Govt seeks SC permission to make criminals’ names public

The Interior Ministry will make public names of all criminals nabbed during search operation by security forces in Karachi after getting permission from the Supreme Court, said Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday.
“I will consult with former law minister Babar Awan to get permission from the Supreme Court for making public names of criminals,” he said, adding, his ministry has audio, video tapes and list of criminals.
Speaking in the National Press Club, Rehman made it clear that he has no link with any terrorist, as alleged by the opposition leader in the National Assembly. To a question, the minister said that he was enjoying good relations with MQM, which is part of the parliament.
He also said that he had not released any criminal in Karachi and if anyone has evidence, could approach the court. He said that the law and order situation in Karachi was improving as no one would be allowed to disrupt peace in the trade city. The operation in Karachi was being conducted without any discrimination, he said.
Rehman said the law enforcement agencies had apprehended 48 target killers, 90 criminals, 28 extortionists and recovered 308 weapons from their possession. He said that flags of political parties have been removed from various locations, adding around 14,000 acre of land, captured by land mafia, was taken back.
Replying to a question, he said people arrested during Karachi operation were belonged to all political parties and was of the view that parties could not recruit criminals, but they (culprits) commit crimes and later try to take refuge in different political parties.
Contradicting media reports, the minister said no foreign security agency was operating in the country. He advised foreigners to visit only the permitted areas. He said committee has been constituted to probe an incident in which journalists of private TV channel have been tortured by some unidentified persons.
The committee will submit a report and action would be taken as per findings. He recalled that the Judicial Commission was constituted on the demand of journalist community to probe killing of Saleem Shehzad and added the commission has submitted the report to the ministry.
He handed over the report to NPC President Afzal Butt. The minister also shared investigation report of journalist Umar Cheema with the club president. The report has also been submitted to the National Assembly, he said. The minister said four persons have been arrested in the killing of Wali Babar.