Islamabad, Rabi Al-Akhir 23, 1432, March 28, 2011, SPA -- Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik disclosed today that nearly 154 persons were killed in the month of March as a result of violence, riots and targeted assassinations that are taking place in the city of Karachi - the capital of southern Sindh province of Pakistan. In a press statement issued here this morning, he said that the security authorities are continuing their efforts to eliminate these (misguided) elements, who are the perpetrators of the violent acts in the city. "I have given the security forces in the city, extensive powers in this regard," he added. "As many as 20 persons involved in the work of the targeted assassinations, have been arrested," the Interior Minister said. --SPA 14:37 LOCAL TIME 11:37 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/878171