KARACHI, July 5: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief condemned the violence that erupted in the city on Tuesday, asked the president and the prime minister if they were punishing the MQM for its parting of ways with their party, and urged the chief of the National Awami Party to warn his party men over attacks in certain parts of the city.

The ANP Sindh chief, meanwhile, demanded that the government convene a meeting of its coalition partners to help prevent violence.

Mr Hussain condemned violence and arson attacks in Qasba Colony, Orangi Town, Kati Pahari and other parts of the city.

He said terrorists attacked houses in Qasba Colony, Orangi Town and the Kati Pahari areas with automatic weapons. The terrorists looted houses, put several houses on fire and fired indiscriminately that resulted in several deaths and injuries to many others.

He alleged that while terrorists went on a rampage in the city, the police and administration stood by as silent spectators. “The terrorists were given a virtual free hand to do what they wanted,” he said.

Addressing President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Mr Hussain asked if the MQM would be punished for quitting the government by exercising its democratic right.

He asked if the helpless people of Karachi would be subjected to barbaric violence, and that terrorists would be supported instead of taking any action against them.

He demanded that the armed attack on the localities and terrorism stop immediately and the citizens be given security.

Mr Hussain said if armed attacks on the localities did not stop forthwith, “We would be forced to start peaceful protests against it.”

He warned that if the party decided to go on strike against the wave of terrorism, it would not stop in a day or two. “The strikes will continue till the end of terrorism and the government,” he said.

Mr Hussain also asked ANP chief Asfandyar Wali to warn his people to stop attacks on the houses adjoining Qasba Colony, Orangi Town and Kati Pahari immediately.

Sindh general secretary of the ANP Bashir Jan called on the government to convene a meeting of a committee of the coalition partners to bring about peace and said that all sides should refrain from making statements which could further fuel the situation.

He said the Tuesday violence was sparked by an attack on Rahim Khan Swati, district information secretary of the ANP.

A spokesman for the ANP said two of its workers were killed while six were wounded in different parts of Orangi on Tuesday.

He said Hidayatullah and Gul Nawab, who were killed in Qasba Colony, belonged to its Ward MPR Baloch Colony, UC 13 of Orangi Town.

Similarly, the party’s information secretary, Raheem Khan Swati, and Akthar Husain were wounded in Qasba when unknown gunmen opened fire on them.

Likewise, Ahsan Marwat, Moosa Khan, Gul Ahmed and Mohammad Shah were also wounded in the firing.

They claimed that a passenger of the bus which came under fire was also a Pakhtun.