ALTAF HUSSAIN LAUDS MQM WINGS PRAISES ZONES, SECTORS, UNITS AND PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR MAKING EFFORTS FOR PEACE AND HARMONY ON YOUM-I-ASHUR

Chief of Muttahida Quami Movement Altaf Hussain has lauded the MQM Co-ordination Committee, parliamentarians, Karachi Tanzimi Committee (KTC), Interior Sindh Tanzimi Committee (ISTC) and all the zones and sectors of throughout the country for making efforts in maintaining peace and sectarian harmony.

Mr Hussain said that the MQM had demonstrated by taking part in the ritual mourning processions and religious gatherings that the MQM is working strenuously working for peace, brotherhood and sectarian harmony.

Mr Hussain also praised the doctors, paramedics, and volunteers of the KKF and the Medical Aid Committee of the MQM for performing duties at the medical camps and other locations throughout the country.

Mr Hussain also thanked the scholars for preaching unity among the Muslims and the need for harmony among different shades of religious persuasions.

Mr Hussain also praised the Federal Interior Minister, Provincial Home Minister, and officials and personnel of police and rangers for making effective security arrangements on Youm-e-Ashur.

Suicide blast in Karachi Ashura procession kills 30, injures 80

At least 30 persons have been killed while 80 injured as a powerful suicide blast ripped through Central Flagellation Procession of Yaum-e-Ashur on M.A. Jinnah Road Karachi, reported Dunya News on Monday.
The blast occurred when the central flagellation procession of 10th Muharram reached near Light House Cinema. According to sources, the suicide bomber blew himself up near young boy scouts camp as one of the Rangers personnel Abdul Razzaq stopped him. The blast triggered stampede and panic among the mourners. The blast was so powerful that it could be heard from several kilometers. Police and law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area after the incident whereas rescue teams rushed to the blast site and shifted the injured to Civil and Jinnah hospitals. Emergency has been imposed in all hospitals of the city. The injured also includes some media persons and two Rangers personnel.
Angry mourners torched several vehicles parked alongside the road and a four-story building. Several persons were caught helpless in the building. The angry mob also torched shops in Landa Bazaar adjacent to Light House Cinema. Meanwhile, several incidents of firing and violence have been reported from different areas of Karachi after the incident.
The blast occurred at 4:22 pm while Dunya News team was present there for the coverage of the central flagellation procession.

CCPO KARACHI WASEEM AHMED, POLICE OFFICERS MONITOR 9TH MUHARRAM PROCESSION THROUGH COMMAND & CONTROL CENTER

City administration has been facilitated greatly due to the availability of Command & Control Center and surveillance cameras in its monitoring the area from Nishter Park to Tower during Muharram-ul-Haram. So far city government has installed 275 video cameras on different locations and 100 more will be installed within a week. No one can abolish this system in future as any such attempt would be resisted by the people who have owned this system.

This was stated by City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal while talking to media representatives on Saturday at Command & Control Center. Earlier he reviewed the city condition specially the situation at Nishter Park and M.A Jinnah Road during the 9th Muharram procession and afterwards attended the procession at M.A Jinnah Road and met with the organizers and religious leaders.

The CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed along with SSP Dr. Aamir Yousuf Zai and other police officers were also present on this occasion and inspected the main procession from the screens of command and control room.

City Nazim said that the present day challenges could not be dealt without using latest technology. City Government has provided this facility to administration that has helped and enabled them to monitor the condition of city during Muharram-ul-Haram. He said that the Nishter Park was now regarded as the key place for holding of religious and other people’s gatherings. This system was not specific to Muharram and has been established on permanent basis. All the entrance routes of Nishter Park and its internal area were being monitored completely.

City Nazim said that not only this system was helping the police but was also used to control the fire brigade, ambulance service 1122 and city wardens who are also on the ground. He said that the system could record the data for next 10 years and its capacity was being enhanced on regular basis. The area from Airport to Metropole Hotel and from Saddar to Safoora Chowk(Corridor III) will also include in the coverage area within a week.

The CCPO Karachi Waseem Ahmed on this occasion said that the city government’s command and control system was supported by latest technology and has been proved effective and helpful for Karachi Police. He said that the surveillance system could save the city from any possible terrorist act and the police and other law enforcement agencies could be informed instantly in case of any emergency situation. He also acknowledged the help and coordination received by police from the town nazmeen and the town administration in Karachi.