This is all very unfortunate. I remember the common belief back in the 90s was, when you go to Karachi "have a plan" because people were scared to death about who might rob them/kill them in broad daylight.
I believe this is happening in many cities now, I used to think Karachi was almost always the worst hit with such cases but now 'gimme-ur-mobile-otherwise-I-kill-u' is reported in much part of the country.
I recently heard a minister of PPP call for an operation in Karachi, saying that it might be the one solution and maybe used to disperse/catch the criminals. This was said on a talkshow with a representative of MQM present as well.
How many people actually favor an operation?
I'd favor such operation, but that has to be backed by non-corrupt police who can catch actual terrorists, punish them or hand-them over to military for some really good chitrol, catch all 'mobile-snatch' gangs.... the operation must not be just against a party but all criminals regardless of their party affiliation.