Pakistan interior minister Rehman Malik has said over 70 per cent of the people reported killed in the recent violence in Karachi were in fact murdered by their “wives and girlfriends”. “If it is reported that 100 people are killed in targeted killings, investigations later revealed that only 30 were actual victims while the remaining 70 or more died at the hands of their wives or girlfriends,” Mr Malik said. “They definitely took advantage of the situation and killed them,” said the interior minister.
Daily life in Karachi remained paralysed on Thursday as, after a couple of days’ respite the violence that restarted Wednesday night with killings and arson forced transporters to keep their vehicles off the roads. Businesses also remained closed.
At least 12 people, including a Pakistan Ranger, were killed and 19 hurt in various incidents of firing in the city in reaction to Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza’s remarks against Muttahida Qaumi Move-ment (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain. “Twelve people died and over two dozen vehicles, including buses and trailers, were torched,” said a police official.
Talking to reporters in Islamabad, Mr Rehman Malik said Mr Mirza’s statement was his personal view and is not supported by the Pakistan People’s Party. “Altaf Hussain is a proven, unmatchable and great leader, and he has a big heart. I request him to ask the people to calm down and show patience,” Mr Malik said.
The interior minister apologised to the Urdu-speaking community, saying he was sorry and upset about Mr Mirza’s statement. He added that one should not forget or ignore the sacrifices rendered by the Urdu-speaking community in the making of Pakistan and said that after the passage of 65 years, such hurtful comments were unfair.