ISLAMABAD: Continuing violence in Karachi compelled the Pakistan People’s Party on Thursday to convene a meeting to discuss the situation and give final touches to a new accord with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.
President Asif Ali Zardari had called a meeting of PPP leaders from Sindh on Thursday in the presidency, but it was postponed because of the murder of party’s former MNA Ahmed Karimdad, said President’s Spokesman Farhatullah Babar.
He said the meeting would now be held on Friday. It will be attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and PPP leaders Khurshid Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, Ayaz Soomro and Zulfikar Mirza.
Sources said there was a possibility that after the meeting the PPP and MQM would formally announce their new alliance.
They said leaders of the ruling party believed that the PPP and MQM should revive their alliance without delay because some elements in Karachi did not want this happen.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, who has been in Islamabad for the past three days, called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday and apprised him of the situation in Karachi.
The prime minister gave instructions for an immediate and across-the-board action against criminals who were playing with people’s lives and destroying peace. “Show no leniency to these elements who are there to ruin the city life,” Mr Gilani said.
The prime minister also spoke to the Sindh chief minister and asked him to immediately hold a meeting of the provincial administration and take action against the criminals and bring them to justice.
Mr Gilani directed the inspector general of Sindh police to spare no efforts in apprehending the killers.
He also asked Interior Minister Rehman Malik to go to Karachi immediately to bring the situation under control.
MQM’s deputy convenor Dr Farooq Sattar also spoke to the prime minister and briefed him on the situation in Karachi.
Our Staff Reporter adds from Karachi: MQM chief Altaf Hussain called Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday and requested him to protect the life and property of innocent citizens and take action against terrorists.
According to an MQM press release issued from London, Mr Hussain conveyed to the PM his deep concern over the kidnapping and killing of innocent people in Karachi and told him that the terrorists involved in gang war were kidnapping and killing passengers of public and private transport after determining the identities of their targets.
Mr Gilani, the press release said, strongly condemned the killing of innocent people.
He said that certain people did not want the PPP and MQM to work together, but the government would not let them succeed in their designs.
He assured Mr Hussain that the government would fully discharge its responsibility of protecting the life and property of innocent people in Karachi.
The prime minister said that instructions in this regard had already been given to Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and officials of Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies, the press release said.
Mr Hussain appealed to the people not to get provoked and stay calm for the sake of peace and stability of Karachi.
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