Thaindian News

Karachi, Aug 25 (IANS) Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani flew into Karachi Thursday to get a detailed briefing on the situation in the violence-hit port city where 300 people have died in the past few weeks.

General Kayani landed in Karachi Thursday morning, DawnNews reported.

Sources said the general would be given a detailed briefing on the situation in the city.

The media report said that analysts were giving importance to Kayani’s visit.

Kayani Saturday said the army was prepared to put a halt to the violence in Karachi if asked by the government to do so.

He expressed concern over the law and order situation in the port city of Karachi and added that it was the duty of the army to serve the nation.

The general also said the situation could be brought under control by utilising the services of the paramilitary Rangers and police in an effective manner.

A day after Kayani’s statement, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani practically ruled out military intervention in Karachi.

Military actions were not a long-term solution to a problem, Gilani said.

The prime minister said it was only the provincial government that could decide on taking military action in Karachi.

Violence over the past few weeks in Karachi has left over 300 people dead. The latest wave of violence gripped the city after Pakistan People’s Party former lawmaker Ahmed Karimdad was killed in the Lyari area Aug 17.

Gilani stressed that the federal government would provide full assistance if the provincial government asked for it.

“Calling the military in Karachi is a provincial subject and federal government will respect the decision of Sindh parliament,” he said.