Action against criminals and extortionists in Karachi should continue in light of the Supreme Court directives and political parties be approached for identifying and purging criminals present among their ranks.
This was decided at a meeting co-chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the Chief Minister’s House on Saturday. According to a statement issued after the meeting, it was decided to consult all political parties and invite their views and suggestions on controlling the law and order situation affectively, particularly acting against criminals and anti-social elements.
The participants of the meeting were of the view that political parties should identify criminal elements among their ranks and help the law enforcement agencies to act against anti-social elements. At the meeting, action being taken against criminals and extortionists, particularly the role played by Rangers, Frontier Constabulary (FC) and Sindh Police, was discussed in detail and it was decided to further consolidate, coordinate and enhance the operation against the criminals in the light of Supreme Court’s directives.
The law enforcement agencies should continue their action against criminals, extortionists and the land mafia without any hindrance across the board. The prosecution wing should be streamlined to pursue the cases against criminals and terrorists effectively. The law minister should discuss the matter with the home minister and the Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) and endeavour to enhance the capabilities of the prosecution department.
The suspects arrested over involvement in targeted killings and extortion should be brought to justice, which is only possible with credible evidence and strong prosecution. It was also decided at the meeting that the law and order situation shall be monitored in weekly meetings. At the meeting, the Additional Inspector General (AIG) conveyed the appreciation of the business community, particularly small traders, on deployment of FC at check posts in trade centres, markets and industrial areas, and their satisfaction in controlling the crime rate.
The interior minister directed the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) director general to ensure deployment of Rangers personnel at various business and trade areas, including other sensitive areas, as desired by the business community of Karachi. The IGP was asked to follow the Supreme Court directives and further enhance action against criminals.
The participants were of the view that the criminals being arrested may be brought before the public through the media. Elected representatives particularly from Lyari expressed thanks for the law enforcers’ actions against anti-social elements that should be continued without any discrimination. The law enforcers were directed to take action against criminals only without disturbing peace in the city and that ‘no victimisation should be done’.
Surgical operations will go on and on…
