KARACHI: Days after the federal government agreed to form a grievance redressal committee on complaints of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement that blames the law-enforcement agencies for targeting its workers and leaders, the military establishment has come up with a clear line that there will be no let-up in the actions under the ‘targeted-operation’ and it will continue at the same pace.

The fresh resolve from the Pakistan army came when Karachi corps commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar visited the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh headquarters, and met the Rangers director general Major General Bilal Akbar on Tuesday.

“Corps commander, Karachi, visited the Pakistan Rangers, Sindh headquarters, where he was briefed in detail about development in ongoing operation,” said a brief statement issued by the paramilitary force.

“The corps commander appreciated the performances of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh’s sector and wing commanders. He also issued directives to continue the operation indiscriminately at the same pace.”

The legislators of the MQM, which is a key complainant against the Karachi operation, had earlier this month withdrawn resignations from the parliament following an agreement with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government over the formation of a committee to redress grievances against the Rangers.

Meanwhile, tense relations between the MQM and the security establishment further strained on Tuesday when the party rejected the Rangers statement that the party was trying to shut down TV channels in a bid to resort to terror activities in Karachi.

“Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, is receiving information that the militant wing of MQM is threatening local cable operators in different parts of the city to shut down dissenting and independent TV channels,” said the Rangers spokesman in a late night statement.

“These militants are trying to restore fear and terror in the city which will not be allowed to happen. The people are appealed to report any such activity on Pakistan Rangers Helpline 1101 for prompt action by the Rangers.”

The MQM reacted strongly and called the Rangers statement “sheer lie and baseless” saying the party only boycotted one TV channel for its “biased” coverage. Without naming any individual or group, the MQM levelled counter allegations saying people knew well as to who had actually harassed cable operators and tortured them.

“The MQM has only boycotted ARY News for its biased coverage while appealing the people not to watch the very news channel,” stated the MQM in the early hours of Tuesday. “The cable operators know very well who is harassing them after the MQM’s appeal. Similarly, the people of Karachi also know who is behind the recent fear atmosphere through illegal raids, arrest, torture and use of state machinery.”

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2015

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