Violence in southern Pakistan claims 5 lives

At least five people including two policemen were killed in different incidents of violence in southern Pakistan's city of Karachi on Wednesday, said police. According to police, the militants shot a man dead at Gol Market Nazimabad area in central Karachi. In another incident of violence, two people were killed when unknown men opened fire on a vehicle in New Karachi sector-5. Two policemen were killed in firing on police mobile in Haidri area of the city, added police. Moreover, police carried out search operations in different areas of the economic hub and arrested several suspects recovering arms from their possession. A senior police official, Imran Shaukat told that heavy contingent of police, including commandos, conducted targeted operation in Rabia City, Gulistan-e-Johar on the information about presence of the suspects. During the operations, police had arrested a former provincial lawmaker of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Nadeem Hashmi from Nazimabad area registering case against him with charges of premeditated murder and snatching official arms. He was also accused of firing on a police patrol in Haidri area in which two policemen were killed. The Chief of MQM, Altaf Hussain condemned the arrest and in a statement issued from London secretariat demanding the government to explain the reasons and clauses of the law under which the former Member of Provincial Assembly was taken into custody. A wave of tension struck the city after the arrest of the former lawmaker resulting in the closing of markets, businesses, shops and fuel stations, with traffic remaining sparse on roads. The All Private School Management Association (APSMA) announced a closure of all private schools in Karachi and students were returned to their homes. Earlier, the Federal Cabinet approved an operation led by the paramilitary Rangers force Karachi against the militants creating lawlessness in Karachi. A special session of the cabinet was called at the governor's house in Karachi that was attended by top government officials and chaired by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The largest Pakistani city, Karachi, has been a target of violence in the last few years and according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan resulted in the killing of 1,726 people during the first six months of 2013.