PM seeks support for peace in violence-hit port city

Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday started a two-day visit to the violence-hit southern port city of Karachi where targeted attacks claimed the lives of nearly 1800 people in the first six months of this year.

Mr Sharif met senior leaders of all political parties and businessmen and sought their proposals to restore peace in Karachi, the country’s commercial center where violence has badly affected economic activities.

The Mutahida Qaumi Movement or MQM is calling for handing over the city to the army to deal with the miscreants.

“I am deeply concerned at the violence in Karachi and will take such action which can restore peace,” Nawaz Sharif told a gathering of leading businessmen and traders.

He said his government will give more powers to the paramilitary Rangers force, which will have a major role in the proposed ‘targeted operation’ against the miscreants. He said peace in essential for investment and economic progress and without investment progress in impossible.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) says those killed included victims of sectarian violence, targeted killings, as well as over a hundred people whose dead bodies were found in the city and who appeared to have died in incidents of violence

The Prime Minister discussed with political leaders and the businessmen various options to end to the violence.

Nawaz Sharif will preside over a special meeting of the Federal Capital in Karachi on Wednesday to discuss one-point agenda of restoring peace in Karachi, Information Minister, Pervez Rashid told reporters.

The government has already got support for the targeted operation against those who are behind the killings, kidnapping for ransom, extortion of money from the businessmen and occupying land.

“The operation will be without any discrimination to clear the city of the criminal elements,” the Prime Minister said.  

Some political leaders expressed serious concerns at the inability of the law enforcement agencies to effectively deal with the miscreants. They also suggested to strictly discouraging the trend of political appointment in the police department.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Hussain Mehenti, who attended the meeting, called for indiscriminate action against criminals to ensure supremacy of law. He also asked for the steps to depoliticize the police.

Abdul Qadir Patel of Pakistan Peoples Party demanded to cleanse the city of illegal arms.

The MQM Leaders Babar Ghauri and Haider Abbas Rizvi said that their party has given the suggestion of targeted operation in the city.

Leader of Awami National Party‚ Senator Shahi Syed said Karachi needs de-weaponization and strict action should be taken against the miscreants and terrorists. 

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 3 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.