KARACHI, July 11: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Monday condemned violence against Kutchi and other communities living in Lyari, and said that they were being targeted for raising their voice against 'Lyari gangsters'.

The MQM coordination committee in a statement said that “criminals of Lyari gang war target the Kutchhi community with the overt support of ministers and due to this no action is taken against attackers”.

It said that Lyari gangsters recently attacked an MQM office in Agra Taj Colony.

Expressing sympathy with the Kutchhi community, the coordination committee assured it of the party's full support.

The statement called upon President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Sindh chief minister to take indiscriminate action against terrorists in order to protect the life and property of citizens.

Workers' convention cancelled

MQM chief Altaf Hussain cancelled the party's workers convention scheduled for Monday in view of what was described as a precarious law and order situation in the country, particularly in Karachi.

According to a press release, Mr Hussain asked members of the MQM coordination committee over the phone to postpone the convention and wait for the outcome of an appeal made to the chief justice of Pakistan and other authorities concerned.

He asked the coordination committee and MQM lawmakers to carry forward their peaceful struggle in a constitutional manner and according to the law. He also asked them to consult legal and constitutional experts for their opinion.