Interior Minister's aspersions

Comment 1
Interior Minister Rehman Malik in a press conference while commenting on the law and order situation in Karachi, indicted taking the names of Chitral, Gilgit Baltistan and contiguous areas producing terrorists, is hard blow on the image of Chitral and seems to be playing Russian roulette game with the people of Chitral which in turn disturbs all concerning peace and serenity prevails only in Chitral.

A single case of cross-boarder attack few months ago on the militia in Chitral does not suffice to justify naming Chitral in the heinous activity and phenomenon around the world. It shows lack of the political sagacity of the Minister on judging the root causes of the issue. It is also incongruent and illogical while specifically stressing on the deteriorating situation in Karachi, taking the name of Chitral. It is also very difficult to politically connect the Karachi with Chitral with respect to the law and order situation. No party, faction, group, community has remained exempt from allegations in our country on target killing, bombing, suicide attacks, extortion and ransom. The only Chitral and Chitrali people had not yet been alleged, now our Minister used the last option he had, used it, which is devoid of reality.

Law and order situation in Karachi has become a grave challenge for the government. It shows the incapacity of the central and provincial government’s interior ministers to handle the issue stubbornly. The real elements behind the worse status-quo in Karachi is known to all and even the October,2011 detailed verdict of Supreme Court’s suo-moto action, is a clear testimony wherein it was said that reports of intelligence agencies saying that some criminal groups had political backing and that such elements had become part of political parties. The court also said that banned outfits including Sunni Tehreek are involved in extortion, while there are allegations of the same offence against parties such as Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Jamat-e-Islami (JI), Awami National Party (ANP) and MQM. Two days later of this Verdict on October 8, 2011 Interior minister Rehman Malik added that “The government is working on long-term plan to bring permanent peace to the city,” and assured that the Supreme Court decision on target killings in the city would be implemented in letter and spirit.

With the assurance to working on long term plan for bringing the alleged people and groups to book for bringing durable peace in Karachi has become a daydream until now.
On February 2 again Interior Minister said that law and order situation in Karachi is the result of conspiracy.

Who are responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation is known to all. The history of violence and target killing is the mirror to see the root causes of the situation in Karachi. The ethno-linguistic elements, drug mafia and banned outfits fan the fire for political, economic and other purposes. Whether it is the issue of full provincial autonomy or separate province on linguistic lines or the issue of political dominance or the emerging wave of the defense Pakistan movement or the aftermath of political bargaining between the ruling coalition parties and opposition, whatsoever it is the blame on Chitral, Gilgit Baltistan and contiguous areas, falls short of any viable and logical statement of responsible minister on a serious issue.

If government has evidence of intelligence reports regarding Chitral on the issue of terrorist, needs to be revisited again. There may have been such elements in the boarder areas of chitral of those people across the boarder and others regions contiguous to Chitral, where terrorists easily crossing boarder to make it safe heavens for their heinous activities and trying to disturb peace and serenity in the area. It is again mandated authority and responsibility of government to single out and flush them out of the region.
The people of Chitral by nature and outlook are peaceful and they will never let such elements in this beautiful and peaceful enclave and will certainly extend their support; without making compromise, with government for the peace of Chitral. This indictment has not only bearing on the people of Chitral but also on the handful Chitrali’s living in Karachi for the last many years. The people of Chitral are known to the world as peaceful. The objective of Interior Minister of politically target killing of Chitrali’s is difficult to perceivable.

Government instead of blaming Chitral particularly and other areas generally should look into the matter seriously and realistically for rooting out the elements in the country while taking all the stake holders on board. The major problem of our political leadership is that they always squabble on matters of trivial nature bypassing the matter of concern for the nation as a whole. Better than to indict Chitral on the issue of terrorist, government should see seriously where the shoe pinches. -- Alhaj Muhammad Khan Charun, Chitral 03 Feb 2012

Comment 2

I, on behalf of all Chitrallis condemn the allegation of Rehman Malik. This statement has hurt the people who have been considered to be the symbol of peace and serenity all over the country and even abroad. I am sure that the person, Reham Malik, who is famous for his foolish/absurd and baseless statements has once again committed a blunder by blaming the people of Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan. Every person of the nation knows who are behind the heinous target killing and other terrorist activities in Karachi. The Supreme Court decision is in place wherein it is determined who are committing these crimes and who are innocent. In fact Rehman Malik has contempt ed the apex court which should be highlighted. Facts show that Rehman Malik even himself knows which ethno linguistic elements have been playing this bloodshed since their inception, but they are the allies of Malik and that is why they are innocent. Shame on you, be truthful and dare to face the fact, Malik. Chitralli nation will never pardon you until and unless you don't take back your idiot statement.

I appeal to PPP Chitral office bearers to host a strong protest and condemn the foolish statement of quack dr. malik. You are first chitrali and then ppp workers and office bearer. If you don't condemn this quack dr. malik then the people of Chitral will condemn you in the upcoming elections. -- Afzal Nadir, Lahore 04 Feb 2012

Comment 3

Sheikh Rasheed in one of his public speeches said that he will make Rawalpindi like Chitral. Here he meant to make Rawalpindi as peaceful as Chitral. A couple of days back the interior minister stated that terrorists from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan are behind the crimes in Karachi. He seems to have lost sight and vision, while making this belligerent speech, because while the entire KPK was broiling in turmoil during the last few troubled years, Chitral was the most peaceful district in the region. He just wants to divert the attention of the public from the sheer failures to maintaining law and order situation in the country and especially in Karachi, under his nose.

The unprecedented peacefulness, tranquility, honesty, truthfulness and hospitality of Chitralis are well known within the country and overseas. Despite such circumstantial evidences the interior minister accuses the humble peace loving people, which is strongly condemned. Though he has a branded image for his irresponsible statements in the national politics but he crossed every limit by accusing, out of the blue, the peaceful people of Chitral. The interior minister should either prove his gobbledygook or seek apology from the people of Chitral. In the community of nations the state agent has caused irreparable loss to the soft image of Pakistan through his verbal transgression. In no way our values should be trespass by people having malign interests. -- Syed Gohar Ali Shah, Islamabad 05 Feb 2012

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