LONDON, May 31: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has strongly condemned the bomb blast at the Ali Raza mosque and Imambargah in Karachi.

The Muttahida chief said that for the past one month, the persistent act of bomb blasts, terrorism and killing of innocent civilians and law-enforcement personnel was a well-designed and well-engineered conspiracy not only to disturb the peace of Karachi, but also to portray the city as a battlefield with a view to creating a reason to either deploy Army in the city, impose governor rule, suspend the Sindh government or impose emergency in the province.

He said the people of Karachi also were fully aware that for the past one month, hidden hands in connivance with religious extremists and jihadi outfits were destroying the peace of Karachi. It was an open secret as to who had attempted to assassinate President Musharraf, he added.

Altaf Hussain said: "I request the people of Karachi to understand this conspiracy, remain peaceful and not to retaliate to these barbaric acts." He demanded that President Gen Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Jamali and the federal government should not take any undemocratic step for Karachi. -PPI