Islamabad: A multi-pronged strategy has been evolved with the help of the three political parties of the coaling ruling Sindh to restore peace and order to the provincial capital, Karachi, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said on Saturday.
He told reporters in Karachi the strategy included short, medium and long-term measures which would be implemented by the Pakistan People's Party-led provincial government in which Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) are partners.
Scores of people have been killed in Karachi since the beginning of July, among them MQM legislator Raza Haider, whose assassination at a mosque last Monday triggered new violence and arson causing widespread human and material losses.
On Friday, Gilani met leaders of MQM and ANP as well as provincial chief minister and governor and law enforcement officials, despite his pre-occupation guiding relief efforts for victims of the worst monsoon flooding in the country amid criticism the government was not doing enough.
MQM and ANP have been involved in mutual recriminations over the wave of killings in Karachi, most termed by authorities as targeted assassinations. The deterioration of law and order raised alarm nationwide because of the city's importance as national industrial and financial hub.
It remains to be seen whether the understanding brought about by Gilani and his interior minister Rehman Malik among the three political forces of the province would replace bickering, with cooperation between MQM and ANP.
Gilani said a 'code of conduct' had been worked out in consultation with all stakeholders including MQM, ANP, PPP and law enforcement agencies to stabilise the economic hub of Pakistan.
"We do not want that arms are displayed in this city which is a commercial hub and whose stability is vital for the political and economic stability of the country”, he added.
He said that action against criminals and terrorists would be across the board.
"We have created an atmosphere where all stakeholders should at the negotiation table and resolve all the issues through dialogue."
Gilani said the federal government would support the provincial government and the law enforcement agencies. "We have to eliminate terrorism and extremism from this city with the cooperation of all the stakeholders", he said.
Replying to a question, he said that there was no need for calling the army to control the situation in Karachi as the political forces were mature enough to identify the issues and resolve them.
