Karachi criminals take advantage of faulty policing, prosecution:

By Tariq Habib
Pakistan has been facing terrorism for last one decade, while the financial hub of the country, Karachi, has been in grip of terrorism for last three decades. Thousands of people, including law enforcers, professionals and scholars, have been killed. Terrorism techniques have changed “bullet to blast” which has raised causalities in these gory incidents.

The city remained affected and saw different waves of terrorism. Karachi witnessed killings of innocent people, some of whom had been tortured using drill machine, in a brutal way. For the last decade, rescue workers collecting human remains have also been falling victim to suicide attacks.

During the efforts of curbing crime, a large numbers of law enforcers have been killed in the city, but could not remove the criminals and anti-state elements from the city. Karachi police, especially CID department of the police, played a vital role in this war and lost more than a thousand of their officers and constables. Karachi police were always rewarded for their success as they arrested terrorists and target killers involved in heinous crimes.

Lived a hero, died a hero!

By Tariq Habib
“I don’t fear death because I believe everyone will die one day. I will bury terrorists in this land,” were the last words of SP CID Chaudhry Aslam Khan who survived more than eight attacks in his battle against terrorists, criminals and extortionists. 
However, Chaudhry Aslam couldn’t survive in a terrorist attack near Essa Nagri at the Lyari Expressway in Karachi. Aslam lost his life along with his two guards, while seven other cops and three passengers also received injuries. So powerful was the blast that it threw the bullet-proof vehicle of Chaudhry Aslam 20-30- feet away on another track of the road. Two police mobiles and a taxi were also badly damaged. The police arrested the injured taxi driver.

The postmortem report of Chaudhry Aslam stated that all bones of his face and head had broken down and his mutilated body was recognized from his beard. Ribs were also broken and the lower parts of body and legs were also badly hit by the blast.

After the blast, the departments concerned created a controversy, as they held different opinions about the nature of the blast. CID officers claimed that it was a suicide blast and more than 100 kg explosive material was used. On the other hand, the Bomb Disposal Squad BDS was of view that it was a planted bomb with 20 kg explosive material.

Then, three teams headed by DIG Zafar Bukhari, constituted to investigate the bombing, surveyed the site of the attack and collected evidences. Initial investigations show a suicide bomber rammed his explosives-laden pickup into the slain police officer’s bulletproof SUV when his motorcade was passing through the Lyari Expressway.

Lethal light weapons in high demand

BY Tariq Habib

KARACHI - The legal and illegal sale of the light weapons in the violence-hit metropolis is skyrocketing as the target killers appear to have an inclination for using the arms that are lethal but handy. These small-sized deadly arms are: 9MM, 30 bore and .22 pistol.




According to police sources, in over 90 percent incidents of targeted killings in the city the killers had used small-size but highly sophisticated weapons during the last five months.

MQM’s activists behind Farooq’s murder

By Tariq Habib

KARACHI:  The people involved in the murder of senior Muttahida Qaumi Movement leader Dr Imran Farooq were graduates of Karachi University and affiliated with the party’s student wing, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday.

TTP proudly presents: ‘How to attack the CID building’

By Tariq Habib

KARACHI: In a chilling reminder to the threat posed by home-grown militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the media wing of the terrorist outfit has released a confessional video, showing in detail how the suicide bomb attack on the Crime Investigation Department (CID) office was planned and executed on November 11, 2010.

Al Qaeda’s Pakistan chief is alive

By Tariq Habib

KARACHI: The CIA’s claim about killing Ustad Ahmed Farooq, head of al Qaeda in Pakistan, proved false when he appeared in a video tape and vowed to avenge the killing of Osama Bin Laden. Farooq was earlier declared killed in a US drone strike in South Waziristan on June 3.

3 naval officers face court martial in PNS Mehran case

By Tariq Habib

KARACHI: Pakistan Navy has initiated court martial proceeding against three serving officers for their alleged negligence in the PNS Mehran terror attack. The officers being court martialled include PNS Mehran Commanding Officer Captain Israr, Naval Aviation Commander Commodore Tahir and PNS Mehran Chief Security Officer Lt Commander Abrar.

Sleuths blame three politicians’ ‘RAW links’ for violence in city

KARACHI:  Three important political personalities of Pakistan have close ties with intelligence agencies of India –the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) – and Iran, and are behind the ongoing incidents of violence across Karachi in compliance with the orders of their foreigner masters, Pakistan Today has learnt.

In the Mandi of gambling, SI Waseem still roams unhindered

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 23, 2011

KARACHI-Following the bomb blast in Ghas Mandi, the site of the bombing that killed at least 18 on Thursday, police high-ups suspended a DSP and an SHO of the area, but this was done to create an impression that the police had ‘done something.’

17 killed in Karachi gambling den bombing

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 22, 2011

KARACHI - A bomb blast at Rummy Club near Karachi’s Ghasmandi area left at least 17 people dead and 44 critically injured on Thursday. The blast caused considerable panic and a stampede, with people running in all directions. Police and paramilitary forces reached the site of the explosion and cordoned off the area, while rescue teams began their activities.

Geo colleague abetted Wali Babar’s killers?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 19, 2011 

KARACHI - A colleague of journalist Wali Babar escorted the ring leader of the gang of “target killers” who later murdered him, to the Geo office in Karachi, and helped him take snaps of Babar with his cell phone camera, disclosed the arrested accused of the case to a joint investigation team (JIT).

FIA team to head to UK to arrest NICL scam accused

KARACHI - The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Saturday revealed that it had decided to send a team to the UK to arrest Amin Qasim Dada, the main accused in the National Insurance Corporation Ltd scam.

‘Orders to kill journalist Wali Babar issued from South Africa’

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 15, 2011 

KARACHI - Orders to kill journalist Wali Babar were issued by some “influential people” living in South Africa but who have connections in Karachi, according to a report prepared by a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the case and the five suspects that have been arrested thus far.

‘Ashura blast, ensuing incineration at Boulton Market were plannedoperations’

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 13, 2011

KARACHI - The Ashura blast of 2009 and the ensuing incineration at many shops in Boulton Market were both planned operations, confessed suspected target killer Ajmal Pahari to a joint interrogation team (JIT).

SHC hauls up MI, IB and Rangers chiefs in missing student’s case

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 09, 2011

KARACHI - The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued notices to the director generals of the Military Intelligence (MI), Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), provincial Home secretary, police chief, Crime Investigation Department (CID) in charge, Station House Officer (SHO) and DIG Investigation of a Steel Town police station, in a case pertaining to the disappearance of a student from Karachi.

Five of journalist Wali Babar’s ’17 to 18 assassins’ arrested

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 08, 2011 

KARACHI - Karachi police have arrested five of the "17 to 18" men suspected to be involved in the murder of journalist Wali Khan Babar, claimed Capital City Police Officer (CCPO)-Karachi Saud Mirza on Thursday while addressing a press conference in his office.

Mortal transit:

By: Tariq Habib

Published in HIMAL South Asian: April 2011

Those whose job it is to facilitate the ‘war on terror’ seem to be the most terrified of all.Their job – shipping thousands of containers of gas, food and military equipment to the International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) stationed in Afghanistan – makes them an integral part of the ongoing military operations in Afghanistan. But Pakistani transporters are resigning en masse, fed up with frequent militant attacks on their convoys and lack of compensation for lives and vehicles lost on the job.

Pakistan lost in Mohali but inside central jail it’s a different story

By: Tariq Habib | Published: April 03, 2011

KARACHI - Ecstatic, the victorious green shirts felt like dishing out their hearts to their blue-shirted rivals after winning the match... the scenes inside the Karachi Central Prison were wishful thinking for those who had gunned for Pakistan to win the cricket world cup semi-final clash against India on March 30.

All duas for Pakistan but ‘smart’ money is on India

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 30, 2011

KARACHI - The Greatest Match Ever, the ICC World Cup 2011 semi-final between Pakistan and India at Mohali, is here and Karachi’s bookmakers expect the cash to rain: more than 60 billion rupees are expected to change hands during the match, but a majority of bettors have gambled on an Indian win.

Zia’s war long over - NATO forces still exchanging heroin for weapons

By Tariq Habib/Published: March 16, 2011

KARACHI: The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan might not have heard of General Zia-ul-Haq, but drugs are being smuggled to them by tribes living along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Wanted by Interpol, released by AVCC

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 11, 2011

KARACHI - A Karachi-based industrialist arrested by the Anti Violent Crime Cell (AVCC) on Wednesday over financial irregularities in Dubai was released on Thursday.

Trust the I.I. Chundrigar bookie, he’s already sent Rs 9bn to Mumbai and Dubai

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 11, 2011

KARACHI - Fans of betting, bet safely with the “I.I. Chundrigar bookie” – he is a man trusted by the big guns, has direct contacts in Mumbai and Dubai, and till now, has transferred more than nine billion rupees abroad.

Khilaris alert: millions can be made from Kamran Akmal’s next dropped catch

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 10, 2011



 

KARACHI - The International Cricket Council can steal Pakistan’s right to host the Cricket World Cup, but not our passion to win bets: at least 250 bookmakers in Karachi are accepting wagers on matches being played in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka – albeit in an illegal trade that has the patronage of government officials and the high-ups of the police department. Ghas Mandi, a small, congested locality near the Timber Market, is one of the areas where the bookmaking trade is thriving: many bookies have rented houses and apartments, but pay up to five times as much as the regular rates to lease their temporary places of work. “A house or an apartment can usually be rented out for as low as Rs5,000; the maximum one usually has to pay is Rs8,000. For the purpose of the World Cup, bookies are paying more than 20,000 to house owners in rent while some 56 bookmakers have also purchased their own property in Ghas Mandi,” sources told Pakistan Today. There are three options to place a bet, code-named Fancy, Long and Win. Fansy is for those interesting in placing bets on a pre-defined number of overs, with the minimum being 10. Long interests those who want to place bets on one complete innings. Those who go for the Win are interested in forecasting the outcome of a match.A bookmaker offers odds for both teams before a match starts, but code words are used to refer to both the rates and the teams. The rate offered to Pakistan Today for a Pakistan match was 40/41 – “40, 41 ka bhao hay, kha lo ya laga lo (The going rate is 40 and 41, which one will you bet on?),” the bookie said.When two strong teams play against each other, the odds given are very low. But when a high-profile team takes on a low-profile one, the odds are usually high. The stakes in favour of England against Ireland were 14-73, and bookies managed to make billions of rupees when the Englishmen lost. If a match is tied, as was the case in the India-England match, all bets are off and no one makes any money. Ghas Mandi is but one of the areas where bookmakers are operating: sources told Pakistan Today that some 150 bookies have set up their operations in Ghas Mandi, but others have set up their offices in Kharadar, Mausamiat Chowrangi, Ranchore Lines and even Defence and Clifton. In total, more than 1,300 bookmakers are operating across the country; apart from government officials and law enforcers, some former players and relatives of these players are also alleged to be involved in the bookmaking racket. Bookies have different hideouts in the city while so called white collars families are running this business from their homes. But each bookmaker can accepts bet up to a particular limit, depending on the limit allowed in his books. A bookie typically has one book with a specific upper limit for money that can be accepted. When he crosses the limit allowed to him, the client is referred to a colleague with a higher limit.“The ceilings allowed in books are as low as 25,000 rupees and as high as 25 billion rupees. So, for instance, a bookie with an upper limit of Rs 25,000 cannot accept a bet that can return Rs30,000. If a customer wants to increase his wagers, the bookmaker will contact a colleague who has a book for Rs50,000 or more,” a bookmaker told Pakistan Today. There are situations when the upper limits of even the highest allowed are crossed, he said, explaining that bookmakers then have to contact their colleagues in India who can accommodate these bets. Almost all bookies in Karachi reference their book according to their cell phone number or land line number. Many book numbers start with 0300, 0321 and 0333 – therefore identifying beforehand how much a prospective client is interested in wagering. Those interested in placing bets contact their bookies accordingly, but usually have to provide reference of a person close to the bookie.With such an elaborate mechanism in place, there are millions and billions to be made – a fact not lost on political groups and law enforcers. “Bookies in Ghas Mandi alone pay Rs250 million per month to a man named Sub-Inspector (SI) Waseem, who liaises not only with police stations but also with political and criminal groups,” sources said. The advantage of dealing with SI Waseem, according to bookies, is that he directly deals with the high-ups of the Home Department and the Police Department, sometimes even delivering their cut of the booty to their doorsteps. SI Waseem allegedly also has great sway over postings of various SHOs, and has barred local police stations from venturing into Ghas Mandi. Another man who liaises on behalf of the police is Ishtiaq Ganja, and he is responsible for Defence, Clifton, Kharadar, and other areas in the South Zone. Ganja himself is a bookmaker, and runs a book in Defence and Clifton which has a limit of 100 million rupees.

Pakistan Today

Urge to smoke proves lethal for ‘terrorist’

KARACHI - An explosion ripped off the roof of a house in the Korangi area on Saturday, while killing one person and injuring two others. Police said a man identified as Zulfiqar Kolachi was killed in the blast near Gulzar Mosque in the Jumma Goth area of Ibrahim Hyderi, Korangi.

Cheaper fuel option at a heavy cost, Government officials involved in illegal business

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 05, 2011

 



KARACHI - The soaring prices of POL (petrol, oil and lubricants) have remarkably increased the sale of smuggled Iranian petrol, causing losses worth billions of rupees to the exchequer, while important government personalities are also investing in and harbouring this illegal business, sources have informed Pakistan Today.The daily consumption of Iranian petrol has gone through the ceiling, whereas a major decline between 10,000 tonnes and 15,000 tonnes in daily consumption of locally produced POL has been reported after the government issued the announcement of price hike.Two important political figures are reportedly investing in this illegal business and harbouring the culprits involved. These political figures are generating billions of rupees a month through this business, and have established over 28 illegal fuel stations in Lyari alone, whereas four in Bhains Colony, two in Orangi Town, and one in Khokhrapar. Between 5,000 litres and 8,000 litres of Iranian POL worth Rs 1 million are being sold daily at these illegal stations set up by government officials.A man working at one of the illegal fuel stations said, “We are receiving hefty amounts as salary and feel no hesitation in continuing our jobs here.” The sources claimed that a high-ranking official of the provincial government has made a deal worth Rs 100 million a month with culprits involved in smuggling Iranian POL so the latter could continue running their business without any threat from the law enforcement agencies.“Three members of a smugglers’ group met with the government official’s representative to finalise the deal. The smugglers had arrived in a Land Cruiser along with a police mobile unit that was providing them security,” the sources told Pakistan Today. The government official has made this deal with the major smugglers of Karachi, and this illegal business is now going to be legal since the city police have been prohibited from interfering in it or taking action against the culprits, they added.The special branch of the police and other intelligence agencies have submitted reports regarding the ongoing smuggling of Iranian POL to Karachi, and also pointed out the hideouts of the culprits as well as the illegal fuel stations.The Home Department is not taking any interest in restricting these culprits, and overlooking the reports prepared and submitted by the intelligence agencies.Sale of Iranian petrol has become a profitable business, and more important personalities have started making investments in this venture.The consumption of smuggled Iranian POL was between 30,000 tonnes and 35,000 tonnes in Pakistan last year, but it has increased by 15,000 litres a day in Karachi in the first two months of the current year, and further rise is expected in the future due to POL price hike.Despite losses of around Rs 7 billion per annum in tax revenue, the government is not taking any interest in shutting this business down, and international donors, like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, have also advised the government to take necessary action in the best interest of the stakeholders of this sector. The business of smuggled Iranian petrol is boosting up and transporters are playing a major role in this regard since they are purchasing low-cost Iranian petrol to save huge sums of money.Though Iranian POL is harmful for the engine of the vehicles, the only advantage of these smuggled commodities is their low rate since Iranian petrol is Rs 25 to Rs 30 cheaper than local petrol. After the government had announced raising local POL prices, an increase of Rs 4 in the price of Iranian petrol in Karachi was also reported. Iranian petrol has been selling in Surjani, Baldia, Manghopir, Landhi, Orangi, Malir, Bin Qasim, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Korangi, Lyari and other areas of the city.Sources said that Lyari is considered the main hub of smuggled petrol, and it is believed that smuggled petrol is distributed to other parts of the city from Lyari Town where over 94 illegal fuel stations are operating. Iranian petrol was being sold for between Rs 43 and Rs 45 per litre, but after the government raised local POL prices, Iranian petrol price increased to up to Rs 53. The sources revealed that people who are consuming the smuggled Iranian POL do not belong to a specific class, but people from posh areas are also regular customers of these products.An officer working at the head office of a local bank, who obtains Iranian fuel for his car from a fuel station near Nehal Hospital in Malir, said that local POL could not be afforded due to their high prices, which is why he prefers Iranian petrol.Stating something similar, a young motorcyclist said that he always gives priority to Iranian petrol because his pocket money does not permit him to spend more on local fuel.“I am a student at the University of Karachi and my father works as a labourer at the Pakistan Steel Mills. I belong to a middle-class family and we spend every single rupee after thinking it over at least a dozen times,” he added. Another customer at an illegal fuel station told Pakistan Today that he does not feel any hesitation in obtaining Iranian petrol because senior government officials are said to be involved in this illegal business themselves, and the open sale of smuggled petrol proves this.He pointed towards a police mobile unit and said that the police are well aware of these illegal fuel stations, but they have never tried to shut them down. “Why should we feel any hesitation then?” he added.

 

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Pakistan Today

Food minister and buddies ready to reap poppy

By: Tariq Habib | Published: March 05, 2011

 



KARACHI - Sindh Food Minister Nadir Magsi may be famous as Karachi’s best car racer, but he is also an agriculturalist – albeit one who makes his living by allegedly sowing poppy and guarding the cultivation with all his (mighty) force, Pakistan Today has learnt. Coupled with the fields, a number of factories also operate under the patronage and protection of Magsi – producing refined heroin that sells for millions of rupees in Sindh and Balochistan, well-placed sources in the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) told Pakistan Today. “One kilogramme of poppy is sold at Rs 60,000 but when refined, a few grams of heroin can generate millions of rupees,” sources said. Sources said that in a report (No 5-1/2010-Dev-1) submitted last year, the authorities concerned were informed that Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Magsi was involved in the cultivation of poppy, but till now, the force have been unable to clamp down on his poppy fields. “Some 24 acres of land located at Goth Sargari in UC Kot Magsi are being utilised for poppy cultivation, and this land is owned by Magsi,” sources said, while quoting the report. The area is not accessible to the common folk and is heavily guarded by more than 500 men armed with automatic heavy weapons,” sources said. “No villager or any other person has the courage to even trespass this land. The minister regularly visits the area along with his protocol but the ANF personnel cannot do much.” Magsi’s lands are not the only ones being used to cultivate poppy: according the ANF sources, more than 150 acres of land in District Qamber Shahdadkot were used for the purpose in 2010, including more than 50 in Toth Sargari (UC Kot Magsi) and 35 in Rahu-Jo-Aatho (UC Ghaibi Dero). The district’s geographical proximity to Balochistan means that the poppy trade serves both areas on both sides of the Sindh-Balochistan border. Not only are large tracts cultivated, dozens of small factories have also been set up to produce refined heroin, sources said, alleging that they all enjoy the patronage and protection of the food minister. “More than 24 factories are being run in the border villages, and they employ hundreds of poor at meagre salaries,” sources claimed.For the villagers, though, the poppy business stirs up ambivalence: on the one hand, they need money from the employment, but on the other, hundreds of youngsters are becoming heroin addicts. “Our children are being pushed into addiction. Drugs are being pushed to them instead of books,” a villager of Goth Sargari told Pakistan Today. Some villagers also claim that they have been forced into working for the Sardars, since their land was forcefully taken away from them. “I was the owner of a small two-acre plot in my village, but the chief of the Chandio tribe grabbed my land. He then compelled us to work on our own land as his servant,” another villager said.Sources, meanwhile, alleged that chieftains of tribes such as the Magsi and the Chandio have used their clout to not only ensure the supply of cheap labour for poppy cultivation and refinement, but some criminal elements have formed their dens inside the heavily guarded fields. “We have information that mortar shells, rockets, LMGs, anti-aircraft guns and explosive materials have been stashed in the criminals’ hideouts, but we cannot initiate any action to recover these,” sources said. Meanwhile, while the ANF successfully destroyed 60 acres cultivated with poppy about two weeks ago in the village of Rahu-Jo-Aatho(UC Ghaibi Dero) during a joint operation with Pakistan Rangers and Sindh Police, most of the crop will be ready for harvest by the first week of April. ANF officials claim their hands are tied: “Intelligence agencies have submitted reports about poppy cultivation in Sindh to the authorities concerned, but no large-scale action has been sanctioned,” sources said.

 

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Pakistan Today

Journalist Wali Babar’s ‘assassin’: dead or on-the-run?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: February 14, 2011 

KARACHI - The rumours mill went into overdrive on Sunday after text messages were circulated that journalist Wali Khan Babar's suspected assassin, a man named Liaquat, had been killed. Police officials maintained, however, that law enforcers were carrying out raids in an attempt to nab Liaquat.

FIA seeks foreign help to arrest NICL absconders

KARACHI - The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has requested the American and British consulates to help arresting the absconders of the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) scam, FIA Sindh Director Moazzam Jah said at a press conference held at the FIA camp office in Karachi.

Govt set to face another corruption scandal?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: February 09, 2011


KARACHI - The government is set to face another corruption scandal involving federal government officials and their relatives in a case involving fraudulently refunding billions of rupees on exports that never happened.
The allegations are carried in a letter sent to top government officials as well as the Prime Minister’s House written by a concerned citizen, Muhammad Khalid Usman. He stated that the export companies involved in the case are registered under the name of Atif Salman Hashmi, holding CNIC No 3520298070205 and National Tax Number 1297145. Hashmi apparently used his friendship with Abdul Qadir Gilani, the son of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, to get around the country’s laws and earn billions.
The letter states the companies have been paid an amount of billions of rupees even after it was discovered that they were registered under a single address, 6-C, Fourth Floor, Zamzama Phase-V DHA Karachi. “Ten manufacturer-cum-exporter companies were registered under different names but the same address,” the letter said, a copy of which is available with Pakistan Today.
The names and sales tax registration numbers of these companies are: Achee Exports (1200590748782), Amna Export (1200590756691), Amna Exports (Pvt) Ltd (1712420305419), Fariya Enterprises (1200590748455), Iraj Amna Industries (17124203032282), Sara Trading Corp. (1200581101864), Victoria Enterprises (1200590766182), Emaad Enterprises (NTN 1297145), 1 Lace Fashion (Pvt) Ltd (NTN 1297145) and Zahida Exports (NTN 1297145).
“Atif has fraudulently refunded claims worth billions of rupees and caused severe losses to the national exchequer,” letter said. Giving details, the letter stated that Rs 400 million were claimed by Achee Exports as sales tax refund that were sanctioned. The number of the first cheque, which was submitted in the account (5012-0002100-0010) of Achee Exports as sales tax refund was 4471678 while the last cheque was 8130710.
Similarly, Rs 372 million were sanctioned to Fariya Enterprises by the Tax Department as sales tax refund while Rs 242.377 million were sanctioned to Iraj Amna Industies Pvt Limited (Account No. 5012-0007773-0010) and cheques, amounting more than Rs 131.530 million were submitted in account number 5012-0010260-0010 of Amna Exports Pvt Limited. The lowest amount which had been sanctioned by the Tax Department was Rs 4.61 million that was paid to Amna Export.
The sales tax refunds of the rest of the five companies are pending. The letter states the names of three officials - Deputy Commissioner Audit Attaullah Shabbir, Deputy Commissioner Intelligence Hunack Baloch and Senior Auditor Noor Hasan - accusing them of assisting Hashmi. The letter also claims that Hashmi has free access to the Prime Minister House.
“We have been asked not to investigate the case due to the involvement of the prime minister’s son”, said an official of the customs intelligence on the condition of anonymity.
Pakistan Today

Many eye Cantt but only few find the Horizon

KARACHI: A group of goons, alleged to be associated with the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and posted at Bilawal House, have grabbed 24 apartments in a complex situated at Dr Dawood Pota Road near the Cantt Station, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Attempt to assassinate bin Laden thwarted?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: February 05, 2011

KARACHI - An alleged assassination attempt on Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was thwarted a month ago, sources told Pakistan Today on Friday. The US forces had utilised a device that could transmit signals to satellites for conducting an airstrike on bin Laden.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has set a head money of $25 million on bin Laden, and American forces search for him and Taliban supreme leader Mullah Omar every day. “The Al Qaeda leadership is proud of its technical wing that discovered a 5mm chip fixed in a USB device meant to reach our leader for an interview,” Abu Al Fatah, an Al Qaeda operative said.
Fatah said the plan to kill bin Laden apparently originated in the Sudanese capital Khartoum where a man of Western appearance, who had identified himself as a correspondent of a US-based international television channel, had contacted a local Al Qaeda operative requesting that he be allowed to interview the Al Qaeda head.
“We refused the request because we were suspicious of his presence in Sudan and his interest in Afghanistan. The journalist, who called himself David Noshkay, then requested that the interview be done without him appearing in person. Noshkay forwarded a USB device with his questions, asking that we record the interview of our leader and save it on the device,” he added.
He said his organisation double checked all electronic equipment and devices, especially if it is meant for the Al Qaeda head. “When our technical wing examined the device, a 5mm chip was found stuck on it. We inspected the chip and found that it transmitted signal to satellites that aided in air strikes,” he added.

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Pakistan Today

NICL scam – FIA not allowed to search AKD’s house?

KARACHI - The high-ups of the authorities concerned are continuously interfering in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) probing the National Insurance Corporation Limited (NICL) scam as some bitter facts have come to light. Recently, the FIA joint interrogation team was not permitted to search the house of an important personality of the business community as he is an in-law of Amin Qasim Dada, the main culprit of NICL scam.

NICL scam - PPP to avoid being part of any controversy with SC

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 31, 2011

KARACHI - The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government has decided to avoid becoming a part of any controversy with the Supreme Court (SC) over the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam after a Federal Investigation Agency investigation linked a federal minister and officials of the Commerce Ministry to the case.
Sources told Pakistan Today that the government has given the green signal to the FIA officials to arrest FIA DG Waseem Ahmed and other influential personalities. A senior PPP leader said that the party’s leadership was worried about its leader, who is said to be involved in the scam.
“We don’t want any controversy with the honourable court and won’t support any culprit of the NICL scam. The FIA investigation will not be interfered with.” FIA sources said that some arrests would be made soon, as important information had been obtained. The FIA has already started investigating the agency’s DG while he is on a 10-day leave.
The SC had recently ordered removal of the DG after accusing him of mishandling the investigation of the Haj scandal. FIA Sindh DG Moazzam Jah Ansari said that the FIA has provided the names of the culprits to the government for necessary action, and also added their names to the exit control list.
“We have asked the authorities concerned for cancelling the passports of the scandal’s culprits, and the police will also be asked for their help,” he added.

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Amin Faheem also involved in NICL scam?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 30, 2011

KARACHI - Clues have been found that link not only some officials of the Federal Commerce Ministry, but its minister to the National Insurance Company Limited (NICL) scam as well.

Sources in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) told Pakistan Today they have found clues suggesting that some bureaucrats and the minister, Amin Fahim might be involved in the high-profile case in which it was alleged that the NICL management had committed misappropriation of up to Rs 5.36 billion in purchase of properties in Lahore, Karachi and Dubai.
“Three senior officials of over grade 19 are found to be involved in the scam and they acquired a major chunk of the misappropriated money,” the sources claimed. The minister’s involvement surfaced when investigators linked the money to his bank account. “The entire sum that went missing out of the Rs 900 million made its way into the minister’s bank account in a private bank,” the sources claimed.
FIA investigators sounded helpless in pursuing the case effectively since they are under pressure from their high-ups. “We have been clearly told to remove the names of these officials and the minister from our final report, which will be sent as part of a summary to the Supreme Court,” they claimed. Meanwhile, a joint investigation team of the FIA comprising officials from Lahore and Karachi raided the house and office of Amin Qasim Dada and sealed both places.
“We have made no arrests nor found anything during the raids,” FIA sources said, adding that they have received information about Dada fleeing abroad via Afghanistan. “The record shows that he came to Pakistan on July 10, 2010 and did leave the country but we have contacted Interpol and are trying to issue a red warrant,” they added. The FIA has already placed Dada’s name on the exit control list while letters have been dispatched to the Passport and Immigration authorities in Islamabad for the cancellation of his passport.
The FIA has arrested two people - Naveed Hussain Zaidi and Gardaizi - while Jawaid Syed, Khawaja Akbar and Khalid Anwar are out of country. “Their red warrants will be issued soon,” the sources said. They added that the FIA Sindh DG had been asked to provide Waseem Ahmed’s arrival and departure records in Karachi after his appointment as FIA DG and the distance between the residences of Ahmed and Dada.
It may recalled that the FIA had filed a case in which they claimed that a man, identified as Khalid Anwar, was given power of attorney for 20 acres of land owned by the Hashwani group some time back. The FIA accused Anwar, who is both a Pakistan and an American citizen, of selling 10 acres of this land to the NICL in August 2009 before he managed to leave for the United States.
According to the FIA, Anwar sold each acre for Rs 90 million, which is twice the actual value of the land as each acre actually costs around Rs 45 million, resulting in a loss of Rs 450 million to the national exchequer.

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Interpol asked to issue warrants for ‘corrupt’ Pakistanis

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 28, 2011

KARACHI - Interpol has been requested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for the issuance of arrest warrants against “all corrupt elements” who have escaped the country in the past for trial before a Pakistani court of law, claimed the Agency’s Sindh Director Muazzam Jah at a press conference on Thursday.
Jah demanded that the Pakistan Steel Mills provide the FIA with names of all those involved in the corruption case of Rs 22 billion. He said that although the FIA arrested the National Insurance Corporation (NICL) Chairman Ayaz Niazi and six others, another accused, Ameen Qasim Dada, was still at large but had not fled the country.
FIA is the complainant in all 10 cases of embezzlement in Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM), but despite clear instructions from the National Assembly’s standing committee, the PSM has not initiated an inquiry in this regard.
As many as 15 accused persons have been arrested in the PSM corruption case, while a probe is being conducted to recover Rs 26 billion, the DG said, adding that the FIA have recovered Rs 50 million from Abbas Akbar Ali, director of Amrely Steel Mills.
Jah said that the FIA has found embezzlement of Rs 12 billion in the Trading Corporation of Pakistan (TCP); former TC chairman Muhammad Malik and some directors of the corporation have been arrested in this regard.

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Sindh Assembly building escapes terror attack?

KARACHI - Police foiled a possible terror attack attempt on the Sindh Assembly building when they arrested three suspects having close links to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

FROM KARACHI TO KABUL: UNSAFE HIGHWAYS

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 15, 2011



KARACHI - Declaring the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) supply route from Karachi to Kabul for the allied forces in Afghanistan unsafe, the federal government has asked the home departments of Sindh and Balochistan to adopt a foolproof security plan for the itinerary, sources in the Sindh Home Department told Pakistan Today.They said that the NATO supply route is under attack by unidentified suspects, whereas goods transporters are being uncooperative with the Pakistani government and blackmailing it, posing a serious threat to NATO forces in Afghanistan.The government’s strategies in this regard are seemingly fruitless, and after the attacks on the 1,089-kilometre long itinerary, the authorities have declared the route unsafe.The Pakistani Interior Ministry has sent a letter to the Sindh and Balochistan home departments asking them to take strict measures to protect the route. The letter said that any interruption in supply of goods could result in the failure of the NATO forces in Afghanistan.A single armoured vehicle of the armed forces consumes around 29 gallons of oil daily. Ninety percent of daily-use items and petroleum products to over 60,000 NATO troops in Afghanistan are supplied through the Karachi Port via Chaman.This transport business involves four companies and more than 3,000 tankers to ship fuel tankers to Afghanistan. The Al-Haj Group has engaged 1,000 of its tankers to ship fuel to Kabul; the Mengal Brothers 1,500; Spinners 500; and Bilal Company 50.Between 100 and 150 truckloads of foodstuffs and oil travel through this supply route every day from Karachi to Afghanistan where 12,000 NATO troops are stationed. Delay in supplying the goods from Pakistan could cause the NATO forces severe losses.Sources claimed that this crucial itinerary always runs into problems when transporters use different methods for pressurising the government into meeting their demands.

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NADRA officials assisting agents involved in forgery ?

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 14, 2011

 



KARACHI - Criminal elements have gained inside access to the National Database Registration Authority (NADRA) and use it to make fake national identity cards, it has been learnt.Sources in NADRA told Pakistan Today that a few staff members were in contact with agents involved in the business of forged identity cards, who charge huge amounts for making fake computerised national identity cards (CNICs).Dozens of applications have been submitted at NADRA for inquiry against counterfeit identity cards, but officials are not willing to help in the investigation being carried out by police to combat persons involved in such business.Recently, a person by the name of Asif Zia got himself fake ID card No 42301-8587677-1, showing Zia Ahmed Khan as his father and using his house address. However, there was no record in the computer data of NADRA.When Pakistan Today contacted Khan, the Honorary Consulate General of Republic of Equatorial Guinea, he said he did not know Zia.“I was shocked to know that he has shown me as his father and also used my address as his own home address,” he added.Khan said he had submitted an application in this regard to NADRA General Manager Col (r) Ahsan on 6th May 2010, requesting the fake CNIC be cancelled immediately and an inquiry ordered to get hold of the culprits involved in such forgery. An FIR has also been lodged at the police station, he added.NADRA Deputy General Manager Col (r) Aqeel, while talking to Pakistan Today, said that an application was received from Khan and investigation were underway.NADRA Deputy Chairman Tariq Malik said that application of Khan was sent to the department concerned and the fake ID card would be cancelled after an inquiry.The Gizri SIO told Pakistan Today that the police was facing hurdles due to non-cooperation of NADRA officials. “We sent a letter to NADRA through the SP Investigations for details on forged ID cards but the management did not reply”, he said, adding that a reminder was also sent to NADRA on May 25, 2010.Sources alleged that more that 15,000 fake ID cards have been issued, as staff members themselves are involved in this business.I was shocked to know that he has shown me as his father and also used my address as his own home address.

 

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Red tape at police stations – Karachiites shy from reporting crime

KARACHI - Despite the increasing crime rate in Karachi, the city police are not lodging first information reports (FIRs) and people affected by street crimes are also reluctant to register cases due to the indifferent behaviour of the law enforcers.

Punjab governor’s murder - 2,000 guards of Sindh VVIPs sent back to head offices

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 06, 2011

 


KARACHI - Over 2,000 security personnel deployed with VVIPs of Sindh have been sent back to their head offices, while the personal details of more than 1,000 personnel of law enforcement agencies will be sent to intelligence agencies for vetting, Pakistan Today has learnt.According to the data of the Home Department, important personalities of Sindh enjoy the security of more than 8,000 police personnel and 4,000 personnel of other intelligence agencies. The assassination of Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer struck a (security) chord among VVIPs of Sindh, however, and they have requested authorities to screen the personal details of all security guards.The Home Department in turn has decided to compile a list of law enforcement agencies’ personnel who have been affiliated with a religious party in the past.A list of more than 1,013 law enforcers has been prepared by the Home Department, and this will now be sent to different intelligence agencies for screening purposes. “The personnel of police, special police and intelligence agencies will follow the screening process,” sources claimed. “No action will be taken against them, but they would not be permitted on security duty for any VVIP.”Sources said that during the last 24 hours, some security guards from the Bilawal House, Sindh Assembly and some other buildings frequented by VIPs have been redeployed elsewhere. “Some ministers and other VIPs have also requested the Home Department to screen their guards’ data,” the sources said.Many important figures of Sindh have decided to trust and rely only on their private guards, but a few guards of law enforcement agencies will stay with them for emergency and backup purposes.“Some unexpected decisions regarding VVIPs’ security might be taken in the near future by the government,” the sources revealed.

 

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ISI chief pays surprise visit to Karachi, meets Zardari twice

By: Tariq Habib | Published: January 05, 2011

 



KARACHI - Political parties have taken a U-turn after chief of the premier intelligence agency met with President Asif Ali Zardari, sources told Pakistan Today.The political situation of the country suddenly changed after a surprise visit of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief to Karachi on Saturday night. Upon his arrival in the city, the ISI chief met twice with the president. “Had there been any scheduled high-profile visit, security agencies would have been informed about it. Since no high-profile visit of the ISI chief was scheduled for Karachi, this was a surprise visit,” sources said.They claimed that after the controversial role of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the politics of the country, intelligence agencies responsible for protecting national interests had to interfere in the country’s affairs. The ISI chief visited Karachi by his private plane and met Zardari. He also attended a high-level meeting at the local office of the intelligence agency.Following that meeting, the ISI chief met with Zardari again that night. On Sunday, the political situation took a U-turn and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) dealt with the MQM strictly. The PPP refused to accept MQM’s demands, compelling the MQM to move to the opposition benches. Earlier, controversies between the PPP and the MQM were apparently approaching their end, and Interior Minister Rehman Malik was playing an important role in this regard.“Some changes were being made by the PPP in the Sindh Cabinet just to fulfil the demands of the MQM,” sources claimed. Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza, Sindh Assembly Deputy Speaker Shehla Raza and two departments were going to go through some changes. However, after meeting with the ISI chief, Zardari took a strict stance and refused to accept any demand of the MQM.A PPP leader told Pakistan Today on condition of anonymity that the party’s leaders and activists had made their agitation known to the president.“PPP leaders were considering MQM’s demands as blackmailing tactics and wanted to strongly resist them,” he added. Sources said the MQM was continuously changing its demands and strictly criticising PPP members in the Sindh Cabinet.“There is no threat to the PPP government,” they added.

 

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TTP claims sending 10 suicide bombers to FATA, New video suggests Fazlullah alive

By: Tariq Habib | Published: December 27, 2010

KARACHI - The Tehreek-e-Taliban Swat has claimed dispatching a batch of 10 suicide bombers to the Tribal Areas to fight security forces combating militants near the Afghanistan border.In the latest video message, Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah said, “Four of the suicide bombers have completed their tasks, while a group of another 300 bombers are ready to take their turn.

” The video shows 10 young would-be bombers, their faces covered in head-scarves, listening to Fazlullah, accompanied by a few other Taliban leaders.Taliban’s Swat media cell, Al-Fateh, was providing a copy of the DVD to reporters in Karachi, which carried the recording of Fazlullah’s address, which is divided into three parts.The first part is the address to the would-be suicide bombers; the second part to Muslims in general; and the third part to the media. The video suggests that the fleeing Taliban leader was alive, active and living in Waziristan. “We want to tell the world that Fazlullah is alive and fine,” said a person who handed over the video message.

Sources said the DVD was recorded in the first week of December 2010 at an undisclosed location in Malakand for dispelling the impression that Fazlullah had been killed and convey a message to the authorities that the Taliban leader would continue to attack law enforcement agencies, their supporters and ANP leaders.“Journalists should support us as we are working for an Islamic revolution in the country,” the Taliban leader stressed in his message. An Awami National Party senior leader said they had been receiving threats from the Taliban for the last two years. “I have lost my only son in this fight and will never surrender to the militants,” said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain.Dozens of ANP activists and leaders have been killed in suicide attacks, he said, adding that they “do not have concrete evidence of Fazlullah’s condition”.

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Six suspected terrorists linked to foreign militant group arrested

By: Tariq Habib | Published: December 26, 2010

 



KARACHI - Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have arrested six suspected terrorists with links to an Iran-based militant organization, foiling their bid to form a terrorist wing of the outfit in Karachi, intelligence sources told Pakistan Today on Saturday.The suspects are believed to be involved in sectarian killings of over 100 people. They have been shifted to an unidentified location and raids are being carried out to arrest their 13 accomplices.The arrested men are alleged activists of the banned Sipah-e-Muhammad and working for another terrorist organisation, the Iran-based Lashkar-e-Ahle Bait. Sources said LEAs conducted a raid in the Federal B Area and arrested a man identified as Maisum, recovering heavy weapons and grenades from his possession.Within 24 hours of his arrest, police raided Yousuf Plaza in Ancholi and arrested another five suspects, recovering weapons and explosives from their possession. During initial interrogation, the suspects revealed that they had killed more than 100 members of rival sects in the last few years. “The suspects have strong links to Lashkar-e-Ahle Bait and were trying to establish a network of that organisation in Karachi,” a Home Department official told Pakistan Today.

 

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Crooked murder of a crook?

KARACHI - Risala Police Station turned into a scene of commotion on Saturday as charged relatives and friends of a 24-year-old alleged bandit, Imran Baloch, staged a demonstration outside the police station over his death inside a lock-up on Friday.

Mirza stirs up a hornets’ nest?

KARACHI: Sixty percent of the people held for targeted killings in Karachi belong to a "major city-based political party" while the rest are also affiliated with other political parties, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Ali Mirza said on Monday while addressing members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Korean dog gives intelligence agencies the runaround

By: Tariq Habib | Published: December 13, 2010

KARACHI: A Korean dog has kept officials from the intelligence agencies and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on the runaround since Thursday – first to locate him and then to feed him.“The dog, Mind Reader, travelled all the way from Seoul Korea, landed in Afghanistan, and then arrived in Karachi on Thursday,” sources privy to the matter told Pakistan Today. A Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft had been chartered by NATO forces to transport a unit of the South Korea army from Seoul to Bagram in Afghanistan. While others were successfully transferred, one soldier was left behind: the unit’s dog. Korean airline authorities hurriedly sent an e-mail to their Pakistani counterparts after the Korean military realised that Mind Reader was missing. “Please urgently check (with your crew) if it has been unloaded or skipped,” wrote John H. Hung of the Krasel Air Agency. “Pakistan intelligence agencies cordoned off the Jinnah terminal on Friday and assumed charge to search for Mind Reader,” sources said. The dog was ultimately found in his cage from the plane that had been chartered, sources added.Intelligence personnel are now working around the clock with other Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) officials to look after the dog, sources said. Korean authorities have sent a diet chart for the dog to the Pakistani government, with strict instructions to follow directives to the tee. Sources said that Mind Reader is being treated as a missing combatant in the war on terror, and top government officials in Islamabad have now taken responsibility for his guardianship. “The federal government along with intelligence agencies sent the dog to Islamabad on Sunday onboard a PIA flight,” sources said, explaining that Mind Reader will now be flown to Kabul and then to Bagram. Pakistan intelligence agencies are providing security to the Korean dog. The dog will be escorted by intelligence agencies until it is given to its rightful owners.

 

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’200 people went missing during current regime’

KARACHI: More than 200 people have been abducted from various parts of the country in the tenure of the incumbent government - swelling the unofficial count of missing persons to more than 10,000 over the past nine years, Defence of Human Rights Pakistan (DHRP) Chairwoman Aamna Masood Janjua told Pakistan Today on Monday.

Tax exemptions to NATO tankers costing Rs 41.8b a year

By: Tariq Habib | Published: December 03, 2010

KARACHI: The government is incurring a loss of around Rs 3.5 billion a month or Rs 41.8 billion a year in exemptions granted in duties and sales taxes to tankers supplying fuel to NATO forces in Afghanistan.Hundreds of tankers transport thousands of litres of fuel to NATO troops each month. “Each day, 120 oil tankers transport fuel from two oil depots of Karachi to NATO troops. Each tanker carries as much as 50,000 litres,” a source in the Petroleum Ministry told Pakistan Today.“Normally, the Pakistani public is charged Rs 19.34 for every litre sold to them by the government. However, NATO forces do not pay a single penny to the taxpayers of Pakistan because of a transit-trade agreement with the government,” the source said. Former ISI chief Hameed Gul told Pakistan Today that these shipments were causing losses in billions.“Pakistan is losing over Rs 41 billion a year, something it cannot afford to lose, especially at this time when it needs funds to help rebuild its infrastructure and relocating its people after the floods,” he said. According to a statement released by the US government on May 26 this year, Pakistan had received a little under $7.5 billion for its role in the war on terror since 2001.“The US has provided us money for our operations only. Pakistan has lost more than simply its assets. Our sovereignty has been lost, not to mention the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for the country for this senseless war. Who will be held accountable for that?” Gul said.The former spymaster said the war had forced the army to change strategies and move 147,000 soldiers from the eastern border for deployment on the western front. “Something like this has never happened in the history of this country,” he said.The oil transport business involves four companies, which engage more than 3,000 tankers to transport fuel to Afghanistan. Al-Hajj group has sidelined 1,000 of its tankers for NATO fuel supplies, Mengal Brothers 1,500, Spinners 500 and Bilal Company 50.

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None of country’s 13 air crashes probed properly

By: Tariq Habib | Published: November 29, 2010



KARACHI: Since independence, the country has witnessed 13 air crashes, none of which have been investigated even after assurances by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the government.Sources told Pakistan Today that orders were issued for their investigation from time to time, but not a single report of any crash was made public.