Finally time has come when firm action needs to be taken against all those elements who have been disturbing the peace of Karachi. Just in a matter of few days, the death toll has risen to 35 and that includes workers from MQM, PPP and ANP. With this spate of target killings proving virtually impossible for the police and rangers to stem, the federal government has intervened and imposed a semi-curfew in certain hotspots, ordered aerial surveillance and even commando action if required. Likewise, the people have been asked to carry ID cards. FIA, police and rangers have been ordered to operate jointly to compensate for the shortcomings, which the lack of cooperation among these departments causes. Yet, it must be kept in mind that these measures might not prove an antidote for the cycle of violence on a permanent basis. The lawless elements and target killers might go into hiding and wait for the curfew to end. Pretty soon they could be on the killing spree again. What has been missing is the political will at both provincial and federal levels. Mr Rehman Maliks pledge to root out criminals, therefore, appears to be usual rhetoric. Until and unless the forces that patronise violence are thrown behind bars, Karachi would continue to bleed. It is a pity that though some target killers were arrested during the past few days, those who are masterminding the evil could not be apprehended. Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza had not only bravely stated that the police had in custody 60 target killers, but also made the revelation that majority belonged to a prominent political party in the province. But rather than help him catch more culprits and bring them to book, Prime Minister Gilani snubbed him. This constitutes a classic example of political expediency taking its toll on Karachis peace. Rehman Malik on Sunday hinted at some third force behind the unrest. This could be partially true but would divert the spotlight from the elements actually indulging in bloodletting. Keeping in view the number of people who have been killed, any government with a conscience would have seen it improper to remain at the helm. However, our governments focus has been on saving its skin. The general impression is that peoples lives matter no longer for the rulers. Mr Gilani has lamentably wasted more than two-and-a-half years in the vain attempt to rescue Karachiites from the jaws of death.