CJP urged to launch probe into May 12 mayhem

Awami National Party (ANP) on Saturday demanded of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to investigate the May 12 incident, besides constituting a judicial committee to probe into the 'political parties running on foreign aid'. Secretary Information Senator, Zahid Khan talking to media persons, here on Saturday, said that the suo motu notice taken by the chief justice in Karachi has helped in improving the situation in the city.
The ANP leader said the powers given to the Rangers should stay with them. He further said that it would be better for the country if a judicial committee is formed for an inquiry indicating which political party is running on foreign aid.
He alleged that the MQM leader had tried to impress the judiciary and had tried to create pressure by saying he would set his workers free in Karachi. If anyone had any allegations against the ANP, they should come to the courts, Zahid added.
Responding to MQM chief's statement; Zahid Khan said that his party did not need a certificate of patriotism from Altaf Hussain or anyone else. Khan said his party supports the freedom of media and that his party had never taken action against anyone that had spoken against them.
Responding to Altaf Hussain's statement on "foreign powers" working against Pakistan, he said that the MQM leader was a national of one of the global powers he had mentioned that he should tear up his passport and documents and return to Pakistan if there was such a conspiracy. On the map shown by the MQM chief during the press conference, the ANP leader said it had 'already been printed' by the media in 1998.
He further said that his party did not put up containers in the city on May 12, Khan said the MQM had its own home minister in place at that time and that the ports and shipping minister was from their party too. "The containers were taken from Port Qasim. The ports and shipping minister was from the MQM at that time too," he pointed out.
Concluding, the ANP leader said there was a shadow of fear around Altaf Hussain during the press conference and he acted like "a person who does not know what to say." The ANP leader said none of the MQM leaders were able to respond to the allegations against them and Altaf Hussain didn't want to respond to them.