Following the murder of two scouts at Numaish Chowrangi a day earlier, Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan on Monday ordered a complete ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) on display of weapons in the city.
“There will be a ban on display of arms, including licensed weapons, in the city for the next 12 days of Muharram. However, the guards of religious scholars will be exempted from these restrictions,” he said, while talking to journalists on a visit to the crime scene of Sunday afternoon.
Wasan said at least 51 people were arrested by law enforcers and interrogations are underway to arrest the assailants involved in killing the two security volunteers.
“Karachi is the economic hub of the country and some anti-Pakistan elements are involved in disrupting the city’s peace,” he said. “[But] police and Rangers will foil the conspiracy with their joint efforts.”
Replying to a query, the provincial home minister said the FIR of the incident will be registered and action taken against anyone, even law enforcement personnel, if found guilty.
Later, Wasan visited the Liaquat National Hospital to inquire about the health of Ehsan Kohati – reporter of a private television channel – who suffered bullet injuries in the ensuing violence after the Numaish shooting.
Lauding the services of journalists in the line of duty, the minister gave the reporter Rs 25,000 as compensation.
Earlier, presiding over a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House to review the law and order situation in the province particularly Karachi, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah directed that all out preventive, protective and precautionary measures be ensured to combat criminals, anti-social elements and mischief mongers involved in criminal activities during Muharram.
“Anti-state elements will try to disturb peace with their condemnable acts,” he said and stressed upon the law enforcement agencies to foil the attempts of spreading religious hatred.
Expressing deep grief on the death of two scouts, the chief minister announced compensation for their heirs and made it clear that the administration will remain fully non-partisan and not take sides with any sect, group or party.
Shah said that stern action will be taken against those involved in disturbing peace in the province and no one will be spared.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Home Minister Wasan, Inspector General of Police Muhstaq Shah, Additional Inspector General of Police Karachi Shabir Sheikh, Additional Inspector General of Police Special Branch Ghulam Nabi Memon, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Waseem Ahmed, Rangers’ Brigadier Zafar Khan, Karachi Commissioner Roshan Ali Sheikh, all police DIGs and deputy commissioners of the Karachi zone.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh arrested at least 23 suspects in search operations across the city and recovered 22 weapons from the possession of the alleged accused.
According to a Rangers’ spokesman, the law enforcers conducted raids in Phool Chowk, Kharadar, Dalmia, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Super Highway, NIPA, Baloch Para, Baldia, Godhra, Bhittaiabad, Awami Colony, Sherpao Colony and Gulzar Colony.
Separately in the limits of Aziz Bhatti police, a noha khwan identified as Faheem Haider was critically injured when unidentified attackers opened fire at his vehicle under the NIPA flyover.
