Arab News, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 3, on political violence in Pakistan:

Yet again, politics in Pakistan are shown to be a deadly business. The assassination of yet another politician, this time a prominent member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, along with his bodyguard, has unleashed a new cycle of violence in the country’s largest city Karachi.

At the latest count some 45 people have been killed in reprisal attacks. Given the MQM’s political strength in the city and the province of Sindh, plus its reputation of fomenting strikes and violence, there is every likelihood of further bloodshed and of Karachi sinking into economic paralysis.

Obviously the MQM has every reason to be appalled at what has happened. Raza Haider was one of its stars. Nonetheless, although the MQM is now calling for restraint, its initial response was as shocking as his murder.

The party’s deputy parliamentary leader in the Sindh Assembly, Faisal Hussain Sabzwari, openly accused the rival and largely ethnically Pashtun Awami National Party of responsibility, claiming that it is in league with what he called “extremist elements” — a clear reference to the Taliban. …

What he is reported as saying cannot be seen as anything other than an open call for revenge and murder — and murder is what has happened. …

At a time when all efforts should be directed at rescuing the tens of thousands cut off by the monsoon flooding, Pakistanis do not need irresponsible and dangerous talk from politicians. They need their politicians to act responsibly.

Online: http://arabnews.com