LAHORE: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that recent killings in Karachi were not a result of sectarian strife and that involvement of a foreign hand could not be ruled out.

Speaking to media representatives at the Allama Iqbal International Airport here Tuesday, he said foreign elements were attempting to shatter the country's peace through propagation of hatred and sectarianism.

To a question, he said the PPP-led government's action against Nato was in accordance with the sentiments of the people of Pakistan. He added that the federal government had suspended Nato supplies to Afghanistan through Pakistan and also issued notice to US authorities regarding the evacuation of Shamsi airbase in Balochistan within 15 days.

The interior minister said the international community must realise the fact that Pakistan had suffered a lot in the war on terrorism.

To another question about former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, he said difference of opinion was the essence of democracy.

“Political success is always decided through a public vote and holding a gathering of people does not matter,” he maintained.