Altaf gives conditional nod to proposed Karachi operation

E-Paper | April 29, 2026

KARACHI: Showing some reservations on government proposed ‘apolitical targeted operation’ in Karachi, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain Wednesday night said an operation conducted with honesty and aimed at restoring peace will be welcomed by the party, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to members of MQM’s Rabita (Coordination) Committee in Karachi, he said the party will support any official action aimed at eradicating terrorism.

While opposing MQM’s demands of handing over the port city to Pakistani armed forces, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday evening had said that a non-political targeted operation will be carried out by civil armed forces to restore peace in the metropolis.

“The proposed operation should not turn into the 1992 operation, which was initiated with claims of capturing 72 big fishes and later switched towards targeting MQM,” said Hussain.

He said a durable peace in Karachi – termed as financial hub of the country – was the need of Pakistan.

Pointing towards Safari Park ‘encounter’ in Karachi, in which several high level police officials were killed and injured in an exchange of fire with terrorists, the MQM chief suggested that solving the case will be a ‘key’ to success of any targeted operation conducted in Karachi.

In a five-hour-long encounter inside Safari Park on August 15, two police officers and three suspects were killed while five policemen, including two station house officers, sustained gunshot wounds.

“Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan should treat the police encounter as a test case for himself,” said Altaf Hussain.

Our readers are at the heart of everything we do.
Do you have a thought to share or a way we can improve? We’d love to hear it. Reach out to us at feedback@dawn.com.

Pakistan

Nisar indicates ‘apolitical targeted operation’ in Karachi

Karachi unrest: SC summons reports from Rangers, AG

Sindhi_Pakistani

Aug 29, 2013 01:23am

Safari park incident was proved all planned and drama. DIG report mentioned that SHO staged that whole drama to target some nationalists. It seems AH wants an operation against sons of soil, which is unfortunate. SC even today stated that militant wings of big political parties ar ebehind violence in Karachi.

Recommend 0

Shahid

Aug 29, 2013 02:27am

Altaf Hussain is nobody to give orders, he should try to take care of himself and the charges against him first.

Recommend 0

Rogers Evans

Aug 29, 2013 02:33am

You are trying to govern Pakistan from abroad. If you are too patriot, please come back to Pakistan and take part in politics and decision maing openly. Do not hide under refugee claim in Britain and stop interfering in Pakistan matters.

Recommend 0

babar

Aug 29, 2013 07:34am

In any country law and order is the first thing which a govt should provide before even food and shelter. Karachi is being ruled by rural sindhis whereas MQM has mandate from Karachi but has not been provided powers. Mustafa Kamal is a good example of local karachiite he got elected and delivered the best results in Karachi's history. Karachi need to be govern by people of Karachi not by rural sindhis or people from other provinces. These people could be from any nationalities but should be brought up in Karachi, MQM is right is saying that bring Army to improve law and order.

Recommend 0

USA

Aug 29, 2013 10:38pm

@Shahid: Actually gulp it or not, unfortunately he is a leader of fourth largest party in the country and therefore he is Somebody.

Recommend 0

athar

Aug 29, 2013 10:53pm

@babar: Well written& again Karachi should be ruled by Karachities as other cities of Pakistan not by out siders' Also stopped this migration of people to Karachi from rest of the country. They are the root cause of all Karachi problems. For the Gods sake use common sense why MQM will create problem to its own voters. The problem is created by non Karachi people & blame to MQM. Just do an easy justice .

Recommend 0

Aug 29, 2013 11:41pm

So now we need this man's nod to go ahead with an operation?

Recommend 0

Abdulla N

Aug 30, 2013 03:28am

Man is responsible for creating linguistic divide - urdu speaking against non urdu speaking population of Karachi. What did he accomplish ? 8 years he supported a military dictator, 5 years he was coalition partner of Zardari, now he is trying to curry favour with Nawaz Sharif.

Recommend 0

Akil Akhtar

Aug 30, 2013 04:35am

@babar: This is the kind of racist mentality that has brought us to this point. We have no concept of state. Every city every community wants to rule itself. Europe had this system a thousand years ago with city states. In a democracy the majority party rules and the representatives from each area fight for their local development not for local rule.

Recommend 0

Syed Nazim

Aug 30, 2013 05:37am

Crime in Karachi has exceeded all limits. There is crime every where, in education where cheating in examinations is rampant, government lands are grabbed during day light right under the nose of government functionaries, now this activity has spilled over to private land and properties organized gangs grab plots and flats in different housing schemes, faked drugs are manufactured and sold openly,adultration in food is common, electricity and gas and water is stolen by poor and rich, business mafia have created syndicates to enhance prices of goods as and when they like, government servants don't turn up to their offices in time and indulge in open corruption. There is not a single family in Karachi which has not been looted or harmed. It is terminal illness of a mega city and only port of the country. If operation of this illness is not carried out now, will we do it when it is dead. There is no way out except handing over Karachi to Army for at least five years with emergency powers. It is for the first time MQM has requested for handing over Karachi to army, don't miss this opportunity.

Recommend 0

w.shaikh

Aug 30, 2013 06:10am

@babar: For your kind information Karachi is a part of Sindh. Second, it is not an individual's decision who should govern Karachi. It is the democratic right of the citizens of Karachi to elect their leaders.

Recommend 0

Branded Content

Taptap Send, Arshad Nadeem partner to highlight Pakistan’s unsung champions

The initiative comes at a time when cricket continues to dominate national attention, often overshadowing achievements in other sports.

NexGen Auto (Nishat Group) to Introduce iCAUR in Pakistan

As one of Pakistan’s leading business groups, Nishat Group operates across key sectors including textiles, cement, banking, insurance, power and agriculture.