ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the situation in Karachi and said that miscreants were trying to create sectarian strife in the ongoing spate of violence.

“We are all mindful of the fact that extremism, militancy, intolerance, sectarian violence and terrorism, all put together have posed a serious threat and challenge to our sovereignty, security and national cohesion,” he added.

“As a nation, we have to thwart the designs of the terrorists and the government would play its part in eliminating these elements,” the prime minister said during the federal cabinet meeting held under his chairmanship.

The prime minister said keeping in mind the sanctity of the Holy month of Moharrum-ul-Haraam, he has directed law enforcement agencies of all the provinces to further beef up security arrangements to maintain peace and harmony.

He said that the federal government would extend all possible assistance to the provincial governments and all possible measures will be taken for improvement in the law and order situation in Karachi.

The prime minister requested that the people of Karachi to keep an eye on suspicious activities of miscreants and inform authorities about any such activity.

He also urged the Ulema and religious scholars to play their role in bringing peace to the city.