In Pakistan, with violence continuing unabated in Karachi, pressure is mounting on the ruling PPP to call in the military assistance for restoring law and order in the country's biggest financial hub. As deployment of police and paramilitary forces has failed to stop the bloodshed, demands are being made for the Army to be called in among others by PML-N leader Shahbaz Sharif and top business leaders from the city. The chief of the Army staff, General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani has offered military assistance in restoring peace in the city. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani however said the government of the country's Sindh province alone can decide on calling in the Army to end political violence in Karachi. He said, military actions are not long-term solution to problems. As many as 87 people have been killed over the last four days in Karachi. There are reports of armed gangs kidnapping people from public transport vehicles on ethnic basis after checking their ID cards, and incidents of buses being fired upon or set on fire are increasing.