family. An important aspect of this decision is that there is a gradual transfer of power to young grandsons from the aged sons of King Abdul Aziz.
The indication for such changes was also referred earlier when Slaman Bin Abdul Aziz ascended to the throne,” Shahzeb Khanzada observed.Forwarding his analysis on the Karachi situation, senior analyst Mazhar Abbas said there was a typical commonality in the style and design of the crime. This time professionals were being targeted and similar was the situation earlier when doctors were the target.
The killing of several doctors last years followed exodus of doctors from the country. The killing of professors and teachers, the analyst feared, might result in flight of these professionals from the country. It was unfortunate that the killers were not caught, even if they were caught the cases were not registered against them and if cases were registered there were no hearings. On the other hand whenever there were hearings the cases were prolonged and decisions came in several years. This situation was encouraging for the criminals. There was every probability of foreign hand in the killing of professionals, but the question was there why the crime controlling agencies were not preventing such situation. Such conditions encouraged foreign hands, giving them open field to spread their network further. This fact could not be denied that not a single foreign conspiracy had been unveiled or caught. It was important that the investigating agencies reached to a conclusion.
Executive Director State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Syed Irfan Ali said any foreign company intending to buy share holding of five percent or more in a bank of Pakistan needed permission from the SBP to do so. He said this while referring to the Chinese Company Cyber-not, which wrote to the SBP for permission, as it intended to make such investment.
Responding to the letter, the SBP sought from the company information about its whereabouts, its functions and its registration. It was also asked to state what the field and scope of business it had, who was its regulator and what experience in the profession it had.
Irfan Ali said the Chinese company did not respond to the queries of the SBP. Still the company was offered, in case it was serious, to deposit an amount equivalent to Rs5 billion with the KASB Bank.
Irfan Ali said neither the company replied to the offer nor there was any deposit of the suggested amount in the said bank.
He further said the Chinese company never made investment of $100 million nor offered to do so. Instead it stated of intention to invest $50 million in installments. It offered to invest $5 million immediately, $15 million by May 13, and the remaining amount later.
Replying to Shahzeb’s question Irfan Ali said Bank Al-Islami was a sound institution, with all of its paid-up capital, existence of the necessary liquidity and comparatively. The SBP had confidence in such institution, whereas loan was extended to banking institutions, which was termed liquidity of support