Over 3,200 Killings In Karachi Reported In 2013

Islamabad, Jan 20, IRNA -- As many as 3,251 people were killed or they died from the several incidents of violence in port city of Karachi in 2013 making the year deadliest one so far, a media report said on Sunday. ‘Express Tribune’, quoting a report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said the city has seen a sharp increase in killings in the past few years with 1,981 people killed in 2010, 2,382 killed in 2011 and 3,105 killed in 2012. Of the killings and deaths in 2013, nearly 1,000 people who had no affiliation with any political party also lost their lives in targeted attacks. The number of political workers targeted and killed was 268, and 108 people were killed due to their sectarian beliefs. The law enforcers also surface in the violence data as 189 people in Karachi were killed either during police encounters or due to torture during custody. The police force did, however, lose 169 personnel, apart from 22 Rangers men and other law enforcers. They also managed to gun down 28 members of banned outfits. Lyari gang war claimed more than 100 lives. Of the entire year, August was the bloodiest month with 334 killings or deaths. According to HRCP chairperson Zohra Yusuf, sectarian and police killings have increased in 2013 as compared to previous years. Referring to the targeted operation that started in September last year, she said the start of the operation showed some improvements in law and order but it failed to sustain. “The operation has to be transparent,” Yusuf said. “The law enforcement agencies have to be transparent about the men they pick up, who they are and where they are. Right now there are only statistics of the men arrested and nothing to back them.” For Yusuf, the biggest challenge of this year will be facing terrorist groups, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, who are becoming stronger and making their presence felt in Karachi. “The recent incident of men slaughtered at a shrine is alarming,” she said. “The Rangers have done a few operations but they are not completely effective. The Taliban can kill whoever they want to.”/end