KARACHI/MULTAN - Endorsing the steps taken by the coalition partners in Sindh to end the recent violence, Prime Yousuf Raza Gilani has extended total support of the Federal Government for creating harmony among the masses. The Prime Minister also directed the Sindh Home Minister to take immediate steps for curbing illegal arms in Karachi. He was talking to newsmen here late Friday at the CM House after presiding over a meeting of the representatives of the coalition partners, including the PPP, MQM and the ANP. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Senator Babar Awan, Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr. Farooq Sattar, Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Ghauri, ANP Sindh President Shahi Syed and Amin Khattak attended the meeting, in which the law and order situation Karachi was discussed thoroughly. The Prime Minister arrived in Karachi to personally look into the issue of recent violence in the City that had claimed a number of lives and damaged properties worth million of rupees. He announced, on behalf of the federal government, an additional compensation to the victims. He said that Rs0.5 million each would be paid to the heirs of those who lost their lives while Rs0.1 million each to the injured. These compensations were in addition to those already announced by the Sindh Chief Minister. PM Gilani further said the coalition partners had shown maturity in reining in the law and order and had taken steps required to stabilise the country which is facing multiple challenges. Responding to a question on the intelligence reports which had informed the authorities about impending violence, Prime Minister said pre-emptive action should have been taken that would have averted the bloody incidents. He, however, said that some times immediate action to tackle an impending problem could not be taken immediately because it took time to implement decisions. But, this should not be taken as an excuse, he warned, expressing hope the authorities would remain alert in keeping a close watch on the elements involved and tackling the problem expeditiously. To another query on the smuggling of weapons into the City, Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Rangers and the police should act to stop the flow of weapons in Karachi. The meeting also decided that Sindh Home Ministry would evolve an effective methodology to tackle the problem. Prime Minister said he had also been briefed on the issue of growing menace of Talibanisation. The government is determined to root out militancy, extremism and terrorism from the country which has already caused huge harm to the stability of our motherland. Pakistan needs stability and rule of law in order to steer clear of the present difficult situation, he said. When his attention was drawn to the criticism from Barack Obama administration that the Pakistani civil government was weak, the Prime Minister reminded the US that its support to the military dictator Pervez Musharraf had weakened the state institutions of the country. Gilani said that, during its first year in office, his civilian government had succeeded in strengthening the democratic institutions. The supremacy of the Parliament had been restored, political leadership was showing maturity and the media were vibrant and active. This has happened in a brief period of one year, he claimed. Responding to a question, Prime Minister Gilani said that problems in Karachi, which he described as mini Pakistan, were multi-dimensional and the government would adopt robust policy to cater to the needs of the metropolis. The international community has focused on Pakistan which is passing through a critical juncture and it is in the interests of the world that both Pakistan and Afghanistan attain stability. A stable Pakistan is not only in the interests of its people but also that of the entire world, he added. He further said that his party had authorised him to hold talks with Mian Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif to work out a working relationship with the PML-N in Punjab. Later, Sindh Home Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza told a group of journalists that the government was making all-out efforts to extend the reconciliation process to the grassroots level. He said land mafia and other unscrupulous elements were using the political party workers for their nefarious designs. Responding to a query, Dr Mirza said 62 cases had been registered during the recent violence in Karachi and law enforcement agencies had arrested 29 out of the 59 identified culprits and recovered weapons on the spot. He said the coalition partners had agreed not to support the criminals and would allow the law enforcement agencies to conduct inquiry into the cases filed against those persons. Rangers had been directed to shoot at site any persons seen using firearms. Local elected representatives of political parties would maintain constant interaction with the law enforcers to control situation, the Home Minister concluded. Agencies add: Terming Karachi a 'mini-Pakistan, Prime Minister Gilani Friday called for curbing illegal arms supplies in the metropolis in the wake of violence. Addressing a Press conference after chairing a high-level meeting on the situation in Karachi, Gilani asked Sindh Home Minister Zulfikar Mirza to immediately take steps to curb the illegal arms supplies. He also indicated that simmering differences between the three partners of Sindhs ruling coalition had contributed to the clashes. I will discuss situation in Karachi with the leaderships of MQM and ANP besides the PPP Co-Chairmany, Gilani said. The three parties meetings must be held on a priority basis, the Prime Minister maintained. If the parties worked together, mischief-mongers would not get a chance to pursue their divisive agenda, he contended. Report from Multan: Prime Minister Gilani has not ruled out the possibility of involvement of foreign hand in the worsening law and order situation in Karachi and Swat. He expressed these views while talking to journalists at Multan Airport Friday. Responding to a query regarding involvement of foreign hand in Karachi violence, Gilani said: It cant be ruled out. Regretting the sharp surge in violent incidents in Karachi, Gilani said it was the result of a pre-planned conspiracy. He reaffirmed governments resolve to not to let anyone challenge its writ and added that the Army worked under the civilian government and the latter could move requisition to seek its assistance. The government can deal with those challenging its writ with the help of the Army, said the Premier. Reacting to President Obamas concerns about Pakistan government being 'very fragile, Gilani said it could be the American Presidents 'personal opinion. He maintained all the institutions in the country including judiciary and media were working effectively while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution. He said the government believed in politics of reconciliation and, therefore, it held dialogue with all to control the situation in a peaceful manner. Earlier, the PM landed here on his special plane to inquire after the health of the granddaughter of Syed Tanveerul Hassan Gillani, former federal minister, who had fallen down from an escalator in a shopping mall. The Premier during his visit to Nishtar Hospital also announced Rs 0.2 million assistance for a 14-year-old girl, Sonia, who is on life support in ICU. On a request from Kh Jalal Udden Roomi, Chairman Nishtar Board of Management, he announced expansion of Nishtar ICU capacity to 30 beds from current 12 beds and also announced establishment of five operation theatres at the labour room complex. The police adopted strict security measures for the PMs arrival as Nishtar Hospital was sealed, making the patients suffer acutely as they were refused entry into the hospital. Monitoring Desk adds: Gilani said Obamas statement is his personal opinion and it does not reflect the American policy. He said there is no room for dictatorship in the present set-up. The civilian government would be weak if the US support a dictator, he added.