09 May 2004	Sunday	18 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, May 8: The Jaafria Alliance leaders demanded of the government to apprehend and punish those involved in the Hyderi mosque bomb blast, pay rupees one million each to the families of the victims, and release the alliance's detainees.

President Jaafria Alliance and a prominent scholar, Senator Allama Abbas Kumaili, Maulana Mirza Yusuf Hussain, Maulana Hassan Zafar Naqvi, Allama Aftab Haider and Salman Mujtaba Naqvi commended the response given by the people against the terrorist act.

They welcomed the solidarity expressed by the people of all shades of faith and vowed to frustrate any attempt by the enemies of Pakistan.

They were of the view that the US and her agents were busy in the bloodshed of Millat-i-Jaafria from Iraq to Karachi. The alliance leaders also called upon the people to be vigilant of terrorist elements. They announced that main soyem congregession for the victims would be held at Imambargah Shuhda-i-Karbala on Sunday after Maghrib prayers.

Serious notice was taken of the government's alleged attempt to mislead investigation by describing the crime as a suicide bomb attack.

The provincial chapter of the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) termed the incident government's utter failure in maintaining law and order and providing security to the masses.

The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (LCHR) also condemned the incident in the city.

LCHR President Aaqil Ahmed Lodhi appealed to the government to provide security to the people. He called for elimination of sectarian violence. He also demanded transfer of those police officers who had been working for more than three years in Karachi.

The incident was also deplored by the Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University Prof (Dr) Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui. "This act of terrorists must be vehemently condemned," he said stressing the need for fostering unity, peace and spirit of brotherhood.