It has been suggested many times that the only way militancy in Karachi can be reduced is to ensure a total de-weaponisation of the city. All weapons, be they licensed or unlicensed, have to be confiscated. But this is only possible if the government, as well as leaders of the PPP, MQM and ANP jointly and earnestly move in this direction. Currently, we find some of these leaders following a policy that is an exact opposite of this proposition. It is surely good that the PPP government has given instructions calling for return of all unlicensed weapons. But this is just not good enough. The only option is a complete de-weaponisation. Why should a citizen have a weapon that can be used to kill other citizens. Why shouldn't we all be protected by the state. It is a shame that the influential people continue to carry armed guards in their vehicles, often with unlicensed weapons and the police does nothing about it. The Sindh Home Minister must know that his instructions are falling on deaf years. -IKRAM ILLAHI, Karachi, via e-mail, December 7.