KARACHI, Aug 9: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has asked the people of Karachi to get licences and buy arms to counter an impending threat of Talibanisation of Karachi.

“The Taliban have all kinds of arms and ammunition, so I request you to take measures for your own protection. You should acquire licences and get weapons for self-defence,” he said while speaking from London to a gathering of residents of Defence and Clifton on Friday night.

A large number of residents of Defence and Clifton, diplomats, industrialists and businessmen attended the meeting. He also called upon the youths to acquire training to fight against the Talibanisation.

He maintained that the MQM favoured a law that allowed no one to carry arms. “But we will not tolerate that the Taliban possess modern weapons and attack our homes,” he added.However, he clarified that the MQM was against Talibanisation and it was not against any particular community, including the Pakhtuns living in the city. “It is our duty to protect the Pakhtuns and Punjabis,” he added.

The focal point of Mr Hussain’s address was to inform the residents of posh neighbourhoods of Karachi about the threat of Talibanisation in the city. He chose not to give his party’s policy with regard to the ruling coalition’s plan to impeach President Pervez Musharraf as he only said that it was not a right time for impeachment. He vowed that his party would never allow the Taliban to take over the city and urged the residents to help and support the MQM.

He said posh localities would be the first target of the Taliban who might attack women and various outlets of international fast food chains. “It is the responsibility of the state to protect its citizens. However, our law enforcement agencies have been battling the militants for long and, therefore, it becomes necessary that we should also stay on high alert,” he added.

Mr Hussain also urged the residents to form vigilance committees and asked them to sell their properties to only those whose whereabouts were known to them.