KARACHI  -  Speakers at a conference on Friday lashed out at the PPP’s Sindh government for being unable to ensure appropriate security measures for the people of Lyari and stop exodus of Kutchhis to other parts of the province. They also demanded the federal government to intervene in the matter as the provincial government has been failed.
The Jeay Sindh Mohaz, a nationalist group had organised the ceremony at the Press Club which was attended by a large number of political leaders and workers of various parties.
Speaking as the chief guest, Pakistan’s former member to the United Nations, Abdullah Hussain Haroon said at least 60,000 to 70,000 Lyari-based people of Kutchhi community have left their homes, migrating to other parts of Sindh in search of safer places. He said the present provincial government of the PPP has failed to provide security to the affected community.
He rejected the reports of the ongoing feuds between Kutchhis and Baloch-speaking people in Lyari. He added that Rangers were not being given authority to maintain law and order in the area, advising the PPP government to stop selling of jobs and let the honest officers to work and discharge their duties to provide security to the people of Lyari. He floated a suggestion of writing a letter to the United Nations to conduct an inquiry into the exodus of the Kutchhis which, he said, would prove evidence of committing of their genocide.
Former National Assembly Speaker Elahi Bakhsh Soomro while speaking on the issue also rejected the impression of the ongoing feud between Kutchhis and Baloch communities, who have been living with love and tranquillity in the area for decades. He appealed the Sindh government to take steps to eliminate the menace of drug and extortion from Lyari.
PML-N leader and member Sindh Assembly Haji Shafi Jamote suggested the federal and nationalist parties should initiate contact with both parties-Baloch and Kutchhis to resolve the issue as both communities suffering losses. If the Sindh government is not fulfilling its duty of providing security, the Federal government should intervene and take steps to resolve the Lyari law and order problem immediately.
PML-F MPA Mehtab Akbar Rashdi said that the government has no writ in Lyari, where criminal group is ruling. Even, the Law Enforcement Officials could not enter in many areas of Lyari, as the Sindh government accepting its failure has hand over the control to such groups officially. She came down hard on the role of federal force in Karachi, saying that Rangers is not able to control law and order situation in the city, so the provincial government should withdraw the services of this federal force immediately.
The Sindh United Party chief held the Sindh government responsible for the lawlessness and exodus of Lyari, alleging that the PPP government patronising the criminal gang, which is involved in attack on Kutchhis. He claimed that lawlessness and violence in Lyari is part of the great game of international conspiracy, which aimed to force the people to leave their native areas, so they could built an international city along with sea port. He appealed the nationalist groups of Sindh to get united in support of Kutchhi community and take out peace rallies all over the province. Jeay Sindh Tehreek leader Dr Safdar Sarki announced to hold Sindh-wide protest on July 23, expressing solidarity with Kuctchhi people.
Akhtar Kutchi of Kutchhi Rabita Council claimed that 60, to 70 thousand people have migrated from Lyari as at least 5,000 houses of Kutchhi community been occupied by the criminal groups. He termed the Lyari situation equivalent to the North Waziristan and Wana, claiming that terrorists of banned outfits religious groups as well as ethnic parties are hiding in Lyari, which is a safe heaven for them.
Riaz Chandio of Jeay Sindh Mohaz, Yousaf Masti Khan and others also spoke on this occasion.