Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday that President Asif Ali Zardari had summoned an emergency meeting for Monday (today) to review the state of law and order in Karachi, a private TV channel reported, as continuing turf wars between rival gangs claimed another 19 lives in the embattled provincial capital.
More than 25 people were wounded in the violence in various parts of the city as the Sindh Home Department banned pillion riding in a feeble attempt to stem the fighting that has been raging for three days and has claimed 38 lives so far. According to a Home Department notification issued here by Additional Home Secretary Waseem Ahmed, the ban on pillion riding would come into effect from midnight on Monday.
Law enforcement officials, women, senior citizens and journalists, however, were exempt from ban. Briefing reporters at Jinnah International Airport, Malik hinted at a possible army operation in Karachi if need be after consultation with all political parties. He said law and order was a provincial matter and newly-appointed Home Minister Manzoor Wassan should be given a little time to improve the situation.
He said anti-state elements were trying to weaken the country by fanning ethnic clashes in Sindh, particularly in Karachi. Rangers were deployed at Katti Pahari and other troubled areas and would be deployed in Malir and Landhi to bring the situation under control if needed, he added. Malir and Landhi echoed with gunfire as turf wars between rival gangs raged on. Heavy firing was reported from pickets of armed men in Khokharapar No 1, 2 and 4 in Malir.
Others parts of Malir Kalaboard, Al-Falah, Jaffer Tayar Colony and Model Colony were also heavily affected by the fighting. Routine life in the areas in question came to a complete standstill and people stayed inside their houses. The situation in neighbouring Quaidabad was also reported to be quite tense. National Highway was also closed on Sunday evening to all types of traffic and unidentified people set tyres on fire at the main road.
Several activists of political parties were reportedly among those killed in the fighting. Meanwhile, the interior minister said political parties needed to make concerted efforts to restore peace to the economic hub of the country in the larger national interest. “There is no blame game, we need coordination with all the allied parties to restore peace and police and Rangers are playing their respective roles,” Malik said.
Malik also said that in a meeting with his Indian counterpart P Chidambaram in Bhutan, Pakistan had sought relations with India on the basis of equality. He said important matters including the Samjhota Express came under discussion in the meeting with the Indian interior minister.
President calls meeting after 19 more killed in Karachi violence
