ISLAMABAD, May 13: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday condemned the incidents of violence in Karachi and put the blame for the violent events on refusal by Chief Justice of Pakistan to defer his scheduled visit to Karachi.

He also expressed his deep sense of sorrow and shock over the loss of innocent lives in the city.

Talking to a delegation representing newspapers and educational institutions of Bangladesh at the Prime Minister's House, the prime minister said that the provincial government had warned all the people concerned about the volatile situation in the province. The loss of lives could have been averted had the trip been rescheduled as advised by the local administration, he said.

The prime minister said that the provincial government had used all its resources to maintain law and order in the city and that the situation was gradually improving but all parties must exercise restraint and accommodation to ensure peace and harmony.

The prime minister said that Pakistan pursued a policy of peace and did not have aggressive designs against any country. He said Pakistan was committed to the process of composite dialogue with India for the resolution of all outstanding issues, particularly the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

The prime minister said the dialogue on Kashmir should move from conflict management to conflict resolution, adding that a resolution of Kashmir issue, in line with wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir, would ensure sustainable peace in South Asia.