Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday hailed MQM for withdrawing its decision to boycott President Asif Ali Zardari's address to joint session of the Parliament. "It was Muttahida Qaumi Movement's statesmanlike decision which demonstrates Altaf Hussain's political wisdom," Malik told reporters outside the Parliament House where he arrived to finalise security arrangements ahead of Zardari's address.
Malik was accompanied by MQM's Farooq Sattar who called for government's action against land mafia and extortionists in Karachi. To which Malik said, "I will go to Karachi myself to address all the issues regarding law and order. It is directed to me by President Zardari."
"Strict actions would be taken against sell phone sellers and the extortionist mafia involved in threatening traders," Malik said. He said illegal cell phones are being used in crimes, holding out assurance to Karachi's trader community that "all out action will be taken".