Saturday, January 30, 2010

Free Medical Camp at Usman Memorial Hospital on Sunday

The Usman Memorial Hospital is organizing a free medical camp at Hospital premises Plot # ST-12, Block-1, Hussainabad, Federal "B" Area, on Sunday, 31st January 2010 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Bilo, Professor of Paediatric, Aga Khan University Hospital and Dr. Muhammad Tufail, Medical Director, Patel Hospital will inaugurate medical camp.

TURK AMBASSADOR CALLS ON CITY NAZIM

Ambassador of Turkey called on City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal at his office on Thursday to discuss matter of mutual interest.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on this occasion said that Pakistan has strong brotherly relations with Turkey. Local Government of Turk City Istanbul can provide valuable cooperation to City District Government Karachi in its Rapid Bus Transport System and training program for rescue workers. He said that Istanbul has one of the best rapid bus transport system while they have also excelled in the rescue works particularly in the earthquakes. He said that we also need cooperation in the solid waste management.

Nazim Karahi informed the ambassador Mr. Hizlan about the importance of Karachi in the region. He said that Karachi offers lucrative business opportunities to foreign investors. Turk business community can also earn heavy profits from doing business here. He said that the government has upgraded infrastructure in Karachi for promotion of investment activities. Turk investors will also be provided with best facilities and support.

Turk ambassador Mr. Hizlan said that Turkey will soon arrange for the training of rescue workers in Karachi for which a permanent office will be established in the city so that the training could be arranged on permanent basis. He also appreciated the performance of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal for his role in the rapid development of Karachi.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Karachi Fashion week begins from sunday at Pearl Continental Hotel

RELIEF PAY-ORDERS DISBURSEMENT PROCEDURE DEFINED; PAY-ORDERS FOR CLAIMS OVER 1.5 MILLION WILL BE ISSUED ON COMPLETION OF SCRUTINY

Karachi Affected Markets Relief Committee’s Spokesman, A.Q. Khalil has said that Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s seven (7) loss assessment committees, in the presence of authorized representatives of affected markets, have meticulously completed the assessment and scrutiny of 2600 claims of affectees of Bolton Market Incident, and it is decided that relief payments through pay-orders will start in phases from 29th January, 2010. Chairman Businessmen Group and former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli has already announced that the pay-orders distribution work to affectees will start from 29th January, 2010 and the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari will begin the disbursing phase while distributing the relief pay-orders to affectees. In the second phase, Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor of Sindh, Dr. Ishrat Ul Ibad Khan, Provincial Ministers, City Nazim Karachi, will visit Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry to distribute the pay-orders to the affectees. According to the Committee Spokesman, latest colour passport size photograph, original computerized national identity card with attested copy must be readily available with each affectee because it is decided that affectees/ claimants will receive their claims themselves personally and thereby will submit an affidavit of claim acceptance, endorsing with signature and thumb impression in the presence of authorized market representative so that the whole procedure will be transparently maintained.

Spokesman appealed all the affectees to keep in touch with the chairmen of KCCI’s seven loss assessment committees who will issue the payment schedules, and abide the instructions accordingly. A.Q. Khalil further said that the affectees must not authorize any person on their behalf because payments will be made only to the real affectees of the incident. According to the Spokesman, Karachi Affected Markets Relief Committee has already decided that after the completion of payment phase of claims upto Rs.1.5 million, in second phase the payments of claims above Rs.1.5 million will start immediately after completion of scrutiny. He said that claim will be given to every honest affectee who has furnished his/her loss details with honestly, and after completion of scrutiny, relief pay-order will be issued.

Monday, January 25, 2010

KARACHI CITY GOVT. SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH NED UNIVERSITY

City District Government Karachi has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NED University Karachi for utilization of its Command & Control Center for improvement of traffic flow and development of intelligent transportation system (ITS) for Karachi which is a research project being carried out by NED University of Engineering & Technology and University of Mississippi, USA under USAID Project. The MoU was signed by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and Registrar of NED University Engineer Javed Aziz Khan at a ceremony held in KWSB Head Office on Monday.

The participants attended the ceremony included Vice Chancellor NED University Prof. Dr. Muzaffar Mehmood, Dean Civil Engineering & Architect NED University Prof. Dr. Sahibzada Farooq Ahmed Rafeequi, Chairman Urban and Infrastructure Engineering Prof. Dr. Mir Shabbar Ali, Controller of Services Syed Wasiuddin, Lectures Urban Engineering Department Ms. Madiha Abid and Afzal Ahamd, DCO Karachi Javed Hanif Khan,EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam, Incharge Command & Control Center Faheem Qureishi and others.

A lively discussion on this occasion headed by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal included the appreciation of traffic engineering and operational infrastructure put in place by City District Government Karachi and concluded that through research and studies NED University of Engineering & Technology can identify the traffic problems and causes of failure of traffic management besides providing the recommendations and remedies to cope up with these issues for better traffic management system in the metropolis. Cameras installed by the CDGK at various locations in Karachi can play a vital role in efficient management of traffic for improving traffic flow and reducing congestion at all major and supplementary arteries. According to the MoU researchers from NED University will be provided access to the city government’s Command & Control Center while Corridor-III will be used as NED-CDGK Road Lab for research and development of ITS based traffic management system.

Expressing his views on traffic problems in Karachi the City Nazim expressed hope that a better and permanent solution could be reached through the coordination of universities especially professional educational institutions that can correctly identified the problems and give valuable suggestions. He further said that despite of spending billions of rupees on traffic engineering the problems were still there due to absence of better enforcement and no action from traffic police on violations of rules.

City Nazim said most of the traffic problems were related to management and not to traffic engineering. Though such problems were solved by all big cities through mass transit system but city government did not have the resources to carry out such a huge project that cost billions of dollars on its own and only federal government can do this in Karachi. He said that unity of command was the key to solution of city’s problems. Despite of constructing Pakistan’s first car parking plaza with modern facilities hundreds of vehicles were still seen parked in no parking zones and no one take action against them.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Gun-lovers should leave Karachi: ANP Sindh Chief


Awami National Party's Sindh Chief Shahi Sayed on Sunday urged all section of the society to strengthen the government in its bid to get rid of terrorists from the country.
Speaking at a ceremony hosted to mark the death anniversary of Bacha Khan, he said people of all ethnicities should help the government to eliminate terrorism.

He said those who are fond of using guns should move to the mountains by vacating Karachi.

Shahi said that a war of transfer and posting is under way in Karachi to seize lands and to attain their personal interests.

He stressed that the government should give a 15-day notice to all licensed and un-licensed arms companies and cleanse of city from weapons.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

IRANIAN COMMERCE ORGANIZATION VISITS KCCI TO EXPLORE BILATERAL TRADE PROSPECTS

“Non-existence of Banking System between Pakistan & Iran is the major impediment in the progress of bilateral trade”, expressed by President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry in a meeting held with the 25 members Iranian delegation representing the Commerce Organization of Mashad, Khorsan Razavi Province, Iran. Abdul Majid focused that the Pak-Iran relationship is deep rooted and the bilateral trade potential is about 1 billion dollars which is yet to be achieved due to certain barriers out of which lack of banking system is the core obstacle. He asserted on the need of Iranian Bank Branch in Pakistan and Pakistani Bank Branch in Iran to strengthen the trade ties. Abdul Majid informed that the KCCI has taken up the said issue of establishing Banking channel between Pakistan & Iran with Prime Minister of Pakistan, Federal Minister of Finance & Governor of SBP. Abdul Majid also asserted on the need of developing the train-logistic service from Pakistan to Iran and Turkey under the ECO forum.

The President KCCI, earlier, warmly welcomed the Iranian Commercial Counsellor & 25 members trade delegation from Iran and gave them a categorical enlightenment on the Trade prevalent between the two friendly nations. He said that the present trade volume which is less than 1 billion USD is not at all satisfactory, we had a lot of potential and untapped sectors of trade which if pursued the trade volume might shoot up to the great extent, he added. He termed lack of interest, Banking & remittances problem, and Shipping and land transportation related problems being the chief factors attributed for the low trade volume. He drew the attention of Iranian Commercial Counsellor & trade delegation towards resolution of said factors for enhanced trade benefiting the common man of two brotherly nations. In order to boost up the representation of Iranian products in Pakistan, he extended invitation to Iranian Companies for Exhibition of Iranian products in KCCI’s “My Karachi Exhibition” to be held in June 2010.

Chairman, Businessmen Group, Siraj Kassam Teli, speaking at the occasion, highlighted that to strengthen the bilateral relations, trade plays imperative role and therefore it should be explored. He on behalf of Business Community ensure entire cooperation in this regards.

Advisor to Chief Minister Sindh on Investment & former President-KCCI, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, while addressing the Iranian Delegation, enlightened them about the profuse trade and investment opportunities available in Sindh Province. He informed about the investment potential of Thar Coal Resources in Sindh which is larger than the Oil Reserves of Saudi Arabia & Iran in terms of its volume. He also informed about the establishment of Pak-Japan Economic Cooperation Zone in the vicinity of Karachi and offered that a Pak-Iran Economic Zone may be established if the Iranian counterparts express their keen interest. Being the Chairman of Board of Investment of Sindh, he also ensure his best cooperation and support to the interested Iranian investors for investment in Sindh province.

Commercial Counsellor of Iran, Ahmad Fasihi, while speaking on the occasion, expressed hope that with the removal of existing hurdles in the way of trade, and establishing a banking channel between two countries, the trade volume in the current year would reach over one billion dollars. He said that last year Pakistan's export to Iran increased by 80 percent as compared to previous year, and touched 279 million dollars. Likewise, Iran's exports to Pakistan increased by 11 percent to 278 million dollars. He said that despite a high potential level, the volume of bilateral trade of the two countries is about 560 million dollars (excluding oil) which is insufficient in view of existing trade potential.

The leader of Iranian trade delegation from Khorasan Razavi Province and Vice President, Commerce Organization of Mashad, M H Kamranfar, has emphasised the need for establishing banking channel for enhancing two-way trade. Speaking at the meeting, he said that both countries have lot of potential to boost two-way trade. However, the trade relations were not reflective of the true potential and to explore the existing potential exchange of trade delegation, person to person. He said that the purpose of the visit by the delegation was to develop person to person contact with Pakistani counterparts to improve trade and economic ties.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Two killed in Karachi Fresh violence

At least two people have been killed while six others sustained injuries as violence erupted in various areas of the metropolis on Wednesday.

Moreover, four vehicles were set on fire by the angry mob in different parts of the city.

As per details, unknown armed men opened fire at the office of a construction company situated in Gulistan-e-Jauhar block 19, killing Zareen Khan and injuring Wali Muhammad. The victims were shifted to a private hospital near stadium road.

Police officials said initial investigation suggests that it was a business dispute, however, an inquiry is underway in this regard.

Separately, two people were injured when unknown assailants opened fire on them. They were later shifted to nearby hospital. However, condition of one injured was termed critical.

After the incident, some unidentified gunmen started aerial firing, forcing the shops to close down.

Furthermore, heavy contingent of police was deployed in the affected areas to maintain the law and order condition.

Aerial firing incidents were also reported in different parts of the city including Shah Faisal Colony, Landhi, Qaidabad, Esa Nagri, Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, Sohrab Goth, Rashid Minhas Road and Hasan Square.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

KARACHI CHAMBER WILL OPEN ON SUNDAY TO FACILITATE AFFECTEES FOR FILING THEIR CLAIMS

Chairman Businessmen Group & former President-KCCI, Siraj Kassam Teli, President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Abdul Majid Haji Muhammad, Vice Chairmen & former Presidents of KCCI, Tahir Khaliq, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, Haroon Farooki, Anjum Nisar, Senior Vice President-KCCI, Rasheeduddin Rashid, Vice President-KCCI, Javed Ahmed Vohra, and KCCI Managing Committee Members, in a press note, announced to open the KCCI’s Secretariat on Sunday, January 17, 2010, in order to facilitate the affectees of Bolton Markets and other adjoining markets of M. A. Jinnah Road.

They ensured that Office Bearers, Managing Committee Members, Heads and members of seven Sub-committees and Secretariat staff will be available on Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 11:00 AM till 04:00 PM to facilitate, and the affectees and authorized representatives of affected markets may contact KCCI to submit their claims, survey / maps of damaged / destroyed markets / buildings for reconstruction along with necessary information. They also requested that claim forms, survey / offers for reconstruction of damaged / destroyed buildings must be submitted positively by January 20, 2010, afterwards the same would not be received and entertained.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan arrives in Karachi

Renowned scientist Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan arrived in Karachi amid tight security on private tour.

He flew to Karachi from Lahore in PIA’s flight PK-301. On arrival he was driven to his brother’s residence in Muhammad Ali Society amid strict security.

Dr. Qadeer Khan’s engagements in the city have been kept strictly confidential owing to security reasons.

Stringent security has been put in place around the residing place of Dr. Qadeer Khan.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Record participation expected in Dreamworld Car Rally on Jaunary 17

By Syed Khalid Mahmood

Over three hundred entries are expected in the tenth edition of the Dreamworld Treasure Hunt Car Rally 2010 to be held in Karachi on January 17.

The car rally is being organized by the Team Dreamworld for the tenth year running in what has gone on to become one of the most sought after annual events of the metropolis in which over 1800 cars have participated in its decade-long history.

The rally comprises of a 70-kilometer lap crossing almost all popular locations of Karachi, one of the largest cities of the world, and the lap is distributed among eight check points to let vehicles follow the concept of safety through limited speed.

The time check points are established at different locations in the city with each check point providing the contestants with a clue or a puzzle which should be solved in order to discover the next checkpoint for ultimately reaching the fortune at the Dreamworld resort. Each check point registers the time for each car in for which the points are awarded to the contestants for efficient time management.

The final destination of this treasure hunt would be the Dreamworld Resort where, after a ceremony of fun and entertainment, the final winner would be announced on the basis of the time management points awarded with dozens of prizes.

Handsome cash rewards to the tune of Rs 150,000 await the outstanding performers while there would be consolation prizes for every participant of the car rally.

The best driver award carries a purse of Rs 50,000 while the runner-up would be becoming richer by Rs.25, 000. The best lady driver will be presented Rs 15,000 while there would be a cash award of Rs 15,000 for the youngest driver.

The oldest model as well as the latest model cars will be given Rs 15,000 each with another Rs 15,000 purse reserved for the best decorated car.

Every participant would be getting a share in the numerous discount vouchers on offer while complimentary meals, soft drinks and energy drinks will also be arranged for the participants besides gift hampers containing various items for every car.




It may be recalled that a record number of 254 families had participated in the Dreamworld Treasure Hunt Car Rally 2009 that was hailed as one of the most memorable sporting extravaganza in town. The event was aired on ATV in 2 episodes of 40 minutes each.

Dreamworld Resort has emerged as one of the leading sports clubs of the country besides offering numerous other facilities to its members. It’s located adjacent to Gulshan-e-Maymar, off Super Highway. It is indeed accessible from all parts of the city and the driving time has reduced substantially with the construction of so many flyovers and underpasses of late.

It’s very heartening indeed to find so many sporting events being held at the Dreamworld Resort from time to time. From car rally to cricket and from cue sports to mind sports they remain on the lookout for bringing in more life at the resort. Their golf course is also a centre of attraction.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Meera arrested and freed at Karachi Airport

Actress Meera was detained at the Karachi airport for possessing two passports on her arrival from abroad on Tuesday.
Sources in the immigration department of the FIA told that Meera presented her passport that was lost in the record.
Upon enquiry, she presented another passport bearing a valid visa and on the same she traveled from United States via EK-606. They further said Meera was detained for bearing two passports, but soon after she was set freed but both her passports were kept in custody.
FIA sources are of the view that both the passports will be sent to the issuing authority in Islamabad for proper investigations.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

INSPECTION TEAM CAUGHT 8 PERSONS ON ILLEGAL CHARGED PARKING.

Kaeachi City District Government has on receiving the information of illegal charged parking in the city constituted an inspection team to conduct surprise raid on all such places.

Meanwhile the Inspection Team of Recovery / Charged Parking Department of City Government raided Tariq Road and detained eight persons found recovering Rs.20 car parking fee in front of Dolmen Centre and Shopping Mall. The inspection team also seized the ticket books.

On enquiry from these persons, they gave written statement that they were recovering parking fee under the umbrella of Ferozabad Police Station. The above persons were released after giving warning and Inspection Team of Charged Parking Department was directed to pay regular visit to the parking areas of the city and in case of illegal charged parking the persons may be removed and handed-over to concerned police station for legal action. The department has also informed the general public especially Car and Motorcycle owners that Parking Fee of Rs.10 for Cars and Rs.05 for Motorcycle per entry is recoverable at City District Government’s Charged Parking sites which includes Beach View Park Clifton Parking Lot, Clifton Centre Parking Lot, Paradise Centre Clifton Parking Lot, Zoo Parking Lot, Haidery Market Parking Lot, Sindbad Parking Lot at NIPA, Crystal Court Clifton Parking Area, Hill Park Parking Area, Sasi Arcade Clifton Parking Site, whereas at Faizi Rehimeen Art Gallery Model Parking Rs.20 per car per entry is chargeable.
The above parking fee is without any time limit. If any one is demanding parking fee at other than the designated places the Recovery/Charged Parking Department can be informed on Phone No.99230819

Sunday, January 10, 2010

DAVID MILIBAND APPRECIATES RAPID DEVELOPMENT IN KARACHI


Britain Foreign Secretary David Miliband has appreciated the rapid progress that has been happened in Karachi during last few years.

During a meeting with City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on Sunday he said that Karachi holds much importance in the region therefore the development works here must go on.

The British Foreign Secretary also acknowledged the efforts taken by city government in Karachi for rapid progress of city saying that it was not an easy task to run this city and developing it in a short time. He said that the swift development in Karachi has been recognized on international level.

City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on this occasion informed the visiting British Foreign Secretary about the process of development in Karachi. He said that Haq parast City Government has without any distinction of caste or creed served the people living in every nook and corner of the city. During last four years special attention was given to solution of basic problems of citizen’s especially the rapid development of infrastructure and lying of new infrastructure.

The British Foreign Secretary appreciated the works of city government towards early solution of people’s problems and restoration of peace in Karachi. The British High Commissioner and Deputy High Commissioner also attended the meeting.

Friday, January 8, 2010

ABAD TO RECONSTRUCT DAMAGED GUTTED MARKET


City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has said that so far not even a single penny has been received from any level for restoration of arson hit buildings and rehabilitation of affected traders. People in Karachi were repairing and reconstructing these buildings on self help basis. Following the steps of CDGK contractors, Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has now taken the responsibility of reconstructing 400 damaged and gutted shops and ware houses of Quetta Market on which work would begin from Saturday.

He expressed these views while talking to the media representatives during a visit to inspect the restoration work at Boulton Market on Friday. Officer bearers of ABAD accompanied him on this occasion.

City Nazim said that ABAD would restore the building to its original state and all the shopkeepers would get their premises after completion of work. City Nazim also thanked members and office bearers of ABAD for taking part in the noble cause. He further said that ABAD would bear all the expenses incurred on the reconstruction of Quetta Building.

Talking to media ABAD Chairman Farooq-uz-Zaman said that ABAD has decided to take part in the rehabilitation work of the affected commercial center of Karachi. He said that we will try to finish this work as soon as possible after that all the shops will be handed over to the owners.

Meanwhile City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has again appealed to the administration of private schools to wave off six months fee of the children of affected traders of MA Jinnah Road and the martyrs of bomb blast in Ashura possession. During the visit of Boulton Market with ABAD delegation, he said that the affectees were facing acute financial hardships and this is the duty of every citizen to help and support them in their hour of need. He again said that if the private schools could not exempt the children of affected traders and martyrs than city government would itself pay the fee of children.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

CITY NAZIM RELIEF FUND RECEIVES DONATION FROM QUAID-E-TEHREEK MR. ALTAF HUSSAIN.

On behalf of Quaid-e-Tehreek Mr. Altaf Hussain, members of MQM Rabita Committee Shoaib Bukhari and Shahid Latif presented a Cheque of Rs.5million to towards the City Nazim Relief Fund for arson hit traders of M.A Jinnah Road.

DCO Karachi Javed Hanif Khan, EDO Finance, EDO E&IP and other officers were also present on this occasion.

Expressing gratitude to the leader of MQM Mr. Altaf Hussain on behalf of citizens of Karachi, City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said that he is the only political leader of Pakistan who always thought about his countrymen.

He said that the enemies of the country had tried to ruin the national economy by targeting the most important commercial hub of the country and burned down the biggest trade center of Pakistan. Mr. Altaf Hussain had in that critical time appealed to the citizens of Karachi and representatives of different schools of thoughts to remain peaceful and maintain and prove their unity. He also talked to Shia and Sunni Ulema-e-kiram on telephone and asked them to ensure inter faith harmony among the people. He said that the law and order condition in Karachi could be maintained only due to the efforts of Mr.Altaf Hussain who had thwarted the evil designs of the terrorist forces.

City Nazim said that the rehabilitation process in the affected areas has been started rapidly and the commercial activities would soon begin in this area. He also appealed to the citizens of Karachi to donate in the relief fund (HBL KMC Branch 31618-0 Branch Code 0015) so that the trade and commercial activities could be restored as soon as possible.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Bombing and fire disrupt a fragile peace in Karachi

By Pamela Constable
Courtesy: Washington Post

KARACHI, PAKISTAN -- When a bomb exploded during a Shiite religious procession here last Monday, killing 44 people and touching off hours of violence that left hundreds of shops burned to ashes, it shattered the sense that Pakistan's largest city and financial hub was immune to the plague of Islamist violence that has swept this nuclear-armed nation.

With one strategic blast, the attackers added a volatile new ingredient to the cauldron of ethnic and sectarian tensions, political brawls, business mafia rivalries, and street crime that simmers in this metropolis of 18 million. Although these conflicts periodically erupt into violence, they have rarely disrupted the purposeful hum or resilience of city life.

This time, the destruction triggered by the explosion was so shocking and affected so many interest groups that the entire city went on strike Friday, uniting in an act of peaceful protest. The normally clogged boulevards and teeming bazaars were silent; the swank seaside eateries were empty. Even the Karachi stock exchange shut down instead of grandly opening for New Year's Day.

"They came in and destroyed everything," said Akbar al-Habib, 38, standing amid heaps of charred cloth from his garment shop in Lighthouse Market, where dozens of stalls had burned all night while armed men blocked anyone from entering. "Who would do this to us?"

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the bomb that exploded on Jinnah Avenue as several hundred thousand Shiites marched in mourning for a martyred seventh-century imam. For many here, the more important questions are who orchestrated the spree of destructive economic violence that followed and why thousands of police deployed to protect the Shiite procession were unable to stop it.

Instead of answers, the six-hour rampage and 48-hour inferno, which caused more than $400 million in damage, have produced a week of confusion and finger-pointing between the Karachi city government, which is run by the urban Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), and the Sindh provincial government, which is controlled by the rural-based, nationally ruling Pakistan People's Party.

With few solid facts emerging, the devastation has also provided tinder for conspiracy theories to suit the agendas of every religious, ethnic and political group in the complex, fragile mosaic of Karachi society. They range from accusations of economic sabotage by property owners to wild speculation of international plots by Western and anti-Muslim powers.

Some groups have accused Shiite militants of using their holy day to create chaos, saying fire accelerants were hidden inside religious cloths. Shiite leaders insist that most mourners continued with their procession after the bombing, while the looting and arson broke out many blocks behind. They assert that the attackers were trying to provoke sectarian divisions among Shiites and Sunnis, backed by a conspiracy of Western interests.

"We were mourning peacefully, and I followed the procession to the end," Mohammed Hussain, 21, said after Friday prayers at a Shiite mosque. "We could not even bring a cigarette lighter into the march, and we were surrounded by police and barricades. How could we think of such violence?" A few minutes later, he joined a group of Shiite protesters shouting: "Down with Israel. Down with America! Yes to Sunni-Shiite Unity!"

Several other theories circulated among merchants from the medicine, cosmetics, plastics and clothing markets that went up in flames. One was that the government or real estate mafias had the shops torched to drive tenants from valuable property. Another was that Pashtun thugs, from the same ethnic group as the Taliban, destroyed the markets to help the extremists and weaken the MQM, which is ethnically Mohajir and ardently anti-Taliban.

At Bolton Market, the epicenter of the fire, clusters of angry merchants watched glumly Friday and Saturday while workers shoveled mounds of burned goods from shops. Several multistory concrete buildings had collapsed from the intense fire, fueled by perfume, cotton and other flammable goods.

"These people were highly organized. They had weapons, cutters for the locks and chemicals to spread fire. This was not the work of emotional Shiite mourners," said Wasim Qureshi, 40, a perfume importer. "Our country is in the middle of a war on international terror. Only the terrorists will benefit from this disaster, and whoever did it was working on their behalf."

Pashtun political leaders dismissed accusations that Taliban supporters carried out the violence. Shahi Sayed, provincial president of the major Pashtun party, flatly accused the MQM of staging the violence to tar his community as a terrorist base.

"The MQM is like a mafia of thugs who rig elections, blackmail businesses and get support from the army," said Sayed, a hulking politician whose house is protected by tribal police. "They would destroy their own community to divide the Sindhis, drive out the Pashtuns and keep people away from Islam."

Similar accusations came from the Jamaat-e-Islami religious party, which set up tents near the damaged markets to assist victims of the fire. Local leaders of Jamaat, which is sympathetic to the Taliban, also blamed a plot by the MQM to malign Islam. They published photos in their party newspaper showing alleged MQM loyalists engaged in looting.

For MQM officials, Friday's events were a major political blow. The party has campaigned publicly against the "Talibanization" of Karachi. But now, with the terrorist threat squarely confronting the city, and the business community up in arms over the inadequate response by police and firefighters, Karachi's leaders are struggling to restore public confidence, tamp down the swirling conspiracy theories and ensure that the incident does not create dangerous new fissures.

"Karachi is the jugular vein of our economy, and a complex city with many fault lines. If Karachi is destabilized, then Pakistan is destabilized," said Farooq Sattar, an MQM leader and former Karachi mayor, who denied suggestions that his party fomented the violence. "We cannot allow either to happen."

Sunday, January 3, 2010

FLAG HOISTING ON AFFECTED BUILDINGS

On the directive of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal more than 400 national flags were hoisted on affected buildings of M.A Jinnah Road on Sunday. The flags will continue to hoist on these buildings till the completion of their repair and reconstruction work. City Nazim had said to hoist the national flag on the gutted and damaged buildings.
With the start of repair and reconstruction work on Sunday morning, City Government Karachi, Town Administration, Karachi Water & Sewerage Board and Associations of traders hoisted national flags on affected buildings of M.A Jinnah Road.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship to begin today

International Sports will return to Pakistan on Saturday with the hosting of inaugural Benazir Bhutto International Boxing Championship which is going to explode into action at KPT Sports Complex Gymnasium from Saturday. Over 100 pugilists from leading countries from Africa, Asia and Hungary and from Europe will be taking part in the week-long fist-fighting gala.
Teams from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Central Africa, China, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kenya, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Syria, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Yemen and two teams from hosts - Pakistan Greens and Pakistan Whites are featuring in the event. Chief of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) Doda Khan Bhutto said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani will formally inaugurate the championship named after former Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. “The holding of the event is a major big breakthrough for Pakistan Sports,” he said. PBF took the initiative and its going to reality on Saturday,” he commented. Doda Khan thanked the Indian Boxing Federation for sending the team to Pakistan. He also thanked the PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani for releasing a grant of Rs.20.3 million. Almost all the countries have arrived for the championship and an interesting contests are on the cards and big boost for Pakistan Sports. This is the first international sporting event in Pakistan after attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team in Lahore on March 3, 2009.

The event will serve as the build-up and exposure for 22-member boxing contingent to show their skill, talent and potential in front of their boxing-loving home crowd particularly in Lyari area. The hosting of the championship will help in selecting the best possible Pakistan combination for the XI South Asian Games being held in Dhaka from January 29 and for Commonwealth Boxing Championship schedule to be held in New Delhi in March 2010. The event will show how much progress Pakistan boxers have made under their new Cuban Coach Francisco Hernendez Ronald. The medical and weighing of the boxers will be held at team’s hotel between 8 to 10.a.m. and draw will be taken out at 10.30 a.m.