During the meeting held to discuss the law and order situation, consensus was reached to work with all political parties to ensure peace in the city.
The decisions taken also included the removal of political parties’ flags hoisted across the city and an increase in the number of checkposts in sensitive areas.
The political parties have also been urged to expel workers who are involved in spreading violence.
Speaking to media after the meeting, Malik said due to prior intelligence information, many terrorist activities were prevented from happening and situation was brought under control immediately.
Appreciating Sindh Police and chief Karachi police for restoring peace, the interior minister said the situation could have gotten worse if “we had no intelligence information.”
Malik further said he himself visited the affected areas of the city along with the police personnel to determine the situation.
“The seven sensitive areas of Karachi now have increased police presence; sharpshooters have been placed near flyovers and there will be frequent patrolling by the security officials,” Malik stated.
The interior minister also said that the SHOs will be held responsible for any mishap in their concerned areas.
Commenting on removal of flags of different political parties, Malik said flags should be removed from government properties within 24 hours. “If flags are not removed within the given timeframe, the concerned SHOs will be responsible for doing so,” he added.
President Asif Ali Zardari, who arrived in Karachi on Friday, has also summoned a meeting to discuss the matter.
Karachi saw consecutive strikes called by Awami National Party (ANP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) one after the other after their workers got killed, sparking violence in the city.
COMMENTS (24)
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@iqbal Khan: bhai, please correct your facts, karachi police is local, who told you karachi police is not local??? btw, from where police is imported into karachi??
Totally agree that local police should be from local residents not imported from other provinces Govt knows this but since they want to use police for their own political control they would not want police force consisting of locals. Every city in the world including western countries hire people from local residency proof in the police force why not Karachi? By local means someone born and raised in the city preferably who would know the ins and outs and culture of the city
Similar decision was also taken in past. But then the flags came back The government has to decide: does remaining in power come first or the country. If country comes first, call the army under the constitution for help and clean up the city from ransom seekers, kidnappers and arms. Police and rangers have failed. Rangers have been in city since past 20 years
Remove then immediately.
It will help get rid of the turf war mentality in Karachi.
While at it, also remove all portraits of party leaders.
@Bilal: Yes, I agree. Local sons of soil should be made responsible to control Karachi. Pakistan does not END in Sindh. It is over 60+ years. We had enough of our guests on our land. Peaceful Pathans and Mohajirs are welcome in Sindh but violent and criminals are not WELCOME.
Taking decisions and giving judgments are in fashion..............getting results from them is completely another story.
Karachi Police should be from Local resident of Karachi like Lahore Police.
I don't agree to the decision of removing the political parties flags, as government is trying to divert the attention of ordinary citizen from the inflated rates of petroleum products.
The government does not want to see coming on the roads against the unprecedented inflation and increase of prices in daily use of items.
The time has come when people belongs to all political parties should come out with their respective political parties flags, so that the government should see that every political party is against the government due to high inflation in the country.
The sitting government of PPP has pushed the ordinary people to the wall where people have no other choice except to commit suicide.
I wish I could see my city entirely cleaned from these flags and posters even one is quite visible in the above picture.
I hope the Lawn designers are also asked to remove their immodest FLAGS from the poles.
party Flags should not even be allowed. This culture was more prevalent in the Nazi regime. Oh forgetting, our political parties are fascinated with such regimes.
We have people sitting outside Karachi dictating what needs to be done, who to be killed, what mahem to spread.
All mob mentality.
Charity begins at home. Will PPPP follow the " The political parties have also been urged to expel workers who are involved in spreading violence." ?
atleast dey thought to do it lets c whether its implemented or not.... and if implemented den for how long
@Afghan Karachiite:
Most of the flags I see in Karachi are of ANP...
PPP always uses "Sindh card" and terms her as champion of provincial autonomy. But after 18th amendment, what is the point of using Federal home minister on every issue to poke his nose in provincial matters of Sindh. Where is provincial home minister and his role? PPP should NOT set wrong precedents and rather they should empower provincial govt to sort out issues at local level on their own.
Big Mama's Super Dramas - If they have the guts then remove all posters and flags from the airport area then the few doubtful will stop laughing.
Good decision, Malik Sahib. Flags, posters and all political 'decoration' should be removed from the city. This will definitely solve at least 40% of problems created by political-tension which has just transformed into ethnic clash. Even though, this might be unacceptable for the MQM who would rather see it as a jeopardy to it's 'demonstration of influence' over the city.
Guns don't kill people, flags do!
Another drama....!! huh...