BBC reports that "at least 20 have been killed" in yesterday's spree of target killings which appear to be part of ongoing ethnic-political rivalry between two groups in Karachi. See previous posts on this topic: Feb 2, 2010; May 25, 2009; May 11, 2009; May 1, 2009.
Eighteen dead as violence revisits Karachi
Dawn, May 20, 2010
Source
KARACHI: At least 18 people were killed in a fresh wave of ethnic and political killings across Karachi on Wednesday.
A four-year-old boy was killed along with his father in one of the attacks.
The targeted killings staged a comeback just a day after the coalition parties reiterated their pledge to work together for peace and prosperity of Sindh.
Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah ordered agencies concerned to take effective measures for maintaining law and order.
Talking to a delegation of the Awami National Party, led by Amin Khattak, he gave the assurance that those involved in the killings would be arrested soon and taken to task.
He asked the administration and law enforcement agencies to keep an eye on the activities of miscreants, increase deployment of police and Rangers and ensure a round-the-clock police patrol.
The chief minister said that some miscreants were out to disturb the law and order situation in Karachi for “ulterior motives” and their designs would be foiled by the coalition parties with the cooperation of citizens.
Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza and Karachi police chief Wasim Ahmad also attended the meeting.
The chief minister also went to the Governor’s House and exchanged views with Dr Ishratul Ibad on the law and order situation and other matters, including by-election for a vacant seat of the Senate.
Both leaders expressed concern over the incidents of lawlessness and ordered the authorities concerned to take immediate and effective action.
They also consulted leaders of coalition parties, including the ANP’s provincial chief Shahi Syed.
The governor and the chief minister stressed the need for the elected representatives to help improve the situation in their areas.
They appealed to people to maintain unity and keep an eye on miscreants.
Qaim Ali Shah and Ishratul Ibad asked the authorities concerned to point out the reasons for recurring incidents of lawlessness and elements involved in them.
“It is a matter of concern that criminal elements play with the life of innocent people after intervals for their nefarious designs,” they said.
The governor and the chief minister stressed the need for coordination between the allied parties at the lowest level.
They expressed hope that the coordination committee of coalition parties would sort out the matter on Thursday.
MQM Plea to ANP
The Muttahida Qaumi Movement appealed to the ANP and those leading a movement for Hazara province to refrain from issuing provocative statements and resolve all issues through dialogue.
In a statement, the MQM coordination committee said that like any political party, the people of Hazara had a right to demand a separate province. Like other communities, the people of Hazara also had a right on Karachi, it added.
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