ISLAMABAD, May 25: The People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) has written a letter to diplomats based in Islamabad asking them to lodge protest with the government over the killing of over 40 people in Karachi in acts of violence allegedly committed by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on May 12.
“The PPP calls upon the world leaders, civil society and human rights bodies to protest with the Musharraf regime over this act of violence by the coalition partners of Gen Musharrraf,” says PPP foreign liaison committee coordinator Munir Ahmed Khan in his letter sent to the ambassadors and high commissioners of the United States, France, Spain, Germany, Holland, Italy, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia and the Commonwealth secretary-general.
He writes: “The PPP, under the chairpersonship of Benazir Bhutto, would like world leaders to take note of the strong arm tactics of Gen Musharraf and MQM of silencing the opposition through the barrel of the gun.
“We categorically condemn in the strongest terms this widely reported violent action by the MQM resulting in the loss of innocent lives. Denying the right of free speech and expression through violence and bullets is not only a violation of human rights but is creating anarchy and chaos.”
Mr Khan has included in the letter extracts from various reports of international media indicating the role of the MQM behind the violence.
“We are concerned that the world media has issued fresh warnings about a bleeding Pakistan by saying fractious, violent and unstable Pakistan is stumbling towards the nightmare scenario of a failed state,” and reminded the international community that “mobs on the street are a threat to rest of the world.”
The media, he said, had held Gen Musharraf responsible for taking the country to the brink of disaster during his 7 year rule.
Mr Khan quoted reports from Sunday Telegraph, The Economist, The Financial Times, New York Times and the Independent, which, according to him, directly held MQM chief Altaf Hussain and his party responsible for the killings.
