KARACHI, Oct 7: Thousands of people, including elected representatives and members of civil society, assembled at Bagh Ibne Qasim in Clifton on Sunday and marched towards Teen Talwar as part of a ‘peace walk’ held to denounce violence and sectarianism and promote brotherhood and sectarian harmony in the city.

The event was organised by a hitherto unknown group, Ahliyan-i-Karachi, with the active support of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

Waving national flag and raising slogans against terrorism, participants of the walk reached the Teen Talwar roundabout.

Dr Farooq Sattar, Syed Mustafa Kamal and Khushbakht Shujaat of the MQM addressed the participants.

Different wings of the MQM had set up camps along the route. Strict security arrangements were taken to avoid any untoward incident. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Sattar said a majority of people in Karachi were peace loving and the huge success of the walk was a “victory of the peace lovers and defeat of the enemies of peace”.

Terming it a historic event, he said the people of Karachi rejected criminals, terrorists, extortion mafia and those behind the incidents of kidnappings for ransom.

“The people of Karachi have given a clear message to the government and law-enforcement agencies that they will have to be taken on board in the process of establishing a durable peace in the city. They will have to be involved in the efforts for bringing peace.”

He said an overwhelming majority of the people wanted peace and stability in the city because they wanted to see peace and stability in the country. He termed the walk a referendum against every form of terrorism, religious extremism and sectarianism.

Former Karachi nazim Senator Mustafa Kamal said the elements creating law and order problems in Karachi were conspiring against Pakistan.