KARACHI: Welcoming the views expressed in the federal cabinet meeting about restoration of long-lasting peace in Karachi, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Wednesday vowed to support every positive step taken in accordance with the law and constitution, DawnNews reported.

In a statement issued here, MQM’s Rabita (Coordination) Committee said the party intends to see supremacy of the law and constitution in the port city and it was willing to support every positive step in this regard.

Upon conclusion of the federal cabinet’s special meeting on Karachi unrest, chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan announced earlier in the day that the paramilitary Rangers force would initiate the targeted operation against criminal gangs and terrorists in the next “one to two days”.

It was decided at the cabinet meeting that the Rangers force would be given special prosecution powers to aid them in acting against miscreants.

The prime minister, who is currently on a two-day emergency trip in Karachi, had also held detailed meetings with top government officials and heads of law enforcement authorities.

Sharif expressed concern at the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, however, he ruled out a possibility of deploying military troops in the metropolis despite the MQM’s demands of handing over the city to Pakistan Army.

Being the representative party of Karachi, MQM requires establishment of peace in the city more than any other political party, said the statement. For making restoration of peace and rule of law a certainty, the party considers the proposed targeted operation against terrorists and extortionists as mandatory, it added.

Future course of action by the federal and provincial governments and law enforcement forces will determine how sincere they were for eradicating terrorism from the economic hub of the country, said the Rabita Committee statement.