Eighty-four target killers have been arrested in the first six months of the current year, whereas the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) is the main cause of increasing crimes in the city, said Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Wajid Ali Durrani while addressing the traders at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday.
Durrani said that the situation in the city is adverse and the police are trying to control the law and order situation. “The law and order situation in the city would soon be improved,” he added.
He said that the government has imposed a ban on carrying all kinds of weapons, including licensed weapons. “However, I am allowing the traders to carry their licensed weapons with them,” he added.
The IGP said that a notification would be issued in this regard and the traders would be exempted from Section 144.
He said that security guards in plainclothes are not allowed to carry any kinds of weapons. “The security guards of businessmen can carry their licensed weapons with them, but not in plainclothes. Guards must wear their proper uniform,” he added.
Durrani said that between January and June, 84 target killers have been arrested, 11 of whom were arrested more recently.
He said that the arrested target killers have links with different criminal groups and political parties as well. “We are going to conduct raids in the city in a day or two, which will be a milestone in curbing activities of terrorists in the city,” he added.
The IGP said that strong measures have been taken on the complaints of extortion and the station house officers (SHOs) of the police stations concerned have been instructed to take immediate action on complaints.
He said, “We have received a large number of complaints regarding extortion from different areas of the city, especially Dalmia, SITE, Korangi and Saddar.” The SHOs of the police stations concerned would contact the traders and prepare a joint line of action, he added.
Durrani said that five more mobile vans are being given to SITE Town to maintain the law and order situation in the industrial zone.
He said that the KESC is the main reason for increasing the ratio of street crimes in the city as blackouts in different areas due to load shedding provide a golden opportunity to criminals.
A special trained group of commandos would join the local police in the next week as they are trained to combat with street crimes, whereas the community police would also join the local police soon, he added.
Replying to a question about the mobile tracking system, he said that the system could not be obtained without the permission of the federal government.
The traders said that they could donate a mobile tracking system to the local police, but the IGP refused saying, “It is not possible without the Centre’s permission.” He expressed hope that the police would be able to control the law and order situation in the city.
