Islamabad, Aug 4 (IANS): Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has demanded that the army should be deployed in violence-hit Karachi.

Hussain Wednesday said the army as well as the paramilitary forces should be pressed into service in Karachi, the Dawn reported.

"The Rangers and the Army should come to Karachi and see who is involved in terrorism. They should control the law and order situation here."

He blamed the government for breakdown of law and order in Karachi and said he would ask President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to stop "official patronisation of...land mafia and criminal elements".

The port city of Karachi has witnessed spiralling violence over the past few weeks that has left over 200 people dead.

Hussain Tuesday night asked the people of Karachi to stock up on ration for at least a month.

Hussain heads the MQM, which claims to speak for the Urdu speaking settlers who migrated from India after independence in 1947. Hussain lives in self-exile in London.

In a statement issued by British Foreign Office, Minister for South Asia Alistair Burt expressed concern "at the continuing violence and loss of life that Karachi has faced in recent weeks".