KARACHI, Sept 27: Mainstream political parties having stakes in Karachi’s politics condemned on Thursday the ongoing sectarian killings. While some termed them as a move to divide the people of Karachi, others questioned the role of Rangers and police who, they said, had failed to rise to the challenge.

These statements from ruling and opposition parties coincide with the surge in killings mainly on sectarian grounds, though a number of political activists have also been targeted this week. Along with the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) also condemned the ‘madness and brutality’ enveloping the city.

“Every citizen of Karachi wants to know about the reasons behind the continuing violence and bloodshed despite heavy presence of police, Rangers and other law-enforcing agencies,” said a statement issued by MQM coordination committee on Thursday. “The law-enforcing agencies should be made to realise their duty towards protecting the lives and properties of the people.”

Besides criticism of the role of law-enforcing agencies, the statement also questioned their utility saying that they consume ‘a large chunk of the federal and provincial budgets’ while the killings continued unabated.

Karachi JI chief Muhammad Hussain Mehanti also described the incidents as ‘brutal, with mala fide intentions to spark sectarian violence in the city.’

He said the makers of the anti-Islam film had demonstrated their hatred against Muslims across the world and such shameful acts should not be tolerated on the pretext of freedom of expression.

“Some elements in Karachi are trying to fuel sectarian violence,” he said. “Muslims across the world registered their protest against the anti-Islam film but a few elements in Karachi deliberately sabotaged the entire movement. The surge in killings on sectarian grounds after that violent episode seems to be linked with the same designs.”

Senior PPP leader Taj Haider also expressed concern over the ‘bloodshed’, but found it strange amid serious reconciliation efforts from the ruling party. Interestingly, he advised PPP workers to avoid visiting ‘sensitive areas.’

“It really is a source of concern for every democratic and peace-loving party,” a PPP spokesman quoted Mr Haider as saying.

“Due to the worsening law and order situation, the PPP workers should not visit vulnerable and sensitive areas and should take care while commuting in the city.”