Following inflammatory statements made by the MQM-P leadership against the Sindh government in the aftermath of the Gul Plaza, Karachi fire in which 73 people have so far lost their lives, the provincial government on Tuesday withdrew the security provided to the party leaders, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Sources told the 24News TV channel that the MQM-P leaders whose security had been withdrawn were the party Chairman Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal, Anees Qaimkhani and Opposition Leader in Sindh Assembly Ali Khurshidi.
However, Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon said security provided to MQM-P leaders has not been withdrawn.
The TV channel report said police personnel performing duties at the residences of these leaders have been ordered to return.
In view of the development, the party leaders are expected to address an important press conference today.
On the other hand, the government of Sindh's spokeswoman rejected the claims that the provincial government had withdrawn the security provided to the MQM-P leaders.
Sumeta Afzal Syed said that the MQM-P had again started building a false narrative. "Truth of the matter is that not a single party leader's security has been withdrawn," she said, and added that the facility had been provided to them as per law.
Security not withdrawn, says Sharjeel
Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday rejected reports that the security provided to the MQM-P leaders had been withdrawn.
Speaking to the media outside the Sindh Assembly in Karachi, Sharjeel Memon said that truth of the matter was that the MQM-P had no political future. “As many as 10 police personnel are providing security to Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and an equal number of cops are providing security to Federal Minister for Health Syed Mustafa Kamal,” he said.
Opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly, Memon went on to say, had also been provided security cover.
He lamented that the fire was still raging in the Gul Plaza, Karachi when the MQM-P started demanding the repeal of the 18th Amendment. “At times, the party leaders demanded that Karachi be handed over to the Center,” he added.
The senior minister, however, said there was no harm in forming a judicial commission to probe the incident. “The commission can be formed based on the findings of the inquiry committee,” he said, adding that however, it would not be formed on any political party’s insistence. “It is the Sindh government that will take the final decision in this regard.”
He informed that the families of those who lost their lives in the Gul Plaza inferno would be given Rs10 million each, while the shopkeepers would be given Rs0.5 million each. “The affected families will not be asked to come to the office to receive the cheques. They will be dispatched to their homes instead.”
Memon said that the exact loss caused by the fire would be determined in collaboration with the Karachi Chamber. “On the orders of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, a sub-committee has been constituted to probe the incident.”
More SOPs were being devised for the buildings in Karachi, he informed.
He also lashed out at the JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, saying he also did politics over the issue.
The minister said he was at a loss to understand why protests were not held when Bolton Market had been torched. “Why the JI did not protest when Baldia Factory was set on fire,” he asked.
He made it clear that the Sindh government would not spare those who talked about observing strikes, setting shops on fire.
Memon said that ever since the tragedy had struck, the provincial chief minister was working round the clock.
He said that there were no firefighting arrangements in 90 per cent buildings in the country. “Islamabad is the most modern city of all. Even 50 per cent buildings in that city are without fire alarms and other equipment.”
Mustafa Kamal again asks Centre to take over Karachi
MQM-P leader and Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that withdrawing security from those who participated in the development of Karachi is beyond comprehension and termed this move a form of oppression.
Mustafa Kamal said that the failure of the Sindh government has now become clear to everyone and a city with potential like Karachi should not remain in the hands of an incompetent provincial government.
He stressed that Karachi should be immediately brought under federal control as the Constitution of Pakistan gives the federation the power to intervene and takeover.
Mustafa Kamal further said that we do politics on principles, not on interests, and will not remain silent on any oppression.
He termed the recent decision of the Sindh government as a complete endorsement of our stand and said that oppression will never be accepted, and termed the move to withdraw security as an attempt to suppress us.
Meanwhile, MQM leader Ali Khursheed talking to media in Karachi said if govt wanted to withdraw security, take it, it won't matter.
He demanded a judicial commission should be formed on Gul Plaza.
Reporters: Shoaib Mukhtar and Aajiz Jamali