KARACHI, Dec 19: Local representatives of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and the Awami National Party were told on Wednesday that all areas were open for all political parties to work peacefully and they should respect each other.

Gulshan Town Nazim Wasey Jalil presided over a meeting held at a local office of the ANP and also attended by the MQM’s area representatives. The meeting was held to defuse tension between area workers of the two parties. Police officials were also present at the meeting.

Mr Jalil said to Dawn that he told the representatives of the two parties that elections were approaching and all areas were open for all and they should work for their candidates in a peaceful manner.

ANP leader Shahi Syed confirmed that a meeting was held between local representatives of the two parties. He said whatever had happened two days earlier on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road was not ethnic violence but was the result of some misunderstanding. He made it clear that those who were involved in the violence had no connection with his party. “It was a clash between groups of residents and not a fight between the two parties,” he added.