The two major coalition partners in the Sindh government – the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) – on Saturday devised a ‘consensus strategy’ to implement the Supreme Court’s verdict on Karachi unrest, with President Asif Ali Zardari directing the provincial government to take all the required steps to bring peace to the restive city.
Surprisingly, another important government ally, the Awami National Party (ANP), did not turn up at the meeting, reflecting the complex political situation faced by the ruling PPP. During the meeting held at the Presidency, a detailed discussion was conducted to review the Supreme Court decision on Karachi unrest and devise a strategy to deal with the implementation on the verdict.
President Zardari directed the Sindh government to implement the SC verdict under the future course of action evolved during the high-level meeting, said a source, adding that former law minister Babar Awan gave a detailed briefing to the participants regarding the court’s decision. The meeting had been convened on the special directives of President Zardari to review the implementation on the SC decision.
Addressing the meeting, Zardari said the democratic government respected the decisions of the courts and issued directives to the authorities concerned to ensure implementation of the Supreme Court verdict, the source said, adding that he said it was the responsibility of the state to protect the life and property of the citizens which would be ensured at all costs.
The SC had ordered formation of a committee headed by the SHC chief justice and assisted by the chief secretary, heads of security agencies, including paramilitary organisations, and the inspector general of police to supervise and ensure indiscriminate and across-the-board action by law enforcement agencies against elements disturbing peace in Karachi.
