Mayhem in Karachi - Karachiites trap CJ at Airport

[Bull]

i just read a funny thing. It was Mushraff who handpicked him to be a CJ bypassing another eligable/senior guy. Faith is cruel!!!

 

[Lahori paa jee]

Lawless games

If the May 7 judgment of the Supreme Court bench laid out the legal parameters for the issue of the presidential reference against the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), on May 12 the government set out the political parameters within which it will fight back those the government insists are politicising the issue of the judiciary. So what are these parameters that were conveyed through the many hours long reign of bloody anarchy in Karachi?

Essentially that when the rulers consider it justified, they will suspend the responsibility of the law enforcing agencies of the state to protect the life and property of the citizens of the state. Instead the law enforcing agencies will aid those who are running the government to use state power in which ever way they deem fit. The Sindh and the federal governments abdicated their primary constitutional responsibility of protecting the life and property of the citizens. They had claimed on May 10 that if the CJP went ahead with his Karachi rally there would be trouble. Then, unless this was being said to only stop the CJP from pulling off a replay of the incredibly successful May 6 Lahore rally, why did the two governments not ensure widespread presence of law enforcement agencies along the rally routes.

In Islamabad the president's show was unreal. And whatever his convictions about what the country needs, his claim of public support is not backed by solid evidence. Whatever the 'reliable' agencies and politicians claimed the reality of the rally was completely different from the claim that the rally signalled 'a sea of support' for the president. The attendees were bussed and paid, the numbers were small, they hardly paid attention to the speeches and most kept sitting in their busses, the bizarre festivities as Karachiites bled and were being terrorised, the head of the state said not a word about how outrageous it was that the law enforcing agencies were not there.

By all the evidence that so blatantly flowed from the tragic and criminal events of May 12 were about terrorising the public and the government's political opponents. For the ordinary citizen of Karachi the State of Pakistan stood completely collapsed. Senior police officials let the chief justice of the Sindh High Court know that he could not provide any security to the lawyers keen to enter the Sindh High Court to attend the CJP's scheduled address or go to the airport to receive the CJP. For an unreported reason the Sindh CJ's summons to the Corps Commander went unheeded. The law enforcing agencies ignored the controlling mafia and subsequently the battling groups.

Unless the federal and Sindh governments can prove it otherwise, the only message the terrifying developments of May 12 conveyed is that they had decided to muzzle the peoples' movement by hook or by crook. In Karachi the federal government clearly demonstrated that it will muzzle what it insists is the politicisation of a legal issue, and for that it will use whatever means it believes will help it defeat those who are attempting to politicise the issue.

What else can explain the complete and total abdication of their responsibility towards the citizens? Reporters of various independent television channels repeatedly quoted members of the Rangers and the police force that they were asked to completely withdraw from the rally routes and not get involved in any action. Policemen were seen lying around, while Rangers refused to come out of their headquarters in Malir.

May 12 also saw retaliatory violence by political groups. ANP men did hit back when attacked. But to try and establish parity between the ones hitting back in retaliation and between those who initiated violence is erroneous; as is trying to establish equal responsibility between the parties involved in Karachi i.e. the CJP, the Karachi bar, the Sindh government and the federal government. The CJP's decision to go to Karachi and the MQM holding a rally or the government abdicating its responsibility of ensuring law and order are not equal in their impact. In fact the CJP did not even hold his rally. The Karachi anarchy was a product of other players. The politicised CJP's Lahore rally was the extent of 'damage' that he could have done. Why did the government not allow him to hold another rally like he did in Lahore?

Meanwhile words are on the cheap, these too come easy to us whether to espouse the cause of civilian rule or the independence of judiciary or the upholding of the constitution. Hear the speeches of the MQM and the PML-Q leaderships. Actions often don't support their claims. And what the actions are conveying is a story of a no-holds barred power struggle. For example, what the sub themes were at work on May 12? Leading the men ordered to attend the president's rally, the Punjab chief minister's son was busy launching his political career. In Karachi the ruling party seemed to be merrily thrashing its political opponents: the PPP, the MMA and the ANP. In aiding Islamabad's 'black victory' in the CJP issue, its allies promoted their personal political agendas.

Not only does the Karachi mayhem indict the two governments, federal and Sindh governments, it also brings the government in direct confrontation with the politicians. The politicians, who were until now following and in fact bandwagoning on the CJP issue, now have a direct battle to fight. With party workers killed the politicians can be a direct party to the struggle for rule of law in the country. While the CJP reference directly threatened the judiciary, May 12 directly attacked the politicians and very comprehensively, if not awfully, undermined rule of law in the country.

Essentially what was a legal issue first turned into a popular public issue, then into a political issue and now anarchy in Karachi has the potential to turn it into an ethnic issue. Groups from different parts of the country and from Sindh itself have condemned the MQM; Sindh High Court Bar in Sukkur will be petitioning in the Supreme Court to declare MQM a terrorist organisation. The ANP is also accusing the MQM for the killings of its activists.

Unless Musharraf backs off and enters into an immediate agreement with the PPP which includes holding of fair and free elections, he will likely have arrived at a point of no return politically. The fronts are too many and the wisdom within and around to close these fronts too little. And neither bravado and nor self-righteousness help provide solutions.

Karachi has again underscored that despite the larger thrust of the lawyers' movement, that is seeking rule of law, the government is still confident in wielding unaccountable power. For the future of the people and the country these two irreconcilable paths must meet. And clearly the only path to be taken in our times is the path of rule of law where exercise of power at all levels must be accountable. The state-society contract needs to be written.

After May 12 the issue of the chief justice has become a secondary issue. The only issue now is: how will this country be ruled? Under an adhoc unconstitutional system or according to the Constitution of Pakistan in which the wielders of power will be held accountable and will be answerable to the people of Pakistan. Such a system can heavily contribute in reducing the curse of injustice, lawlessness, and intolerance within the state, politics and society in Pakistan.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=56384

 

[Lahori paa jee]

Troubled times

What has happened in Karachi on May 12 has for sure shocked the public. But more than that it has left a strong sense of sadness about the hands in which this country's leadership rests. To have the president of the country cheer and celebrate right when a major part of the country is burning is one of the most demeaning things that a country's top executive could do. Rather than being concerned about controlling the damage in Karachi, General Musharraf was keen on scoring points by blaming the violence in Karachi on Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry for not adhering to government's advice. It is clear that what happened in Karachi was no chance development; it was a planned move by the government to defame the lawyers' movement. How public lives can become so cheap for those in power is unbelievable!

General Musharraf has openly blamed Justice Chaudhry for the violence that occurred in Karachi. The argument is that it is because of his visit to Karachi that this violence broke out. Nothing can be more illogical than an accusation like this. Whose decision was it to hold a counter rally on the day Justice Chaudhry was to visit Karachi to address the Sindh High Court Bar? It was the MQM's, which is a part of the government. Despite clear signs that this would lead to clashes, the federal government did not advice the MQM to stop planning the counter-rally but rather Justice Chaudhry who was going to Karachi on the invitation of the Sindh High Court Bar was advised to cancel his visit. When the government itself was predicting trouble, why did it not tell the MQM to host its rally on another day?

The answer is obvious: the government wanted trouble on the streets of Karachi so that it does not have to put up with the embarrassment of another huge turnout in support of the lawyers' movement as was seen in Lahore. This was visible in the way the city was managed on that day as well as the attitude of the top leadership in Islamabad that afternoon. On a day that was expected to be volatile, there were no police and rangers in the city, and the main roads were deliberately blocked. A few people with the guns had the liberty to keep the entire population hostage. The evidence that the MQM initiated this violence is also very strong. There were no ambulance facilities, no preparation for emergency. People hit by the bullets bled to death on the streets.

But, if this carefully planned negligence was not enough to implicate the state, the attitude of the country's president and the celebratory mood of the rally in Islamabad that very day told it all. Rather than being concerned about controlling the violence in Karachi, General Musharraf appreciated the MQM rally in Karachi and his own rally revealing the support he has among the public. Rather than thinking of the people dying in Karachi, he was talking of his re-election and proof of public popularity. This is an extremely saddening case of state led violence. An independent tribunal has to be formed to establish what happened on that day and to investigate who was responsible for the crime.

At the same time, the insecurity rising around the lawyers and people linked to Justice Chaudhry's case is further putting the government's legitimacy into question. The killing of assistant registrar of the Supreme Court, Syed Hamad Amjad Raza, who was held and investigated for four days after the removal of the Justice Chaudhry, has come as another shock. Raza's family has indicated it seems like another attempt to intimidate the lawyers. There is urgent need that the government ensures security of the prominent lawyers and personalities linked to Justice Chaudhry's case as another targeted killing like this, by whomsoever, will only raise more suspicion about the government's intent.

At the same time, at expected, the US has issued statements that its assessment of General Musharraf's importance in Pakistan has not changed due to the lawyers' protest rallies and the current crises in Karachi. Tom Case, a spokesman from the US State Department has assured the Pakistanis that America wants to help establish a 'moderate Pakistan' and also wants it to be a good ally with the US in the 'war on terror.' In the view of the US State Department for both these roles, General Musharraf is still a feasible option. All one can say in response to such assessments is that within this very hypocrisy of US foreign policy rests the seeds of international terrorism. By strengthening authoritarian rulers in Muslim countries, the only form of dissent that the US leaves open for the ordinary public is violence. No wonder the 'war on terror' has been such a miserable failure.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=56383

 

[Lahori paa jee]

Apart from all this the letters section of most newspapers are full of condemnation for Mush and MQM

 

[niaz]

Apart from all this the letters section of most newspapers are full of condemnation for Mush and MQM

Pah Jee,

Every one is blaming the other party.

I am neither for MQM nor for Musharraf. My question is however unanswered.
Who or which party has most to gain in destablising the country when election are only around the corner??? Kindly for one moment ignore whatever the demon Musharraf is doing and how bad the rascals MQM are, just think as to what is likely to happen if Musharraf is forced to resign and/ or a state of emergency is declared.

I repeat my earlier contention. Prudence suggests that we should let the legal process take its course. Let the elections take place and see what the people of Pakistan really want. But I have lived in the West far too long and believe in law and order. Apparently even the educated Pakistanis, even those fighting for the Chief Justice, dont care much about the Supreme Court proceding and would rather let Pakistan be destroyed as long as they see the end of Musharraf. (I saw scenes on Geo TV where lawyers were attacking other lawyers sent to plead the govt's case. God help justice in Pakistan if such thugs are the defenders of law)

I have firm belief that all political parties are playing in the hands of MMA. That is the only party which will gain the most if the country is destablised.
If you are prepared to accept another General or people rampaging on the street resulting in total chaos. Please go ahead and burn tyres, kidnap policeman and explode bombs. This would probably get rid of Musharraf but wouldnt bring back Nawaz Sharif to Premiership nor promote democracy in Pakistan.

 

[Adux]

Sir,

Basically Musharaf or other parties, is just thinking about their immediate political situation, rather power they can attain. Ignoring they all are the larger implications of law-order break down in the future of Pakistan as an entity. Leaders with no long term thinking.

 

[Lahori paa jee]

I want an end to army's involvement in Pakistani politics and want them to do what they are supposed to. Im against every military ruler.

The fact remains than Mush is more power hungry than any other dictator or military leader before him. His latest statement regarding his love for uniform proves my point. After remaining in absolute power for 8 years he still wants to carry on.

President Pervez Musharraf has said that uniform has now become his skin and he could not separate himself from it.

In an interview to British news agency Musharraf said that he had assumed the presidential office due to the conditions of the country.

The military had not entered Pakistani politics of its own will but was invited to tend civil administration, replying a question Musharraf said.

The armed forces had consolidated Pakistan but the opposition was now creating negative propaganda against them.

The presence of the army in various institutions was rightful, Musharraf said, adding that 'when politicians do not know how to run the country's affairs then the army has no choice but to just step in and put things right.'

But he stressed his belief in democracy and said he wanted to take the opposition along in decision-making but that it was more interested in staging protest rallies.

Turning to the current judicial crisis over, Musharraf said he would wait for and respect the verdict of the full Supreme Court bench on the matter.

But Musharraf did not answer when asked if he would reinstate the judge if he were vindicated of charges.

http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=22919

Free and fair elections under Mush are impossible. He wants another term in office. If elections are fair, Mush will lose the majority he needs.

For Mush i believe its time to say goodbye. Handover the power to Chairman Senate and let him supervise next elections

 

[Interceptor]

I am constantly amused at the political bias of certain posts. What are we talking about; reference against the Chief Justice or removal of Musharraf ??. It appears that a lot care nothing about justice as long Musharraf is toppled.

It is clear that the recent events have unfolded the actions taken by Musharraf regime has been detrimental to why the people wish his leave. If he leaves stability will return to Pakistan.

Let us for a moment assume that Chief Justice is an 'angel' wronged by the demon Musharraf. Musharraf has taken a legal step and filed a reference against the Chief Justice. Even the honourable Interceptor would agree that no one is above the law. Why not take let the legal system take its course??. At least wait till a decision comes and if it appears that justices has not been done then take to streets.

Honourable Niaz I pray you understand that I have already thought before putting forward my views.
https://defence.pk/forums/showpost.php?p=67272&postcount=1
Honourable Niaz, Musharrah has said there will be full bench for the hearing of CJ, I pray you understand this, the constitution allows a full bench hearing of the person if the CJ is in the full bench. However, there is no law yet passed that would allow a full bench hearing of the CJ this is why I would not agree with Musharraf and how he is dealing with situation he has made the legal system a mock. Honourable Niaz my views are that the CJ if trailed should be trailed fairly in fact I do not see how he can be trailed. I hope u can see my point. Honourable Niaz there is also this variable to add that the CJ was chosen by Musharraf and ousted by him too.

What has been happening instead is that all political parties have used this heaven sent opportunity to try to bring down the government.

I agree with this point and I have posted a similar view in another thread.

Dear Interceptor, obviously you are a peoples party man as evident from your choice of ZAB photograh as your emblem; why do you want to to bring down the government when elections are only a few months away. Do you fear that PPP is not popular enough to win a majority??

That is an interesting speculation from you Niaz, I chose this picture for a good reason I read a few books about Mr Jinnah and Mr Bhutto (and of many other leaders). From that point on, I have found one thing similar to both great leaders they thought a hundred years ahead there affect on Pakistan still remains. Well I am not related to any party I just find the Bhutto an inspiration.

To my knowledge and understanding there is little to say about what PPP can pull out in the elections like I said I have studied history, to my knowledge this effect is similar to the 1976-1977 in Pakistan when the Dictator of that time changed the election dates and wanted more time to settle the people down. I can not predict the future but I can recall the past to an extent this my opinion and this a line that sums it up
Joseph Stalin the cruellest leader of history even more cruel than Hitler said.

“It is enough that the people know there was an election. The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
Joseph Stalin

Please consider the possible scenario in the event Musharraf is ousted at this moment. How will it benefit PPP and Benazir. I maintain that only people that will benefit will be the mullahs and MMA is against every thing PPP stands for. Firstly PPP is liberal in its outlook. Secondly how will Mullah accept a women as Premier once again. What will be the position of current Chief Justice. Is he a PPP man???.

I believe you should take into account that the CJ was a Musharraf chosen man, the CJ bit the hand that fed him. I believe that Musharraf must leave. However, I also take into account that Musharraf must leave peacefully and resign from the country politics because if Musharraf is taken down like shah of Iran, this then will cost Pakistan dearly, but I doubt there such a plan.

I am not greatly fond of Musharraf and believe he is past his 'Shelf Life'. But why not bargain with him to gain power as PPP was doing until recently. Musharraf was openly telling Pakistanis that if you like me then vote for liberal parties. Who are the liberals if not PPP and MQM. Why this rush to de-stabilise the governemnt and cause billions of dollars worth of damage???

Niaz it isn’t any party who destabilizing the country, it’s the MQM who has been the criminal. I do remember reading the history of it and how it use to use schools in Karachi as mini jails and slaughter area for the Pakistan rangers and army the MQM has a lot of blood on its hand. If a democratic government comes then there party will be trailed for the crimes against Pakistan. The current situation the MQM party leader he is out side Pakistan even though the whole regime is pro MQM the so called president is pro MQM. Niaz the people in power are destabilizing the country, if you recall the attack in Karachi by MQM, and that the MQM is pointing fingers at other the question leis who blocked the roads with trucks and containers, who gave orders to the Army and Police not take action against the riot caused by MQM, who gave orders that banned the CJ from attending his conference in Karachi is this a democracy.

Niaz, Musharraf already has caused billions of dollars or ruppees of damege he has sold national assets and many other steps that have dameged Pakistan. You should also take that in to consideration.

May be you think that you leaders are so good that every one should stand aside for them. Other people think the same about their leaders. IMO prudence demands that any thing is better than chaos. However, MMA, Muslim League ( N) and even PPP seem to be on a course which implies that they would rather see Pakistan go to the dogs but would not tolerate Musharraf. It happened twice before, in 1968 when Yahya Khan took over and again in 1976 when Zia ul Haq took over. How will that help your favourite Chair Person. Traditionally Army has been allies of the right wing parties which PPP is not but MMA is.

Who says that the wise learn from past mistakes ??.

Your statement I respect it is of course your opinion. I cant see that I recall saying I follow this party or that party? Niaz these parties have practice little or no effort on destablizing Karachi which is the topic. The people came out and they were against the government and the MQM and PML(K) were against those people. The dates you have stated are interesting facts that both in 1968 and 1976 Bhutto was jailed by the Military regimes.

Niaz you have see the wider exposure Musharraf has lost most of his propaganda power. He has only got bonus months or days left and the greater unknown variable is if Musharraf leaves would, another General take is his place.

There is this new devided between the people and I can see that there is the growing urge to kick Musharraf out. There will be another protest soon I cant recall the date but I believe its on the 25 or 30th this month, my view is that Musharraf does wont to finish this hate against him as this would lead to.

“Ideas are far more powerful than guns. We don't allow our enemies to have guns, why should we allow them to have ideas?”
Joseph Stalin

 

[Neo]

For Bibi's fans...latest article.

Terrorists Attack The Court And The Citizens In Orgy Of Bloodletting
Monday May 28, 2007


Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto

In the history of our country, May 12, 2007 will go down as one of the darkest days. On the terrible day, peaceful protestors exercising their constitutional right to freedom of movement were proceeding towards the airport when suspected members of the ruling coalition known as the MQM ambushed them.

According to participants in the rally to receive Chief Justice Ifthikar Chaudhry, suspected MQM terrorists took over the road from Sharae Faisal to Malir. Regrettably, elements of the Police and Rangers reportedly providing cover to the MQM terrorists who were firing to kill and injure PPP and ANP supporters. Those supporters were besieged when four buses and trucks on Karachi's main road Shahrah e Faisal was blocked. Prepositioned terrorists on bridges and elsewhere began firing on them.

The Judiciary needs to identify the terrorist elements and those members of law enforcement who are suspected of colluding with them through a suo moto inquiry. Further to check the veracity of the allegation that this cover was being provided to the terrorists on the directives of an un-elected Advisor of the Chief Minister Sindh.

This was not the first time that a rally was disrupted. Earlier in 2005 when Senator Zardari returned to Pakistan, thousands of people were arrested, baton charged, tear gassed and railways, buses, cars etc stopped or impounded.

No one took notice then. The neglect to take notice then simply emboldened the supporters of state terrorism. Consequently much worse happened on May 12, 2007 when the dogs of death were let loose to shed the blood of innocents in Karachi. That blood now calls out to our collective conscience to demonstrate the will to stop the bedlam or risk terrorists slowly taking over different parts of our country.

It appears that instead of the writ of government providing safety and security to the citizens, different parts of the country have been parcelled out to different mafias, terrorists, thugs and hoodlums by the present regime. The tribal areas have been more or less conceded to the pro Taliban forces while the regime signs a peace treaty with them. In return they take the law into their own hands murdering those who think differently to them while law enforcement is a silent spectator.

In Tank, Bannu and Malakand different groups of terrorists have been conceded territory and intimidate the population taking the law into their own hands. The Police stand by.

Parts of the capital Islamabad has been conceded to the extremists led by the Imam of Lal Masjid. Here, hiding under the name of religion, they grab land, kidnap citizens, including policemen with impunity, patrol the streets intimidating women and threaten barbers, beauticians and those belonging to the entertainment industry while the police once again stand as bystanders.

The Pakistan Peoples Party believes the country has a right to know why the Karachi Police were largely disarmed on May 12, 2007 and on whose orders. Those brutally killed now number forty two. The Judiciary should take suo moto notice to save itself, to save innocents and to save the country. Unless the Higher Judiciary intervenes much worse will happen the next time round. Terrorists are encouraged when the state fails to act against them.

The shocking part of the episode is that even Honourable members of the Higher Judiciary were not spared. It is astonishing to hear that the Corp Commander failed to respond to a court summons on security grounds.

Given the number of men the Corp Commander has under him it is difficult to accept that the army could not have taken him securely to the High Court where the judiciary was trying to come to the assistance of the dead and the dying. The situation was reminiscent of in Dacca before the army operation of 1970 where the Mukhti Bahini took control of the streets and terrorized citizens.

Senior members of the Bar who have served justice for decades were forced to flee and take shelter. Fire was set to a part of the Bar itself. Undoubtedly the constitutional machinery of government irretrievably broke down as outlined under the Constitution.

Democratic governments were overthrow in the past on fallacious grounds of an irretrievable breakdown of the constitutional machinery. However, the grounds now are real for the machinery of government collapsed on May 12, 2007. The Inspector General Police is reported to have told the Judiciary that he was "helpless" to stop the bloodshed and mayhem, which apparently had political cover and collusion.

This raises the very serious spectre of whether the country can afford a government that colludes in murder attempts and refuses to file criminal cases by those who are murdered or victims of murder attempts. Unfortunately this is what is happening with the entire government protecting criminal elements not just on the massive scale of May 12, 2007 but in several incidents even earlier. This proves that unless someone acts there is no one to stop the growing anarchy over which the present regime presides. The only institution that offers some hope while others around collapse is the judiciary. It is therefore the hope of the Nation that the judiciary will act to intervene and save the Nation from terrorism and dictatorship.

Therefore the Pakistan Peoples Party asks the Judiciary to come to the aid of the citizens in accordance with the Constitution and take suo moto notice of the events of May 12, 2007. The least that can be done to restore public confidence following the irretrievable breakdown of the constitutional machinery is to hold a suo moto inquiry into those who colluded or conspired in the murder and arson that stained the streets of Karachi scarlet on one of the blackest days of Pakistan's history.

http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?179464

 

[Interceptor]

For Bibi's fans...latest article.

That was good one NEO.

 

[Lahori paa jee]

UK paper blames MQM for May 12 carnage


Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain is facing the danger of being tried in the UK courts over terrorism charges after the British media declared on Saturday that the MQM is run like the mafia from an office block in London amid accusations that the party had planned (the May 12) carnage which left 42 dead.

This was declared in the findings of an investigative report of The Guardian. The MQM chief refused to meet its reporter when he tried to get his version on all these charges. His refusal strengthened the British media's view that the MQM is run like the mafia and whatever was being said about the party in Pakistan carried a lot of weight.

On the eve of arrival of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan in London to file cases against the MQM chief, the UK media also splashed his demand that Altaf should face anti-terror charges.

The Daily Telegraph was the first paper to run a four-column front page story against Altaf, headlined, Running Karachi from London. The Guardian had assigned two of its reporters to investigate charges against the MQM and its chief Altaf Hussain. One of them went to Karachi and the other visited the MQM's London office to meet Altaf in his party office. The first reporter visited Altaf's residence in Karachi and found only one telephone operator running the house. The second reporter was shown only certain rooms of the MQM office in London and told that Altaf Bhai was not available to meet him.

According to The Guardian, outside may be Karachi but inside the discreetly guarded room all minds are focused on London. The clock is set to British summer time and a pair of telephones connect to an office 5,000 miles away, from where a controversial leader runs his political empire.

Altaf Hussain leads the Muttahida Qaumi Movement -- a powerful, popular and, critics say, thuggish political force that has a vice-like grip on Karachi. At "Nine Zero", the party headquarters in Karachi, his presence looms large. A giant poster hangs over the entrance and reverential acolytes speak of "Altaf Bhai". But the great leader is missing.

The Guardian writes that for the past 16 years, Altaf has lived in self-imposed exile in the UK, first as an asylum seeker and now as a British citizen. Based in an office block on Edgware High Street in north London he rules by phone, directing his closest lieutenants in long, late-night conversations. But in Pakistan that arrangement has become a matter of controversy -- one about to land at the British government's door.

The Guardian said cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan arrived in London to try to have Altaf prosecuted under British anti-terror laws. Three weeks ago gunmen opened fire on a rally in support of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, triggering a day of bloodshed that left 42 people dead. Imran -- as well as lawyers, human rights activists and opposition parties -- accuse Altaf of orchestrating the carnage from his sofa in London.

"The whole thing was planned. No British citizen is allowed to sit in London and direct terrorist operations abroad. So why should Altaf Hussain?" said Imran Khan who described the MQM as a fascist movement run by criminals. "If Pakistan has to arrest al-Qaeda operatives, then Britain has an obligation to pick up Altaf," added Imran, who plans to bring a petition to Downing Street. "There's a war on terror going on but here we have Pakistan's No 1 terrorist being given sanctuary by the British government," he said.

The MQM denies the charges, and insists it was the victim and not the perpetrator of May 12. The party says 13 of its own activists were among the dead, and last week it produced a video from May 12 showing apparent supporters of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) firing their guns in the air. "This is a conspiracy against us. Our decision to hold a rally on May 12 may be open to criticism, but we were not involved in armed attacks," said Dr Farooq Sattar, deputy convener of the MQM's Rabita Committee.

But Altaf has little to say. At the MQM's International Secretariat on Edgware High Street -- a red brick office block opposite a supermarket -- a party official said the leader was not available for comment. But he was happy to show the Guardian around the offices, which he confirmed was Altaf's London headquarters, and he vowed to repel any court action by Imran.

The fight is getting personal. Back in Karachi, graffiti slurs against Imran appeared on walls and the MQM-dominated local government has banned him from the city for one month. The report said the MQM was founded in 1984 by Altaf, a former Chicago cab driver, and won broad support among the Mohajirs. The party prided itself on its well-oiled machine and its secular, liberal outlook. But since May 12 the party's aspirations of becoming a national force lie in shreds, and there are worrying echoes of past tactics.

On Tuesday, three Karachi journalists with foreign news agencies found unmarked envelopes containing a single bullet on their car windscreens. Two of them had earlier been denounced as anti-Mohajir by the MQM-linked Muhajir Rabita Council.

The Guardian asks, "Will Mr Hussain ever come home?" At Nine Zero, where beefy young men with baseball caps stand guard, there is little sign. "We do not want him to come back to Karachi; it is too dangerous here," said parliamentarian Faisal Subzwari. But there is always hope. A few doors down Altaf's deserted terraced house is waiting, protected by blast proof metal shutters. For now, though, it has just one occupant -- a 24-hour telephone operator.

http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8280

MQM and Altaf Hussain are under severe criticism and this is evident by an end in MQM's rhetoric against Imran Khan.

Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, lead counsel for the chief justice, told a press conference after being asked to leave Karachi, that in future we may need a visa to enter Karachi. He was not far off the point. A day earlier, MQM MNA Nawab Mirza had told a TV channel that Pakistan is everybody's but Karachi is ours. He claimed that Karachi is the biggest vote-bank of the party and that it would not allow anybody to disturb its number one position in Karachi. A prominent MQM leader has said that the chief justice and his lawyers are welcome to Karachi but the lawyers' rally should be without politicians. We can say that the chief justice and his lawyers have been granted conditional 'visa' to visit Karachi.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/editorial_detail.asp?id=56531