May 13, 2007	Sunday	Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1428

PESHAWAR/SWABI, May 12: Leaders of various opposition parties and representatives of civil society organisations said on Saturday the violence in Karachi pointed to the critical phase the country was passing through due to the “reckless policies of the government”.

President of Awami National Party Asfandyar Wali Khan accused the Muttahida Qaumi Movement of repeating on Saturday the tactics employed by Gestapo — the secret Nazi force.

Speaking at a press conference at the press club, he claimed that the MQM was behind the killing of political workers, firing on opposition rallies, thrashing of lawyers and attack on the offices of a television channel in Karachi.

The press conference was held to welcome to the ANP fold Dr Humayun Khan, a former foreign secretary. Mr Asfandyar alleged that the MQM had unleashed the worst kind of terror against political workers heading towards the Karachi airport to welcome Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry.

He said the Sindh High Court Bar Association had chalked out its Golden Jubilee programme several days ago when the MQM was in hibernation. By refusing to allow the chief justice to come out of the airport, he maintained, the MQM had tried to send the message that nothing could happen in Karachi without its consent.

The MQM had taken the entire city hostage, he claimed. Gen Pervez Musharraf, MQM chief Altaf Hussain and Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim had not just humiliated the chief justice but insulted the entire judiciary.

He pointed out that Chief of the Army Staff, a government servant, had decided to address a political rally organised by his toadies in front of the Parliament House. “We make it clear to Gen Musharraf that we too will hold a public meeting against dictatorship in front of the parliament building.”

Quoting party sources in Karachi, he said the MQM “mercenaries” had killed one ANP worker and injured 10 others, including provincial leader Bashir Jan.

Mr Asfandyar said his party would observe a strike on Monday on the call made by the Peshawar High Court Bar Association against “political vandalism” and killings in Karachi.

Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf provincial vice-president Asad Qaisar said innocent people were being used by rulers to achieve their selfish goals. The government, he said, had given a free hand to the MQM to attack opposition activists and supporters of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.

People’s Lawyer Forum president Javed Inqelabi said the current crisis could be resolved by restoring a democratic system where the people had free choices to elect their representatives.

Leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz said wrong policies of the government had pushed the country into numerous difficulties and prolonging the life of the current system would invite more trouble.

They said the law and order situation had deteriorated across the country and the Karachi killings would add fuel to the fire. They urged the government to restore independence of the judiciary and to announce dates for a general election.