Karachi unrest: Police, Rangers to take ‘indiscriminate’ action

Coalition partners decide to hold weekly meeting to review situation.

KARACHI: Coalition partners in the Sindh government have agreed to let the police and rangers take ‘indiscriminate’ action against criminals, regardless of their political affiliation.

A meeting was held at the Governor House and was jointly chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad. Leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Awami National Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement attended the meeting.

It was stressed in the meeting that the code of conduct signed by all the political parties in Sindh in the presence of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani in 2010 needed to be implemented urgently. It was also decided that a weekly meeting would be held between the coalition partners to review the situation in Karachi.

Addressing the media, the chief minister and governor said the political parties had been directed not to level allegations against each other or give controversial statements.

“This is a big achievement. All the political parties have gathered on a one-point agenda to bring peace to Karachi,” Ishratul Ebad said.

Qaim Ali Shah said no party would influence the police or Rangers from taking action against any specific person or area. “They can take action against suspects at their discretion.”

Senator Shahi Syed of the ANP said his party had started implementing the code of conduct and had ordered its workers to take down party flags. “No party will protest if the law enforcement agencies conduct operations against criminals in their areas. We support this idea, and so should the others.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th, 2012.