KARACHI, July 8: Punjab Assembly deputy speaker Rana Masood Khan of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has said that the law and order situation in Karachi has deteriorated because the government has failed to play its due role in protecting the life and property of citizens.

Speaking at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club along with local PML-N leaders Salim Zia, Ismail Rahu, Mamnoon Hussain and others, he said the situation was an outcome of the government’s choice of prioritising ways to prolong its rule instead of discharging its basic responsibility of maintaining law and order.

He said he had come to Karachi on a directive of his party chief, Nawaz Sharif, and was meeting leaders of various parties here to discuss how to restore peace to the city.

In reply to a question, he said the PML-N had not formed an alliance with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) but had welcomed it to the opposition benches. The two parties would exchange views on various issues and support each other upon reaching a consensus view on any particular issue, he added.

Mr Khan expressed his party’s concern over the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi that had claimed many lives and caused heavy loss of property.