Karachi News


DAWN/The News International, KARACHI	3 July 2004, Saturday, 14 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

www.karachipage.com (click on underlined key-words/dates to get more details)
2 Muttahida workers injured
MQM delegation calls on Shaukat Aziz
MQM urges steps to check women suicide bombers
Police declare arrest of two missing
Cop among three killed; decomposed body found
Admissions to technical institutes from August 1
Ministers' portfolios notified
PESHAWAR: Official faces action for defying leader
2 wanted tribesmen surrender
Pakistani hostage in Iraq released
Fresh bid to stop Pakistani's deportation
US lauds Pakistan's anti-terror steps
2 Muttahida workers injured
KARACHI: Three persons, including two workers of the Muttahida Quami Movement, were shot at and injured in three separate incidents on Friday, police said. Zahid Umer, 40, a worker of the Muttahida, sustained bullet injuries when unidentified persons fired at him, when he was sitting near Unit 146 office. The injured was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Ehsan Yaqoob, 20, also received bullet injuries when he resisted a motorcycle-snatching bid near Water Pump Chowrangi in Gulberg police jurisdiction. The injured was shifted to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Afzaal Ahmed was injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire at him in Jamali Goth, Block 13/D-II, within Gulshan-e-Iqbal police precinct. The injured was taken to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where his condition was out of danger.
MQM delegation calls on Shaukat Aziz
ISLAMABAD, July 2: A delegation comprising parliamentarians of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement called on finance minister and prime minister-designate Shaukat Aziz here on Friday.

Talking to Dawn, MQM's parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the delegation told Mr Aziz that the centre's support was vital for resolving the province's problems, especially in connection with the maintenance of the law and order.

He said that Mr Aziz had been briefed about the need for launching several mega projects in Karachi. He said Mr Aziz had been asked to take steps for the revival of the circular railway system in Karachi.

Mr Aziz, he said, was also informed that 33 per cent of the water supplied to Karachi city was lost because of supply line losses. He said that the MQM had called for initiating a Rs1.2 billion project to repair faulty water pipelines in Karachi.

Dr Sattar said the MQM delegation also highlighted the problems of the people of interior Sindh and asked him to approve projects to construct bridges and roads in various parts of Sindh, adding that Mr Aziz was also informed about the need for a water supply scheme in Hyderabad.

He said that the political situation was also discussed during the meeting. Those, who called on Mr Aziz, included included Federal Minister for Communications Babar Khan Ghauri, Federal Minister for Housing Safwanullah, Haider Abbas Rizvi, Shamim Siddiqui and MNA Abdul Waseem.

MQM urges steps to check women suicide bombers

KARACHI, July 2: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, a major stake-holder in the ruling coalition, has asked the government to take serious notice of the reports that Jihadi outfits have planned to use women in suicide attacks.

The MQM also claimed that strike in the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) was called at the behest of the Jamat Islami. The part also demanded removal of the MMA government in the NWFP for the deplorable treatment meted out to a girl in Nowshera.

In a statement, the MQM's Coordination Committee referred to the reported statement of Gul Hassan, the alleged activist of a Jihadi outfit, arrested recently, who had disclosed that there were plans of suicide attacks on Imambargah and other religious places, involving women activists of Jihadi groups in the country.

The MQM maintained that the disclosure had established that there was a plan to pit people of different religious belief against each other to destroy peace of the city. Deploring such a plan, Muttahida accused the so-called religious organizations of misleading innocent people for achieving their ulterior objectives.

The committee members also appealed to Gen Pervez Musharraf, Sindh governor and the chief minister to take appropriate security measures for foiling attempts pertaining to another terrorist attack on imambargahs, mosques and other religious places.

In a statement issued from the party headquarter, Nine zero, the MQM MNAs accused the JI of endangering life of a large number of heart patients by calling doctor's strike to protest against disappearance of Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed.

They claimed that the two doctors had been taken into custody by the security agencies in the light of a confessional statement by Mujeebur Rahman, who was arrested in connection with the attack on Karachi corps commander's convoy.

The MNA's claimed that both the doctors were members of the JI and Dr Akmal had remained an office-bearer of the Islami Jamiat Tulba in Sindh Medical College. They claimed that the doctors were nephews of Dr Mairajulhuda Siddiqui, president of the JI's Karachi chapter, and relatives of Senator Prof Ghafoor Ahmad, claiming that the two doctors had travelled to Afghanistan to assist Taliban.

The MNAs, lashing out at the religious parties, claimed that the confessional statement was indicative of an alleged conspiracy being hatched by the JI against the integrity of the country.

Police declare arrest of two missing doctors

KARACHI: The police on Friday officially declared the arrest of two doctor brothers, who were missing, and supposed to have been kidnapped, since June 17, and claimed to have recovered a car, their passports and visa cards from their possession.

The two doctors have close links to Jundullah and al-Qaeda, as they were providing shelter and financial and medical support to the terrorists, police claimed.

A spokesman for Sindh police on Friday stated: "On specified information early on Friday morning police nabbed Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed, the two doctors, who were hiding since the last 15 days." The police also recovered a car (Z-1440), their passports and visa cards from their possession, the spokesman claimed.

The two doctors, who are real brothers, went underground after arrest of Shahzad Bajwa, the frontman and Ata-ur-Rehman, the chief of Jundullah, the spokesman further claimed. During investigations and later before the court, Ata-ur-Rehman, the chief of Jundullah, had confessed that Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed had close links to him and were extending help by all means, the police spokesman added.

The terrorists’ every activity was in their knowledge and during an act of terrorism whenever their any activist had suffered injury he was provided medical aid by these doctors, the police spokesman said, quoting chief of Jundullah Ata-ur-Rehman. When Qasim, who accompanied them in an attack on the cavalcade of the crops commander, Karachi, received injuries, these two doctors treated him, the spokesman said.

Earlier, when Shahzad had received injuries, while he was throwing a grenade on a Rangers vehicle, he was also provided medical aid, the spokesman said. The two brothers had also provided rented cars to the Jundullah men several times, the spokesman added.

The two arrested doctors had arranged a visit to Wana in South Waziristan for Shahzad Bajwa and his accomplice Kashif; a Personal Assistant (PA) of Dr Arshad Waheed in Al-Mumtaz Hospital, accompanied them, where Shahzad and his accomplice were trained, the police spokesman claimed.

During the investigation, it transpired that the two doctors have close links with al-Qaeda and besides sheltering al-Qaeda terrorists, they were involved in providing financial and medical aid to al-Qaeda terrorists, the police spokesman said. Dr Akmal Waheed and his brother Dr Arshad Waheed had gone missing on June 17, and the vehicle in which they were travelling was found parked at the Maulvi Tameezuddin Khan Road in Jackson police jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, Hafiz Waheedullah, the father of the two doctors, told The News that his sons, along with Ayub Memon and Mohsin Shaikhani, had gone to see a CID police official called Fayyaz on June 17. "Since then, they were missing," he added.

He rejected the police claim, saying that on June 13, the bbcurdu.com website had reported by quoting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Federal Minister for Information, that Dr Akmal Waheed was among "the extremists, who have been arrested from Karachi". On airing of this report the Waheeds approached the police voluntarily, he said.

He also that the car in which the two doctors had gone to the CID offices, was recovered by the Jackson police on June 18. He refused to recognise the car, which the police claimed to have recovered from Dr Akmal Waheed and Dr Arshad Waheed at the time of their arrest.

Hafiz Waheedullah said a chance of special training in the United States was repeatedly offered to Dr Akmal Waheed followed by threats of dire consequences, which was declined by him. He added that his son (Dr Akmal) had informed the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) through a letter about this on February 10, 2004. "They have spent months as part of welfare activities on the Pak-Afghan border and in rural areas of the country."

Hafiz Waheedullah said possessing passports and visa cards is no crime. He called for an inquiry into the matter by a high court judge. "If he is found involved in any wrongdoing, he be punished," he concluded.

Agencies add: Deputy Inspector General of Sindh Police Tariq Jamil on Friday said the Waheeds were arrested in connection with the June 10 attack on Commander 5 Corps Lt-Gen Ahsan Saleem Hayat whose motorcade was ambushed by attackers with assault rifles and bombs.

Police declare arrest of two missing doctors

The two doctors have close links to Jundullah and al-Qaeda, as they were providing shelter and financial and medical support to the terrorists, police claimed.

Cop among three killed; decomposed body found

KARACHI: A policeman and a man were shot dead in two different areas, a decomposed body was found lying near Lyari Railway Station and a man lost his life in a traffic accident in Bin Qasim police precinct during the last 24 hours, police said.

According to details, police constable Khan Asfar, 38, who was sitting in plain clothes, was shot dead by unidentified assailants near Bismillah Chowk, Saeedabad police jurisdiction late Thursday night. He was taken to the Civil Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

Abdur Razzak, 35, a resident of Angaara Goth, B-1 Area, Super Market police jurisdiction was gunned down when unidentified persons fired at him in his house. The killers managed to escape. Razzak was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

The area police were of the view that the deceased was involved in drug selling in the locality, and his murder might have been a result of enmity between two gangs of drug sellers. Personal enmity could not be overlooked, they added.

BODY FOUND: A decomposed body of a 55-year-old man was found from his house near Lyari Railway Station.

The police recovered the body from a house and shifted it to Civil Hospital where he was identified as Khadim Hussain. Medico-legal experts opined that the deceased had been strangled some 15 days ago with acid burns on his face.

The Docks police told The News that Khadim’s wife with children were missing, and she might have been involved in the murder. However, the body has been placed in Edhi morgue.

ACCIDENT: Abdul Qadar, 35, was crushed under the wheels of a trailer (NAS-7614) when its driver drove it without knowing that somebody was sleeping under the vehicle near Port Qasim. His body was shifted to the JPMC and then placed in Edhi morgue.

INJURED: Allah Dino, Shaheen and an unidentified 28-year-old man suffered serious injuries when a speeding hit-and-run vehicle knocked them down in Defence police jurisdiction. The injured were admitted to the JPMC.

ARRESTS: The city police on Friday arrested 15 accused persons from various city areas and claimed to have recovered 10 pistols, minute quantity of narcotics and other stolen goods from their possession.

ROBBERIES: Unidentified robbers barged in the houses of Abdul Nasir, Ejaz Ahmed and Kashif separately in Gizri, Boating Basin, and Jamshed Quarters police jurisdictions, respectively, and looted cash, jewellery and other valuables, police said.

Muhammad Qasim and Sadaqat Ali were deprived of their cash, mobile phones and other valuables when armed muggers intercepted them in Mehmoodabad and Sir Syed Town police jurisdictions, respectively.

Khurram Shahzad along with his mother was intercepted by armed robbers in Gulberg police jurisdiction and deprived of their cash, jewellery at gunpoint.

VEHICLES: At least 14 vehicles, including four motorcycles, were hijacked from various city parts on Friday, police said, adding that seven cars and three motorcycles were snatched at gunpoint, while three cars and a motorcycle were stolen.

Police claimed to have recovered 13 vehicles, including eight motorcycles, but no robber is arrested yet.

Admissions to technical institutes from August 1

KARACHI, July 2: The process of admission to 15 polytechnic and mono-technic institutes in the city would begin from August 1, said an official of the City District Government Karachi.

As many as 1,720 seats were being offered in the morning programme, and 1,600 seats in the evening. Admission forms would be available from respective colleges.

The official said two mono-technic institutes, one each at Malir and Orangi, and one polytechnic institute for women at Lyari would start functioning from the new academic session. Admissions would be offered at these institutes as well.

It was learnt that the city nazim, Naimatullah Khan, has already approved the admission policy for mono- and poly-technical institutes for the new session. Under the policy, all admissions would be given on merit basis, and all kinds of quota seats had been abolished.

Ministers' portfolios notified

ISLAMABAD, July 2: The cabinet division on Friday formally notified names and portfolios of the 27 ministers. Muhammad Ajmal Khan and Dr Syiad Ghazi Ghulab Jamal, the two newly inducted ministers from Fata, have been given the ministries of local government and rural development and Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas respectively.

The prime minister in-waiting, Mr Shaukat Aziz, will continue as federal minister (not senior minister) for finance and revenue with the additional charge of economic affairs and statistics and planning and development.

Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has been clipped of one portfolio - Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas. However, he will continue as Minister for Water and Power with additional charge of States and Frontier Regions. He will also look after the work of inter-provincial coordination.

Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh who was holding the portfolios of privatisation and the board of investment in the Jamali cabinet, would now control only privatisation ministry as federal minister. However, the BOI has not been assigned to any minister.

The portfolios of other ministers of the Jamali cabinet would remain unchanged in the new cabinet. They are:
Humayun Akhtar Khan (commerce)
Babar Khan Ghauri (communications)
Zobaida Jalal (education)
Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind (food, agriculture and livestock)
Mian Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri (foreign affairs with additional charge of law, justice and human rights)
Muhammad Nasir Khan (health)
Syed Safwanullah (housing and works)
Liaquat Ali Jatoi (industries and production)
Sheikh Rashid Ahmad (information and broadcasting)
Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari (IT and telecom)
Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat (interior with additional charge of narcotics control)
Chaudhry Nouraiz Shakoor Khan (petroleum and natural resources)
Ghous Bux Khan Maher (railways)
Mohammad Ijazul Haq (religious affairs and Zakat and Ushr).

The ministers of state are:
Major (retd) Habibullah Warraich (defence production)
Major (retd) Tahir Iqbal (in charge for environment)
Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan (food and agriculture)
Hamid Yar Hiraj (health)
Muhammad Raza Hayat Harraj (IT with additional charge of law, justice, human rights and parliamentary affairs)
Rais Munir Ahmed (in charge for minorities, culture, sports, tourism and youth affairs
Khalid Ahmad Khan Lund (water and power).

PESHAWAR: Official faces action for defying leader

PESHAWAR, July 2: The NWFP health department has sought removal of the medical faculty secretary who refused to carry out an allegedly irregular order of a Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader, sources said.

An official said the department had moved a summary to the chief minister seeking immediate transfer of the secretary, Syed Nazar Hussain Shah. "The transfer orders are expected in a few days," the official said.

The cause of the move, the sources said, was the refusal of the secretary to concede to demands an MMA leader. The medical faculty is the examining body for paramedical disciplines.

According the sources, the secretary had cancelled the certificates of paramedics awarded without fulfilling the criteria before 1997. They said he also refused to pass the failed students of a paramedical institute owned by an MMA leader.