January 19, 2008	Saturday	Muharram 09, 1429

KARACHI, Jan 18: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief, Altaf Hussain, has lashed out at civil society, lawyers’ organisations, human right bodies and all quarters concerned for not raising their voice against the violence, bloodshed, loot and plunder in Sindh, particularly in Karachi, from December 27 to 29 following the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto in Rawalpindi.

“If the concerned quarters, institutions, civil society, lawyers and human rights organisations adopt dual standards, justice cannot prevail in the country,” said Mr Hussain while addressing a meeting of party’s coordination committee held in London the other day. Coordination Committee Convener Dr Imran Farooq and other members also attended the meeting.

According to a press release issued here on Friday, the MQM chief said that it did not suit those adopting dual standards of justice to raise slogans for the independence of the judiciary.

He asked why the rights group and legal fraternity remained silent when houses, shops, banks and factories were set ablaze and several innocent citizens were burnt alive in Sindh. “Why didn’t these champions of the independence of the judiciary and human rights organisations come to their rescue? Why did not they even issue a statement to condemn this mayhem? Why women rights organisations kept mum over the rape of innocent women in Sindh, particularly Karachi, during these days?” he questioned.

Mr Hussain said that no one from civil society, lawyers’ organisations, human rights organisations had raised their voice against the bloodshed, loot and plunder and expressed their sympathy and support for the victims so far. “Do these elements deserve to raise their voice for the independence of the judiciary? Can we establish a system of justice with such double standards?”