Plan for Karachi peace hits snags after reaction over arrest

KARACHI: Strong reaction over arrest of a political activist has put a question mark on the government plan to bring a lasting peace in the city of lights.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Karachi to review law and order situation and chaired an All Parties Conference (APC) following repeated calls from citizens and traders to curb violence and extortion in the city.

The Rangers and police swung into action following a roadmap finalized by federal cabinet, arresting several suspects and recovering arms during a series of raids in different localities of the city.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan expressed satisfaction over the ongoing target operation and said that it was a welcome sign that no political party had reacted to the arrests.

However, the reaction, which led to closure of almost half of the city over a single arrest and registration of an FIR has put a question mark over the success of the ongoing operation in the city.

The same reaction by other political parties over arrest of their affiliates may prove detrimental for the peace efforts.