MQMP, PPP trade barbs over law and order ‘breakdown’

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) Sunday criticised the Sindh government for failing to curb crimes, asserting that robbers in Karachi had been given the ‘license to kill.’

Addressing a press conference at the MQM-P election office ‘Pakistan House’ here, party leader Senator Faisal Sabzwari said the home ministry had been under the control of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) for the past 16 years but the province’s law and order situation remained dire.

He noted that several citizens were killed while resisting robberies during Ramazan and that mobile phones worth billions of rupees were snatched in the city.

Sabzwari accused the police of collusion in street crimes, suggesting that the robbers could not dare break the law without the support of corrupt elements in the police department.

The MQM-P leader called on the provincial government to increase police patrolling in the middle-class areas of the city.

“We have approached the police officials and director general Sindh Rangers, and we plan to meet with President Asif Ali Zardari as well to discuss the province-wide law and order situation.”

He demanded the establishment of a neighbourhood security system, warning that the MQM-P would take matters into its own hands if the government failed to act.

He urged the Sindh High Court (SHC) chief justice to address the issue of lawlessness in Karachi by summoning all relevant authorities to explain their inability to curb crimes in the city.

“Street crime has turned into an industry. The police must stop collecting Eidi and curb criminal elements,” he remarked.

Sabzwari criticized Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar for his inability to control street crimes, reminding him of his responsibility to the entire province, not just as a coordinator for a political figure.

MQM-P leader Khawaja Izharul Hassan ironically congratulated the Sindh government for securing the appointment of their preferred inspector general. “The provincial government pressured the federal government to appoint their chosen IG. The news of new IG’s appointment has brought joy to robbers from Karachi to Kashmore,” commented Hassan.

He said in the presence of PPP’s chosen IG, the issue of law and order had worsened; the robbers felt empowered to kill over cell phones worth a few thousand rupees.

He called for equal powers to the Rangers to establish peace throughout Sindh and mentioned the concerns of the business community regarding street crime. He criticised the home minister for downplaying the issue.

He appealed to the federal government, prime minister and president to take notice of the bloodshed in Karachi, which posed a challenge to all stakeholders and could significantly impact Pakistan’s economy.

It’s important to note that street crimes have escalated in Karachi, resulting in the death of dozens of citizens in recent weeks. Many of these deaths occurred when the victims resisted robberies, especially during Ramazan.

From January to March, street crimes have claimed the lives of at least 50 citizens. In the same period, six robbers were killed in 75 police encounters, while 93 suspects were arrested with injuries.

Reacting to the MQM’s charges, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said it seems that Khawaja Izharul Hasan had become the spokesperson for Shehbaz Sharif.

In a statement, Lanjar said, “You are a part of every government. If you have moral courage, then instead of political rhetoric, come and sit with the provincial government and talk about the pain of the people.”

He said the Sindh Police were doing their best work. There were problems in the caretaker government, but thanks to the positive and people-friendly policy of the Sindh government that the law and order is gradually improving, he added. He said the IG Sindh was active and criminals will soon be eradicated from Karachi to Kashmore.

Lanjar said, “Instead of worrying about the public, remember your past. Even then, the same people were forced to live in extreme fear and terror. Remember this. This is the era of reconciliation and everyone has to move forward together. This era is not the time of political shopkeepers but the era of real servants,” he added.

Addressing Khawaja Izhar-ul-Hassan sarcastically, he said, “Are your neighbors and residents happy with you?” He said the government of Sindh was a real helper and benefactor of the people.

Also, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Imam Memon rose in defence of the Sindh government and said the new govt of the PPP had inherited a poor law and order situation from the interim government. In a statement issued on Sunday, he said any attempt to render the law-enforcement agencies controversial would encourage the vicious elements that were bent on sabotaging peace.

He said the MQM Pakistan’s narrative on the law & order situation in Karachi was aimed at demoralising the police. He said the sole objective of MQM’s narrative was to encourage criminals and bring down the morale of the police force.

The senior minister said politicians shouldn’t resort to weaken the rule of law in the country.

In a separate statement, Sindh Minister for Energy and Planning & Development Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said restoration of law & order situation was the top priority of the Sindh government.