Over 30,000 policemen, including bomb disposal squad, will be deployed on the occasion of 12 Rabiual Awal and 7,000 on New Year night in the city.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was informed as he presided over a high-level law and order meeting at Chief Minister House on Tuesday evening.
The chief minister directed the law enforcing agencies (LEA) to be more alert keeping in view the Peshawar incident in which innocent children were killed. “I want you to take foolproof security measure to avert Peshawar-like incidents in the city in particular and in Sindh in general,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Home Secretary Niaz Abbasi, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Additional IG Karachi Ghulam Qadir Thebo and heads of different law enforcement agencies.
The inspector general of police briefing the chief minister said that on the occasion 12 Rabiula Awal some 251 small processions would be taken out in Karachi, including seven big processions to be led by leading religious leaders and scholars.
He said over 30,000 policemen and jawans would be deployed along route of the procession. Besides, intelligence network had also been developed to keep an eye on all the activities. “We will also deploy bomb disposal squad along the route and snuffing dogs will also be there,” said.
Talking about the new year event, the IG said over 7,000 policemen would be deployed in the city. “We have decided to close completely the road leading to Seaview,” he said, adding that entrance and exit ways would be given from Clifton and Darakhshan areas for which administrator of DHA, cantonments and KMC administration have already been informed.
Home Secretary Niaz Abbasi said on the night of new year, there would be a ban on pillion riding for one night right from the evening of December 31 to the morning of January 1, 2015. “Those who would ride bikes by opening their silencers would be arrested fortwith.”
The home secretary told the meeting that on the directives of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah peace meeting were in progress. “Keeping in view the repercussions of operation Zarbe-Azb and on-going executions of terrorists, extraordinary security measure had been taken.
“Presently, 9,00,000 Afghan illegal immigrants are living in Karachi but only 58,000 are registered with NADRA,” he said.
The chief minister directed the home department to take up the issue of illegal immigrants with the federal government and urged them to take necessary measures for their repatriation.
The home secretary also briefed Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah about his meeting to be held under Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khanon Wednesday (today) wherein formation of anti-terrorism force would be discussed.
The chief minister directed the home secretary to take up on behalf of him the issue of Rs 10 billion that the prime minister had committed to provide to the Sindh government when targeted operation was launched in September 2013 but nothing had been released so far.
The Deputy DG Rangers also briefed the chief minister about the targeted operation and coordination with the police. “We have also made coordinated measure with Sindh police to beef up security on 12 Rabiul Awal, New Year night and on the occasion of Chup Tazia,”
The chief minister directed the LEAs to beef up security of all the important installations including schools.
Sharjeel said an SOP for security plan be evolved for all the private schools, shopping malls and restaurant franchise. “It (SOP) should contain the details of the guards, their trainings, the weapons available with them, number of guards and the places of their deployment must be mentioned,” he suggested.
Sharjeel said he had held a meeting with the association of Timber Market and assured them that they would be compensated on the pattern of the settlement of Boltpn Market fire incident.
The chief minister appreciated the role of law enforcing agencies in curbing terrorist in the city. “I must appreciate the police and Rangers that they have been conducting target raids regularly,” he said.
The chief minister also praised the role of local administration, Pakistan Navy, DHA, Cantonment and KPT for taking prompt action to extinguish the fire in the Timber Market and averted loss of lives.
He urged the IG Sindh to expedite inquiry being conducted into fie incident and within few days preliminary report must be submitted.