As the day dawns and new bomb blasts and
murders in a mosque continue to happen, the government's
rhetoric on curbing terrorism and bringing the terrorists
to an end increasingly falls on the deaf ears of
Pakistanis. Promises, promises and more promises are what
Pakistanis are getting. We have tried everything but to
no avail. Might as well give the army a chance to
establish their courts and see what they can do about it.
Keeping under consideration that the military controls
enjoy other forms of power; depriving them of the
judicial system would be a violation of their rights.
Murtaza Alam
Ontario
Canada
Military courts are a slap on the face of
civil judiciary, which is thoroughly corrupt and
politicised to an extent that even before a crime is
committed the criminals know what the decisions of the
courts would be. If we consider the general parameters of
inflation, investment, law and order situation then the
best periods Pakistan enjoyed were the martial laws of
Gen. Ayub and Gen. Zia. I am not justifying the martial
law's oppressive rule, but the history speaks for itself.
So in this day of democracy and heavy mandates, are we
heading forward or going back to the days of martial Law,
and this makes us wonder: Isn't Martial Law the best form
of government for us?
Aamer Aziz
Nagasaki
Japan
If only we could provide true justice
regardless of political, sectarian affiliations, wealth
and personal relationships, we would be able to bring
dramatic change in our society. Injustice, in whatever
form, is a killer of a nation. I don't think that
Military courts will be helpful because rest of the state
machinery is the same and is master of the art of lying,
deceit and without any regard to justice and fear of
Allah. We may be able to hang a few hundred or thousands
of people, but it will not be the solution as the main
characters behind all this chaos will still be at large.
Munawwer Khurshid
After reading the opinions I find some people to be
pretty serious and upset about other people’s views.
Let me remind you brothers, every one has a right to
present his or her own opinion, and yes it can be biased.
That is why this section is called "Your
Opinion". I also support all the actions, which can
bring back peace to the "city of lights"
Karachi. Love for all hatred for none.
Iqbal Mirza
Silicon Valley California
What Pakistan Army is fit to do is harass its own citizen
instead of defending the country. The army of Pakistan is
doing what it did in the past in East Pakistan and now
look what they have done to Karachi. Terror, MQM and etc
are the brainchild of the army.
Jaffar Moosvi
Boston Massachusetts, USA
After reading the comments I can not help but suggest
that this forum should be renamed "Is Punjab the
source of all Problems in Pakistan and are Punjabis good?
Or are they evil?" I also suggest that every Karachi
resident who is also Urdu speaking, be given the top most
position of his or her choice so that we can avoid
creating another nation of Bangladesh's stature which
became an over night economic powerhouse after freeing
itself from the tyrants of Punjab! And by the way
induction of Military courts just goes to show that to
right the wrongs in Karachi MQM was a wrong choice made
in early 1980s! And that just like Karachiites made a
wrong choice in Altaf and MQM the rest have elected
defaulters like Nawaz and looters like Bhuttos.
Wasim Ali
Westchester CA
USA
America has Clinton and Gore, Jonny, Cash and Bob Hope.
In Pakistan you have Bhutto, Sharif and military no cash
and absolutely no hope.
J.Moosvi
Boston, MA USA
It is time to realise that our system is corrupt and
military is also a part of the same system. Please change
the system not the faces. Enforce true Islam and not the
one suiting to the needs of civil or military dictators.
First establish a true Islamic economic equity and only
then can one mete out Islamic punishments. The image of
Islam has been tarnished by our so-called
"Mard-e-Momins".
Ali Asad Malik
I am all confused from the letters I read this morning.
Is Karachi part of Pakistan? Who administered Karachi
during the last few years of violence? If they are the
same people administering it with a different force, what
is going to change and why? What they have been doing for
the last few years has not worked so they are trying
another "tool". We all are calling names to
each other and taking sides- why? That is the root of
success of people in power in Pakistan for keep looting
the country and you and me? Are we blind - who cares what
your father and mother were, are you Pakistani at heart,
than why not work together and get rid of this nonsense
forever. These are decoys, whether they originate from
"Mian" or "Bibi". The intent is to
keep that control and keep plundering to the best of
their abilities.
Bashir
Toronto
The only solution of Karachi problem is that we implement
the law that was in Medina.
After migrating from Mecca to Medina the Prophet (peace
be upon him) divided everything 50% between Ansars &
Mohajirs. The Prophet did not ask the Mohajirs to forget
their identity and therefore we still say
"Mohajir". Please accept the Mohajir nation and
give them their 50% rights.
Muhammad Bin Qasim
Toronto
Canada
Military courts in civil cases are an abnormality. The
use of military for solving civilian problems indicates
the inability of the government to act firmly and take
responsibility of its duties. Civilian problems arise
from social inequities and break down of judicious use of
law and order. They can only be tackled by understanding
their causes and then removing or ameliorating them. The
military is not trained to understand social problems,
and neither is it trained to adjudicate civilian cases.
It is trained to fight and to see the world in two
colours, black and white. Civilian life is full of
different shades of grey. The use of military will
increase alienation and anger especially among those who
will be wrongfully prosecuted. As an Indian Muslim I
suggest Pakistan government to look east at India and ask
itself a question: Why are there no problems like this in
India where military is set up in civil areas and asked
to judge civilians?"
Mohammad Imran
Ringwood, NJ
I have been reading the responses of my fellow Pakistanis
and unfortunately some of them have failed to recognise
the mandate being given to the MQM by the people of
Karachi. MQM should have been given a chance to tackle
the law and order situation in Karachi instead of the
Military. By labelling a political party, which came to
power by votes, as a terrorist party means labelling all
the people who voted for the party as terrorists. The
real problem is not terrorism and military courts but
accepting the mandate of the people of Karachi given to
MQM. My fellows should also take the spectacles of racism
off and understand what class is the MQM representing:
the exploiters or the common middle class, which is the
strength of any nation. What Gen. Babar did was
acceptable to some people and they never put themselves
in the shoes of the people whose brothers and loved ones
were killed in that brutal operation. Military Courts are
just a screen over the gruesome acts of the exploiting
class in Pakistan. Mr. Ali Husain sounds like someone who
feels about the situation but he only took into account
the propaganda voiced by the government agencies.
Khalil Gibran
New York, USA
I do not see anything bad in Muslims calling themselves
Mohajirs after having migrated from the then India. If
the people of other provinces stop calling themselves
Punjabis, Sindhis, Balouchis and Pakhtoons etc. then
there will be no need for Muslims who migrated from the
then India to call themselves Mohajirs.
"Mohajir's" are not that naive to keep calling
themselves "Mohajir's" if people of other
provinces start identifying themselves as
"Pakistani"; after all Pakistan was not created
for the people to identify themselves from their
respective province or language. The armed forces and in
particular the army is still an institution that enjoys
the confidence of "Mohajir's" and it’s
incumbent upon them to play a conciliatory role to narrow
the gap that has been widened by opportunist politicians
like Nawaz Sharif and his peers. Following are the main
issues that the nation is facing:
-Corruption at all levels.
-Recovery of Bank Loans which, if not all, most of his
party members have defaulted including Sharif's family
and chief of Ehtesab Commission Mr.Saifullah.
-Unemployment.-Price Hike.
-Upgrading of Infrastructure.
-Improvement in Commerce and Trade Policies.
Last but not least, it was Mr.Nawaz Sharif who first gave
the slogan of "Jaag Punjabi Jaag teri pag nooh lag
gaya Dhag" and now he is expecting that others would
not follow those tactics. My very sincere suggestion to
the people of Punjab is that they focus on real issues.
You can not kill an idea by crushing it with force but
replace it with a better one. Mohajirs are patriotic
Pakistanis and need love and not hatred as demonstrated
by my friend Mr.Zafar Kashmiri of Pak-Am Services
Inc.,USA. Try to understand their problems which are in
turn yours too.
Salam
Germany
I am in favour of MTC, if the judgement
is fair and not on any political basis. Besides that, I
also like to know the credentials of all appointed judges
in military trial courts in the field of criminal
justice. It is not enough that he/she is a Lt. Colonel,
Brigadier or Major. The thing is how much knowledge he or
she has in this sensitive area where many lives and
deaths are in his or her hand. I would like to request
our media to publish their qualifications and experiences
publicly.
Asma
USA
Drop an atomic bomb on Karachi, easiest
solution! The 2% ruling class can be informed to leave
Karachi an hour before that. I am sure this is the best
advice.
Nadeem Khan
Baltimore
Does Aisha in her comments "How can you prosecute
a party which has 100% seats by election. It is
terrorism!" by any chance mean persecute instead of
prosecute?
Jehangir Shah
USA
Generals are going along with civilian incompetent
governments as they know that the international reaction
to a takeover will be cutting off of all aid and the
forces are going to be hit the hardest as they take the
largest piece of the pie. So what are we left with:
Mr.Nawaz Sharif can’t do any good as the top six
defaulters in the country (including he himself) are
sitting in federal government; Ms,Bhutto can’t do
much due to her corrupt advisors and even more corrupt
husband. The third largest party in the country is led by
a demagogue who has destroyed his own community to the
extent that all other communities are apprehensive of
trusting them. So what should we people of Pakistan do?
Anybody has any ideas?
Khalid Masud,
Doha,Qatar
I think Military Courts is the proof of civil court
failure but it’s not the solution for Karachi. The
problem is that other parties did not work properly in
their time and left Karachi in the hand of MQM (both) and
now believe that every Urdu-speaking person is a
supporter of the MQM but it’s not true. Is there any
body who can save us from MQM and other parties? They are
all the same no matter what name they have, and it’s
the MQM which has destroyed Karachi and Urdu-speaking
people more than any one else.
Tahir A.Siddiqui
Canada
Montreal
This is not the solution for bringing peace to Karachi
for one reason: When the MQM once again joins another
coalition government, the terrorists will be released and
be running amok again. You must fight fire with fire.
Gen. Babar showed us how to deal with terrorists the
proper way. Terrorists only listen to force and that is
what Karachi needs. A forceful operation
by the LEA's and Army! For those of you who say another
East Bangladesh situation is being created, face the
reality. With just the police and rangers, Gen.Baber
crushed the MQM terrorists. This can be done again
easily. The only similarity between the current situation
and 1971 is the amount of Indian involvement. It is known
to all Karachiites that the MQM received training and
arms from India. There is good reason why the MQM creates
so much carnage in Karachi-because India orders it to!
The MQM say Governor rule is being used to punish the
Mohajirs. However, under Governor's rule the governor and
the real power, the military (army chief, navy chief) are
Mohajirs, not to mention several generals and high-level
bureaucrats. We must crush these Indian sponsored
terrorists to save not just Pakistan, but the innocent
Mohajirs of Karachi who live under the fear of the MQM
terrorists.
Ali Husain
I think this was the best step PML Government could have
taken to control the violence and terror in the City of
Lights. It’s obvious from the track record of the
"corrupt " judicial system in Pakistan that no
one gets any punishment no matter how big a crime he has
committed. Since most of the nabbed criminals belong to
Mutahidda group, it does not mean most criminals are
Mohajirs. It appears that Motahidda had started a
systematic approach to terrorise the people of Karachi.
Why? Nobody knows yet. One of my friends living in
Karachi, who is a Mohajir, was telling me that his whole
family is trying to migrate to the US. He told me
horrible events that his family has gone through. He said
every member of his family, including his sisters, has
been robbed or car-snatched at least once. He was once
snatched of his car at gunpoint. He was robbed few times
at gunpoint, robbers called it "Bhatta
Collection" and Bhatta collectors were no one other
than MQM people because they announced themselves so. It
is very obvious that most of the Karachiites are sick and
tired of this lawlessness whether they are Mohajirs,
Punjabis, Sindhis or Pathans. All that everyone wants is
peace in that city.
Shaheen Malik
Baney hain ehl-e-hawas mudda-ee bhee munsif bhee
kisey gawaah karain kis say munsifi chahainn?
Askari Naqvi
Canada
I very strongly believe that Civil Court System in
Pakistan is a joke in the name of justice. Pakistan's
institutions, whether they are Government, (Civil)
Federal or Provincial, semi-govenment or NGOs, are rotten
to the core. Various governments from 1947 to date are
breeding grounds of corruption; ordinary citizens are
being made fools by every government. Not a person has
ever been caught or will ever be caught through this
system. Majority of politicians in Pakistan are corrupt.
Even judges (provincial as well as supreme court,
majority are corrupt taking bribes, and yielding to
political pressures). Keeping this in view it would be a
fool who thinks that ordinary (civil) courts will deliver
any thing more than sham justice! I would like to see
military courts in every city, town and major
intersections in cities all over the country where all
corrupt politicians, ministers, prime minister and even
the president, members of parliament, corrupt bureaucrats
are tried and, if found guilty, hanged in public along
with a list of the corruption they did. This will
somewhat soothe the sentiments of common people and
rekindle hope of a good future for Pakistan. Supporters
of the so-called Human Rights who unknowingly become
supporters of Inhumane doings" will not agree with
this recipe, but their dosage of medicines will not cure
the "cancer-ridden" body of this country; only
radical-surgery of ruthless military courts may save it.
Irfan Ahmad Hashmi
Michigan USA
Har shakh pe ulloo baitha hai, anjam-e-gulistan kya
hoga....
Recently, some viewers have expressed their dislikes on
comments made by Zafar Kashmiri, President Pak-am
Community Services, Inc. In his comments, he has made
some biased and very offending statements about 15 to 20
million people in Sindh who migrated to Pakistan, the
would-be-land of "ours". Still it is the land
of "ours"; we just have to fix our problems. I
would like to say to those viewers, who do not like Mr.
Kashmiri's comments, to please ignore him. Let us not
forget that he, Mr. Kashmiri, has every right to be
hypocrite and ignorant. His comments should not be
dignified with a response. I would also like to say to
Mr. Kashmiri that the people at the Community Services
Inc., that you claim to represent, have my sympathies.
May I ask all the members of the Community Services to
that you examine Mr. Kashmiri's statements with your
conscience and force him to apologise on the Internet? If
failed to secure the apology, then withdraw your
memberships or vote him out in next election.
Jamil Ahmad
Fairfax Virginia
USA
When the rival groups were killing each other in Karachi,
people were saying nothing is being done, now the army
has come over, now why are they questioning their
arrival? Do they want all the killing to start again? We
are Muslims, but do not act like one.
Taseer Minhas
U S A
Wafa karo gay wafa karenge
Jafa karo gay jafa karenge
Hum Aadmi hain tumhaare jesa
Jo tum karo gay wo hum karenge
Go away from my city Karachi, we can run the government
better than you, and we do not need any Punjabi from
Punjab.
Qasim
Toronto
Canada
Some peoples are still thinking that everything is good,
prime minister doing his duty well and army are angels
and therefore innocent. Mr. Anwar-ul-Haque is still
thinking that there is no similarity between Karachi
& East Pakistan, I do not understand his purpose.
Does he want want more killing in Karachi? He is living
in Islamabad, how can he understand the situation of
Karachi in similarity with East Pakistan.
(1). Which 77% peoples of Karachi support military court?
If you go to Karachi you will find streets where you can
feel hatred against police, rangers & army.
(2).Please come to Karachi & see that only MQM is
being targeted
(3). Targeting MQM means targeting Mohajirs, the way
Bengalis were targeted.
(4) Yes, the Governor & Chief of the army staff are
Urdu-speaking, but powerless, because this is the game of
Punjabis: to kill Mohajirs through Urdu-speaking people.
(5). Now I can feel the pain of East Pakistan & the
operation of Karachi proves that Bengalis were on their
rights.
(6). I request the army that if they are sincere with the
nation then go to interior Punjab & Sindh &
launch the operation but please do not target the most
educated nation of Pakistan.
(7). Mohajirs are not like other nations, we do not
support military courts, military in our city and we are
still silent otherwise we can carry guns for the sake of
our nation.
Anwar Ahmed
Toronto
Canada
I am a great supporter of democracy. At the same time I
strongly believe in peace and order in the country. You
cannot blame others for murders and violence in any city
or province of Pakistan. Let me ask you all, the Leaders
and the People of Pakistan a simple question: Do you want
to live like a free and respectable nation or wish to be
slaves? Please behave like respectable citizens. To the
leaders I will only say this. You are the followers of
the greatest leader of the world, Mohammed, peace be upon
him. Are you following his teachings? One day we all are
going to die. As leaders the first question you will be
asked by Allah is this: Did you rule according to the
Quran? Did you follow Mohammad, peace be upon him? God
has given you a great chance to serve the people of
Pakistan. Leave your name in the history as a great
leader. If we all follow the Quran, there will be no
murder and violence. The Quran teaches us to respect life
and liberty of every human being. Then there will be no
need for military courts in any part of our beloved
country Pakistan. Till then it is up to the elected
rulers of the country to take proper measures to curb the
violence in our beautiful city Karachi. And people should
support the elected government.
Riaz A. Dar
Princeton, W.V
U.S.A
Thanks for giving me a chance to express my views
regarding the new development for creating a peaceful
atmosphere in the province of Sindh. I am very happy with
this step and it is the only solution for keeping this
enemy group MQM in control. I request each party to
co-operate with Nawaz Sharif in arresting the biggest
ever enemy of Pakistan Altaf Hussain acting as an agent
of India. May I know who is paying for his residence and
everyday expenses?
Only and only India.
Ahad H.Shah
I think this is the best thing that could happen in
Karachi. I fully support the government on this bold step
that they have taken. Detractors of military courts
should go and ask the families of the victims of
MQM’s atrocities. Where were the human rights people
when innocent people were being killed, kidnapped for
ransom, robbed of their wealth and properties, raped and
molested by the thugs of MQM? Now when the police and
para-military are rounding up these people then the Human
Rights activists are making all the hue and cry. Shame on
them! I believe in the principle of " better late
than never" and that is what our government has
done. Army is the only disciplined institution left in
Pakistan and people would accept their verdict more than
the biased judgements of our weak and corrupt judiciary.
Faraz Siddiqui
Military courts in Karachi, military building roads in
Lahore, searching out ghost schools, conducting exams,
running the WAPDA, plans of handing over water management
of Karachi to army, Punjab hospitals to uniformed
administrators; if army is needed to do all this then
what is that bunch of jokers whom people of Pakistan
elected to run the country, doing sitting on their
backsides in Islamabad? They should pack their bags and
go back and take their local mosque Maulvi along.
Khalid Masud
Doha,Qatar
After reading papers and talking to friends from Karachi
I think what prime minister Sharif is doing is good for
any peaceful and good Pakistani citizen. If you have
nothing to do with violence or killings or anything to do
with disturbance, then why are you worrying about army or
police? All those people who want peace in the country
not only in Karachi should help identify the enemy of the
country. It has been too long that anyone took any action
to stop the killing. There should be rewards for
identifying the killers.
Nadeem Khan
We are such a disobedient nation that any measures to get
us right should be taken. It is entirely a matter of
saving our lovely Pakistan, not Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi,
Pathan and the so-called Mohajirs. They are all
accountable if they harm the solidarity of Pakistan. Open
your eyes and feel this situation with your brains.
Abid Chaudhry
London
Another way of tarnishing the image of Military.
Mohammad Asif
Just imagine such a democratically strong city as Karachi
in a developed country. How many incentives they would
get because of their contribution to the country, as
Karachi contributes to Pakistan. How can you prosecute a
party which has 100% seats by election. It is terrorism!
Aisha
Considering the Law and Order situation in Karachi and
MQM’s misuse of people’s mandate, it was
inevitable. One can argue about using army but can not
deny the fact that MQM supports terrorism, as long as one
is truthful to oneself. The more serious issue is which
we all should think about and deal with seriously is that
all these MQM terrorists and/or innocent supporters
trying to create a mass illusion by comparing the Karachi
situation with East Pakistan. All their statements are
playing the same tune. This propaganda should be taken
seriously. There is no comparison between Karachi and
East Pakistan for two big reasons:
1. Mohajirs are with Pakistan. Our identity is with
Pakistan. Our language is with Pakistan. We will have to
kill our identity as Mohajirs if we want to be separate.
2. Even if the majority of Mohajirs (which is impossible)
wanted India to help, would India ever intrude Pakistan
knowing that the latter also has nuclear warheads? The
only thing they are doing with these statements is
destroying more Mohajirs.
Syed Hassan
Canada
Give us a break. There is no similarity between Karachi
and Ex-East Pakistan because:
1)Military courts are not trying Urdu speaking people.
2)Not even MQM alone is targeted.
3) The vast majority (over 77%) supports Military courts
as they have no hope from the so-called civilian courts.
4) The chief of army, the Governor and many key position
holders are Urdu speaking.
5) It is derogatory to use words like Punjabi versus Urdu
speaking. Breeding hate and trying to fuel the fire will
not serve anyone.
Please remove your coloured glasses before seeing let
alone analysing. May Allah guide them who talk about the
end of Pakistan. The murderers, the blackmailers, the
Ghunda Tax receivers, the torture cell operators may see
their end.
Dr. Anwar Ul Haque.
Islamabad
These are signs of acute discrimination by the so-called
federal government which actually deep in minds is a
provincial govt and of course of Punjab.
Salman Thanwey
I hold Punjab responsible for whatever is happening in
Karachi. Most Punjabis are very arrogant and have
superiority complex and they want to keep others under
their boots. But I have a message for the Punjabis. We
Mohajirs are not used to living under slavery. We are
freedom-loving people and if we are pushed against the
wall, we will change the geography of Pakistan for good
and you Punjabis will starve to death without Karachi.
Owais Rajput
USA
Our politicians (Nawaz Sharif, Benazir etc) have proved
one more time that they are incompetent of running
country. They have to bring military in Karachi, Sindh
and even to run WAPDA(electric power companies). I just
can't understand why a prime minister (executive power)
can't crush terrorists and safeguard innocent citizens
with all law enforcement agencies?
The politicians have been doing stupid things for the
last over 50 years, no matter Bhuttos, Sharifs or
whoever. But frankly, I feel myself more stupid than them
as I for one, as a nation, have let them play as they
feel like with the country. For instance, we don't ask
where Benazir got millions or billion dollars from, the
same for Nawaz Sharif? Or just look around at any
politician. With no offence to the people of Karachi or
all those who call themselves 'Mohajirs': how did Altaf
Hussain make all those millions and can afford living in
London for years while it’s extremely hard for a
person to have a 100-yard house and decent living in
Karachi or else where in the country? Then come other
government officials. We never question how an 18 or 19th
grade officer affords SUV, a couple of huge houses
equipped with all luxuries? Do we question why a 'maulana
sahib' needs to have a SUV(Pajero etc) with security
guards and his source of money? As individuals, if we
don't change positively, it's hard to bring any better
changes in future. Military courts in Karachi/Sindh can
bring some positive results but again, human beings are
supposed to run country not robots.
Israr Khan
Texas, U.S.A.
This is genocide of the people of Karachi. Shame on the
rulers of Pakistan who are killing innocent people,
because they belong to a different ethnic region. Not
even in India have so many Muslims been killed as in
Pakistan. Is this why Pakistan was created; to kill
Muslims who laid down their lives to migrate to Pakistan.
Asif Majeed
I think that if the Military courts are honest and
committed to there jobs, then it is a good idea to let
the Military control the court system in a province like
Sindh where there is a lot of terrorism. We should look
at both sides of the issue because if the regular courts
were honest with the people then there was no need for
Military courts.
Anayat Khan
USA
Whatever Nawaz Sharif is doing in my city Karachi is
complete stupidity. Military action is not the solution
for Karachi imbroglio. The government should give the
Karachiites all the rights they want. Trust Allah only.
Rahim
Dubai
I am a Sindhi speaking former resident of the province, I
find the recent developments encouraging and promising. I
would like to qualify my statement with the following
facts as I perceive them:
1. Mohajir minority, who to this date have failed to
recognize Sindh and Pakistan as their homeland. They
still live in the past and talk about India.
2. Nothing Pakistan or Sindh can do to make them feel at
home.
3. They were and still are politically powerful and every
government caters to and treats them with kid gloves.
4. A tough stance should be taken against all illegal
activity without any linguistic considerations.
5. Their collective stupidity and carelessness has
destroyed Karachi, economically and structurally.
Wasim
The MQM may or may not be guilty of terrorism. Regardless
of what Mr. Nawaz Sharif says, the jury is still out and
the case against MQM has not been proven in any court of
law. Some aspects of the whole affair, however, are
baffling. Possibly, the Prime minister would like to
clear up the matter. The fact is that the MQM was a
coalition partner of the present government at the
central and provincial level and it is also true that the
history of murders and other terrorist activities in
Karachi is long. The question is, when did it dawn upon
our prime minister that the MQM is the guilty party? If
the prime minister knew of the involvement of MQM in the
terrorist activities before the murder of Hakim Saeed,
does it not make him a party to these heinous crimes? If
he really was unaware of the crimes of MQM, does it not
once again expose his ineptitude and incompetence? In any
case is it too much to ask Mr. Nawaz Sharif to accept his
own responsibilities and do the honourable thing and
resign?
Z. Hussain
Military courts, a good decision, and people specially
the ones who favour MQM or Altaf are not doing any good.
I'm a Mohajir, lived all my life in Karachi and have seen
MQM (Altaf) and MQM (Aafaq) terrorists involve in all
unlawful activities: Bhatta, strikes, harassment and
killing of each other or innocent people. They deserve
some serious punishments. So far we Mohajirs are the
losers. Altaf is not suffering when strikes (which Altaf
calls), paralyse the city. He is in
England, releasing one statement a day everyday, that is
all he can do for Mohajirs. May Allah protect us from
these fitnas.
Junaid Mahmood
California
It is very good, but it needs to be even-handed to bring
the culprits of all the factions, whether Sindhi,
Mutahida or Haqeeqi into its ambit. Its jurisdiction
should be broadened to effectively control the dacoity
and feudalism in the interior of Sindh as well.
Imtiaz Ahmed Taj
This may only be a temporary solution. The disease is too
widespread to be eliminated by it. And if anybody thinks
this is "good" for Karachi and Mohajirs, he or
she is too naive. It is not going to stop in Karachi; it
will spread to other large cities. The symptoms are all
there. Nawaz Sharif or his bunch of thugs do not have the
imagination or will to care for a country which has
fallen into their dirty laps. Military is also corrupt to
the core. They can never do any thing, which is good for
the country. Pakistan is doomed. Fragmentation has set
in, it is a matter of time until it disintegrates into
several pieces like it used to be before the British
brought it into one piece. Even God won't help us because
we do not help ourselves! Bye Bye Pakistan.
Obaid R.Qureshi
Canada
All things said and done, who is stealing the cars in
Karachi? Since May 1992 car-thefts have increased by more
than a thousand percent. That was the first military
operation. Today car thefts still go unabated I wonder
why. Any bright jacks out there to throw me some acumen
please!. Lighten up folks! Who is kidding whom? Stop the
pretence. When was the last time a stolen car was
recovered? They are not in Sindh anymore. No wonder why
there are more cars in some parts of the country. I guess
CBR doesn't operate in all parts of the country or does
it? Alhamdo lillah we are Muslims. What a shame!
Nasir Shah
Any step taken for the welfare and security of the people
of Pakistan, particularly for the people of Karachi
should be appreciated. The most wanted criminal, Altaf
Hussain, should be brought to a trial. If the country
exists then there can be Democracy, Islamization,
Socialism or any other system, whereas if the country
goes then everything goes with it. In this regard I as a
Mohajir appreciate the Governor Rule in Sindh. The
terrorists of MQM who though born in Karachi and never
migrated should be eliminated. In this regard if Governor
Rule is necessary, it should be utilised and if Martial
Law should be the solution, then Martial Law should be
imposed. In order to save Pakistan, if 2000 to 3000 MQM
terrorists are hanged, it is not a big deal. I also want
people like Farooq Sattar, Aftab Sheikh, Nasreen Jaleel
and others brought to court. They were involved in
instigation, actuation, and protection of terrorism, they
should be tried too. And all of this should be done
publicly.
Muhammad Riyaz
Virginia, USA.
The sole aim to bring Army back in Sindh is to crush
Mohajirs. The feudal lords of Pakistan do not allow
Mohajirs to live in Pakistan with equal rights as other
nations of Pakistan are living. At least Army and Law
Enforcers are not operating them. The corrupt Military
Generals and Civil Servants are once again trying to
crush a whole nation as they tried to crush Bengalis in
1971. They have forgotten the result of that inhuman
crime committed by them against their own countrymen.
Pakistan cannot afford another division like 1971. We
have only half of our country left but our so-called
corrupt politicians and generals are trying to close
"Altaf Chapter " as they tried in 1992. But God
knows whose chapter will close and whose will remain.
M.T.KHAN
South Africa
Mr. Nawaz Sharif has created Military Courts in Karachi
with a view to eliminating Mohajirs and their
representatives i.e. MQM. But our dear Prime Minister
can't even imagine the consequences of this blunder.
Punjab is not realising this mistake, whenever Mohajirs
warned the Government and Establishment to stop malicious
acts in Karachi against Mohajirs they coldly refused
their plea. Now all of them are going to pay. I am not
overstating, the people of Pakistan especially the
Punjabis have created the Gulf between Mohajirs and
Pakistan and now we are thinking of other options. These
military courts can only enlarge that gulf, Our corrupt
Establishment particularly the agencies and the army are
doing what they wanted to, eliminating Mohajirs, by hook
or by crook. All the proceedings in these courts are
above the law. They fabricate a case against MQM and
prove it according to their master's will. Let me take
the example of the murders of Salahuddin and Hakim Saeed.
A newspaper of Intelligence Bureau, operated by highly
paid touts of IB and other intelligence agencies
published the stories of murder mentioning few of MQM men
allegedly involved in these cases. Then what happened is
now a part of history. So any body can predict the
outcome and the cause of these Military Courts. In the
last, we know the true slogan of PM "Jaag Punjabi
Jaag, Teri Pag Noon Lag Gaya Daag"
Faisal Ali
Every time we have democracy in this country, people have
more pain, corruption and more burden of foreign loans.
Why don't we just get rid of this democracy which hasn't
proved to people friendly and good practice for citizens
and the country. I think we will be better off with
Martial Law. At least we will have peace and some sort of
law & order. We need a martial Law that hangs all
politicians. If Governor Raj in Sindh brings peace and
justice I can bet every citizen will be delighted to have
it forever. People want peace and security, whether it
comes from Governor Raj or Martial Law.
Shamsul Arefin
This is not the first occasion that Sindh is witnessing
Military Courts. No doubt that this time Military has
different responsibility or rather most sensitive duty to
perform after the East Pakistan fall. I am sure the
Military know clearly that they are the only institution
left which can re-build faith of the people of Pakistan
on the confederation of Pakistan. It’s not only the
people of Sindh who will watch them carefully but it is
also the people of NWFP and Balochistan as well. At first
they should have stayed away from the political conflict
of two allies. Since, they have been called as per
article 245 of the Constitution now its incumbent upon
them to perform their duty without becoming party to the
conflict and this can only be achieved by giving justice
to the people of Pakistan to its purity. Sindh is not the
only province facing Law and Order problem; in fact the
whole of Pakistan is facing such a situation. The
Military need a broader role in entire Pakistan under the
Independent Council, which should consist of honest
people of Pakistan preferably intellectuals and retd.
judges and bring all corrupt ones to trial. People in
general are deprived of their basic rights to live in a
society where they have duties to perform and at the same
time their rights are protected. This time Military has
to live up to the expectations of its people and take
this as an opportunity to wash away previous stains and
spots. The entire nation is sick of "Mian" and
"Bibi". We need change and fresh air. Military
should not identify themselves as saviours of corrupt
rulers instead they should emancipate the people from the
ills, otherwise we will witness another East Pakistan
fall and set up of fact finding Commission similar to the
Hamoud ur Rahman Commission, whose report till now
seemingly remains a mystery but is known to many.
M.Khalid.
Germany.
Well, first of all I would like to appreciate the Jang
group for starting such a constructive forum, although
all of us know well that nothing is going to happen to
our country's corrupt system with all these views and
suggestions. We all know from top to bottom how cancer of
corruption has diffused in our system. How would one
expect justice from the respected court if the
judges were appointed with political favours? All of us
know what happened to Justice Sajjad Shah and in the
building of Supreme Court. Who is Mian Nawaz Sharif
kidding with? He can make a fool of poor and illiterate
people of Pakistan but not the people of the most
literate city of Pakistan. Why all the top slots of
Karachi police are coming from Punjab? Don't we have
enough literate people in Karachi to fill these
vacancies? Why military is dragged into politics? Just to
create hatred between people of Karachi and military?
Don't we have enough literate and adept judges in
Karachi? I would support military courts in Karachi if
the corruption cases of Mian Nawaz Sharif, Benazir and
all other political leaders were tried under these
courts. Because in my opinion they are the biggest
thieves and enemies of the country who are extorting
money from the poor people of Pakistan and, in return,
are giving unemployment, poverty, illiteracy. We need to
remove those elements from the root not just to hang some
terrorists. We need to hang these corrupt leaders. They
are the biggest terrorists of our country and cause of
all small terrorists.
Wasib
South Carolina, USA
What difference does it make? What Pakistan needs is a
messenger from God who would show them the way to be
righteous. Which the mulla biradari will not allow. They
will kill the messenger as soon as they find out that God
wants only Muslims and not the outcast casts like shias,
sunnis, wahabis and the rest of them (Quran Sura 6
Verse159).
The politicians will kill the messengers as soon as they
find out that they are supposed to be righteous and do
honourable things. Military courts are welcome if there
are honourable people and no decision will be made under
political pressure.
Jehangir Shah
USA.
I would like to ask those people who are supporting
Military Court in Sindh: Can they tell me since after
14th August 1947 who has been plundering the country? Who
have used their full strength to fill their foreign
accounts? Feudals. Who is suffering the most? These are
not Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, but a "Common
Person". We have seen the fall of our previous
governments by the hand of their own elected Presidents.
Why? Because of corruption, plundering of wealth. It is
the time when we have to look at the real cause of all
the unrest. MTC is not the solution. We need to eliminate
those elements from the root. Why does not most of our
budget go to education? Why army? Because these feudals
are scared of Army and a literate nation. Since Karachi
has rejected those feudals so they are suffering. The
govt. has already developed hatred between Mohajirs and
Armed Forces. I grew up in Karachi and I know how people
think about them. I request those feudals to stop this
filthy politics. Let Army and Rangers do their original
task. Let common people rule the country. In the last I
would strongly support the military court if the cases of
all our corrupt leaders, corrupt army men, and all
corrupt people in other institutions can be executed
under MTC, since these elements are the real cause of all
the mayhem in Pakistan generally and Karachi
particularly.
Wasib
South Carolina, USA
After the implementing article 245 of the constitution
Nawaz Sharif has proved beyond any doubt that he is a
product of Zia ul Haq's notorious martial law. No doubt
Karachi needs strict actions but not mini-martial law. I
really do not understand why people are comparing
Karachi's situation with events happened in former East
Pakistan. These people should know that there is a great
difference between Bengali people and the so-called
Mohajirs of Karachi. In fact, Bengalis speak the same
language, share the same culture, customs, food, the same
way of life and most importantly they were holding their
own piece of land whereas the people of Karachi do not
possess all these qualities. People from South India, UP,
CP, Bihar, Dehli, Hyderabad and Gujrat have different
social and cultural values, different dress code, food,
living habits and different language accent, people of
Hyderabad and Gujrat even do not speak Urdu but
"Deccani Boli" and Gujrati. And most
importantly all these ethnic groups do not possess a
piece of their own land which is one of the most
important ingredients to claim separate nationality.
Karachi and Hyderabad can not be handed over to these
so-called Mohajirs simply because they are living there
in majority. In fact both these cities belong to those
people who call themselves Pakistanis
Khalid Mahmud
South Carolina, USA
Please stop calling yourselves Mohajirs, Punjabis,
Sindhis, etc. If the Government is making a mistake then
the whole country should not suffer for that. We have
been through this before and we all know what happened.
Nobody wants that to happen again. Let's all make sure
that whatever we do we don't let the situation to go down
to that level. Who gained from the
creation of Bangladesh, only the enemy and no one else.
Bengalis can't even take care of themselves; they are
prone to bullying from India and Burma. People of
Karachi: if Government is doing something wrong you will
have your chance in the next elections, but please
remember: United we stand and divided we fall. Just ask
yourself, is that what you want? Patience is
what our religion (and for that matter all religions)
teaches us and that is what we all should observe. But
unity is something we must not compromise at any cost.
Hamid
California, USA.
I think that the establishment of military courts is
against Mohajirs and they want to crush Mohajirs and they
have to know that Altaf is the leader and Mohajirs are
going to follow him any way.
Syed Nishat
U.S.A
At the outset I would like to congratulate you for
inviting Pakistanis to contribute their views on the
subject. I have read Mr.Zafar Kashmiri's views which are
biased and perhaps from the perspective of a President of
Punjab-Am Community Services Inc. If he had contributed
his views as President of Pak-Am Community Services Inc.
then he wouldn’t have suggested to crush 10 to 15
million "Mohajirs" who had sacrificed all their
assets and even lives of their loved ones for the
creation of Pakistan. Living in any country for more than
five years perhaps gives people like Mr.Kashmiri, a
Citizenship or Legal residency, but not a real
identification as a native citizen. Had he called those
traitors who have plundered tax payers’ money
instead of "Mohajirs" then only would he have
been considered a patriotic Pakistani. If the Military
has to give justice to the people of Pakistan then they
should also be allowed to do accountability of those who
have looted and plundered the money of Tax Payers,
irrespective of their current positions. This is what
every Pakistani wants and not distraction from the real
problems.
Salam
Germany
Mr.Nawaz Sharif’s step to impose Article 245 in
Sindh is to crush the MQM and Mohajirs. This is one-point
agenda of Nawaz Government. The President of Pakistan
Mr.Tarar's position is just of a clerk who has to obey
the orders of his boss. The Human Rights Organisations
are giving their statements that there is more violation
in Punjab than in Sindh. But, Mr.Nawaz has closed his
eyes because his brother is the Provincial Ruler of
Punjab. Mr.Nawaz and his men, including the Governor of
Sindh, state that the law and order situation is getting
better day by day. I invite them to forget the golden
dreams of US visit and read the newspapers daily. The
police are violating the Human Rights laws, dozens of
cars are being snatched daily, millions of rupees are
being looted. The police and law enforcement agencies
under the cover of Article 245 have forgotten all the
chapters of human rights. Their behaviour during the
raids and siege and search operations in Mohajir
localities is that they beat elderly men and children,
abuse women of all ages verbally and physically and
arrest the family members of MQM workers. This behaviour
of law enforcement agencies has now become unbearable and
nobody can tolerate such attitude. If the Article 245
states that there is no humanity, police is free to
arrest anyone, raid any house without warrant and
misbehave with women, elders and children then it is a
black law and I do not accept or obey such law. Mr.Nawaz
has planned the genocide of Mohajirs but you must have to
remember the history of Pakistan. We have already lost
one half of our country because of such tactics that were
used in the name of Islam. Don't adopt such tactics to
crush Mohajirs and don't forget to learn from history
because history repeats itself in front of those who are
unaware of it or close their eyes to it.
M.T.Khan
Sheer wastage of time. It will surely create
misunderstanding and result in the active involvement of
Army in Sindh. On top of every thing what do they want to
achieve?
Dogar.
The military courts must try the so-called government,
opposition and the leaders right from the top. We
Pakistanis pray to Almighty Allah, to bestow his mercy on
the poor masses of Pakistan.
Zahiruddin Malim
It is difficult to comment on this issue. If our courts
are honest, then no need for military courts. If only our
politicians were honest and sincere with the country.
Hope that people who go to military courts get justice.
We would start respecting the military once again.
Hasan
These feudal have deep penetration in Bureaucracy and in
the army and they are using these institutions for their
own benefits only. It’s time for the people of
Punjab to come out from the feudal system and send some
middle class representatives, like MQM, to the
assemblies. Otherwise we will see another Bangladesh. By
terming MQM terrorists, the government is creating
another Mukti Bahni. Remember people of Punjab, it was
the army who surrendered with 90,000 men in Bangladesh
not the Bengalis. Do not forget the history.
Adil Khan
New York USA
Military courts are the way to go. I am also in favour of
Governor Raj system. At least we do not have any more
killing of innocent people. I very much care about my
country and my people. The military has never been used
in Punjab because Punjab’s situation is not the same
as Karachi. Before the Governor Raj, at least ten to
twelve innocent people used to be killed in Karachi
everyday. We should not be focusing on the country as
whole rather than the provinces or states.
Iqbal Mirza
We simply view it as end of Pakistan. Now Punjabis are
left with nothing to sell off, except Karachi, which
happens to be the trousers of Pakistan. We cannot also
forget the words of Ayub Khan, who once said "if
Bengalis will not part ways then we’ll kick them
with boots. And we saw that happen.
Jumma Khan
News Analyst
Going through the letters appearing on Jang net, one can
feel that those who are not the residents of Karachi, are
quite pleased with what is happening in Karachi. However,
those who are the permanent residents of this city, voice
concern. Dear outsiders, please listen carefully if you
were born before the creation of Bangladesh, that exactly
the same attitude prevailed against Bengalis; that asking
for rights was being a traitor. How do you justify that
the oppressed Bengalis who democratically, elected one
party i.e. Awami League to represent them on national
forums, were denied their right to form the government,
despite being in majority. When they challenged this
attitude, they were also called "traitors".
When pushed to the wall, they had no choice but to fall
into the trap of our enemy, India. Indira Gandhi was
desperately looking for this opportunity, as she has to
prove that "two nation theory" that created
Pakistan was wrong. What happened after that is the sad
and black chapter of our history. Nations learn lesson
from their bitter past...but we haven’t. What are
the Karachiites asking from rest of Pakistan? Give them
the same democratic rights as you are enjoying in your
places. Rule by the people, of the people and for the
people and not a single inch in addition. Don't overreact
if it is said that the city, having the largest
percentage of educated inhabitants, the city contributing
some 26% to the national exchequer and the city that
rightly boasts of bearing sons like Dr. Qadeer, whose
determination thwarted India from launching another
adventure like that of the 1970, has given its
representation right solely to one party, i.e. MQM. There
could be a bad element in this party too, but then every
party is likely to have such element. Look at other
parties too. You will agree with me. To judge whether the
party is truly a patriotic party, one has to look into
its track record. None of past hostile governments could
name a single MQM legislator involved in any kind of
corruption, bank loan or utility bill defaulter. Thus let
Karachi be served by its own elected representative...
don't be afraid, if they do anything against Pakistan,
our brave army is there to cater this problem.
Mahdis
I fully support any effort to bring peace in Karachi, and
Sindh.
Asghar
I think these are very good steps taken by Nawaz
government. These steps should have come earlier. I think
MQM is fully involved in criminal acts in Karachi, and I
hope the terrorists of MQM will be hanged soon and
Karachi will become a peaceful city once again.
Faheem
Hyderabad
Punjab is sucking Pakistan’s blood. Actually police,
rangers, military all these people are
terrorists. They want to make money out of poor and
innocent people’s blood. Who is responsible for arms
control? Why is all this killing going on for the past 14
years and why only in Karachi? Because Punjab is in great
complex, and Punjab wants to play like the US is playing
with the world. This is another way of extorting money.
Muhammad Ali Farooq
What is the alternative to military courts? What took the
army so long? In our nation, where illiteracy is high and
where the dictates of Islam are frequently and
shamelessly flouted by just about everyone, we need
military law and justice. We Pakistanis only respect the
stick, and the moment they are given the slightest slack,
we merrily go back to our criminal ways. I say hang
democracy, we do not need it. It can only exist in a
situation where there is respect for law and order. In
the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him) were there
any political parties? And yet the administration and
justice never suffered. As long as we Pakistanis make a
mockery of Islam by our actions, we will continue to
slide down, until God will replace us, as he has stated
in the Quran. Bring in the military to stay and abolish
democracy.
Tahir Nawab Ghaznavi
NY
The solution to the problems of Karachi is in the hands
of Pakistan Army. They should admit the blunders, they
have committed and apologise to the innocent people of
Karachi in particular, and to the entire nation in
general. The same game is being played as was played in
1971. This mafia never accepts peoples mandate. Go to
those places where there is poppy cultivation, go to the
places where arm factories are functioning, arrest those
persons who gather in Islamabad and demand for their
homeland, recover the wealth of the nation from the big
fishes. Don’t try to blame innocent citizens of
Karachi. If you want to divide Pakistan, go ahead and
stop all this.
Kamran
I fully endorse the idea of military courts in Sindh. Now
the question is of the integrity of personnel required to
handle them. Do we have sufficient people to handle such
difficult cases with the life threat? What about the
quality of judgement? How would they conceive the Karachi
situation in real terms? How are they going to understand
the misery of the people who suffered in Karachi?
Tariq Shaikh
Houston Texas
I was reading Qudrat Ullah Sahab's 'Shahab Nama'. At one
point the author talked about an incident when soon after
the creation of Pakistan there was a meeting going on in
some government high office for buying some stuff for
country's renovation, from abroad. Maulvi Abul Fazal was
also present on the occasion. He requested to allot some
quota of new stuff for East Pakistan too, everyone
laughed and made fun of him. Mr. Shahab wrote, "it
was the time when I foresaw the creation of
Bangladesh". This also shows how nicely
rulers dealt with this issue from very beginning. I
related this scene to Karachi and it made perfect sense.
First Karachi was deprived of its due shares of funds,
now Karachi's ordinary public is advertised as terrorist
by buying some shameless people. On the top of everything
else after two earlier political military operations that
failed, now once again military is sent to deal with the
people of Karachi. Everything will remain as it is.
Salman Khurram
Chicago, USA
I strongly denounce the establishment of Military Courts
in Karachi. This is a strong blow to the democratic
norms. Where is the Nawaz Sharif commitment of bringing
democracy and justice to people? Justice doesn't come
through military courts, it comes through civil
institutions. It comes through the participation of
people at all levels of institutions. The priority is to
build a measure of trust and participation. The
government should enhance the status of KMC... not
through the people of Islamabad but through the real
participation of the people of Karachi. I am very much
sure that if we empower people, and give authority at the
grass-root level it will bring a change and that change
would threaten feudal lords and other civil and forces
people. And if the government thinks that the military
courts are needed then why not in Punjab and other places
in Sindh? This is the question every patriotic Pakistani
is asking?
Tariq Khan
Canada
How unfortunate it is, that every one in Pakistan is
looking at the situation of Karachi with a racist’s
eye. I have been reading articles in many forums and
newspapers about Karachi.
But one thing I can see is clear that the people of
Karachi (Mohajirs) are on one side- against governor rule
because their mandate was given to MQM and it is very
clear that this is just to crush the MQM and Mohajirs. On
the other side, the rest of the country is in favour of
it because a clear hatred against Mohajirs in there eyes.
Whatever is happening is not good. Whoever is responsible
for it is very successful in tearing our hearts apart.
And now we may be living in one country but our hearts
are "Punjabi" and "Mohajir".
Syed Ali
Chicago IL
Military courts are established to help the civilian
courts. Instead of establishing military courts why
shouldn’t more civilian courts be established? Isn't
the establishment of military courts a well-planned
strategy to eliminate a particular community, which
cannot be achieved by neutral civilian courts? As far as
my friend Zafar Kashmiri's statement regarding people
labelling themselves as Mohajirs is concerned, people
living in our great country Pakistan do not want to be
called Pakistanis instead they want to be called Sindhi,
Punjabi, Pakhtoon or Balouchi. Mr. Zafar calls himself a
representative of the Pak-Am community but he doesn't
understand the socio-economic conditions prevailing in
Pakistan. I am not trying to paint Mr.Kashmiri's comments
as racist but he is surely unaware of the political games
being played in Pakistan and why people of one community
which has been loyal to the country more- if not equal-
than any other community in the country is cornered and
isolated.
Syed Hussain
(Representing a big Pakistani community from all over
Pakistan
particularly Lahore)
NYC, USA
Khuda ki Laathi Be Awaaz Hai
Another bunch of crooks who are going to rip off innocent
people.
Rizwan Shah
London UK.
With the military courts the Government is going a little
too far. Inefficiency should be rooted out from the
current judicial system instead of bringing the army into
all this mess. Public courts should decide the cases and
they should do that quickly, that is the only way that
people of Karachi could be offered a secure way out.
Anyone who lives in Karachi or has visited the place
knows that MQM(A) is behind all this. The people of
Karachi should bear the military courts now and then, in
the next elections should make sure that the 'ghundas' of
MQM/PPP/PML or of any other party are not elected so that
none of this is repeated. Democracy works only if people
use their right to elect sensibly. The people of Karachi
are responsible for their own future. Select sincere,
loyal, patriotic, forthright and educated people and all
the problems would be solved. The same is true for the
whole country. I hope my fellow Pakistanis realise this,
it is high time we all did.
Hamid
California, USA.
Instead of getting sentimental, we need to think that for
the last 11 years every business and every educational
institution has been literally destroyed by the so-called
MQM activists. Everyone knows that MQM after becoming
partners with PPP or PML has always demanded release of
its workers. And so they have been getting released on
political basis and then creating chaos again and again.
I think with military courts, it will become easy to
punish the culprit without getting influenced by anyone
and restore peace of mind.
Asim Khan
USA
More than anything else, the petrol prices dictate the
prices of other products and services. According to the
web page (http://www.ucan.org/gas/benchmark.shtml,)
the average price of unleaded gas (petrol) should be
under Rs.13/liter in Pakistan. Why is it Rs.22/liter
(whatever the actual prices is, it is twice as expensive
as what should be)? The military courts should be
established against the looters of the national
exchequer, not against the residents of Karachi. Karachi
University does not get any money in the 8th 5-year plan.
Military courts should be established against the corrupt
ones who have been making national policies that bring
money regardless of what happens to the common people.
The Third World politics revolves around using public
funds for personal benefits. Why is Pakistan Military
never engaged in apprehending the real culprits? Why is
it that the Pakistan Military is always used against the
unarmed people, be that Bengalis, Balochis, Mohajirs,
whatever? The reason is that Pakistan Military is an
equal partner in crime. Why hasn’t Military ever
been used in Punjab? This is because Pakistan Military is
the largest employer for Punjabis. Each qualified
14-year-old Punjabi boy gets the opportunity to start a
life-long journey to earn free money, get free developed
land, and retire with perks. Then many of them are
revived as general managers of large government
organisations. The Pakistan military never stops sucking
the national resources. The beat goes on ..and now...
Karachi Metropolitan Police Department will have retired
Punjabi military men.
Jamal Haq
New York, NY
A step must be taken in each department throughout
Pakistan rather than only Sindh. Shoot at sight
terrorists and criminals. Three days is a big amount of
time.
Muhammad
Japan.
The government has taken a very bold step to fight
terrorism in Karachi after a very long time. This step
should have been taken long ago. Now God has given
Mr.Nawaz Sharif a chance to strengthen the country by
arresting and punishing the enemies of Pakistan.
It’s time to ask Britain to hand over Altaf Hussain
to the government of Pakistan, as everybody knows that if
Britain authorities can take Chile's long-ago dictator in
custody for his old crimes against the nation, then they
can also arrest Altaf and his accomplices and hand them
over.
Hafiz Qureshi
I have read so many letters on Jang and other newspapers
in which my fellow Pakistanis hope that "this
time" (every time something is announced or imposed)
our leaders will be sincere. Even today I read in a
newspaper that the PM’s family is contesting a
loan-default case with Britain, which they say
"ought to be heard in a Pakistani court under the
Islamic law." So is that the real reason behind
their wanting to pass the Shariat Bill, so that Mr.
Sharif can declare himself Khalifah for life and absolve
his family of all interest due on loans? The PM did not
take any steps against the MQM until he knew for sure
that they were not willing to vote for his Shariat Bill.
Besides this we have to understand that splitting
ourselves on sectarian and regional basis will do us no
good as we need to concentrate our efforts against the
corruption of our corrupt politicians and bureaucrats all
over the country. And we need to pray to Allah to help us
and help bring good leaders from among us. Will the
Military Courts also try the corrupt police who commit
crimes against innocent people in Sindh daily? And what
is the plan for after the Governor's Rule? All this goes
on as our politicians and bureaucrats including the
military are looting the country and pushing us deeper
into debt and poverty day by day while trying their best
to convince us of their "sincere intentions".
Asif Patel
Canada
I guess anytime you suspend human rights, it is regarded
undemocratic. Going through the views of various writers
it is very clear, the undemocratic forces have chosen the
military courts and those who stood up against foreign
oppression of the British Raj stood for the freedom of
humanity. History repeats itself.
Nasir Shah
Boston , USA
Punjab is not sincere with Pakistan. From January to
September 1070 people were killed in Lahore while 861
died in Karachi. So why doesn’t the Prime Minister
impose governor rule in Punjab? Most of the 861 killed in
Karachi were the victims of rangers and agencies. Despite
having a three times mandate in election, the agencies
are not allowing MQM to serve their voters.
Qamar Abbas
I lived in Karachi and, without any doubt, I can say that
Altaf group is 100% involved in terrorist activities. I
would like to blame Nawaz Sharif too: when he knew the
facts, then why did he delay these steps? I appeal to the
military courts to be fair for they have to face God one
day. Now that they have taken this bold step it is a hope
that peace is restored.
Samin
Toronto
Canada
It’s a ridiculous step. Although it may curb on a
few criminals but it is felt that the government will
misuse the power to target its political enemies rather
than provide justice. Basic human rights will be
violated. Is this a humane society? I just urge our
present politicians to do their job correctly.
Muhammed
USA
In this regard I will say " Laaton
ke bhoot baaton se nahin maantay"
Hassan
We do not favour such an action. There should be martial
law in Karachi like the one in Lahore in 1953 when Azam
Khan was the chief administrator of the city in Qadiani
riots. After living for fifty years in this county these
people call themselves Mohajirs. In America after five
years of legal residency, you become an American citizen.
Those who were born in Pakistan cannot claim they are
Mohajirs. This is the only problem: if this is crushed
everybody will live in peace. What Altaf Hussain is doing
in UK is visible from every angle. Who is paying for his
house and expenditures on security plus the lavish
lifestyle he has adopted? From where is this money
coming? He is a traitor and should be held responsible
for all the damages done to this metropolitan city and
its people.
Zafar Kashmiri
President
Pak-am Community Services, Inc
The decision of Federal Government to impose Governor Raj
and the establishment of military courts may not be
welcomed by the people. But in fitness of the things
there was no other option left with the Prime Minister of
Pakistan than this most undesirable act. If the present
government had not taken such a bold decision, this would
have been treated as criminal negligence. MQM has become
a bane for Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif has sacrificed his
political alliance with MQM for the future of Pakistan.
This should be the final round against terrorism.
Sohrab Ajmal
Canada
It is a good step to have a peace in Karachi.
Shehab
As they say there is a thin line between love and hate.
In my opinion there is also a thin line between Governor
Raj and Ghunda Raj. We have witnessed Governor Raj as
well as Military Courts, in Kashmir (Indian Occupied) and
East Pakistan and in the end thousands of families left
crying for their loved ones. Surprisingly, our rulers
have raised voice against atrocities and human rights
violation under Governor Raj in Kashmir (Indian occupied)
and when they found themselves in a similar situation
their approach has been no different from the Indians. We
may differ on principles but can not apply two different
principles for one objective i.e "rule of
people". Mr.Nawaz Sharif, the mandate that you are
enjoying is from Punjab and people of Punjab have not
voted for you to play in the format of the feudal. The
real problems are our economy, deep-rooted corruption,
unemployment, rising consumer prices etc. If you do
something to eliminate the real cause you will find not
only Sindh issue but also NWFP and Baluchistan issues
resolved.
Nisar Khan
Germany.
It seems to me that this is the first step-of many still
yet to come- to divide Karachi from the rest of the
nation. It’s what they wanted and they have
succeeded.
Hassan S.
N.J
There are lots of people who write against MQM &
Mohajir community and they have only one solution: kill
more innocent peoples through army, rangers and police as
was done in East Pakistan. This is because they belong to
different provinces and do not live in Karachi. But I
think that only those people who are living in Karachi
can say what is right or wrong as they are witness to the
daily happenings. Why cant a political party from Karachi
rule this city Please stop the operation in Karachi right
away, because it is making the situation worse, just like
East Pakistan. We pay the tax for the army to fight
against the enemy not the citizen of Pakistan.
Anwar Ahmed
Toronto
Canada