- Says police incompetent to deal with terrorism, crime, mafias
- Rules out calling in army to restore peace in Karachi
- PM orders LEAs, intelligence agencies to abolish no-go areas in Karachi
The federal government, which has been seized with looking ways for marinating lasting peace in this metropolis for last couple of days, is planning to raise two separate forces to counter terrorism and crime in the country, particularly the troubled financial capital.
The plan was revealed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who held a two-hour long meeting with the senior journalists at the Sindh Governor’s House on Wednesday.
The PM listened patiently to even some hard-worded criticism by some participants questioning the role Pakistan Rangers in the current situation.
According to sources privy to the meeting, all media personnel called for a full-fledged operation in Karachi, as the prime minister sought their input on how to restore peace in the metropolis.
The PM in his concluding remarks, however, said the law and order in Karachi could be effectively dealt with by adopting a piecemeal approach. Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan also told a briefing following the federal cabinet meeting that the Centre was following a “brick-by-brick” approach instead of taking cosmetic short-term measures.
The prime minister said persistent efforts would be required to ensure durable peace in the financial capital of the country.
The prime minister, the sources said, was concerned that the police had neither the capability nor the capacity to curb violence in the city. Therefore, Nawaz said, the government was considering to raising an Anti-Terrorism Force on the pattern of paramilitary force to contain the menace of terrorism in the country.
Also under consideration was the formation of a Crime Control Force to rid the country, especially Karachi, of fast growing street crimes.
If executed, the plan would take at least six months to two years to materialise.
The prime minister envisaged a monitoring committee comprising apolitical civil society representatives like Jameel Yousaf, founder chief of Citizen Police Liaison Committee. The body, Nawaz said, would oversee the operation of law enforcement agencies led by Rangers.
To a query, the PM said he would take input from his judicial advisers so the hearing of criminal cases could be accelerated and resolved in real time.
The prime minister stressed the need for stern action against mafias involved in extortions, targeted killings and other crimes. The joint investigation teams opine that such mafias exist in the city by the hundreds.
Nawaz appreciated the all-out support extended to his side by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. He said the PPP stalwart had assured him that the provincial government was completely onboard with the federal government regarding the latter’s action to restore peace in Karachi.
The prime minister said he was desirous of taking the two major parties of Sindh, the PPP and MQM, on board in all decisions.
Earlier during the cabinet meeting, Nawaz ruled out calling in the army to handle law and order in Karachi.
Addressing the cabinet meeting‚ Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said a concerted and sustained campaign would be launched for restoration of law and order in Karachi.
He said Rangers should be given the responsibility to carry out the operation in the city as police was incapable of dealing with criminal elements and terrorists.
He termed too early the demand for army operation in the city.
Nawaz said it was an impression among the people that police and law enforcement agencies had failed to check criminal activities in Karachi.
Criticising the police structure of Karachi in particular and of Pakistan in general, the prime minister said appointments at the senior level were usually done without merit.
“I have been told that certain DSPs, SPs and SSPs were transferred to the police department from other irrelevant departments such as Karachi water board through political influence,” he said, adding that expecting such officers to do their job and protect the common man was senseless.
Explaining the government’s security plan for the city, Nawaz said the term “operation” should not be used and it should be called a “campaign” to help restore peace in the city.
The prime minister also directed law enforcement agencies to implement the Supreme Court’s order by removing the “no-go” areas in Karachi.
Nawaz discussed administrative flaws in the city and a possible mechanism for starting targeted operations. He further directed the intelligence agencies to maintain strong coordination with police.
Nawaz stated that the Sindh government and Rangers would be responsible for making the targeted operation successful.