GEO 436 KARACHI: A delegation of Muttahida Qaumi Movement(MQM) met President Asif Ali Zardari at Bilawal House here Monday and discussed matters relating to sectarian killing, development in the province and implementations of decisions of Core Committee and KESC tariff. Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik were present on the occasion. Federal Ministers Dr Farooq Sattar was leading the delegation which included Babar Khan Ghauri, provincial ministers, Dr Ahmed Saghir, Adil Siddiqui and Waseem Aftab. Talking to media after the meeting, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that President Asif Ali Zardari has said that he wants peace in the city at all cost. The President said that everybody wants peace in Karachi which is the economic hub of Pakistan. Malik said that there was a consensus in the meeting that peace should be maintained at every cost in Karachi. “President Zardari and myself had talked to MQM chief Altaf Hussain over the target killing in Karachi and we have decided to take severe action against the culprits”, he maintained. We want peace in Karachi and whosoever, is involved in target killings will be arrested and taken to task. There is “zero tolerance” for criminals and anti-social elements. He said that the government was tightening the noose around culprits and warned them to refrain from killing innocent people. This is not a mere threat, he noted. He said the government has finalised its strategy to deal with criminals and terrorists. He also warned banned groups to refrain from organising rallies or resorting to open advertising. Their activities will be banned, even if they are operating under the garb of new names, he opined. Giving details of his meeting with the Chief Minister Sindh this morning, Interior Minister said that a fact finding committee has been constituted under Inspector General Police to gather information about target killings. He said that SHO of the area has been directed to compile data of all prominent religious figures in his area and hold meetings with them to maintain religious harmony. Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistani Dr Farooq Sattar said that both PPP and MQM will work together to identify anti-Pakistan elements who have resorted to sectarian and ethnic killings in Karachi. He said that anti-social elements had created law and order situation in the city last month by resorting to ethnic killings. This time, they have prompted sectarian killing to disturb peace in Karachi and affect economic activities, he added. He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed concern over the new wave of target killings in the city and issued orders that nobody should be spared in the efforts to control this situation. President Zardari has expressed concern over the killings of doctors and issued orders to go after the culprits to their dens and eliminate the target killing from its roots, he added. Farooq Sattar said that the President has assured MQM delegation of his full support in this regard and said he wants peace in Karachi at every cost. He pointed out both the sides have resolved to continue to work together for beating terrorists who the common enemy and also resolve problems facing the public. He said MQM delegation also discussed issues relating to federal budget, sales tax on services and NFC allocations. We also conveyed our point of view on the recent rise in KESC tariff and suggested for providing relief to Karachiittes in the shape of subsidy. He said the President has agreed to the proposal and said that a meeting in Islamabad with Prime Minister and Finance Minister will take the decision in this regard. Responding to a question, Farooq Sattar said it was decided that the meeting of “core committee” will be held on regular basis and Governor and Chief Minister will sit in these meetings.
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