May 12, 2008	Monday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 6, 1429

KARACHI, May 11: Reiterating its stance that the May 12, 2007 events were part of a “well-thought-out conspiracy,” the Muttahida Qaumi Movement has stressed the need for an independent inquiry by judges of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to ascertain the truth and unmask the real conspirators.

“We have demanded an independent and impartial inquiry into the tragic May 12 incidents and our leader (Altaf Hussain) had also asked the government to invite judges of the ICJ for an investigation into the May 12 and December 27 violence,” said MQM leader and provincial minister Faisal Subzwari.

He said 14 of the party’s workers were killed and dozens had suffered serious injuries, while peaceful rallies of the MQM came under attack in different city areas, adding that 31 party offices were ransacked and torched on May 12, 2007.

Mr Subzwari said that from the very first day, the MQM was demanding an independent commission to probe the May 12 violence and claimed it had sufficient evidence to prove that it was the victim of a conspiracy.

Meanwhile, the MQM will observe the first death anniversary of its 14 workers who lost their lives in the May 12 incidents.

According to a press release, a programme in this regard will be held at the Lal Qila ground near the party’s headquarters in Azizabad on Monday to pay tribute to the slain workers.