KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari said on Wednesday that deterioration of law and order situation in Karachi was not the failure of the state, DawnNews reported.

“Enemies of the state want to destabilise state’s effort in the war against terrorism through deterioration of law and order situation in Karachi,” the president said.

He said that if any ill-intender thinks that they could dent government’s commitment against terrorism, they are mistaken.

President Zardari said that the next general elections would be held in time. Adding that, he said that future policies will have to be made in consultation with all the stakeholders.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf also expressed his concern over the situation of the city. He advised the provincial governments to enhance the security during the month of Muharram.

The responses of the president and the prime minister came after the allied partners of the coalition government –the MQM and the ANP– boycotted the Senate session on Tuesday protesting against the rising violence in Karachi.

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