KARACHI: Shia organisations on Thursday condemned “killings on sectarian grounds” in the city and asked the government to take action against “militant outfits” said to be becoming more active in Karachi after the military operation in North Waziristan.

In separate press conferences, leaders of the Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), the Jaffaria Alliance Pakistan (JAP) and the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) announced that they would also observe Juma-tul-Wida as Yaum al Quds to show solidarity with the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip and condemn the Israeli brutality in the area.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Allama Ameen Shaheedi of the MWM said under “an organised campaign” people had been tar­get­ed to spark sec­tarian violence in Karachi.

“But people are aware of these foreign agents, who want to dent sectarian harmony among Muslims. It is the right time to show unity through Yaum al Quds, which will be observed across the country. More than 2,000 rallies will be taken out from different parts of the country,” added the Allama.

In his press conference Allama Abbass Kumaili also condemned killings on “sectarian grounds” and claimed that ‘unfortunately’ the government had failed to stop violence and no credible action had been seen on the ground against the banned outfits.

The student organisation ISO also condemned the killings and announced its plan to mark al Quds day on Friday.

A rally would start from the Numaish traffic intersection after Friday prayers to Tibet Centre, which would be addressed by senior political and religious leaders, ISO leaders said.

“The ISO is organising rallies in all major cities, including Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Quetta and Gilgit but the one in Karachi will be central one”

said ISO president Athar Imran Tahir.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2014