The Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh has condemned recent incidents of violence and firing in Qasba Colony (Orangi Town) and adjoining areas of the city, and said that Rangers should be given complete powers of riot control so that paramilitary force can take on-the-spot action against terrorists and restore peace in the affected areas.

At a press conference on Monday, ANP Sindh President (and Pakhtoon Action Committee-Loya Jirga chairman) Shahi Syed said that the Rangers’ contingents currently do not have adequate powers for riot control in the city; they are therefore generally unable to take action in case of violence. When they sense an outbreak of violence, Rangers’ personnel prefer to go back to their headquarters instead of taking any direct action against law-breakers, Syed said.

He urged the government to take stern action against terrorists and lawless elements without any discrimination. He said that the police should desist from taking unilateral action against members of the Pakhtoon community in the city. The ANP leader advised the residents of Orangi Town and Qasba Colony to not remain silent spectators to the incidents such as the use of ambulances for smuggling weapons to the affected areas. For the sake peace, such incidents should be pointed out to the authorities concerned.

Other political parties should also take cognisance of the incidents of violence against members of the Pakhtoon community in Karachi, because Pakhtoons had not confined themselves to the ANP only, but were also involved in other political parties,