Claims, counter-claims over JI rally attack in Karachi, CM takes notice

KARACHI: Following claims and counter-claims over an ambush on an election rally of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) by ‘unidentified people’, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah early on Saturday ordered swift arrest of the culprits.

A spokesman of the chief minister said in a statement that no one would be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has condemned the attack calling for an end to politics of violence in Karachi.

A PTI spokesman claimed that the attack was carried out by the workers of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). “Attacks on political rallies and media persons are highly condemnable,” he added.

Also read: Unknown attackers ambush JI rally in Karachi

Earlier, JI amir for the party’s Sindh chapter Dr Merajul Huda and local leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared the ambush in Sharifabad an assassination attempt on the JI candidate for NA-246 by-polls.

Speaking at a press conference, they vowed to eradicate Karachi of terrorism after coming in power.

The MQM leaders, on the other hand, claimed that the participants of the JI rally attacked their election camp at Al-Azam Square.

A spokesman of the MQM, in a statement, urged the supporters and workers of the party to show restraint and foil all attempts of terrorism by remaining peaceful.

MQM chief Altaf Hussain also appealed to the residents of the NA-246 constituency of Karachi to tolerate electioneering from other political parties and avoid chanting slogans against their leaders.

Speaking to members of Rabita Committee and other office bearers, he said that a media trial of the MQM workers was being carried out upon their arrests.

Hussain said residents of the Sharifabad themselves gathered near the Jamaat-e-Islami rally and chanted slogans. He ruled out involvement of the MQM workers in the attack.

The MQM chief said that he has repeatedly called for the formation of peace committee comprising of PTI and his party’s members to thwart such incidents.