KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said on Saturday that the Army could not be called to Karachi because it was busy in the war against terror; however, the strength of the police force in the city could be increased.
Addressing a press conference here, he said 100 target killers had been arrested so far and a few of them belonged to (political) parties. "They will be presented before the public soon," he added.
He expressed his helplessness against the Bhatta mafia (extortionists) in Karachi. A former Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president had threatened that if the government failed to curb the extortion mafia, traders and businessmen would be compelled to organise their own force to curb the menace.
Rehman Malik said the extortion mafia in Karachi was extremely strong and each group was engaged in fighting with the other to expand its areas of control in the city. "They are definitely being supported by someone who also exercises influence," he added.
He said extortion, sectarianism and ethnicity had emerged as major problems in the city and these problems should be resolved urgently and firmly.
He said the government had already launched a campaign against the mafia. "We have minutely reviewed the situation and I would be coming back to Karachi next week for effective implementation of our strategy," the minister added.
The minister said the business community was being targeted under a plan; however, the government was committed to providing protection to them because President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had directed across-the-board action against culprits.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, who was also present on the occasion, said: "When the culprits are arrested, political parties approach us and mount pressure for their release and after this they accuse that the government has failed".
Malik said incidents of terrorism were meant at weakening Pakistan and the situation in Karachi was a cause of concern for every Pakistani.
"Our enemies are bent upon weakening Karachi, the commercial hub of the country, as part of their strategy to create anarchy," the minister added.
Rehman Malik said all police kiosks would be restored in the SITE area for the protection of traders and industrialists against the extortionists. He said CCTV cameras would also be installed in the whole SITE area.
The minister asked the members of SITE Association of Traders and Industrialists to support the government in its endeavour against criminals and unscrupulous elements.
APP adds: While talking to the media prior to leaving for Islamabad at the Karachi airport, the interior minister said that every possible means would be employed to restore peace in Karachi, as six of the accused allegedly involved in the firing incident on a bus of the Elite Force personnel at the Chakra Goth, Korangi, have been arrested.
Speaking about the situation in Karachi, he said the government is striving to improve the law and order there and added that action being taken by the authorities would help improve the situation in the city.
He told a questioner that the police have given many sacrifices and a single incident (at Chakra Goth) cannot demoralise the force.
Addressing a press conference here, he said 100 target killers had been arrested so far and a few of them belonged to (political) parties. "They will be presented before the public soon," he added.
He expressed his helplessness against the Bhatta mafia (extortionists) in Karachi. A former Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president had threatened that if the government failed to curb the extortion mafia, traders and businessmen would be compelled to organise their own force to curb the menace.
Rehman Malik said the extortion mafia in Karachi was extremely strong and each group was engaged in fighting with the other to expand its areas of control in the city. "They are definitely being supported by someone who also exercises influence," he added.
He said extortion, sectarianism and ethnicity had emerged as major problems in the city and these problems should be resolved urgently and firmly.
He said the government had already launched a campaign against the mafia. "We have minutely reviewed the situation and I would be coming back to Karachi next week for effective implementation of our strategy," the minister added.
The minister said the business community was being targeted under a plan; however, the government was committed to providing protection to them because President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani had directed across-the-board action against culprits.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan, who was also present on the occasion, said: "When the culprits are arrested, political parties approach us and mount pressure for their release and after this they accuse that the government has failed".
Malik said incidents of terrorism were meant at weakening Pakistan and the situation in Karachi was a cause of concern for every Pakistani.
"Our enemies are bent upon weakening Karachi, the commercial hub of the country, as part of their strategy to create anarchy," the minister added.
Rehman Malik said all police kiosks would be restored in the SITE area for the protection of traders and industrialists against the extortionists. He said CCTV cameras would also be installed in the whole SITE area.
The minister asked the members of SITE Association of Traders and Industrialists to support the government in its endeavour against criminals and unscrupulous elements.
APP adds: While talking to the media prior to leaving for Islamabad at the Karachi airport, the interior minister said that every possible means would be employed to restore peace in Karachi, as six of the accused allegedly involved in the firing incident on a bus of the Elite Force personnel at the Chakra Goth, Korangi, have been arrested.
Speaking about the situation in Karachi, he said the government is striving to improve the law and order there and added that action being taken by the authorities would help improve the situation in the city.
He told a questioner that the police have given many sacrifices and a single incident (at Chakra Goth) cannot demoralise the force.