KARACHI, May 25: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Rahim, who felt proud of providing a ‘neutral’ ground for the meeting of some estranged communities with President Musharraf, said despite the government’s strong desire de-weaponisation of society was a difficult task.

Accompanied by Federal Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani and others, the chief minister was addressing a news conference after the high-level meeting presided over by General Musharraf at the Chief Minister’s House on Friday.

He said that the de-weaponization exercise had been carried out in the past as well but it could not achieve desired result. He said such an exercise would require extreme and harsh measures.

He pointed out that people from different walks of life and political divide agreed to come to the CM’s House as they considered it a neutral place.

Dr Rahim claimed that during the meeting General Musharraf was assured of public support for restoring normalcy and work for collective good of the economic hub of the country.

In the context of provincial governor’s peace overtures to other political parties when the chief minister was asked if there was another Chief Executive for Karachi, Dr Arbab Rahim said since the police parties had differences with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the governor met the political leaders on behalf of the MQM.

In reply to a question, the chief minister said the need for reconciliation through dialogue was more important than initiating an inquiry into the May 12 bloodshed.

When asked when he would initiate inquiry to fix the responsibility of the bloodshed that claimed dozens of lives, Dr Rahim said: “If we go into inquiry, things might aggravate, whereas need of the hour is reconciliation”. His remarks indicated that the government did not give importance to the inquiry and fixing responsibility, especially after the video-war between the antagonists.

Referring to the May 12 incidents, Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said he was happy that such a conspiracy had been foiled.

He said he was optimistic that people would not allow the city to slide back into another ethnically motivated bloodshed.

About the meeting presided over by General Musharraf at the CM’s House, he said the participants gave suggestions to bring back normalcy to the city.

Amir Muqam also spoke.