ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Friday has taken notice of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) complaints of extortion and poor law and order situation in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

Spokesperson to the President Senator Farhatullah Babar said the president directed the Sindh government and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik to take strict action against the criminal elements.

The president also directed the interior minister to proceed to Karachi and coordinate with the provincial government in redressing the grievances of the public and traders, in particular against extortion.

The MQM chief Altaf Hussain had also brought to the attention of the president the complaints of extortion in Karachi, the Spokesperson said.

The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) respects its coalition partners and will redress the concerns of the ally, the Spokesperson quoted the president as saying.

Earlier in the day, members of the MQM and traders of Karachi protested against incidents of extortion, announcing the observance of a “Black Day” protest on Saturday.

The MQM also staged a walk out from the Sindh Assembly session.

Speaking to the media representatives during the protest, MQM leaders Waseem Akhtar and Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi said the only person who could address and solve this issue is President Zardari.

Another party leader, Faisal Sabzwari, said that if extortion related activities were not put to a halt then MQM might consider boycotting the joint session of both the House of the Parliament on March 17 to be addressed by the president.