‘Hostile overseas elements’ involved in hampering peace in Karachi: Rehman Malik
KARACHI, Oct 08 (APP): Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that ‘hostile overseas elements’ were bent on crippling the situation in Karachi.“Karachi is our life-line and we cannot tolerate conspiracy against our economic hub city”, he said while addressing members of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) on Saturday.He stressed the need for unity among all segments of society including businessmen and politicians. 
“Our President and Prime Minister have all fully endorsed our efforts to bring peace in Karachi and allocated funds amounting to Rs 5 billion for law and order,” he added.
He said situation regarding peace in Karachi has improved considerably but there was still room for efforts to further improve the situation.
Malik said that he will visit the metropolis every week to monitor the situation of law and order and added “there always remains a threat of suicide attack in sensitive areas including Islamabad”.
 He assured the industrialists that a separate police force would be formed to maintain law and order in industrial zones of the country.
“Even the private security agencies could be hired in collaboration with the industrial associations to provide security to the industrial zones,” he added.
The Interior Minister said that Police managed to arrest 87 target-killers in recent months and it also took action without any discrimination.
Moreover, he said that over 20 million SIMs of mobile phones were traced which were either stolen or misused by their owners.
“We are also in touch with Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to curb the menace of misuse of SIMs,” he added.
Responding to a question, he said that it was vision of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that all political parties should get united to bring stability and integrity in the larger interest of the country.
Malik said that no political party will be allowed to take out rallies without permission of the government and added that the government fully respected the judiciary and would implement its decisions.
To a question about the operation in Karachi, the Interior Minister said that zero tolerance has been adopted and the government has full support and has also taken Mutiheda Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Awami National Party (ANP) into confidence in this regard.
“But at the same time, we also expect full cooperation from the business community to get rid of those involved in any kind of lawlessness or extortion,” he added.
Chairman of KATI, Ehteshamuddin also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the problems of the business community.
IGP Wajid Ali Khan was also present on the occasion.