KARACHI, Sept 24: President Asif Ali Zardari asked Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday to expedite investigation into the recent killing of 26 Hazara tribesmen in Mastung, submit report to him and take stern action against the officials found negligent.

He directed the minister to ensure arrest of the assailants and bring them to justice as soon as possible.

President’s spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that Mr Malik, who called on the president at Bilawal House, briefed him on the ongoing drive against criminal elements and extortionists in Karachi and the progress in the probe into the attack on the bus carrying Hazara pilgrims to Iran from Balochistan.

The president asked the minister to ensure security for every public transport carrying pilgrims to Iran and take strict actionagainst officials who ignored the order.

Mr Zardari asked Mr Malik not to rest until criminals and extortionists in Karachi were exposed and captured, adding that action should be taken in a transparent manner and without regard to the suspects’ political affiliations.

SITUATION REVIEWED: Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Malik reviewed the steps being taken against criminals and extortionists in Karachi with reference to the role played by Rangers, FC and Sindh Police and decided to enhance coordination in the light of directives of the SC.

It was decided that law-enforcement agencies would continue their action against criminals and land mafia and the situation would be reviewed at meetings to be held on a weekly basis.

The meeting decided that the recently arrested alleged target killers and extortionists would be brought to justice with credible evidence and strong prosecution. It was resolved to enhance the capacity of prosecution wing to pursue the cases.

Mr Malik asked the Sindh Rangers director general to deploy Rangers personnel in areas marked by the business community and other sensitive parts of Karachi.