Peaceful Karachi essential for country, Muslim world: Siraj

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) ameer Senator Sirajul Haq has reiterated his demand for using biometric system in NA-246 by-elections, Karachi, to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Sunday, he wondered if the government was so helpless that it could not arrange biometric system in a single constituency. Sirajul Haq said Karachi was the biggest city and the economic hub of the country, but an atmosphere of fear and insecurity prevailed in the city. He said peace in Karachi was essential not only for the country but also for Muslim world.
JI chief said for the last 24 years, Karachi was in the control of the MQM, adding some state institutions and some world powers played a dirty role in placing Karachi under the MQM control. He said Altaf Husain had once again attempted to prove that he could shut down Karachi on a single call even now. However, he said, times had changed and Altaf Husain’s words did not have much influence as in the past.
Sirajul Haq said Altaf Husain in his public address on Saturday had apologised to the establishment but he had not explained for what crimes, he was tendering an apology.
He said people of Karachi wanted the MQM leader to apologise for the lawyers’ murders on the 9th of April, the burning alive of the Baldia Town factory workers and the assassination of journalist Wali Khan Babar. However, he said Altaf Hussain had not uttered a word against the criminals involved in these killings.
Senator Sirajul Haq said the main issue of Karachi was law and order. Small traders, lawyers and common citizens of Karachi were harassed and afraid. The media and the judiciary were also hostage. TV anchors dared not speak the truth nor journalists could write facts. He said if a lawyer picked up courage to contest a case or a judge had guts to decide a case honestly, he would be no more the next day. He said he was waiting for time when peace would prevail in Karachi and Altaf Husain would return.
JI chief said hundreds of JI workers had been killed in Karachi and hundreds of others had been injured, but JI had faced the situation with patience and did not take revenge. He said the leaders who were under the impression that they were the rulers in Karachi were tendering apologies to the establishment while they should have apologised to the masses.
Sirajul Haq said Allah Almighty had given the people of Karachi an opportunity and they should avail it for a change for their future generations and the future of the country. He said JI wanted the rule of merit and law.
Replying to a question, Sirajul Haq said every individual or party had the right to contest election. He said MQM and PTI had their elected representatives from Karachi, therefore, the masses should now give the right of representation to JI.
Siraj welcomed the visit of the Chinese president and said Pak-China friendship was everlasting and unparalleled.