MQM-P threatens to leave govt over rising street crimes in Karachi

KARACHI: In the wake of rising crime rate in Karachi during the holy month of Ramadan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) warned on Tuesday that it would leave the federal government if action was not taken to protect the people of the city.

Senator Faisal Subzwari said the MQM-P would leave the federal government if the killing of Karachi dwellers continued amid increasing street crimes. Speaking to media persons, he questioned the Pakistan Peoples Party’s 15-year-long rule in the province, saying the demands for an operation would have come forward if such killings were occurring elsewhere.

“If our people continue to be killed, we will leave the government,” he said.Karachi has been gripped by street crimes claiming the lives of dozens of citizens who have fallen victim at the hands of criminals for the past few weeks.

Many have been killed while resisting robberies and snatching incidents, particularly in the holy month of Ramadan during which criminals seem to have been let loose.From January till March, at least 50 people have lost their lives due to street crimes. Police claimed to have killed six robbers in 75 encounters and arrested 93 suspects with injuries. Taking a jibe at the deteriorating law and order situation in the port city, the senator said: “Police and criminals have come to celebrate Eid in Karachi”. He questioned why barriers were not being placed on the streets to curb crimes in the city. Addressing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Senator Subzwari insisted: “The interior minister should come to Karachi and sit with our representatives”.

Commenting on the matter of governorship in Sindh, the MQM-P leader said his party had not taken any decision with regard to the change of the governor, adding: “Governor Kamran Tessori is the federation’s representative in Sindh and remains in office”.