Islamabad, Aug 22 (IANS): Military actions were not a long-term solution to a problem, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said after army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani declared that the army was prepared to bring a halt to the spiralling violence in Karachi.

Gilani said it was only the provincial government that could decide on taking military action in Karachi, reported Associated Press of Pakistan.

Violence over the past few weeks in Karachi has left over 300 people dead. At least 11 people, including six policemen, were killed Saturday. The latest wave of violence gripped the city after Pakistan People's Party former lawmaker Ahmed Karimdad was killed in the Lyari area Aug 17.

General Kayani Saturday said the army was prepared to put a stop halt to the violence in Karachi if asked by the government to do so.

He expressed concern over the law and order situation in the port city of Karachi and added that it was the duty of the army to serve the nation.

The general also said that the situation could be brought under control by utilising the services of the paramilitary Rangers and police in an effective manner.

The prime minister Sunday said in Lahore that the federal government would provide full assistance if the provincial government asked for it.

Gilani said that Rangers and other law enforcement agencies had been given free hand to ensure peace in the city.

"Calling the military in Karachi is a provincial subject and federal government will respect the decision of Sindh parliament," he said.