Media watch: Perpetual violence in Karachi

Media looks at steps that were taken and that should be taken in the wake of the recent violence.

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

Army not being called in Karachi, says PM

Prime Minister Gilani dismissed remarks by Pakistan People’s Party leader Nabeel Gabol of calling the army to take control of the city. Gilani said that was Gabol’s “personal view”. “It is not the point of the view of my party,” Gilani said. He said the army could be called in to assist the civilian government, but added that “the political leadership of the country was capable of containing the situation”. (dawn.com)

Target killings

Those killed have not just been political workers, but workers of the parties making up the ruling coalition. The MQM had initially accused the ANP of being behind the killings, but with the new allegations about the People’s Aman Committees, has changed its line of attack. While the ANP has accused the MQM of being behind the violence, the PPP so far, through Mr Malik, has denied any backing to the Aman Committees.  (nation.com.pk)

Of warnings and promises

Extreme measures are needed to bring normalcy back to Karachi. A strong arm policy of ‘shoot on sight’ may help prevent some incidents of target killing, but without tackling the situation politically, things may not calm down. The PPP has to play a central role in this situation as it has so far not been as tainted in this target killings spree while both the ANP and the MQM blame each other for this ballooning crisis. (dailytimes.com.pk)

Govt mulls deterrent against targeted violence

He said that “the killers” in custody tell the police about their political affiliations, but the political parties with whom the suspects claimed to have been affiliated with denied any such affiliations. He said that the government would now make it mandatory on each political party to submit to the police the details of all those workers whom the party expelled from its ranks. (thenews.com.pk)