Operation inevitable: CM Shah

Sindh CM reiterates govt is determined to launch operation to stem rising tide of targeted killings in Karachi.

KHAIRPUR/SUKKUR: The Sindh chief minister has reiterated that the government is determined to launch an operation to stem the rising tide of targeted killings in the Karachi metropolitan city.

“An operation is inevitable and no political party in the province has any objections to the plan,” Syed Qaim Ali Shah told a public meeting in Khairpur.  He added that the MQM, ANP and PPP – the three coalition partners in the Sindh government – have agreed that culprits of target killings will not be spared. And that action will be taken against anyone involved in target killings irrespective of his political affiliation.

Shah said that his government was taking  concrete steps to end target killings and restore peace in Karachi. Referring to the relative peace in the city over the last couple of days, Shah said that the government efforts were bearing fruit.

Without naming anyone, the chief minister said some elements have forgotten the former generals and are now spearheading a propaganda campaign against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Meanwhile MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that his party has never demanded of the authorities to conduct an operation against any particular group of people or those belonging to a certain area.

“The MQM has always maintained that action should be taken against all drugs and arms dealers, land grabbers, extortionists and gangs involved in kidnapping for ransom no matter what religion, area, sect they belonged to or group they were affiliated with,” a press release quoted Hussain as saying. “People speaking any language and from any nation are our brothers and compatriots.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 25^th, 2010.