KARACHI, July 14: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has urged the people of Karachi to form defence committees on the pattern of such bodies established by the Awami National Party in the NWFP to save their city from Talibanisation.

Mr Hussain praised the ANP for forming such committees and said his party would support people forming the defence committees.

According to a statement issued here on Monday, Mr Hussain was addressing from London on phone meetings of Defence, Clifton and PECHS resident committees.

The MQM chief said that after the Feb 18 elections, people were hoping that everything would be fine, peace would be restored and law and order situation would improve, but the cases of kidnapping for ransom and robbery and street crimes were on the rise.

He said investment and capital were being taken out of Pakistan and inflation was rampant. Because of unemployment, people were compelled to commit suicide or sell their children.

Mr Hussain said that under a well-planned conspiracy to Talibanise Karachi, religious extremists were being brought to the city in large numbers and they were trying to occupy vacant properties and land.

The MQM chief was of the view that if the US attacked Pakistan, the influx of people from other areas of the country to Karachi would increase. “The city’s outskirts today are surrounded by population and madressahs on encroached lands and the threat of Talibanisation of Karachi is very real.”

He said residents should set up an effective watch and ward system in their areas.