1

SECRET

22ND MID CAREER MANAGEMENT COURSE

CURRENT ISSUE PRESENTATION

DETENTION OF POLITICAL PARTIES LEADER IN KARACHI

A CRITICAL ANALYSIS
By
Deputy Director Muhammad Arif
Ex-Cadre ISI
Faculty Advisor
Mrs. Samina Intizar

The analysis submitted to the Faculty of National Institute of Management,

Karachi is in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Mid-Career Management
Course (MCMC). The contents of the CIP are the end product of my own efforts
and research and reflect my own personal view and are not necessarily endorsed
by the National Institute of Management, Karachi.

Signature: __________
Date: 1st November 2016
Faculty Advisor
Mrs. Samina Intizar

SECRET
 2
SECRET

1. Introduction

a. Karachi is the largest city1 of the country and capital of Sindh. It is

economic hub and main sea port of Pakistan.
b. It is the most populous city. The city has 6 x Districts i.e East, West,
South, Central, Malir and Korangi. City has also 18 x Towns and 6 x
Cantonments i.e Karachi Cantt, Clifton, Shah Faisal, Malir, Manora
and Korangi Creek2.
c. The City has 20 x National Assembly and 42 x Provisional Seats.
There are many political parties in Karachi. Major parties 3 of the
city are MQM, PPPP, PTI, PML-N, Jamat Islami, ANP, PST, ASWJ,
JUI-F, PML-F, Sindhi Nationalists and others. Owing to various
reasons and illegal acts the leaders and workers of they were
arrested by Police or Rangers.
2. Brief History
a. Karachi was once the region of peace and tranquility, city of lights
and land mark of industrial development in Pakistan has later turned
to the land of violence, terrorism and crimes where death descends
in different grabs. Karachi has emerged as a flash point over last two
decades and in past, it witnessed widespread violence, riots,
Gangwars, street fights, strikes, shutter downs and target killings by
linguistic, ethnic and sectarian groups4.
b. Political parties are being considered as partners in worsening the
law and order situation of the city. Many political parties like MQM,
PPP, MQM-H, ANP, PST, Defunct SSP / ASWJ, JI, MWM, Sindhi
Nationalist Parties etc having militant wings for their vested
interests5.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
c. Muthida Qaumi Movement (MQM) is leading party in metropolis
1 Census 1998 (Provincial Census Office, Tariq Road Karachi)
2 Karachi Map
after getting 17 x National Assembly and 33 x Provisional Assembly
3 Office of Provincial Election Commission of Pakistan, located at Saddar, Karachi
4 CPLC and Crime Record Office of Karachi Police
5 Supreme Court Suo Moto Notice 16/2011 regarding law and order case of Karachi
seats. PPPP, PML-N and PTI got 1 x NA and 3 x PS seats each in
SECRET
 3
SECRET
General Elections 2013. MQM is also leading party in Local Bodies
Election after securing 136 x seats (Union Council) out of 247,
PPPP is on second position after securing 56 seats while PML-N on
3rd with 24 x seats. PTI and JI after an alliance only got 17 x seats.
MQM got elected its Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Karachi6.
d. Disturbed law and order situation over a period of time has
undermined its development and growth. However, after Rangers
led Karachi Targeted Operation (KTO) started from Sep 2013 has
improved law and order situation of the city.
3. Law and Order Situation and role of Political Parties. Role of political
parties are directly associated with the law and order situation of the city which is
elaborated below.
a. Law and order situation of Karachi was worsening on daily basis
due to political turf war among political interest which has put state
institutions under perpetual uncertainty / threats, resulted economic
activity were in disarray and life / property of common man was
highly unsafe. People of Karachi were living under constant fear and
state of insecurity. General public had lost confidence in political,
administrative and Police apparatus.
b. One of the main reasons of poor law and order situation of Karachi
was target killings on ethnic, politically and sectarian basis. A lone
person cannot survive in Karachi due to said target killing7.
c. Most of those killed were not involved with any political party.
Language, clothes and even haircuts reflect a persons ethnicity to
the killing squads.
4. Reasons to start Karachi Targeted Operation
a. Situation of the mega city before start of the operation was going out
of hands and it can be said that economic hub of the country was
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
near to collapse.
6 Provincial Election Commission of Pakistan, located at Saddar, Karachi.
7 Supreme Court Suo Moto Notice 16/2011 regarding law and order case of Karachi

SECRET
 4
SECRET
b. In August 2013, one month before the operation 246 x persons alone
killed in targeted killings attacks whereas nowadays target killing
ratio in one month is tilting around 25 which is a clear evident of
efficiency of the operation8.
c. On 04 September 2013, LEAs operation was started after
consultation with all political parties / stake holders of the mega city
to curb its various root causes and reasons which have turned
Karachi into a burning furnace of humans, the expected blows which
the crisis can cast over the chest of Pakistan and finally the ways and
means which can bring this city back to the path of peace, progress
and prosperity, out of the dark tunnel of lawlessness.
5. Prominent Leaders arrested. Many leaders and workers of political
parties were arrested owing to terror financing, money laundering, corruption
charges, violence, anti-Pakistan stance etc. Following are the prominent leaders
of political parties who were arrested :-
a. Shah Jahan Baloch, MNA PPP. He was elected as
MNA in General Election-2013 on the ticket of PPP.
Arrested on his involvement in the murder of Arshad
Papu. He was nominated in 7 x FIRs, however acquitted from 6 x
cases whereas case registered under FIR No.23/2013 is still pending
in ATC-VII. He is confined in central Prison Karachi. He is
presently on parole and went Islamabad to attend National Assembly
Sessions
b. Dr. Asim Hussain, PPP. He is a close aide of ex-
President Asif Ali Zardari and was arrested due to
providing medical treatment to LGW and MQM
terrorist, misuse of power / authority and corruption charges. He
remained in the custody of Rangers for 90 x days and presently
confined in Central Prison Karachi. His 3 x cases are under trial in

SECRET
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8 Crime Record Branch, Police Head Office located at I.I Chundrigarh, Karachi
 5
SECRET
different courts. His case regarding assistance of medical treatment
to the terrorists / criminals of Lyari Gangwar and MQM in his
hospitals are in progress in Anti-terrorism Court-2 of Karachi. His 2
x others cases regarding corruption are also progress in NAB Court.
FIR No. 197/2015 under Section 201/202/216-A/34 PPC R/W 21(1)
21(J) & 7 ATA is registered in Police Station North Nazimabad9.
c. Sardar Uzair Jan Baloch. He is Chief of Defunct
People Aman Committee (PAC) and backed by PPP
leadership. He was arrested by UAE Police on the
request of Government of Pakistan and later handed over to
Pakistan. He was involved in many heinous crimes, murders, arson /
extortion activities, kidnapping sand encounters with police. He is
nominated in 45 x FIRs in different police stations of Karachi.
Presently, he is confined in Central Prison Karachi.
d. Dr. Nisar Morai, PPP. He is a former chairman of FCS
and was arrested by Rangers on 10 Mar 2016. He is
close aide of PPP leadership and wanted to National
Accountability Bureau (NAB) in money laundering and
embezzlement in Fishermen Co-operative Society (FCS) funds.
Morai shifted Rs.800 Million to Canada illegally and embezzled
Rs.350 Million on monthly basis from the salaries and allowances of
more than 300 ghost employees.
e. Waseem Akhtar, Mayor Karachi MQM. He has been
elected as Mayor of Karachi. He was arrested due to
many cases including 12th May 2007 violence. There
are more than 35 x FIRs against him in different police station of
mega city. On 19 July 2016, Waseem Akhtar alongwith Rauf
Siddiqui of MQM and Anis Qaimkhani of PSP have been arrested
from an Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) after it rejected their bail pleas

SECRET

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9 FIR / Anti-Terrorism Court No.2, Clifton Karachi and NAB Court No.IV
 6
SECRET
in Dr Asim case. Besides, MPA Kamran Farooqi and Adnan Ahmed
were also involved in many cases of violence and declared as
absconders by ATC.
f. Rauf Siddique, MQM. He is staunch loyal of MQM
Chief Altaf Hussain and arrested due to his involvement
in Baldia Factory Fire incident. On 19 July 2016, he
alongwith Waseem Akhtar of MQM and Anis Qaimkhani of PSP
have been arrested from an Anti-terrorism Court (ATC) after it
rejected their bail pleas in Dr Asim case. Former Federal Minister Dr
Asim Hussain is facing charges of abetting terrorists and providing
them medical treatment at his hospital. Rauf Siddiqui, Waseem
Akhtar, Abdul Qadir Patel and Anis Qaimkhani are also suspects in
the case. FIR No. 197/2015 under Section 201/202/216/216 (A)/34
R/W 21(1)/21(J)-7-ATA registered against him in Police Station
North Nazimabad
g. Anees Qaim Khani, PSP. He is co-founder of Pak
Sarzameen Party (PSP). He was arrested after his
name disclosed during the JIT of Baldia Factory Fire
Incident. On 19 July 2016, he alongwith Waseem Akhtar and Rauf
Siddique of MQM have been arrested from an Anti-terrorism Court
(ATC) after it rejected their bail pleas in Dr Asim case. Rauf
Siddiqui, Waseem Akhtar, Abdul Qadir Patel and Anis Qaimkhani
are also suspects in the case. FIR No. 197/2015 under Section
201/202/216/216 (A)/34 R/W 21(1)/21(J)-7-ATA registered against
him in Police Station North Nazimabad.
h. Abdul Qadir Patel, ex-MNA. On 19 July 2016, he
presented himself for arrest at the Boat Basin Police
Station in evening after ATC rejected his bail pleas in Dr
Asim case. Patel is also suspect in the case. He was member of

SECRET
 7
SECRET
National Assembly and President of PPPP Karachi chapter. FIR No.
197/2015 under Section 201/202/216/216 (A)/34 R/W 21(1)/21(J)-7-
ATA registered against him in Police Station North Nazimabad.
i. Kanwar Naveed Jamil, MQM. He is MNA of MQM
and was arrested by Rangers on 22 Aug 2016 after
provocative / anti-state speech of Altaf Hussain and
attack on media houses. Presently, he is detained in Central Prison,
Karachi. FIR No. 116/2015 under Section 123-A/124-A/109 PPC
R/W SEC. 7-ATA, 1997 registered against him in Police Station
Artillery Maidan. Another FIR No. 117/2015 under
Section147/148/149/186/353/324/302/435/436/337/123-A/124 /
109/427/506-B PPC R/W SEC. 7-ATA, 1997 also registered against
him in same Police Station.
j. Qamar Mansoor. He was arrested by Rangers on 22
Aug 2016 after provocative / anti-state speech of Altaf
Hussain and attack on media houses. Presently, he is
detained in Central Prison, Karachi. FIR No. 116/2015 under
Section 123-A/124-A/109 PPC R/W SEC. 7-ATA, 1997 registered
against him in Police Station Artillery Maidan.
k. Sheraz Waheed. Sheraz Waheed was arrested by Rangers on 25
Aug 2016 in connection with attack on media houses
after provocative / anti-state speech of Altaf Hussain.
Presently, he is detained in Central Prison, Karachi.
FIR No. 116/2015 under Section 123-A/124-A/109 PPC r/w 7-ATA,
1997 registered against him in Police Station Artillery Maidan.
l. Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan. He is MPA of MQM and
Opposition leader in Sindh Assembly. He was arrested
by SSP Malir Rao Anwar from his house on 16 Sep
2016 due to his involvement in different cases including facilitating

SECRET
 8
SECRET
Altaf Hussain for his speech in which he (Altaf Hussain) accused
security agencies and government institutions for alleged extra
judicial killings and abduction of his party workers. He was
nominated in 25 x cases in which got bail on 23 cases. Due to arrest
of Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan, political scenario of mega city had
abruptly been changed. Prime Minister of Pakistan and Chief
Minister Sindh have took notice of his arrest immediately. IGP
Sindh suspended SSP Rao Anwar on the direction of CM Sindh and
Khawaja Izhar ul Hassan was released after 5 hours of his arrest.
After release, he got protective bail in 2 x cases.
m. Kanwar Khalid Younis, MQM-London. On 22
October 2016, Rangers arrested MQM Rabita
Committee, London member Kanwar Khalid Younis
near Governor House when he was going to Karachi Press Club to
address a press conference in favour of Altaf Hussain and instigate
workers to challenge the writ of Government.
n. Amjad Ullah, MQM-London. On 22 October 2016,
Rangers arrested MQM Rabita Committee, London
member Amjad Ullah when he came out from Karachi
Press Club. He was present in Karachi Press Club to address a press
conference in favour of MQM-London Chief Altaf Hussain and
instigate workers to challenge the writ of Government.
o. Hassan Zafar, MQM-London. On 22 October 2016,
Rangers arrested MQM Rabita Committee, London
member Dr. Hassan Zafar from Karachi Press Club due
to his anti-Pakistan stance. He was come to Karachi Press Club to
address a press conference in favour of MQM-London Chief Altaf
Hussain and instigate workers to challenge the writ of Government.

SECRET
 9
SECRET
6. Analysis
a. In order to save political leaders from arrest, political parties may
use hidden techniques like media campaign, street protests and
target killings to shift blame on Ranges / LEAs.
b. Longer detention by LEAs of political detainers will give sympathy
wave to political parties. Hence necessary legal action may be
started as soon as possible.
c. Transparency of an operation is essential otherwise political parties
will take political mileage being a victim of operation on political
basis.
d. Political leaders were arrested due to their involvement in criminal
and financial offences. However, there are likely chances that
political leaders will use ethnicity card to save themselves.
e. Detention of political leaders has a symbolic value which has
multiple effects including strong message for criminals.
f. Formation of PSP and MQM-P out of MQM-A has weaken the
political sway of MQM-A and has multiple dimensions on politics
of Urban Sindh.
g. Stance of political opponents of MQM-A has been substantiated
with the detention of MQM leaders on criminal / terrorism charges.
Political opponents are craving out their share in political scene of
Karachi.
h. After arrest of Uzair Jan Baloch, almost all area of Lyari and Sindhis
/ Baloch areas of Karachi came in peace. Moreover, their friction
with MQM-A has also subsided.
i. Arrest of financial criminals also mitigated level of financial
corruption.
j. The political environment of the city is marred with militant
elements of various political parties. Hence without strong political

SECRET
 10
SECRET
will and tolerance against each other political harmony cannot be
established.
k. Political rivalry is one of the factors which cause unrest in the city.
Various parties are in race to gain foothold and control in various
areas of the city which they do by hoisting of party flags and other
such activities.
l. There is no doubt that law and order situation of metropolis has
significantly improved after the start of Karachi Operation.
m. The Karachi operation has mitigated the militancy in metropolis.
Crackdowns of Rangers / LEAs in various localities of city have
minimized the activities of outlaws.
n. A large number of target killers / terrorists / criminals either arrested
in the operation or killed in encounter or left the mega city.
Although, frequency of target killings, terrorism, sectarianism,
kidnapping for ransom, extortion, Bank Dacoities has declined
theme is a room for improvement.
o. General public and business community took sigh of some relief and
are satisfied with the current situation and strongly suggest
continuation of the operation.
p. The impact of MQM leaders arrest seems to be fast losing its grip
on the local organization structure as well as loyalty of
parliamentarians.
q. The arrests of Hassan Zafar, Kanwar Khalid Younis and Amjad
Ullah may be attributed to the concern of the Government in which
the arrests were made after 22 August and to send across a message
that the events of 22 Aug cannot be taken for granted and MQM-
London cannot resume its political activities in the city unabated.
r. After the Aug 22 hate speech of Altaf Hussain, a number of arrests
were carried out by LEAs and cases were registered however in last

SECRET
 11
SECRET
couple of weeks, the re-organization of MQM-London in Karachi
and surfacing of new leadership was being seen with concern in
different political circles especially after press conference on 15 Oct.
7. Conclusion. Due to arrest of political party leaders, criminals at all level
afraid due to the arrest of high ups. Resultantly, law and order situation has been
improved; frequency of almost all crimes has also been declined. Writ of the state
has been established since long and criminals in the grab of political workers
have been exposed. Space for fair political activities has been created in Karachi.
In the nut shell we can assess that LEAs operation is going in right direction and
need time to achieve desired goal. Confidence of business community as well as
common people has been restored.
8. Recommendations
a. Karachi Operation may be concluded till its logical end. Time frame
cannot be gauged at this level as this problem is serious needs more
efforts.
b. Subsequently the culprits be tried effectively in the court of law so
that they could not get advantage of loopholes of our judicial
system.
c. Police may be strengthened but presently, problem of Karachi is
different in nature it is not normal crime to be tackled alone by
police. Therefore Rangers being paramilitary forces may be
incorporated. On the other hand, Rangers is paramilitary force, it is
primary duty of Police to control the law and order situation.
d. Police should improve their investigation mechanism with which if
culprit is arrested then he should be punished from court of law. On
ground what happens is that the culprits gets free from court due to
lack of evidence or due to weak case / proceedings.

SECRET
 12
SECRET
e. Political will is required to make peace in the city and criminal
elements of all political parties should be brought to book without
any discrimination.
f. Rangers should be given free hand to arrest the criminals who have
political shelter.
g. Free and fair judicial trial of detained political leaders may be
carried out without any discrimination.
h. Overall supervisory body as envisioned in start of Karachi Operation
may be formed by Federal Government to look into the affairs of
Karachi Operation. That body should address misgivings /
grievances of political parties.

SECRET