The federal cabinet’s meeting is being held at the Governor’s House on Wednesday to take decisions regarding the city’s peace.
Tuesday heralded the commencement of a centre-backed operation against target killers, extortionists and criminals as the day saw the city of 120 million people echoing with sirens of fast-moving police cars hinting at an unusual movement of law enforcers preparing to welcome the federal VVIPs, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The premier would chair today’s meeting in which he is reportedly expected to give a nod to law enforcers to conduct an operation.
Nawaz and his cabinet members arrived in the morning and directly went to Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works to witness the induction of the 4th F-22 Frigate, PNS ASLAT, in Pakistan Navy’s fleet.
Later, he met Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. He also chaired an all parties conference (APC) apparently to take all political stakeholders onboard.
Nawaz is said to have held a meeting with the city’s business community. “A single day closure costs the city businesses at least Rs 4 billion,” said Atiq Mir, chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad.
Nawaz will brief the media on the decisions made by the cabinet.
Karachiites are cautiously watching the developments or have less or no confidence in the government’s intentions.
“I don’t trust them. An operation is never carried out with prior announcements,” said Asif, a private employee.
Also, there is an impression among the people that the federal government should not have invited political parties to the cabinet meeting. “By doing so you again tend to politicise the violence in Karachi,” said Habibullah, a journalist.
Leader of Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah has also expressed such views warning the government against politicising the issue.
“It is a big challenge for the Prime Minister and he takes it,” said Irfanullah Marwat, PML-N MPA in Sindh Assembly.
The party stalwart said there should be across the board operation to cleanse the city of armed gangs allegedly being patronised by political parties.
MQM lawmaker Nabeel Gabol also proposed an across the board operation.
Talking to Pakistan Today, Hussain Katchi, head of Katchi Rabita Committee (KRC), claimed that last four years had seen killing of over 457 of his community members.
Zafar Baloch, spokesman of the People’s Aman Committee, also welcomed the operation and said it should be across the board. He pointed fingers squarely at the MQM for fanning violence in the city.
Amid this atmosphere of mistrust and political tension the federal cabinet is scheduled to meet today at 4pm at the Governor’s House.
