Banned sectarian and jihadi organisations are flouting the government bar and are re-emerging in various parts of Karachi, a satellite television reported on Saturday.
| Wow. Floored me. You too? |
According to a report of Dawn News, sectarian slogans, flags and posters of defunct sectarian groups are visible on walls across the city, indicating re-emergence of the banned groups. Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Sipah-e-Muhammad and Mukhtar Force are the most conspicuous groups, the report added.
The channel quoted its sources as saying that the sealed offices of the organisations have reopened, working under different identities.
| A common enough trick in that part of the world, requiring only a wink and a nod from the ISI ... |
Some of the groups held meetings in Qayyumabad, North Karachi and Soldier Bazaar, the sources said. Jihadi groups have also enhanced their activities, disguised but towing the familiar jihadist agenda, the report said.
Leaders of the organisations have termed the ban unjustified, saying their viewpoint was never impartially heard.
| And theirs is the only viewpoint that matters. You could look it up. |
Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri, however, told the channel that these organisations were still banned and illegal. The organisations are not allowed to carry out any activity in the city, she said, adding the government would take immediate action if it found any actionable information.
The re-emergence of the groups is causing fear among the people about impending sectarian violence in the city, the report said. |