December 07, 2008	Sunday	Zilhaj 8, 1429

KARACHI, Dec 6: Expressing fears that a more deadly round of bloodletting might be unleashed in the city after Eidul Azha, participants of an All-Parties Conference demanded that a judicial commission headed by a retired judge of the high court be constituted to fix responsibility for the recent bloodshed and widespread violence in the city.

Unanimously rejecting terrorism in all its forms, a majority of the participants of the APC, convened to discuss last week’s violence in Karachi, also strongly objected to the community police outfit and demanded that it be disbanded.

This was stated by the general secretary of the PPP, Sindh, Nafees Siddiqui, in response to questions during a briefing on Saturday on the decisions taken by the APC that was presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Friday.

He told a questioner that the chief minister had assured the participants that he would look into the matter of the community police.

In reply to a question, Mr Siddiqui admitted that there was a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in the city — both legal and illegal — and reiterated the government’s resolve to embark on an aggressive de-weaponisation campaign after the expiry of the 15-day deadline.

He said that during the course of deliberations, the participants called for making Karachi a weapon-free city. In this context, as a first step, the government had asked the people to get their legal weapons registered and those having illegal arms and ammunition to surrender them.

After the expiry of that timeframe, a house-to-house search would be carried out to unearth weapons, but knowledgeable sources said it amounted to providing sufficient time to holders of illegal weapons to make “necessary” arrangements for the disposal of their weapons.

It was also decided that peace committees comprising representatives of all shades of political parties and civil society in the jurisdiction of their respective police station be formed to maintain peace and promote harmony.

Promising stern action against terrorists, he said such elements could not be allowed to destroy the democratic dispensation and the life and property of the people of Karachi, which generates over 65 per cent of the country’s revenue.

In a joint declaration, the participants of the APC maintained that targeting Pakistan’s premier city and economic hub was aimed at derailing the democratic dispensation and strengthening the forces of dictatorship.

They resolved that such elements would be challenged so that the life and property of the people and the democratic dispensation could be protected.

The APC also took serious note of last month’s targeted killings in the metropolis during which poor people were killed, their properties set on fire, restaurants, tandoors, shops, and pushcarts of vegetable and fruit-sellers were targeted. The transport system also failed to escape the wrath of the troublemakers.

They also deplored the excesses against women and demanded compensation for those who fell victim to the terrorist attacks. They also demanded that FIRs be registered against those who indulged in such crimes against humanity.

They called for political accountability of those who preached and practised violence and hatred, and demanded that those who had been forced to leave their homes and were not allowed to carry on their business as usual for their livelihood should be rehabilitated without delay.

Mr Siddiqui said the conference also demanded that strong action be taken to prevent display of arms and ammunition in public. They also asked the Sindh police and the public not to be misled by propaganda.

He also did not agree with the contention that three parties had boycotted the APC. He said 31 parties had attended and the Pakistan People’s Party (Shaheed Bhutto) was not invited. Mumtaz Bhutto was verbally invited but he insisted on a written invitation, which could not be sent out in time. The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mohaz did not attend, perhaps due to paucity of time, he said.