The sub-committee of the National Assembly’s Special Committee on law and order in Karachi and Quetta on Thursday approved amendments in the terms of reference (ToRs) of the committee, which suggested that the committee might summon “everybody concerned”, including former Sindh senior minister Zulfiqar Mirza as and when it started its proceedings.
The two-member sub-committee, comprising Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Zahid Hamid, was formed on September 6 on a point raised by members of the committee. Briefing reporters about the amended ToRs, Pirzada said the committee might summon everybody concerned, including Zulfiqar Mirza, the law enforcement agencies, security agencies, representatives of civil society and politicians, in connection with the Karachi and Quetta situations.
Pirzada said the committee meeting on Quetta would be held in Balochistan, adding that the Interior Ministry would brief the committee on the law and order in the two restive cities. He said the committee would analyse the breakdown of law and order in Karachi and Quetta and would try to identify the causes. He said the ToRs included a complete oversight of the House over the decisions of the committee.
“The committee will recommend to the House to constitute an NA monitoring body which will ensure implementation of the decisions of the committee,” he said. It was decided that the approval of the amended ToRs would be sought from the House during an ensuing session of the National Assembly. The committee would report back to the House within two to three months. Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Shah was unanimously elected chairman of the special committee in its maiden meeting on September 6.
Zardari wants air-tight cases against criminals
KARACHI – President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday expressed fear over the fact that weak prosecution would result in the courts releasing targeted killers and terrorists, saying that crime could be reduced by strengthening the prosecution. He ordered police and the Law Ministry to make their cases strong and the prosecution effective against criminals in Karachi, adding that police and the Rangers should ensure peace in the metropolis.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan briefed the president regarding the ongoing action against targeted killers and criminals in Karachi. He ordered that the salaries of the Sindh Police be brought to the level of the salaries of the Punjab Police. Wasan informed the president that police had arrested 42 killers in various parts of the city, adding, however that 15 had been released by the courts.
The president expressed satisfaction on the overall law and order in the city, saying there was a need to encourage law enforcement agencies to take action against terrorists. He also ordered the Sindh Home Ministry to increase the salaries of the Sindh police. Qazi Asif
