KARACHI, Jul24 : Federal Interior Minister, Rehman Malik said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) or the Awami National Party (ANP), are not involved in target killings in Karachi but a third element is behind it.

He said this while addressing a joint press conference with Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah at CM House here.

Rehman Malik said he has talked to the leadership of MQM and ANP have assured their support to maintain peace.

Rehman Malik said Karachi is our backbone and the enemies want to disturb the city.

The Federal Interior Minister said different tactics are being used to de-stabilise Pakistan.

He said people belonging to different castes, creed and back-grounds live in the city and the terrorists want to spark ethnic friction to achieve their motives.

The Interior Minister said different mafia have developed their syndicates in the city and it is hard to break the same.

He said "target killing" seems to be a new term but the incidents which are taking place in Karachi are just "killings with motives".

He said there is need to ponder by the nation that who wants destability. If they cripple Karachi, they can destabilise the country, he said.

He said the MQM and ANP, both parties are not involved in the target killings, rather there is a third element which is behind all these target killings.

Rehman Malik said protection of the life and property of the people is the responsibility of the state and we are aware of it.

He said the action against culprits involved in the target killings will be taken without any discrimination.

The Interior Minister also requested for cooperation by all the coalition parties in the government to maintain peace in the city.

He said he has also met with the Director General Rangers and Inspector General of Sindh Police and we have decided that the action against the culprits is necessary.

Rehman Malik also appealed to the leaders of political parties to avoid giving statements against each other and cooperate with the government.

He said he assures that action will not be taken against any innocent person and only responsible ones will be arrested and given punishment.

Rehman Malik said the Prime Minister has also assured full support to the Federal Interior Ministry and the budget of the Ministry has also been enhanced by 36 percent.

He said the CCTV cameras will be installed at main streets and roads in the city while chips will also be installed in the vehicles for security purposes.

Wherever the activities of criminals and terrorists are taking place, the objective is to destabilise the country, the minister said.

He said the Short Messaging Service (SMS) is legalised in different countries and courts also use material from the same as evidence.

Rehman Malik noted that there is need of change in the "Evidence Act" so that the person who sends photographs or any other evidence through his cellular phone, could be given rewards and his name be kept secret.

He directed the Cellular Services Providers that any SIM card be not used without Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC).

He also said the SIM cards be not handed over to the customers, rather it be dispatched to their postal addresses and he directed the Cellular Services Providers to implement his directives in this regard within 15 days.