Media watch: Karachi violence

Media recount and analyse the events over the weekend which resulted in the killing more than 30 people.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Karachi target killings

Gang warfare between criminals has been often blamed, but the political background shared by almost all the victims makes it quite evident that the motivation is political. This has vitiated the atmosphere of the city, and has made it difficult to do business there. The recent killings are particularly painful not only because they are large in number, but also they came on the eve of a by-election; that reflect badly upon the coalition government. (nation.com.pk)

Karachi’s unending woes

The blame game between the ANP and the MQM is nothing new. It has been going on for months, but since most of those murdered are Pashtuns, the MQM heads the cast of usual suspects. This time even the Baloch, Punjabi, Hazaras and people of other ethnicities were also killed. The MQM has kept a tight lid on controlling Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh for decades now. (dailytimes.com.pk)

Killings in city mar peaceful polls

Despite polling activity concluding peacefully, violence flared up in the evening as political parties started pinning the blame of hostilities in the city on each other. While traffic in the city on a Sunday is usually thin, thoroughfares and streets wore an even more deserted look as citizens preferred to stay indoors. Public transport also remained off the roads amid news of various targeted killings in different parts of the city. (thenews.com.pk)

CCPO told to probe Target killings

In a statement issued here on Sunday, the minister directed the Rangers and the police to intensify patrolling in the affected localities and conduct snap checking to prevent further incidents of violence. He directed the police to strictly implement a ban on aerial firing and display of arms and to ensure extraordinary security for the safety of the life and property of the people, particularly the residents of Orangi Town. (dawn.com)