The government is planning to launch a comprehensive search operation against criminal elements operating across the city, but the officers of the provincial law enforcement agencies seem reluctant to take part in it, citing security concerns for themselves and their families as the major reason, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Sources said that the government has decided to launch a crackdown against target killers, land grabbers and other criminal suspects. The government has no reservations in giving full authority to the law enforcement agencies for curbing crimes in the financial hub of the country, the sources added.
A senior police officer told this scribe, “Two meetings have been convened at the Chief Minister (CM) House in the past three days to discuss a possible operation and its effect on the general public.” He said that CM Qaim Ali Shah, former home minister Zulfiqar Mirza and Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani participated in the meeting, whereas political leaders Nadir Khan Magsi, Faisal Raza Abidi and others were also contacted for suggestions.
Police officers who had been a part of the 1992 operation participated in the meetings and expressed their concerns over government policies, he added. “The operation may be delayed because many police officers have refused to participate as they are afraid that they and their families would have to face the consequences after the operation concludes and, particularly, when the government completes its tenure,” the officer said.
Sources said that the police officers have a good reason to back out because when the ‘Operation Cleanup’ of 1992 had ended and the then government was removed, many officers of the Sindh police were targeted by criminal elements seeking revenge.
According to official figures, 941 police officers have been killed to date in revenge attacks, and 311 of them had been actively involved in the ‘Operation Cleanup’.
Prominent officers among them include Deputy Superintendents of Police Hafeez Tanoli and Imdad Kathyan; Inspectors Bahadur Ali, Aslam Hayat, Zeeshan Kazmi, Ijaz Shah, Taufeeq Zahid and Nasirul Hassan; Sub-Inspectors Rehan and Nisar; and Assistant Sub-Inspector Nadeem. These officers were rewarded with promotions, cash and medals by the government.
The senior officer said, “Most of these officers were killed after the governments in the 1990s were removed. Police were unable to investigate these cases, let alone make any arrests, due to political pressure.”
He said that since last year, 103 police officers and constables have been killed. “These police officers were the finest of the department. They were brave and intelligent, and criminals feared them,” he added. Sources said that over 98 percent First Information Reports of the slain policemen were lodged against unidentified criminals.
“Perhaps one way to motivate the officers to take part in the operation is to compensate the families of the slain police officers and also bring their killers to book,” the senior police officer said.
