KARACHI: Federal Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Monday revealed that activists belonging to political parties of the PPP-led coalition government of Sindh are to be blamed for the menace of extortion in Karachi, DawnNews reported.

Malik said that activists of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and other parties were involved in extortion in the metropolis.

Speaking to media representatives at the Quaid-i-Azam-International Airport, the interior minister also said that few parties were involved in the deteriorating law and order situation.

The minister also rejected the speculations that armed operations were only conducted in Lyari, adding security agencies have also raided offices of the MQM and other political parties in the violence-ridden city.

“If security agencies are attacked with hand grenades, they would not shower flowers in response,” said the PPP leader.

Moreover, the minister said that national tragedies, like the Bhoja Air crash, should not be used for political gains.

Criticising Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) for opposing probe commission formed to investigate the crash, he blamed Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan for doing politics on the tragic incident.

The minister claimed that the airline was awarded licence during Nawaz Sharif’s government while ignoring the rules and regulations.

He said that the government is taking all steps for a transparent inquiry into the air crash.

He assured that action will be taken against those responsible in the light of inquiry report. “We should wait for it and avoid doing politics on the issue, he added.

To a question, Malik said that law enforcement agencies have arrested a group involved in creating law and order situation in Gilgit, Karachi and Balochistan.

The interior minister also said that Ali Musa Gilani (son of PM Gilani) had arrived in the country to face allegations against him in the “ephedrine case.”