Daily Times

Sir: Lyari is the old part of Karachi that the leaders of the Pakistan movement, including the Founder of the Nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah, used to visit frequently. For the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Lyari has served as a fortress since its inception and people have fully supported the founder of PPP, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, ex-prime minister Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, President Asif Ali Zardari and their nominees by rendering unprecedented sacrifices.

Under a conspiracy hatched by an ethnic group, a bad impression has been widely created against Lyari. It is considered a criminals’ haven where no peace-loving and law-abiding people live. This impression is wrong and unacceptable. I have lived in Lyari for about 35 years without experiencing any rowdy elements among its residents. Justice Syed Sajjad Ali Shah, ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan, his great father late Syed Roshan Ali Shah, ex-Registrar Sindh High Court, and former Mayor of Karachi Abdul Sattar Afghani used to live in Lyari.

No doubt, a small part of Lyari is involved in illegal activities but then the entire city has such criminal pockets. Therefore, there is a need to take strict action across the city and not only in Lyari. This categorical discrimination cannot be tolerated. It was also on record that the Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah had said that an operation in Lyari was launched without his prior information.

It appears that some influential people in the present government who are not the real well-wishers of the PPP want to eliminate its support from the traditional constituency of Lyari. If the prevailing situation remains for long, it would not be possible for PPP to win the National Assembly seat from Lyari this time.

I appeal on behalf of the peace-loving residents of Lyari to President Asif Zardari to quell the efforts of those who being in government are trying to sabotage the PPP in Lyari.

MOHAMMAD KHAN SIAL

Karachi