ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that the government and law enforcement agencies were taking serious measures to control criminal activities in Karachi.

He said efforts are being made to restore peace in Karachi, a business hub of the country.

He said that several meetings had been held with law enforcing agencies and stakeholders to improve law and order situation in the mega city.

“We are deeply concerned about the law and order situation in Karachi city and the government is taking stringent measures against the miscreants without any discrimination,” he said.

Replying to a question, he said that there were a number of issues which need to be tackled with collective efforts.

He said that Karachi was facing issues of ethnic and sectarian tensions, extremism and extortion of money.

He said that a task force had been established to deal with extortion mafia which was targeting innocent people and traders of Karachi.

The Minister said certain elements wanted to derail peace in Karachi and destabilise the country but they would not achieve success in their nefarious designs.

“We are collecting information against the elements involved in sabotaging peace of Karachi and action will be taken without any discrimination,” he added.

Rehman Malik said after coming into power, Pakistan Peoples Party government had to face a number of problems.

He said the President and Prime Minister were very serious to bring normalcy to Karachi and several meetings were held to improve situation without any further delay.

He said it was responsibility of all political parties including Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and citizens of Pakistan to come forward to work for welfare and progress of the country.

Rehman Malik urged media to play effective role in campaign against extortion mafia to save people from their criminal activities.

The Minister asked people to provide information against the miscreants and anti-social elements so that quick action could be taken against them.

He said the PPP government introduced reforms in FATA to improve socio-economic conditions in the tribal areas.