Sectarian violence claims 27 lives in Karachi

Karachi, Aug 2: At least 27 people were killed to on Monday, Aug 1 as sectarian and ethnic violence continued unabated in Pakistan's biggest city while provincial Interior Minister assured people that peace would be restored soon.

Fifty two people have been killed in the violence since Friday night. The worst hit place from the violence was Surjani Town where unidentified gunmen set on fire few houses, shops and resorted to indiscriminate firing in which two persons were killed and several injured.

Police said the violence quickly spread to other areas and in Surjani town. Residents were forced to evacuate their homes.

The violence-affected areas included Khuda Ki Basti, Pak Colony and Soldier Bazaar, Garden, Gulshan-e-Maymar and Shah Faisal colony.

The provincial Interior Minister Manzoor Wasan after meeting with leaders of the leading political parties, including Mutthaida Qaumi Movement and Awami National Party told reporters that peace would restored in two months time.

"The fact is there are criminal elements who have infiltrated into political parties and are causing this violence. All parties have to cooperate with the government in rooting out such elements. I assure you peace can be restored totally to Karachi in two months time," the minister said.

Police officials said most of the killings were related to ethnic and religious disputes between different groups.

PTI