LAHORE: PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif has called upon the federal government to take stringent measures to curb the elements who are playing with the lives of innocent people in Karachi.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, he said increasing incidents of target killings in the port city have shocked the nation.

He criticised the coalition government over its failure to maintain peace and normality to the city and called for all-out measures to crush the criminals who were giving sleepless nights to innocent citizens.

“Although all political parties winning seats in Karachi are part of both federal and provincial governments, they have completely failed in maintaining peace there,” he said.

He demanded that the federal government should use its full force and resources to crush the culprits.

The PML-N chief said it was the responsibility of all to put an end to the killings and lawlessness in the city of lights.

He also appealed to political parties, religious organisations, ulema, intellectuals, media and civil society to play their role to restore peace in Karachi.

Mr Sharif prayed for the souls of those who have lost their lives in the recent acts of violence in the economic hub of the country and expressed heartfelt sympathies for the bereaved families.