ISLAMABAD: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Awami National Party (ANP) boycotted the Senate session on Tuesday protesting against the rising violence in Karachi.

After a heated debate in upper house, the ANP demanded immediate military operation in Karachi while the MQM demanded imposition of emergency in the city.

MQM’s senator Syed Mustafa Kamal said that the prime minister should take immediate action on the issue of Karachi. He demanded that the prime minister should impose emergency in the city.

ANP’s senator Illyas Bilour said that peace in Karachi cannot be restored until an army operation was launched in the city.

He demanded the prime minister to brief the parliamentarians on Karachi law and order situation.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz senator Mushahid ullah Khan said that his party does not support any operation in Karachi because no operation could be successful in the presence of the current government.

Violence continues unabated

At least three people, including an excise police official, were killed on Tuesday in violent activities in the city, DawnNews reported.

The killings took place in the area of Orangi town. Tension prevailed in the area after the incident.

Rangers arrested 23 suspected miscreants including alleged target killer Shamim ur Rehman while CID police arrested four alleged ‘terrorists’ belonging to banned outfit Laskar-i-Jhangvi (LeJ).

Spokesman of Rangers said that heavy weaponry was also recovered from the arrested men.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Tuesday said the government will not allow any rally in the province except Muharram-ul-Harram processions.

He stated this while briefing media on the law and order situation in Karachi and the corrective measures taken by the government to ensure security to life and property of the people Sindh.

Additional Inspector General of Police Iqbal Mehmood assisted the Minister during this briefing here at Sindh Secretariat.

Sharjeel Inam Memon appealed the public not to violate section 144, wherever it is declared, and avoid pillion riding to help the Government in maintaining law and order.

“The government has imposed ban on pillion riding under section 144 sections. However, hundreds of people were arrested for the violation over also two days,” he regretted.

He also appealed to the religious leaders to cooperate and in hands with the government in maintaining peace and security especially during the month of Muharram.