10 people dead in bomb blast at Karachi election office

At least 10 people, including four children, were killed and 24 wounded when a car bomb exploded outside an election office in Pakistan's commercial hub of Karachi.

The bomb blast occurred on Friday, near the office of the Awami National Party's (ANP) candidate in the neighbourhood of Mominabad, police said, Al Jazeera reported. 

                                            Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan claimed responsibility for the attack, phoning the AP news agency, AP reported.
The attack was the latest violence to occur in the approach to the historic elections on May 11. It is the second to hit Karachi in less than 24 hours, BBC reported.
Five people were killed Thursday in a bombing outside the office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, police said.
In this latest attack, the target was reportedly Bashir Jan, a local ANP candidate, who was set to address a meeting in the area, which is home to many ethnic Pashtuns, police said.
Differing accounts of where the bomb was planted surfaced however.
"It was an improvised explosive device planted in a Suzuki car," police spokesman Imran Shaukat said, Al Jazeera reported.
But police officer Zafar Bukhari told AP the bomb was planted on a motorbike.

                                                          
                                                           MSP

                                                       
                                                           

Nine dead in Karachi bomb attack on ANP

KARACHI: At least nine people were killed and more than 40 injured — including six children — in an explosion near an Awami National Party (ANP) office in the Mominabad area of Orangi Town on Friday

According to the bomb disposal squad explosives were planted in a rickshaw. The explosives were attached to a remote-controlled device.

The explosion, targeting a corner meeting of the party, was heard in several areas of the city including North Nazimabad, Gurumandir and Soldier Bazaar.

                                                                                                                           DIG West Zafar Bukhari said that the blast targeted ANP candidate Bashir Jan, but he remained safe in the incident.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for bomb attacks on two ANP candidates in Karachi, which killed and injured dozens of people. TTP spokesman, Ehsanullah Ehsan, claimed responsibility in a telephonic call late Friday.
The caretaker chief minister of Sindh condemned the attack and ordered the IG Sindh to submit a report of the incident.
It was an improvised explosive device planted in a Suzuki car, police spokesman Imran Shaukat said.
ANP has announced a peaceful day of mourning tomorrow.
Friday’s blast was the second in the country’s commercial hub of Karachi in less than 24 hours. Five people were killed on Thursday when a bomb exploded outside the office of secular Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party, police said.
The ANP and MQM were coalition partners in the outgoing Pakistan People’s Party-led government and have been threatened by the Taliban.
All three parties are perceived as secular.
ANP, one of the largest political forces in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, is being targeted with increased frequency. The party has come under attack in K-P at least seven times over the past few weeks.
Deadly attacks targeting politicians or political parties have killed 34 people since April 11, according to an AFP tally.
May 11 national polls should see power pass from a civilian government that has served a full term to another through the ballot box for the first time in the country’s turbulent history.



                                                              
                                                               MSP

BLAST NEAR MQM OFFICE IN KARACHI KILLS 5, INJURES 12

Karachi: At least five people including three brothers have been killed and 14 others injured after an explosive material went off near the election office of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in North Nazimabad area of Karachi, a metropolitan of Pakistan

Three brothers among 4 dead in the blast incident, said hospital’s administration.

                                           According to reports, the blast occurred near MQM’s election office. The blast shattered the windows of buildings and cars surrounding the site of incident.

Our correspondent said that, Bomb disposal squad told him that at least 5-6 kilograms of explosives planted in a motor bike were detonated using remote control.
According to The News Tribe correspondent, DIG Zafar Abbas Bukhari told media that the blast occurred near the MQM unit 175 in Nusrat Bhutto Colony area of the North Nazimabad killing five people and injuring 14 others.
“Government number plate car –GL 0053– was used in the attack,” sources said adding that several cars and buildings were damaged in the attack.
The bodies and injured have been shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital of the city, MLO Dr. Sarwar told the correspondent.
Police and Rangers have cordoned off the area and started evacuating people over danger of second explosion, as it had happened in the past that successive blasts occur at same point causing more casualties in the second explosion.
Meanwhile, MQM Information wing has said that the blast occurred outside the closed party election office. The office was closed after a blast at Peoples Chowrangi area of the city.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain and President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the incident.


                                                        

                                                          MSP

blasts In Quetta:Four killed, 30 hurt as 4 blasts rock Quetta

[24-April-2013]
QUETTA: The city of Quetta on Tuesday was rocked by four back-to-back explosions, spreading panic and fear among residents.

A suicide bomber in a car killed at least four people, when he blew himself up near a Fronteir Corps (FC) checkpost near the Shia-dominated area of Alamdar Road. The blast killed at least two Frontier Corps (FC) personnel, and injured 40 others, including four children.

                                 Initial reports suggested that the bomber wanted to target the Shia residents in the area, but failing to reach Alamdar Road, he detonated the explosives near an FC check post in the vicinity.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Quetta Mir Zubair, while addressing the media, confirmed that four people, including the two FC personnel, were killed and 40 others had sustained injures from the blast.
The Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) reported that around 90 to 100 kgs of explosive materials were used in the blast. “It was a massive blast,” a BDS official said.
Eye witness Mohamamd Idress told The Express Tribune that the suicide bomber was trying to enter Alamdar road from Pir Mohamamd road, where the FC check post was located. “The suicide bomber’s car was stopped by the FC personnel for checking where he blew himself up,” he said.
Rescue teams and police rushed to the scene after the blast, and the deceased and injured were shifted to Civil Hospital.
The city witnessed three consecutive bomb blasts in different areas of the city prior to the suicide blast, which caused fear among the residents and led to businesses shutting down.
The first incident occurred in Killi Shabo, in the area of Jinnah Town, when unknown assailants planted a bomb that exploded with a loud bang. However, no casualties were reported.


The second blast occurred in the area of Gawalmandi Chowk, where unidentified men hurled a hand grenade that injured at least five people.
The third incident occurred in Gurdat Singh road, which left two people injured. According to the police, the bomb was planted by the roadside.
All of the injured were immediately shifted to Civil Hospital.
Governor Balochistan Zulfiqar Ali Magsi and caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ghous Bakhsh Barozai condemned the blasts and expressed their grief and sorrow over the loss of innocent lives.
Barozai took notice of the blasts and directed the administration to adopt stringent measures for making security more effective. He also asked for the report of the blasts and directed the concerned authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured.
The caretaker chief minister further directed authorities to provide foolproof security to all political processions.


In another incident, unknown suspects hurled a hand grenade at the house of National Party candidate from PB-48 Haji Muhammad Islam, but no casualty was reported.
Police said four people were killed and 30 others injured in 4 blast in different areas of the city.

Policemen deployed at the Chowk were the target of the militants. However, civilians were injured during the blast.

According to initial investigation, the bomb was planted on a cycle. The injured have been rushed to civil hospital Quetta for medical treatment.

The second blast rocked Killi Shabo area of Quetta after a bomb planted in a Nullah exploded. There were no fatalities reported.

One person was injured in another blast in Gurdat Singh road area of Quetta after a road side bomb exploded.

Police said that the target of the third blast was not immediately known.

Meanwhile, Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Baroozai took serious notice of the coordinated blasts and ordered security to be further strengthened in and around Quetta.

According to Dunya News reporter fourth blast, the most powerful of the four blasts, took place at Nichari Road in which three persons were killed.
Police intercepted a vehicle laden with explosives when a bomber blew himself up.    

Electricity supply was disrupted and firing started in different areas.


                                                          
                                                             MSP

KARACHI BLAST: MQM TO OBSERVE WEDNESDAY AS DAY OF MOURNING

[24-April-2013]

Blast in Karachi kills 3, injures 12

KARACHI: At least three persons were reported killed and twelve others injured in apowerful blast at a bus stop near People’s Chowrangi in North Nazimabad Karachi here on Tuesday
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Tuesday announced to observe a day of mourning all across the province of Sindh following what it said killings and injuries of its workers as a result of today’s blast at its camp office here

The bomb was planted in a motorbike
Police and rescue services reached the site of  incident soon after the blast and shifted the injured people to Abbasi Shaheed hospital.


MQM shuts election offices

Soon after the blast on Tuesday, MQM chief Altaf Hussain directed that all of his party’s elections cells to be closed temporarily.
The MQM leader further called on major political parties to condemn this crime.

Two persons lost their lives while 18 others sustained wounds after a powerful blast ripped through an election camp of MQM near People’s Chowrangi in North Nazimabad area Tuesday night.

The injured were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where a few of the injured are said to be in a critical condition.

The powerful blast shattered the window panes of the buildings surrounding the site of the tragic incident in Karachi - the provincial capital and commercial hub of Pakistan.

MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, whose, party faces direct threats from the Pakistani Taliban, said that as to how voters could come out of their houses to cast their ballots in a situation like this.

                                                            
                                                             MSP

DAGESTANI JIHADIST GROUP ISSUES STATEMENT ON BOSTON BOMBINGS – BY THOMAS JOSCELYN

Vilayat Dagestan, a jihadist group that is part of the Caucasus Emirate, an al Qaeda-linked group operating in the North Caucasus, has issued a statement on the Boston Marathon bombings.

The group released the statement on its main website earlier today, citing “speculation” in the press that one of the bombers “could be affiliated with the mujahideen of the Caucasus Emirate, in particular, the mujahideen of Dagestan.” The statement has been translated by the SITE Intelligence Group.

The organization’s statement references Tamerlan Tsarnaev, one of two brothers responsible for the bombings, who reportedly traveled to Dagestan and Chechnya last year.

Vilayat Dagestan does not deny any connection to Tsarnaev, nor does it say that he was known to them prior to the bombings. Instead, the group says that it is “at war with Russia” and “not fighting against the United States of America.”

Moreover, Vilayat Dagestan says that if the US government is “really interested in discovering the true organizers of the explosions in Boston, without being complicit in a Russian show, they should focus on the involvement of the Russian special services in the event.”

US intelligence officials contacted by The Long War Journal say that a number of jihadist groups based in the Caucasus and Chechnya are being investigated. However, the investigation is still in its earliest stages and it is not yet known whether any of them played a role, directly or indirectly, in the Boston bombings.

It is far too early to draw any firm conclusions one way or the other, these officials say.

According to NBC 4 New York, Tamerlan Tsarnaev left New York for Russia on Jan. 12, 2012 and returned on July 17.

Subsequent reports indicate that Tsarnaev traveled to Dagestan and Chechnya during those months and it is this trip that has drawn suspicion.

In August 2012, one month after returning to the United States, Tsarnaev posted a page on YouTube. Videos disseminated by Vilayat Dagestan were among the jihadist propaganda and messages posted by Tsarnaev.

By itself, of course, this does not mean that Tsarnaev became associated with the group during his 2012 trip to Dagestan. US intelligence and counterterrorism officials are currently attempting to build a dossier of Tsarnaev’s overseas connections, including any possible ties to Vilayat Dagestan, according to authorities contacted by The Long War Journal.

Warning from Russian government

Vilayat Dagestan’s attempt to blame the “Russian special services” for the Boston bombings is inconsistent with the available evidence on Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s sympathies and ideology.

In early 2011, the Russian government warned the FBI about Tsarnaev’s suspected ties to Chechen terrorists. The FBI issued a statement concerning this warning late last week.

The FBI said it was informed by a “foreign government” that Tsarnaev “was a follower of radical Islam and a strong believer, and that he had changed drastically since 2010 as he prepared to leave the United States for travel to the country’s region to join unspecified underground groups.” This government requested additional information from the FBI on Tsarnaev.

The FBI added that its review of the available evidence at the time “did not find any terrorism activity, domestic or foreign, and those results were provided to the foreign government in the summer of 2011.” The statement concludes: “The FBI requested but did not receive more specific or additional information from the foreign government.”

The Washington Post and other press outlets have reported that the warning “came from the Russian government,” which was “concerned about Tsarnaev’s potential ties to Chechen terrorists.”

It is not known if the Russian government had any specific information tying Tsarnaev to terrorists.

The evidence that has come to light since the Boston bombings shows that Tsarnaev was at least sympathetic to the jihadists’ anti-Russian cause. It is not known if there was more to the sympathies.

In its statement on the Boston bombings, Vilayat Dagestan says that “by the order Doku Umarov, the Emir of the Caucasus, it is prohibited to carry out strikes on civilian targets.” But terrorists acting under Umarov’s orders have struck civilian targets repeatedly in the past.

The United Nations reports, for instance, that Umarov was one of the “main organizers” of the deadly Beslan school siege in early September 2004 and the attacks on Moscow metro stations in March 2010.

At this point, the inquiry into Tamerlan Tsarnaev’s background and activities is wide open. The possibility that he made contact with any one of several groups remains under investigation. It is also possible that he had no substantive ties to these jihadist organizations.

http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2013/04/dagestani_jihadist_g.php#ixzz2REoi0AfL 

THANK YOU, CM NAJAM SETHI: PML-N-LED MOB TARGETS CHRISTIAN LOCALITY IN GUJRANWALA

Sunni Muslim mob targets Christian locality in Gujranwala ‘for disrespecting Islam’

[03-April-2013]

LAHORE - In a renewed attack on minorities, a violent Sunni Muslim mob, mostly comprising Deobandi militants of Sipah-e-Sahaba (ASWJ), attacked a Christian locality in Gujranwala on Wednesday (3 April 2013), damaging shops, houses and vehicles belonging to the local Christians following a clash between the youths of the two communities last night, Pakistan Today has learnt.

According to initial information, a group of Christian boys was snubbed by a local cleric for playing music on their cell phones while passing by a mosque on Tuesday evening.

“Our boys were passing the mosque when the prayer leader objected to their playing music on cell phones. The boys turned off the music at that moment but switched it on again after covering some distance. The Sunni cleric raised a clamour and accused the boys of showing disrespect to Islam. As word spread of the incident, we immediately went to the police post in our colony and shared our security concerns with them. The police told us not to worry and assured us that they would contain the situation but no measures were taken,” Pervaiz, a resident of Francis Colony in Gujranwala, told Pakistan Today.
He said that around 2pm, a Sunni Deobandi Muslim mob from the nearby Naroki village attacked the neighbourhood, ransacking shops, houses and around 5-7 vehicles parked on the road. “We saw a police mobile of the area’s checkpost parked in the vicinity but they did not intervene and let the mob damage our property,” he said, adding that the mob dispersed after local Christians took out their weapons and started firing in the air to deter them.
Pakistan Today made repeated attempts to contact the police officials concerned, including Regional Police Officer Amin Waince but they did not receive the calls.
After playing the role of a silent spectator, the police took action and resorted to aerial firing and hurling stones indiscriminately  at the mob to disperse it. The mob also pelted stones back at the police.
The incident is a question mark on the administration and sincerity of Caretaker Chief Minister Najam Sethi who is known for promoting Sipah-e-Sahaba (ASWJ) Deobandi Takfiri leader Ahmed Ludhianvi through his talk-show and magazine.
Hope now Najam Sethi understands that governance is difficult than writing a few paragraphs and targeting politicians in Aaps ki Baat and The Friday Times.
We are waiting for Mr. Sethi to take a note of this and take a strict action against culprits. The Question is: Will he take action against his personal friend ISI-sponsored Ahmed Ludhianvi Deobandi of ASWJ and his mob of Deobandi fanatics who also happen to be in political alliance with Nawaz Sharif-led PMLN?


                                               
                                                    MSP

PAKISTAN: KILLING OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER MS PERVEEN REHMAN

[13-March-2013] 

Human rights defender Ms Perveen Rehman was shot and killed by armed motorcyclists, close to her offices. Perveen Rehman was a social and economic rights defender, working with communities in the slums of Karachi.

Perveen Rehman was director of the Orangi Pilot Project, one of Pakistan's most successful non-for-profit social programmes, which helps local communities escape from poverty. Perveen Rehman had recently been documenting the situation in villages close to Karachi, which are affected by land grabbers and religious extremists.

On 13 March 2013, as Perveen Rehman arrived at her offices in a car, armed men travelling on two motorcycles approached her and opened fire, shooting her twice on the face and once on the neck. The human rights defender was rushed to the local Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where she subsequently died of her wounds.
Perveen Rehman had previously reported being subjected to death threats. On one occasion, an armed man reportedly stormed her offices and ordered staff to leave.
On 14 March 2013, student and several civil society organisations, including Shirkatgah, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Awami Workers Party and Home-Based Women Workers Federation, held a protest against the killing of the human rights defender.
Front Line Defenders condemns the killing of Perveen Rehman, and believes it to be motivated by her peaceful and legitimate human rights work, in particular her work to defend the rights of marginalised communities in the village and slums of Karachi



On 13 March 2013, human rights defender Ms Perveen Rehman was shot and killed by armed motorcyclists, close to her offices.
Perveen Rehman was a social and economic rights defender, working with communities in the slums of Karachi. She was director of the Orangi Pilot Project, one of Pakistan's most successful non-for-profit social programmes, which helps local communities escape from poverty.
Perveen Rehman had recently been documenting the situation in villages close to Karachi, which are affected by land grabbers and religious extremists.
On 13 March 2013, as Perveen Rehman arrived at her offices in a car, armed men travelling on two motorcycles approached her and opened fire, shooting her twice on the face and once on the neck. The human rights defender was rushed to the local Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where she subsequently died of her wounds.
Perveen Rehman had previously reported being subjected to death threats. On one occasion, an armed man reportedly stormed her offices and ordered staff to leave.
On 14 March 2013, student and several civil society organisations, including Shirkatgah, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Awami Workers Party and Home-Based Women Workers Federation, held a protest against the killing of the human rights defender.
I condemn the killing of Perveen Rehman, and believe it to be motivated by her peaceful and legitimate human rights work, in particular her work to defend the rights of marginalised communities in the village and slums of Karachi.
I urge the authorities in Pakistan to:
1. Initiate an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of Perveen Rehman, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Pakistan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including physical violence and death threats.

                                                   
                                                    MSP

KARACHI: SYED SIBT-E-JAFFAR ZAIDI GUNNED DOWN BY TERRORISTS

[18-March-2013]
KARACHI: Unidentified armed men shot dead college principal within the vicnity of Liaquatabad police station

Sources said college principal Sibt-e-Jaffar was on his way from the college to his home on motor cycle, when unidentified armed men intercepted him in Liaquatabad area and opened fire, killing him on the spot.

Meanwhile, The Shie Ulema council has announced three days of mournig and demanded that the killers be arrested immediately.

Sindh Professors and Lecturers Association (SAPLA) has also announced to shut colleges on Tuesday against the killing of Sibt-e-Jaffar.

Later talking to Daily Times, SPLA Karachi head Prof. Dr Iftikhar Azmi said, “Some elements are debating that it was murder of a Shia Muslim, not of a teacher. Prof. Jafar taught students without discrimination of Shia or Sunni and even of religion. He was a great teacher and intellectual, who has been killed so that academic future of thousands of students could be ruined. He was associated with Liaquatabad college for almost 32 years.” He further said that peace could be maintained in the society even without eliminating such mindset in the society.

Well regarded intellectual, poet, author and educationist Sibt-e-Jafar was laid to rest here, as large number of noted educationists and civil society members attended his funeral prayers.

Professor Sibt-e-Jaffar, the Principle of D.J. College, was targeted when he left the boundaries of the college on his motorcycle. The terrorists, who are believed to be sitting in wait, opened fire on him. He was rushed to be Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where the doctors claimed he has already embraced martyrdom.
His death comes as a great shock and loss to an already suffering nation.

Sir Meer Anees, we failed to protect your spiritual heir. There seems to be no place in this country for education and literature, as power, here, conquers all.

Watching Sibt-e-Jaffar, an old, weak man, travel on his motorcycle around the city, one could never guess what a threat he posed to the enemy. He is one of those people who will be remembered not because of the memories he gave us, but for the work he did.

The martyr worked tirelessly for Shiites as well, for which we can never repay him.

                                         

                MSP

SUICIDE BLAST OUTSIDE HANGU MOSQUE CLAIMS 27 LIVES

[01-February-2013]
PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up outside two neighbouring mosques in the town of Hangu in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing at least 27 people and wounding over 40 others,

* 50 others wounded as suicide bomber detonates explosives packed into a motorcycle in a narrow lane containing both Shia and Sunni mosques

According to police, the bomber detonated his explosives as worshippers poured out after Friday (Jummah) prayers in the crowded Pat Market  area.

At Least 22 shiite Muslims Have Been Martyred and Several Others injured in a suicideBlast Of Terrorists Outside a shia Mosque in Pat  market of District Hangu


According to the shiite News Correspondent,the Blast took place near a shia Mosque
Faiz Ullah In Pat market District Hangu when Worshippers Were Leaving the Mosque Following Friday Prayers.
Security Forces Reached the Blast Site And Cordoned Off the area While rescue team Are shifting
the injured to the hospital.
District police officer (DPO) Dr Muhammad Saeed Confirmed That 19 People Had Been martyred
in the Blast And At Least 35 Others injured.
"There is Some evidence That The Blast might Be a suicide Attack But They (Authorities) are still
Probing to determine the exact nature of the explosion,"Saeed Told Media Persons.

                                        
                                          MSP

Karachi Blast Twleve dead, dozens hurt in Abbas Town twin blasts

[03- March-2013]

KARACHI: At least 60 people including women and children were killed and over 140 others sustained injuries after a powerful blast ripped through a densely populated area near Abbas Town, Health Department of Sindh said Sunday.

The injured and deceased included women and children.
A car containing explosives was detonated at the entrance of Iqra City and demolished two apartment buildings and nearby shops. Bomb Disposal Squad officials determined that a 150kg device was used.




Many victims were trapped under the rubble as teams worked to rescue them.
Panicked residents had resorted to aerial firing, which made security officials reluctant to approach the site.
A suspect was handed over to Rangers by residents of Abbas Town. He was reported to be from Peshawar and told the police that he had two accomplices on back-up.
Police IG Fayyaz Leghari said a suicide bomber may have been behind the attack.
Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah announced Rs1.5million in compensation to the families of the victims.
Local transport and traders’ associations said they would not be operating on Monday.
“There will be no public transport on the roads today,” said Karachi Transporters Ittehad chief Irshad Bokhari.
All-Karachi Tajir Ittehad (AKTI) President Atiq Mir also said shopping centres and malls as well as other business activity would remain suspended.
Most petrol pumps and filling stations were shut across the city.
Although the Karachi Stock Exchange was open for operations today, there were fewer dealers and trading volumes were low, AFP quoted a local stock broker as saying.
The Sindh Assembly session scheduled for March 4 (today) was also postponed for two days in the wake of the blast.
Last year was the deadliest on record for Shias in Pakistan with more than 400 killed, according to Human Rights Watch.
Similarly a shutdown was also observed to mourn the Karachi incident, in Hyderabad city which left most social and business activities suspended on Monday.
All main trade centres and Markets in the city remained closed while public transport was very thin. The attendance in the government and private offices was recorded low due to panic and fear.
Several main roads wore deserted look as traffic remained off the streets. Heavy contingents of police carried out patrolling across the city to avoid any untoward incident.
The government and private schools also remained closed as Sindh government and private school managements had already announced the closure over tragic bomb blast killings.
Angry mobs set tyres on fire in some areas of the city in protest against the blast incident.
The bomb exploded in Karachi on Sunday as worshippers were returning from prayers in the Shia-dominated neighbourhood of Abbas Town, ripping through two apartment blocks and trapping people beneath piles of rubble.
Those who survived but whose homes were damaged or destroyed are being housed temporarily in schools, officials said.


Karachi police claim to have arrested six Pakistani Taliban militants involved in the Abbas Town blasts which killed more than 50 people earlier in the month, 


Police, along with Rangers forces, are carrying out targeted operations against law breakers and militants in the aftermath of renewed wave of violence in Karachi, the country’s financial hub which is plagued by political and sectarian violence and targeted killings.

64 killed, over 180 injured in blast on Kirani Road in Quetta

[16-February-2013]
QUETTA: A massive bomb targeting the shia Hazara tore through a busy Quetta market, killing as many as 63 people on Saturday including women and children and wounding 180 others, police and officials said.

The bomb, planted in a tanker on a tractor trolley ripped, through a packed bazaar in Hazara town, on Kirani road located on the outskirts of Quetta at around 6:00 pm.

“At least 63 people have been killed and 180 injured. Most of them were from the shia community,” Quetta city police chief Zubair Mehmood told reporters.


The police chief said the tanker full of explosives was placed near a pillar of a two-story building, which collapsed due to the force of the blast. Sources say between 800 and a 1000 kilogramme of explosives were used.
“We fear that several people have been trapped inside. Rescue work is ongoing but I see very little chance of their survival,” Mehmood said.
Senior police official Wazir Khan Nasir said the bombing “was a sectarian attack, the shia community was the target”.
A spokesperson for the banned Sunni Muslim extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Provincial home secretary Akbar Hussain Durrani said the dead and injured included women and children, and confirmed reports of people trapped under rubble at the site of the collapsed building.
“We fear more casualties. We have announced an emergency in hospitals,” he told AFP. Most of the injured were rushed to the Civil-Military Hospital (CMH). Some were rushed to the Bolan Medical Complex (BMC.)


Officials and witnesses said an angry mob initially surrounded the area following the bombing and were not allowing police, rescue workers and reporters to reach the site.
“They were angry and started a protest, some of them pelted police with stones,” Durrani said, adding that authorities and medical personnel were eventually able to gain access.
Sayed Qamar Haider Zaidi, a spokesperson for shia groups in the area, condemned the Pakistani government for not providing protection to the community, and announced three days of mourning and protest over the attack.
Majlis Wahatul Muslemeen has announced to observed strike tomorrow as a protest against the Quetta’s blast.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari telephoned Balochistan Governor and directed him to utilise all resources for the protection of Hazara community.
The Balochistan governor, under whose charge the province had been placed last month, announced Rs1 million as compensation to heirs of each of the victims. He said that those who were critically wounded would be shifted to Karachi for better treatment.

LAHORE: CHRISTIAN HOMES, BURNT, PLUNDERED OVER BLASPHEMY ROW

[09-March-2013]
LAHORE: Thousands of angry protesters on Saturday set ablaze more than 178 houses/shops belonging to Christians over a blasphemy row in Lahore, the capital of Pakistan’s most populous province, Punjab, officials said.

Over 3,000 protesters turned violent over derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed (PBUH)
allegedly made by Sawan Masih, a 28-year-old Christian, three days earlier, police official Multan Khan said.

The exact number of houses in Joseph Colony, a Christian neighbourhood in Badami Bagh area,
is not immediately known but police and rescue officials said they belonged to lower-to-middle-class families from the minority community.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have ordered an immediate inquiry into the attacks.

Police arrested Masih, a sanitary worker, who also ran a one-table snooker club, was arrested on Friday night while the incident actually happened on Wednesday evening," the police told an international news wire.

He said that the arrest was made when Masih's barber friend Shahid Imran complained that he had made blasphemous remarks about Prophet Mohammed, adding that Christians had fled the area on Friday evening, fearing a backlash.

Protesters began to assemble in the area on Saturday morning and later set on fire houses and other items including furniture, crockery, auto rickshaws, bicycles and motorbikes belonging to local Christians.

"Thick clouds of smoke engulfed the small houses, mostly consisting of one or two rooms, and many of them looked like parts of charred walls," said an eyewitness.

Police said protesters burnt 25 houses but Dr Ahmad Raza, in-charge of local rescue operations, and the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) put the number at more than 100.

"At least 160 houses, 18 shops and two small churches were burnt by protesters," Raza, who was busy in rescue operations in the area, told the foreign news agency.

Police baton-charged the protesters to disperse them from the neighbourhood. There was no loss of life reported during the violence but 20 policemen were slightly injured during clashes, officials said.

Footages of violence from the scene showed many masked members of the mob damaging or burning down the households.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf have both ordered an investigation into the violence.

"President Zardari called for a report into this unfortunate incident and said such acts of vandalism against minorities tarnish the image of the country," his spokesman Farhatullah Babar said in a statement.

Prime Minister Ashraf also ordered an "expeditious inquiry and measures to stop recurrence of such incidents in future", his office said in a statement.

Chief Minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, said in Lahore that the government would not spare those involved in the attack.

“No one, who even has a slightest hand in the rampage that left hundreds of Christian homes inhabitable and valuables worth millions of rupees burnt to ashes, will be spared”, said a grave looking Shahbaz Sharif addressing media here.

Later, Punjab law minister, Rana Sanaullah, also visited the ravaged Joseph Colony amid anti-Punjab government protests.

“I assure you all the hooligans who vandalized, arsonized, and pillaged your houses and businesses will be taken to the task tonight”, said he talking to the victims who lost their homes as well as lifesavings.

Christian community across Pakistan took to protest over the tragic incident which left so many homeless as well as deprived of their lifesaving.

Reports from Karachi said Christians staged protest in the Esa Nagri area condemning the devastation their community members were subjected to in Lahore. Police resorted to aerial firing and baton-charge to break the protest demonstrations.

Christians also came out of their houses in Multan and Sargodha to show solidarity with their community members condemning the incident as well as demanding security for themselves.

Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97 percent of the population is Muslim, and allegations of insulting a religious figure prompt violent outbursts of public anger, even when unproven.

Azad Marshal appeals Christian community to remain peaceful

Lahore: The President National Council of Churches of Pakistan, Dr. Azad Marshal, has appealed to Christian community to demonstrate tolerance and remain peaceful over the tragic incident of Badami Bagh. He said that Christian community is a peace loving and it has always played a vital role in the progress and development of Pakistan. He said that today special prayers were offered in the churches for the security of the country. He said that Christian community loves Pakistan.

In his statement, Dr. Azad Marshal appealed Christian community to remain peaceful and not to damage the public properties. He assured that his community will extend all out cooperation to the administration in order to bring the mischievous element to their logical end. He said that Punjab government, by taking prompt action, has consoled Christians. He expressed the hope that Punjab government will take the responsible of Badami Bagh incident to task. Bishop Dr. Azad Marshal said that the meeting with Chief Minster was positive and their all demands have been accepted.

SHIA SIT-IN ENDS IN QUETTA ON FOURTH DAY

[12-January-2013]
QUETTA / KARACHI: Hundreds of Shias protesting on Alamdar Road in Quetta announced the end of their four-day long sit-in on Monday after the government announced the imposition of governor’s rule in Balochistan,

An AFP photographer said families had started to take bodies of loved ones killed on Thursday to a local mosque to prepare them for burial.

The protest called by Qaumi Yakjehti Council (QYC) had continued for four days despite cold weather and rain, in which bereaved families sat on the roads alongside bodies of those who were killed in the blast. The protesters had claimed that they will not bury the bodies, which were slowly decomposing, till the government hands over Quetta to the army and imposes a governor rule.

Late Sunday night, the federal government declared a state of emergency in the province and removed the government led by Nawab Aslam Raisani. Governor Nawab Zulfiqar Magsi would be the chief executive of the province now.
After the announcement, the two-day long hunger protest by Hazara Democratic Party outside IG Balochistan’s office was also called off.
The relatives of the dead began with the funeral process after Zuhr prayers on Monday.
Pakistan saw the worst terror attack on Shias on Thursday when twin blasts in Quetta killed over a 100 people and left over 300 injured. After being continuously attacked by militant outfits, the Shia Hazaras went on strike across the country demanding the government to take immediate action.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf visited Quetta on the third day of the sit-in and held talks over the law and order situation. On the same day, President Asif Ali Zardari also announced of holding crucial talks on the issue.


Karachi protest ends
The protest in Karachi was also called off after the Quetta protest ended on Sunday.
More than 1,000 people had gathered near Bilawal House on Saturday in solidarity with the Hazaras and hundreds of them remained there until Monday morning.
“We are leaving now, as our demands have been accepted and our brothers in Quetta have asked us to end our protest,” said participant Shaukat Ali.

What Pakistan’s Election Means to Its People

Diego Ibarra Sanchez for The New York TimesA night rally for the independent candidate Jamshed Dasti in the district of Muzaffargarh.

The New York Times

is interested in hearing from Pakistanis as the general election campaign comes to an end this week, promising the first democratic transfer of power from one civilian government to another in the country’s history.

Whether you are living in Pakistan or abroad, join the discussion here on The Lede by telling us what you think is the most important issue and why. Is it the economy? Extremism? Widespread militant violence? Corruption? The American drone campaign, the role of Pakistan’s powerful military, or something else? What is the importance of democracy and what are your hopes for the country?

Share your views in the comment thread below, in English or Urdu, or join the conversation on Twitter by sending your tweets to @nytimesworld. Be sure to let us know where you live, how old you are and if you intend to vote.

                                                     
                                                     MSP