Story Highlights
MQM Office Raided
Sindh Rangers raided the headquarters of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Nine Zero, in Karachi in the wee hours of Wednesday morning where they claimed to have arrested six criminals, including the killer of journalist Wali Khan Babar. Rangers also claimed to have confiscated illegal arms from the premises. According to media reports the Rangers spokesman said arms and ammunition stolen from NATO containers were recovered during the search operation. Meanwhile, a young worker of MQM was killed in firing outside the MQM headquarters following the raid where MQM party workers were gathered to protest. MQM announced countrywide protests while business activities were brought to a halt in Karachi and other cities of Sindh.
Meanwhile in the capital, Senators from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and opposition parties staged a walkout from the Senate over the raid. On Thursday, Senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar at a press conference said the party respected all the institutions of Pakistan including law enforcement agencies and did not deserve this attitude by them. He also demanded the release of MQM workers apprehended by Rangers.
Meanwhile MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, who lives in self-imposed exile in London, condemned the attack and termed it as “barbaric”. He claimed the ammunition seized from Nine Zero did not belong to MQM. He also assured that MQM respects law enforcement agencies and offered full cooperation with Rangers regarding presence of any miscreant in his party. However, DG rangers Karachi Major General Bilal Akbar claimed the raid was conducted after receiving information about the presence of target killers, proclaimed offenders and extortionists in the MQM headquarters. He also said that Rangers acted as per the ruling of Supreme Court and mandate given by the government of Pakistan.
While some parties condemned Rangers raid at MQM headquarters in Karachi, others lauded the step taken by law enforcement agency. Former president and Co-chairman of Pakistan People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari condemned raid on Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) headquarter Nine-Zero while Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan lauded Rangers’ action saying the Rangers operation was a sign of change for Karachi.
Meanwhile Rangers presented 28 suspects including MQM’s central leader Amir Khan before an anti-terrorism court on Thursday and requested for their 90- days physical remand, which was accepted.
Senate Elections
Pre poll activities of Senate election and selection for its chairman and deputy chairman have been in the headlines throughout the week. As the elections were held successfully, Pakistan People’s Party’s Senator Raza Rabbani was elected Chairman Senate unopposed and took oath as chairman of the Upper House of Parliament on Thursday while Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Senator Abdul Ghafoor Haideri was elected for the post of Senate’s deputy chairman. During his speech after taking oath, the Senate Chairman thanked the opposition and government leaders for coming to a consensus and selecting him as Chairman of the senate. Senator Raza Rabbani also vowed to treat every senator equally.
Meanwhile Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has congratulated Raza Rabbani over his unopposed election as the Chairman Senate. In his message, he said the Pakistan Muslim League believes in the politics of reconciliation. Earlier on Wednesday Prime minister, after having brief deliberations, extended support to Raza Rabbani for the slot of Senate chairman and announced that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) would not nominate its own candidate for either chairman or deputy chairman.
Mian Raza Rabbani has been in active politics since long and has served as the leader of the House in the Senate during PPP tenure.
Indian PM to visit Pakistan
Adviser to Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz expressed hope that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Pakistan next year. Mr Aziz said SAARC summit 2016 will be hosted by Pakistan and all the leaders of the SAARC countries including Indian Prime Minister will be invited. SAARC is an association of seven South Asian countries including Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Mr Aziz also said that there is a trust deficit between Pakistan and India and to bridge the gap between the two countries all the issues need a comprehensive dialogue process. He also said that although the recent visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishnakar was in the context of SAARC countries tour, but the two foreign secretaries also discussed issues of contention, including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. He said despite no breakthrough in the meeting of the foreign secretaries, there was headway for the next meeting of the two foreign secretaries. He said Pakistan Foreign Secretary will visit India when his counterpart invites him for resumption of dialogue. The adviser said Pakistan wants to resolve all the issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, Siachin, Sir Creek and other disputes with India through dialogues.
Indian Foreign Secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar visited Pakistan earlier this month to meet his Pakistani counterpart, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry in a bid to resume stalled talks between the two countries.
Other News
All other news are considered under this category.
