KARACHI, March 30: The Sindh Home Minister, Rauf Siddiqui, said on Wednesday the government would deal with an iron hand elements harassing people and creating law and order situation on April 2, which has been earmarked by the MMA as a day of "countrywide strike against soaring prices".

Talking to newsmen after the launching ceremony of a book at the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology, the minister said those who were giving strike calls were trying to play with the future of Pakistan and Karachi. He said if reports were received against anyone for breaching peace, he would not be spared.

The spiral hike in prices of commodities had not taken place at once, he added and questioned where were these people, who were now expressing concern over inflation, for the last 2 and a half years. In fact, the rallies and calls for strikes were aimed at upsetting the existing economic activities and pace of investment in

the country and Karachi, he noted.

Earlier, speaking at the ceremony, he said the government was in touch with transporters and business communities, and they had assured to continue their activities as usual on April 2 and not be part of the strike.

He also informed the gathering that the government in consultation with the heads of universities and colleges had already introduced a set of ethics.

These would be observed in educational institutions for elimination of political activities and creating an environment conducive to education, students and teachers.