No need of calling army in Karachi: Rehman Malik

Minister for Interior Rehman Malik has said that some troubled areas of Karachi would be handed over to Rangers and others to Police for  targeted action against criminals, adding that there is no need of calling army in the city.

Addressing a news conference in Karachi this afternoon, he said both security forces and intelligence gatherings are being beefed up in the city.

The Interior Minister said 250 FC personnel would reach Karachi from Balochistan and if need be personnel of security forces from other provinces would also be called to assist in restoring normalcy in the city.

He said the Government is determined to provide security to every road and street in Karachi. The Minister said 89 persons suspected of involvement in target killings have already been arrested.

Rehman Malik said apart from administrative action, political dialogue would also be held with all stakeholders to ensure maintenance of law and order in the city. He said he was in touch with leaders of MQM and there is a proposal to convene a meeting with
all political parties tomorrow or the day after.

He said third force is active to exploit the situation and apportion blame on political parties, adding that I have directed law enforcement agencies to take indiscriminate action against the criminals.

He said that 89 persons have been arrested, which include 12 Urdu speaking, 19 pashtoons and three Balcoh, while remaining are from other ethnicities.

Rehman Malik said that 85 people have been martyred, adding that all were innocents. He said that the consultations have been held with MQM, ANP and all political parties.

He said that on Thursday targeted operation was launched in the city, adding that 56 miscreants have been arrested on Friday.

He said that the political parties have unanimity that there is third force which is trying to take benefit of the situation.

He said that if the need would arise the further force would be called from the other provinces.

He said that there is someone who is backing the miscreants, adding that the Karachi is facing the drug and land mafia.

He said that the whole position of the city is in front of us through satellite and action would be taken against the people involved in the violence.

He thanked the MQM chief Altaf Hussain for taking back the call of brining out rally in Karachi on Friday.

He said that some of the miscreants involved in the terrorist activities have been arrested.
Police and rangers are expert and they would control the situation, adding that six to seven days needed to tackle the situation.

Altaf Hussain and Asfandyar Wali Khan should direct their workers to remain peaceful in the city, adding that conspiracy has been hatched to destabilize Pakistan, adding that the miscreants are using aged persons and children as a defence wall.

He asked the media to avoid sensationalism by playing tickers of target killing incidents on TV channels, adding that third force is trying to destabilize the country.

He said that 400 elite police commandoes have been deployed in the city, adding that FC is being sent in violence hit areas, adding that some force of federation could be called if need would arise.

Rehman Malik said that the decision to call the all parties conference has been taken by the government. SANA