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India-Pakistan
Rangers chief discloses arrest of Taliban leader
2016-01-30
KARACHI: Sindh Rangers Director General Major Gen Bilal Akbar disclosed on Friday the arrest of an important Taliban leader to establish his claim about recent success made by the paramilitary force in the targeted operation in Karachi as well as restoration of peace to a large extent. But at the same time he rejected the idea of direct role in governance, saying “it’s not our job”.

The Rangers chief made the disclosure at an academic conference — Politik 2016 — organised by the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) at its campus in the University of Karachi.

According to the participants, Major Gen Akbar first highlighted the role of his force, the “successful results” achieved and challenges of the Karachi operation and then answered some “harsh” questions in detail and “quite frankly”.

Other panellists in the discussion were Zubair Habib of the Citizens-Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and journalist Zarrar Khuhro. Since the media was not invited to the event, details of the discussion came in bits through the participants of the hours-long session.

“Even political parties have recognised the fact that the ratio of crime in Karachi has gone incredibly down due to this operation,” one of the participants quoted the Rangers chief as saying. “We have busted criminal gangs and arrested a number of assassins and dozens of militants during the operation which led to peace in the city. Only recently we have arrested a key leader of Taliban who was operating under three fake identities.

“His arrest is a big achievement and it suggests our strong ground intelligence and operational capability.”

According to the participants, the Rangers DG shared with them two names – Dawood Mehsood and Bilal Mehsood – of the Taliban leader who, he said, had multiple identities to deceive law enforcement and intelligence agencies, but did not disclose the area from where he was arrested.

An interesting situation, a participant said, emerged when someone from the audience put a question to Major Gen Akbar. He took a second to reply, explaining the job of his force was law enforcement and not governance.

“You have been so active during these days while eliminating crime and looking into other ills of society, so why don’t you take over and directly take up the governance issues,” the participant quoted the questioner as saying.

“I am sad to hear your question,” the Rangers chief retorted. “We are here with a purpose. Our job is to provide security and enforce law. Governance is not our job.”

MEETINGS: Later in the day, the Rangers chief met Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at the Governor’s House and discussed with him law and order and the Karachi operation.

“The meeting reiterated that action against criminals will be intensified and the province cleansed of criminals so that a complete and lasting peace could be ensured,” said a statement issued by the Governor’s House.

It was busy a day for civil and military leaderships. Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar held separate meetings with the governor and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah.

During his meeting at the CM House, the corps commander discussed with the chief minister issues relating to implementation of the National Action Plan and the operation against terrorists.

According to a statement issued by the CM House, the two also discussed implementation of decisions taken by the apex committee to further tighten the noose around terrorists.

The chief minister said he had approved the establishment of another 10 anti-terrorism courts in Karachi and the interior ministry had been requested to direct wireless broadband companies to undertake biometric registration of their customers.

The statement said the corps commander had expressed satisfaction over the implementation of the apex committee’s decisions and said that with the strengthening of the prosecution system, terrorists would not be able to get away.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2016
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India-Pakistan
Federal government seeks Governor Sindh's resignation
2015-06-06
[NATION.PK] The federal government has sought resignation from Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, local media quoting sources reported today.

According to reports, the government holds the stance that after the allegations by executed convict Saulat Mirza, it is unsuitable for Dr Ebad to remain the Sindh governor. Sources said, Dr Ebad has asked for one month to resign from his position. Dr Ebad has said that he is currently occupied with some private engagements and after the completion of some left over responsibilities, he will resign.

Sources said that the Federal government has also taken the Sindh government into confidence, over the decision. According to sources, high level consultations have begun for the appointment of a new Sindh governor.

Earlier, MQM had announced to disown Ebad and demanded him to step down.

On other hand, federal government is considering names of Mushahidullah, Ghos Ali Shah and Sardar Mumtaz Bhutto for its new representative in the province, while the Prime Minster would nominate final name in few days, sources added.
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Britain
UK arrests two MQM men over 'money laundering'
2013-12-07
[Pak Daily Times] The Metropolitan Police have tossed in the calaboose
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
 two people from West London in relation to a money laundering case involving the Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
-based Muttahida Qaumi Movement
...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead...
 (MQM), media reported on Friday.

The exact details of the arrested are not known as yet, however, both are said to be associated with the MQM, and one of them was reportedly handling the party's financial matters. The police raided two houses in the city and arrested the suspects while also seizing a few items from the place. The suspects -- aged 40 and 70 -- are now held at a cop shoppe and are being investigated. British authorities had earlier informed Islamabad that its police found significant evidence against MQM workers in Imran Farooq's murder case as well as against some MQM leaders in money laundering cases. In August this year, MQM chief Altaf Hussain was investigated by the Metropolitan Police over Farooq's murder and suspicions of money laundering.

Meanwhile,
...back at the bunker, his Excellency called the chief of staff and complained that the artillery was keeping him awake...
 Altaf Hussain has called key leaders of his party to London for an "important" consultation over various organizational and political matters. According to a statement issued on Friday, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Dr Farooq Sattar, Adil Siddiqui, Babar Ghauri and others have been called by their party chief for a meeting in London where Altaf has been living in self-exile for several years. "Mr Altaf Hussain will hold consultation over MQM's organizational matters, national political situation and upcoming elections of local bodies in the country," the statement said.
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India-Pakistan
Operations conducted in Karachi; terrorist attack foiled
2013-04-15
[Dawn] The Crime Investigation Department (CID) of police conducted a raid operation in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
's Surjani town area on Sunday and foiled a possible terrorist attack, DawnNews reported.

Following a tip-off from Aslam Mehsud, the alleged brain behind the Abbas Town bombing, police conducted an operation in the Surjani town area where they recovered a huge cache of weapons and ammunition along with a boom-mobile.

The explosives-laden car was seized by CID personnel after an exchange of fire with the bully boyz during which the approver, Aslam Mehsud was killed and two coppers were maimed.

Aslam later succumbed to his wounds.

The SSP Chaudhry Aslam told media personnel that four tt pistols and a kalashnikov were recovered, adding that the suspects had planned to target the residence of political party leaders and other important buildings in the area, including a hospital.

Private TV channels reported coppers as saying that one suspect was also taken into custody from the spot and that Mehsud has sustained injuries while identifying the hide-out during an ambush that took place as soon as the police-raiding team entered the locality.

The Governor of Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, announced a reward of Rs 2 million for the CID team in the wake of the successful operation.

In related news, Rangers personnel conducted an operation in Kunwari colony early on Sunday.

At least, 800 Rangers personnel including women took party in the three-hour long operation. The Ranger forces cordoned off the area, blocking all entry and exit points and conducted house-to-house searches with the help of sniffer dogs.

According to a Rangers spokesperson, six suspects were taken into custody who were shifted to some holy man's guesthouse an undisclosed location for further investigation. The front man added that 21 weapons of different kinds were also recovered from the nabbed
Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up!
 suspects.
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India-Pakistan
Pakistani Taliban claim responsibility of Rangers HQ blast in Karachi
2012-11-09
Pak Taliban claimed the responsibility of a high-intensity blast targeting the Rangers Headquarters in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
's North Nazimabad area early Thursday.

Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) Spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan said that they have more targets on their list and those who would raise voices against them, the Taliban would target them.

He said that the Pak Taliban have their network in the country and would operate from wherever they wanted from.

According to media reports, a truck slammed into one of the entrances of the Rangers compound killing one person and leaving more than a dozen, including civilians, injured.

The injured were shifted to the city's Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

The blast was heard across the city and fear and panic gripped the citizens. It caused damage to nearby buildings and shattered windows in the vicinity.

Senior police official Javed Odho told a television channel that the bomber had used more than 100 kilograms of explosives in the attack.

Witnesses reported seeing a large plume of smoke in the sky.

Television footage of the blast site showed what appeared to be an apartment block with a gaping hole in the middle where the bomb went off and part of the two-story building was razed.

Emergency and rescue teams had reached the site of the kaboom.

A portion of a building inside the Rangers compound collapsed and caught fire and efforts were being made to put out the blaze.

Rangers created a perimeter around the building to hold off journalists and bystanders.

One of the Rangers, Muhammed Farooq, said he was preparing for work when he looked out the window and saw a vehicle smash through the main gate and into the building.

"Then there was a really big bang and I lost my balance and I saw a lot of smoke and then I lost consciousness," he said, speaking from the hospital.

The area was cordoned off by security forces as investigations into the incident went underway.

Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Pak politician, Interior Minister under the Gilani government. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men. He had to give up the interior ministry job because he held dual Brit citizenship.
 condemned the attack and sought a report from IG Sindh on the incident.
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India-Pakistan
Zardari orders immediate arrests over rally firing incident in Karachi
2012-05-26
[Dawn] President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari
... sticky-fingered husband of the late Benazir Bhutto ...
 on Friday ordered quick and stern action against those involved in killing participants of a political rally on Tuesday in Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
, DawnNews reported.

During a high level meeting on security with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Pak politician, current Interior Minister under the Gilani administration. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. He later joined the Pak Peoples Party and was chief security officer to Bhutto. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men.
 at Bilawal House, the president also emphasised on action against the criminals regardless of their political and ethnic affiliations.

At least eleven people were killed and more than 30 people maimed after unidentified armed assailants shot up an Awami Tehrik's "Mohabbat-e-Sindh" (Love for Sindh) rally in the lovely provincial capital.

The Sindh chief minister, on the occasion, presented the probe report on the May 22 incident and brought the reservations, of provincial ministers belonging to the Pakistain People's Party (PPP), into the president's notice.

The president also took notice of wall chalking by the Muhajir Suba Tehrik (Muhajir Province Movement.)

Meanwhile,
...back at the game, the Babe was wondering why the baseball kept getting bigger and bigger. Finally it hit him...
 Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan made an apology for not attending the meeting, as he had to leave for Dubai over MV Albedo captives' matter.

The interior minister vowed to act against the myrmidons in Bloody Karachi without any discrimination.

Earlier, some of the provincial ministers had criticised Malik over worsening law and order situation in Bloody Karachi.
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India-Pakistan
MQM gives govt new lease of life
2011-01-08
[Pak Daily Times] Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has gained majority in parliament after his government's disappointed coalition partner, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), rejoined the treasury benches. But, reportedly the MQM will not join the federal cabinet despite firm commitments on its reservations from President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari.
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who showed remarkably little curiosity about who actually done her in ...
Speaking at the MQM Headquarters during his first visit where he also held a meeting with members of party's coordination committee and a teletalk with party chief Altaf Hussain on Friday, the prime minister assured the MQM of consultation in every decision-making and legislation process at the federal and provincial level.

"I came here (Nine-Zero) after reducing the POL products' prices and it is my first visit to the MQM Headquarters." Gilani said, adding, "I assure you (MQM) on behalf of the provincial government that every problem faced by the MQM ministers in discharging their duties will be removed from now."

The PM said, "I have spoke to Altaf Bhai over the telephone on several issues and he has advised the coordination committee to take up all the issues with me." He said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah assured him that he would take along the MQM in all legislation in the provincial assembly.

He also said that the bill relating to the commissionerate system had been deferred until such time as the consultation on it was completed with unanimity. "I called a meeting of the heads of all the parliamentary parties in parliament and informed them about my difficulties and economic problems. We have reversed the decision of increasing the POL prices," the prime minister added.

Gilani said the government had deferred the RGST bill on the demand of the MQM and other political forces. "I want to assure you with sincerity that for the solution of all issues we want to take along all progressive forces in the country," he said. "I urge you on behalf of PPP and President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ...
 to review your decision and rejoin the government," he averred.

Later, MQM's co-ordination committee member Raza Haroon announced that the committee, in London and Bloody Karachi, decided after prolonged deliberations that the MQM would sit on the treasury benches in view of the economic problems, important national and public issues, deteriorating law and order situation and for promotion of democracy in the country but it would not be able to join the federal cabinet.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, MQM leaders, ministers, MNAs, MPAs and party workers were also present on the occasion.
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India-Pakistan
Four ISO students injured in blast at Karachi University
2010-12-29
[Pak Daily Times] A low-intensity blast at the cafeteria lawn of Bloody Karachi University on Tuesday left four students of the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) injured.

The kaboom occurred when ISO activists were preparing for noon prayers in the lawn of the main cafeteria of the university. After the blast, law enforcement agencies' personnel, Bomb Disposal Squad (DSP) staff, ambulances of various welfare organisations and students rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to the nearby Patel Hospital.

BDS officials, Sherlocks of FIA's Special Investigation Group and various other agencies reached the spot to evaluate the nature of the blast. Experts, after paramilitary investigation, disclosed that the bomb was planted at the ISO stall where ISO workers offer their prayers daily.

DIG (East) Commandant Shaukat, SSP Naeem Sheikh, Gulshan-e-Iqbal TPO, SSP Mazhar Mashwani of the Crime Investigation Department (CID) and SSP Raja Umar Khitab of the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) also inspected the site of the incident.

BDS and SIG Sherlocks cordoned off the scene of the crime and took samples for laboratory tests.

SIG and BDS Sherlocks said the blast was low intensity, in which gunnies used some 150 to 200 grammes of kaboom. They added that the blast could have been more harmful or even fatal if the gunnies had used pellets in the bomb. The blast also damaged the cafeteria's wall, a window and destroyed a tree, which reduced its intensity and saved students' lives.

DIG Shaukat said the actual nature of the blast and explosives would be determined after a laboratory examination.

Later, enraged ISO workers took out a rally from the campus to the university road, chanting slogans against Rangers, deployed at the university and KU administration. ISO senior leader Qasim Karbalai said that two out of the four injured students, Wajid Ali and Irfan Haider were maimed critically, while the two slightly injured students, Jawad and Haider Ali, were discharged after first aid.

He added that they had informed the KU administration about cut-thoat elements' presence in various students' organisations but the university's administration "did not take any action". He pointed out that a complete wing of Rangers was deployed at the campus but they were reluctant to provide security to students.

It is pertinent to mention that Sherlocks are looking into different aspects of the blast, including disputes of ISO with rival student organisations.

Sources say that a clash between the ISO and PSF that took place a couple of weeks ago could be a major issue.

Meanwhile,
...back at the ranch...
 Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and Interior Minister Rehman Malik took strict notice of the incident. The CM has asked the Bloody Karachi capital city police officer and Sindh IGP to submit a detailed report on the incident.

Meanwhile,
...back at the hideout...
 KU will remain open today (Wednesday), however, the examinations scheduled for today have been postponed.

This was decided at a meeting held at the campus and presided over by KU Vice Chancellor Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui.
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India-Pakistan
Massive power failure darkens half of Karachi
2010-06-06
[Geo News] It has been raining cats and dogs for last one hour in metropolis city of Karachi, leaving all the power units at Bin Qasim Plant shut down, which has resulted in darkening over 50 percent of city parts and multiplying the miseries of Karachiites, Geo news reported.

The officials at metrological department have forecast that the ongoing spate of incessant rainfall will constantly last for some days to come with small recesses.

Meanwhile, the Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ebad Khan is on a visit to different areas of city to review the situation created by the torrential rain.

It may be mentioned that Director General Met Office said the Cyclone Phet heading to Pakistan, has been downgraded to lower level of category 1 in terms of intensity after hitting Oman coast and is 300-kilometers away Karachi coast.

He said the Phet Cyclone is going to hit Karachi coastal areas tomorrow afternoon.
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India-Pakistan
Pakistan not a failed state: Gilani
2009-09-05
Yes, yes, Yousuf dear. You just sit down here next to me and have a nice cup of chamomile tea and a biscuit. You'll feel calmer in no time.
[Dawn] Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani says Pakistan 'is not a failed state as it has a strong democratic government, independent judiciary, free media and has defeated extremism and terrorism by successfully carrying out military operation in Malakand with full support of the people.'

The prime minister said that 'the terrorists are on the run after the Army operation in Malakand in which personnel of armed forces and law enforcing agencies gave immense sacrifices.'

'Nato forces are fighting in Afghanistan for last five and a half years but Pakistan's armed forces sucessfully carried out the operation against extremists and terrorists in Malakand in eight weeks,' he said.

The prime minister made these remarks while speaking at an iftar dinner hosted by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan on Friday evening at Governor House.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, Provincial Ministers, Senators, MNAs, MPA also attended.

Prime Minister Gilani vowed that the PPP government, which came into power after the February 2008 elections, will complete its five year constitutional term and anti-democratic forces would never succeed in weakening the government.

'We will never compromise on principles, pursuing policy of reconciliation, coalition governments in the centre and provinces are working satisfactorily. After assuming power we made the Charter of Democracy, signed by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, as the basis and had talks with Nawaz Sharif for reconciliation. We are strengthenng all institutions for good governance and giving all power to the people,' he stressed.

He said a committeee formed through a unanimous resolution in the National Assembly was studying amendments to restore the 1973 Constitution. 'We accepted recommedations of the commitee on Balochistan and are workng to implement it. Frontier Crimes Regulation FCR was amended and allowed political parties to extend their activities in the tribal areas of the country.'

'We gave internal autonomy, sovereignty to Gilgit Baltistan which was a long standing demand of its people but this does not mean that we have forgotten the Kashmir issue. We will continue to give moral and diplomatic suport to the Kashmiri people,' he said

Gilani stated that load shedding was occuring because no new power project was executed in the last nine years. He recalled Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in her tenure in 1994 invited Independent Power Producers IPPs to overcome power shortage. He said that nearly 50 per cent of power generation capacity now in the country is due to IPPs set up in 1994-96.

'We have accepted the challenge of load shedding and implementing short, medium and long term policies. Short term policies will achieve results in six months to one year, medium in two to three years. In long term Basha dam and Thar coal fired stations will help. There is no magic lamp to overcome power shortage,' he said.

The prime minister also said that Local Government is a provincial subject and a summary was sent to President Asif Ali Zardari in this regard who sent it to the Ministry of Law & Justice for further legal opinion.
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India-Pakistan
Ebad phones BB, slams blasts
2007-10-19
Hello? Hello?
Benazir! I just
heard the news!
Are you dead?
You're sure you're not?
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan telephoned Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairwoman and former premier Benazir Bhutto at Bilawal House and inquired about her after blasts that hit her convoy late on Thursday. Benazir thanked the governor for his call. Earlier, he condemned the explosions, calling them a “heinous and beastly act”.

Expressing his grief over the incident, the governor prayed for eternal peace for those who had lost their lives and grant of patience to bereaved families and early recovery of injured. He said the incident was a conspiracy to sabotage the democratic process in the country and that the government would use all means and resources to unearth those involved in the blasts and bring them to justice. He directed law enforcement agencies to further tighten the security arrangements throughout the province and keep round the clock vigil. The governor directed the officials concerned to provide all possible health care facilities to the injured and also appealed to the people to exercise utmost restraint and cooperate with the government in thwarting the nefarious designs of anti-state and anti-democracy forces. He declared that the government would show no relaxation in promoting democratic process in the country. Meanwhile, the governor announced that all educational institutions in Karachi would remain closed on Friday.
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