Pakistan

'Army will not be called into Karachi'

"I am confident that political leadership will be able to control the situation in Karachi" says PM Gilani.

Afp October 20, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Prime minister Yousaf Raza Gilan has reiterated that there was no need to send the army into Karachi to bring an end to the ongoing wave of violence.

"No decision has been taken to send the army to Karachi," Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters in the capital Islamabad today (Wednesday).

"I am confident that political leadership will be able to control the situation in Karachi", he added.

On Tuesday, state minister for ports and shipping Nabeel Gabol called for the military to be deployed in Karachi, accusing the local government of failing to impose law and order.

"This was his personal opinion," Gilani said.

City police chief Fayyaz Leghari told the media that "it is right now difficult to name any groups over involvement in the killings but I can say one thing -- this is a conspiracy to destabilise Karachi".

COMMENTS (15)

Independent | 14 years ago | Reply @Asmat Jamal I agree with your analysis. MQM had and has been part of all the governments be it PML-N, PPP or Musharaf. By presiding home ministry in Mush days the police has been politicised and to expect an impartial operation can never happen. The lust of power will never lead to withdrawl from coalition. If the provincial government undertakes a serious operation they can get rid of these thugs who claim to be sole custodians of the city.

Umar Farooq | 14 years ago | Reply This quote is amazing “I am confident that political leadership will be able to control the situation in Karachi” I am also confident that you are a ignorant and don't wish to call in the army because they will be able to confiscate the tons of ammunition that each political party (including PPP) has in its arsenal. So lets continue doing the same as always..which amounts to nothing and hope miraculously for a different result. That seems the govts policy.

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Asmat Jamal | 14 years ago | Reply Army will not be called because MQM does want it. It wants to do it through Police, recruited by MQM in Musharraf's regime. These MQM workers in Police garb are more dangerous than a routine thug, killer or a dacoit. If it is to be above board, it is to be done through Army and rangers.

Aristo | 14 years ago | Reply One thing has been proven for sure, regardless of all other issues political or otherwise that there is no value of human life in Pakistan. A life of a dog or a cat has much more value in the civilized world. The scoreboard is ticking and we are just a bunch of disciplined silent spectators. We will all have to pay for this eerie silence one day.

Syed Mansoor | 14 years ago | Reply don’t understand why we have been using Pak Army in Northern Areas to get rid of militants, Mercenaries & war lords ! , (maybe US) but when it comes to Karachi Pak Army cannot be used to bring peace, which is life line to all Pakistan. Can somene in the government explain this?

Syed Mansoor | 14 years ago | Reply I don't understand why we have been using Pak Army in Northern Areas to get rid of militants, Mercenaries & war lords ! , (maybe US) but when it comes to Karachi Pak Army cannot be used to bring peace, which is life line to all Pakistan. Can somene in the government explain this?

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply The Police and Rangers have failed to apprehend the culprits. People of Pakistan have full confidence in Pakistan Army. I do not think that any operation cleanup without the participation of Pakistan Army will bring any fruitful result. People of Karachi are sick and tired of this situation. The political government is losing its confidence among the citizens. With each killing of an innocent person, people are losing faith in the political government day by day. Karachiites need a permanent solution of this menace. If the Police and Rangers cannot do thier jobs then there is no other option except to call the Army to control the worsening situation. Atleast people won't be spending sleepless nights. Target killing of innocent people on one side has created multiple problems for the affected families and on the other hand it is creating socio-economic problems for the widows and orphans. We need to address this issue on top priority basis, as how to restore peace in Karachi. The dead cannot come back. The government should annonce the compensation for the affted families and at the same time should ensure that children of the deceased should continue their studies. It is unfortunate that the killers have a free hand to kill any body any where.

Shani Syed | 14 years ago | Reply Army should be called in we need peace in the city Mr. PM! The govt is not capable of doing any thing except working on their personal agendas to gather more n more thats it!!!

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply MQM has threatened the government with two hours ultimatum which expired many hours ago but no action has been taken by MQM supremo. The whole nation was expecting that MQM will withdraw from the coalition and then take 'necessary action'. No one knows what they mean by taking 'necessary actions'.

watchdog from UK | 14 years ago | Reply Target Killers. Who? I said Target killers. what the people think? Click this. http://paktribune.com/vote/votingresult.php?id=178

Tehmeena Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Nabeel Gabol's assessment has weight. Mr. Prime Minister please re-think.

Hamood | 14 years ago | Reply Is the political leadership capable of doing anything? These are the most inept and corrupt politicians the nation has ever seen.

ADE | 14 years ago | Reply Pakistan should have martial law if things go on the way they are right now. It would be good riddance from clueless people like Gillani

S. Ali Raza | 14 years ago | Reply The way this government has planned the operation - It is confirmed that the Army will be coming in.

Ali Farooqui | 14 years ago | Reply “I am confident that political leadership will be able to control the situation in Karachi” as they have been doing so far?? what a joke

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