Zardari authorised to hold talks for peace in Karachi

ISLAMABAD: The coalition partners in Sindh government authorised President Asif Ali Zardari to hold negotiations with political forces for bringing peace to Karachi by taking appropriate administrative and law and order measures.

The coalition partners took the decision in three back to back meetings held here at President House on Wednesday on the situation in Karachi.

Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said that the decision authorising the President to hold political negotiations was taken at the first in the series of meetings of the Sindh cabinet comprising of provincial ministers belonging to PPP, ANP, PML-Q and PML-Functional and chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

The meeting reiterated the government's resolve to restore peace in Karachi at all costs and to bring the culprits to justice regardless of their affiliations, if any.

The meeting that lasted for over two hours was attended among others by Federal Minister for Interior A. Rehman Malik, Federal Minister for Commerce Makhdoom Amin Fahim, Senator Dr Babar Awan, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, and members of Sindh cabinet belonging to all coalition parties in the province.

Matters concerning law and order situation, coalition matters and performance of various provincial ministries were discussed during the meeting.

The President during the meeting called upon all the political forces to complement the government's efforts in bringing peace and normalcy to the city and to bring the criminal elements to justice.

He said, "we believe in taking along all the political forces on the issues of national importance and would continue to do so in future also. He said Karachi was not only the economic hub of the country but also a factor of social and political stability and had international significance.

The President called for emergent administrative, political and law and order measures to bring peace to Karachi.

Addressing the coalition partners the President said, "We have to resolve this issue ourselves and at the earliest keeping in view the importance of this city and its role in the economy of the country.

Briefing the meeting, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that police and rangers were fully prepared and motivated to maintain peace in Karachi.

Farhatullah Babar said that the larger meeting of coalition partners was followed by another meeting of the President with the PPP Ministers in the province during which not only the subject of peace in Karachi was taken up further but the performance of various PPP ministers was also reviewed.

Military should intervene to end unrest in Karachi: MQM

KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain said Wednesday that the army and rangers should intervene to end the unrest in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

He further said that the army should take action against elements regardless of their association.
MQM chief Altaf Hussain, who lives in exile in London, addressed his followers by telephone and invited the military to come to Karachi and see who is involved in “the ongoing terrorism”.
He said that the he had given an ultimatum to the president and the prime minister to impede violence in Karachi within 48 hours but there was no response.
“MQM condemns acts of violence in Karachi. The government has failed to establish peace in the city, innocent people are being gunned down in Qasba Colony.” said Hussain.
“President should end the supremacy of lyari gang war mafia,” said Hussain.
Hussain said that he is a Sindhi and declared a social boycott against those who do not consider Muhajirs as Sindhis.
“I also request the international community to use its influence on the Pakistani government to restore law and order in Karachi,” he added, warning that the situation could worsen if not “tackled seriously”.
In an overnight statement, Hussain had warned people to stockpile food for a month as the law and order situation worsens.
Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city, with a population of 17 million. It was gripped by deadly communal violence throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
The Arabian Sea port city is used by NATO to ship the bulk of supplies to troops fighting in Afghanistan.
Government officials and coalition party members have distributed stickers, pamphlets and placards pleading for peace, but to little effect.

Eleven killed in Karachi; Malik says situation improving

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday said the government would take strict action against terrorists operating in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to media representatives here, the minister said “no targeted killings had taken place in the city since yesterday”. However, at least 11 people had reportedly been killed during violence in Karachi during the past 24 hours.

He moreover requested the media and other institutions to act responsibly given the sensitive law and order situation.
Mr Malik further said that the reservations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s chief Altaf Hussain regarding the situation in Karachi were legitimate and that the government would act against criminal elements operating in the city.
Mr Malik said restoring peace in Karachi was necessary.