Story Highlights
War Against Terror
Military operation in FATA and raids in urban areas against militants accelerate as several militants are killed and arrested by security forces this past week. In Lahore, police and intelligence officials shot and killed three suspected militants in a raid on their hideout on Monday, including head of al Qaeda in Pakistan while the fourth one blew himself up. According to reports their leader who was leading the entire team, was the head of al Qaeda in Pakistan, named Abdali. According to media reports the terrorists were killed after they attacked the team that raided their hideout. Media quoted Punjab Home Minister Shujaa Khanzada as saying that these terrorists were planning attacks on the offices of security forces and important political figures. A huge cache of weapons including AK-47s, rocket launchers and suicide vests and laptops was seized in the raid.
Meanwhile in Shawal Valley of North Waziristan, where military operation in underway, air strikes killed at least 20 terrorists. Also in Quetta, provincial capital of Balochistan, at least 14 militants from a banned outfit, including the brother and nephew of a Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) leader, were killed in a search operation. Frontier Corps Balochistan carried out the search operation against the Balochistan Liberation Front militants in Mashky area.
There was also a hostile situation in the border area of Pakistan and Afghanistan as clashes between Pakistan and Afghan security forces broke out on Wednesday. One Afghan border policeman was killed in this fight while two Pakistani troops were injured. Afghan spokesman said that the fighting started when Pakistan attempted to build an illegal structure on the border and Afghan border police intervened and exchanged fire.
However Pakistani military said in a statement that the clashes were started by Afghan firing.
MQM in Hot Water
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is facing challenging time in Pakistan as well as in UK as authorities in both countries are collecting evidences to prove charges against the party. Pakistan started investigations against the party after BBC report that claimed MQM receives funding from Indian intelligence agency ‘RAW’. While investigation against money laundering charges is already underway in the UK against party Chief Altaf Hussain.
Earlier on Friday, documents supposed to be the property of the London police surfaced on media, suggesting that MQM’s Tariq Mir had confessed in an interview that his party had India’s support and that Altaf Hussain received funding from India. However, the London Police clarified that those documents were not property of the London Metropolitan Police neither such documents are part of its record.
Meanwhile Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain reacted strongly against allegations and actions against the party. He warned that there would be a war in every nook and corner of Karachi if any conspiracy was made about minus- Altaf Hussain formula. He also swore that neither he nor his party had any connection with Indian intelligence agency RAW.
Meanwhile security forces continue raids to arrest criminals associated with MQM as rangers arrested 16 members of MQM for allegedly collecting donations by force. The claim was denied by the party in an emergency press conference held after the arrests. The paramilitary force personnel also claimed to have recovered Rs31,500 from the arrested men along with documents and receipts related to the collection of funds during the operation.
Karachi Heatwave
Death toll from deadly heatwave continues to rise even on the second week and now stands at over 1,200. Private and government hospitals are still facing rush of heat stroke patients. According to doctors, the latest worrisome development is the growing cases of kidney failure in the survivors of heatstroke, especially amongst elderly patients.
According to provincial health minister, nearly two-thirds of the victims of a killer heatwave that swept Sindh were homeless people. The city of 20 million inhabitants is a growing metropolis with lack of facilities for coping with intensely hot weather. Those living on the streets have little access to shelter or clean drinking water, making them particularly vulnerable to the scorching heat. According to provincial health minister Jam Mehtab, about 60 to 65 percent of the heatstroke victims were beggars and heroin addicts, street people.
Prolonged power and water cuts had also played a major role as people had been unable to use fans or air conditioners.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Karachi and ordered an inquiry against those responsible for deaths in Karachi. He expressed deep sorrow over the casualties and directed to set up a committee comprising federal and provincial government officials to monitor and ensure efficiency of departments concerned.
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