Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is chairing a cabinet meeting on the law and order situation in the port city.
At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Sharif said that it seemed police and state institutions were not capable of handling the situation in Karachi. “Maybe the police are not capable of dealing with crime and terrorism. The responsibility to improve law and order in the city should be given to Rangers.”
The prime minister added that action would be taken against 450 individuals involved in serious crimes.
According to the prime minister, a major deterrent to law and order was criminals being released on bail.
Apart from federal ministers, the meeting is being attended by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Dr Ishrat ul Ebad. Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar was invited to attend the special session; however, the invitation was withdrawn later.
Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif met with officials from law enforcement and intelligence agencies at the Governor House. During these meetings, the prime minister ordered concerned authorities to eliminate no-go areas in Karachi.
Deliberations were also held over the administrative and legal complications surrounding the law and order issue in the port city. Prime Minister Sharif discussed joint strategy options while expanding mechanism to identify and find accused also came under discussion.
The prime minister said that the Supreme Court’s decision pertaining to Karachi law and order will be implemented in letter and spirit and the time for excuses had lapsed.
Showing his concern over the situation, the premier said that he cannot keep his eyes and ears shut over the deteriorating situation in the city. He instructed the law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies to act promptly against the identified miscreants’ groups. He ordered the civil institutions to ensure action on information provided by the intelligence agencies.
Nawaz Shairf said that unbiased and strategic operation will be conducted to restore peace in the biggest business hub of the country. He further informed that decision to introduce reforms in the anti-terrorism laws has also been finalized. With the prevalent laws, its impossible to restore peace, he said.
PM Nawaz said that the extraordinary situation demands extraordinary steps.