KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday said the government would take strict action against terrorists operating in Karachi, DawnNews reported.
Speaking to media representatives here, the minister said "no targeted killings had taken place in the city since yesterday". However, at least 11 people had reportedly been killed during violence in Karachi during the past 24 hours.
He moreover requested the media and other institutions to act responsibly given the sensitive law and order situation.
Mr Malik further said that the reservations of Muttahida Qaumi Movement's chief Altaf Hussain regarding the situation in Karachi were legitimate and that the government would act against criminal elements operating in the city.
Mr Malik said restoring peace in Karachi was necessary.
Moreover, hundreds of extra paramilitary troops were deployed in the city, struggling to end violence that has killed scores in five days.
The provincial government was also offering 10 million rupees for citizens who provide information leading to the arrests of those responsible for the violence.
Furthermore, Mr Hussain cautioned people overnight to stockpile food for a month.
“We are running out of patience. For how long will we collect the bodies of innocent people?” said Hussain in a written statement to party workers before a party meeting, due to be conducted by telephone on Wednesday.
With a population of 18 million, Karachi suffered deadly violence throughout the 1980s and 1990s, as well as in recent years.
Government officials and coalition party members have distributed stickers, pamphlets and placards pleading for peace, but to little effect.
The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan recently described Karachi as a city in the grip of political, ethnic and sectarian “polarisation”.
It said 490 people were killed in targeted killings in Karachi in the first half of the year, compared with 748 in the whole of 2010.
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