A note on the meeting by Riaz Ahmed
Meeting Against Karachi Target Killings Decides to Mobilize Masses May 24 2010 25 people came to attend a meeting at Karachi Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's office to discuss recent target killings in Karachi. 30 people were killed in various parts of Karachi between May 19 and 21. The participants condemned target killings and demanded that those involved in this heinous crime be brought to justice. They also demanded that the government instead of becoming silent spectator to the events should ensure life and property of the people. Some of the participants termed the killings as part of a move by security agencies to de-stabilize the government. A large number of participants agreed that a number of mafia groups involved in land grabbing and extortion rackets are responsible for dividing the people and they have the support of various political groups in the city. Some of the participants blamed the Muttahida Qaumi Movement for running a campaign of terror in the garb of Save Karachi Movement and is responsible for killing of majority of Pushtoons in Karachi. Other participants pointed out that some Pushtoon nationalists are also involved in land grabbing and target people who come in their way. The participants agreed that these target killings are dividing the multi-ethnic city of Karachi along ethnic lines. They also agreed that these killings are being carried out in citizens name and the perpetrators must be isolated by giving a call on masses to reject these killings. A press statement will be released by the participants to condemn the target killings. A fact finding mission comprising HRCP and concerned citizens will be formed to investigate target killings and present a detailed report that will serve as a basis of developing public opinion. A six member committee was also formed to draft a leaflet which will be circulated in various areas of Karachi to ask citizens to reject target killings as a means to settle political differences. The committee includes Ayub Qureshi, Rahat Saeed, Riaz Ahmed, Allauddin Bangash, Nashad Ahmed, Gul Pasand, Sartaj Khan. The committee will publish a leaflet and the participants will reassemble on Friday May 28 at 5pm at HRCP to collect and distribute the leaflets and plan further action. Those who attended the meeting included Saleha Athar of Women Network Peace, Usman Baloch of Workers Party Pakistan, Abdul Ali of Pukhtoonkhawa Milli Awami Party, Alluddin Bangash an intellectual, Rahat Saeed an intellectual, Riaz Ahmed of Karachi University, Sartaj Khan of International Socialists, Gul Pasand a poet, Hassan Abbas of Pakistan Institute of Labour Education, Asad Iqbal Butt of HRCP, Dr Samreen Hashmi of Pakistan Medical Association, Ayub Qureshi of Pakistan Trade Union Federation, Zahid Farooq of Urban Resource Centre, Nangyal Yousufzai a poet, Abdullah Baloch a writer.
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