KARACHI, May 16: Expressing concern over losses of life and property in the May 12 mayhem in Karachi, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Wednesday in effect endorsed what he described as provincial government’s “timely” measures for damage control and for restoring normalcy, and ruled out any possibility of imposition of emergency or governor’s rule.

At a meeting on law and order held at the Governor’s House, the prime minister was given a detailed briefing by the provincial governor on the May 12 violence and its aftermath, and the reason for the deployment of paramilitary Rangers.

According to official sources, Mr Aziz acknowledged that ensuring security of life and property of the people was the responsibility of the government and assured every possible help to the Sindh government in efforts to restore peace and normalcy in the city.

“There is no need for emergency or governor’s rule and the government is effectively bringing the situation under control and conditions will move in the right direction,” he said.

According to the sources, Mr Aziz said that his government respected judiciary and that there were no restrictions on the movement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry. However, he warned that no-one would be allowed to create a law and order situation.

Talking to group of media personnel, Mr Aziz claimed that the situation in Karachi was improving with the deployment of Rangers. He said the incidents of May 12 and their effects on the economic and financial hub of the country had been a matter of great concern.

“We fully share the grief and sorrow of all those whose near and dear ones lost their lives,” he said.

He said the government was trying to ensure that no issue was propagated in a manner that might lead to a law and order situation in any area and suitable conditions were created for reconciliation through dialogue.

He praised police and Rangers for “doing a good job” in containing the volatile situation.

Mr Aziz, who also met businessmen, writers and scholars, said they were of the view that no situation should be exploited for political motives and stressed the need for restoring peace.

Mr Aziz also claimed that the PML’s alliance with the MQM and other coalition partners, including the PPP (Sherpao) and the PML (Functional) had never been stronger.

“We will contest the polls on the basis of our performance and on the basis of facts,” he said.

The law and order meeting was attended by, among others, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Ghouri, Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Saleem Saifullah, Adviser Home Affairs, Sindh, Waseem Akhtar, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah, Chief Secretary Shakil Durrani, DG Rangers Maj- Gen Javed Zia, and Sindh IG Police Niaz Ahmad Siddiqi.