Pakistan: Information on whether the army is still present in Sindh following "Operation Clean-Up" and on the effect of this operation on the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 March 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | PAK16526.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Pakistan: Information on whether the army is still present in Sindh following "Operation Clean-Up" and on the effect of this operation on the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), 1 March 1994, PAK16526.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aab898.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The attached articles report that the army's "Operation Clean-Up" is still ongoing in Sindh. Initially, the operation was to last six months (AFP 1 June 1992). The Pakistani Defense Minister, Aftab Shaban Mirani, stated in December 1993 that the army operation in Sindh "will continue as long as it is needed" (Radio Pakistan Network 26 Dec. 1993). The Federal Interior Minister, Major-General (retired) Naseerullah Babar, added in January 1994 that "Operation Clean-Up" was likely to continue until June (The News 13 Jan. 1994).
For information on the effect of "Operation Clean-Up" on the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), please refer to Response to Information Request PAK12609 of 18 December 1992.
In addition, attached please find articles reporting that Altaf Hussein, the leader of the Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM), will retire from politics, and on the resignation of 23 MQM members of the Sindh Assembly following the army's "Operation Clean-Up" in Sindh. Also please see the Inter Press Service report that makes brief reference to the role of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) during the operation.
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 1 June 1992. "Pakistan Army Chief Discusses Sindh Operation." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 26 May-01 June 1992, Vol. 3, No. 22, p. 61)
The News [Islamabad, in English]. 13 January 1994. "Army Likely to Stay in Sindh Until June." (FBIS-NES-94-009 13 Jan. 1994, pp. 43-44)
Radio Pakistan Network [Islamabad, in Urdu]. 26 December 1993. "Minister Comments on Troops in Somalia, Sindh." (FBIS-NES-93-247 28 Dec. 1993, p.57)
Attachments
Agence France Presse (AFP). 26 July 1992. "More Than 4,000 Held in Month-Long Pakistan Army Crime Sweep." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 21-27 July 1992, Vol. 4, No. 4, p. 11)
. 1 June 1992. "Pakistan Army Chief Discusses Sindh Operation." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 26 May-01 June 1992, Vol. 3, No. 22, p. 61)
Asian Survey [Berkeley, Ca.]. February 1993. Vol. 33, No. 2. Rais Ahmad Khan. "Pakistan in 1992: Waiting for Change" pp. 129-41.
BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 2 March 1993. "Pakistani Army to Continue Sindh Role." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 02-08 Mar. 1993, Vol. 5, No. 11, p. 41)
. 9 October 1992. "Pakistan Interior Minister Rules Out Army Withdrawal from Sindh." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 06-10 Oct. 1992, Vol. 4, No. 15, p. 46)
Inter Press Service (IPS). 29 June 1992. Mushahid Hussain. "Pakistan: Army Clears Political Debris in Sindh Province." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 23-29 June 1992, Vol. 3, No. 26. p. 78)
The News [Islamabad, in English]. 13 January 1994. "Army Likely to Stay in Sindh Until June." (FBIS-NES-94-009 13 Jan. 1994, pp. 43-44)
The Pakistan Observer [Islamabad, in English]. 2 November 1993. "'Operation Clean-Up' in Sindh Province Detailed." (FBIS-NES-93-210 2 Nov. 1993, pp. 59-60)
Radio Pakistan Network [Islamabad, in Urdu]. 26 December 1993. "Minister Comments on Troops in Somalia, Sindh." (FBIS-NES-93-247 28 Dec. 1993, p. 57)
Xinhua General Overseas News Service. 19 March 1993. "MQM Head Arrested in Pakistan." (IRBDC Indexed Media Review [Ottawa] 16-22 Mar. 1993, Vol. 5, No. 13, p. 47)
