HYDERABAD, May 3 Expressing concern over deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Sahibzada Shabbir Hassan Ansari has appealed to the Awami National Party to postpone its public meeting scheduled for May 12 in the interest of peace.

Speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Sunday, he said that the nation was worried over deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi as the metropolis was the hub of economic activities. The people were living in perpetual fear as to what would happen on May 12, the PML-N leader said.

He said that some vested interests were trying to create ethnic hatred in Karachi, and added that keeping in view the conditions prevailing in the NWFP and Balochistan, the country could hardly afford ethnic strife in Karachi.

The coalition governments both in Islamabad and Karachi must realise their responsibilities, he said, and added that foreign saboteurs had increased their activities in Karachi and Balochistan.

The PML-N was ready to perform its due role in defusing the situation and would support those actions of the federal and provincial governments which were aimed at restoring peace, Mr Ansari said.

He condemned ban on the entry of Imran Khan in Karachi and said that it was against democratic norms and freedom of movement. “Every Pakistani citizen has a right to go to any place in Pakistan,” he said.

He condemned the false propaganda of international media against valiant armed forced of the country, particularly the ISI and said that the army had rendered immense sacrifices in war on terror.

He warned the government against any complacent attitude on the issue of Karachi and said that the attitude could prove dangerous.

He called upon the coalition partners to rise above party politics and ensure punishment to the criminals irrespective of their political affiliations.