The Sindh government has decided to chock the funding of terrorist outfits by launching a comprehensive operations based on solid information and intelligence work.
This decision was taken in the apex committee meeting held with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali in the chair at CM House Friday.
Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad specially participated in the meeting. Those who attended the meeting include Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, DG Ranger Major General Bilal Akbar, Home Secretary Mukhtiar Soomro, IG Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali, Principal Secretary to CM Alamuddin Bullo, Secretary Law, Advocate General Sindh, Commissioner Karachi Shoaib Siddiqui, representatives of all the secret agencies and other concerned officers.
DG Rangers Bilal Akbar briefed the meeting and pointed out that a large number of terrorists belonging to banned out fits and other organisations had been arrested but special attention needs to be given to their funding. “As far as my sources are concerned, the funding to the terrorists is made through extortion, illegal hydrants, kidnapping for ransom and such other means,” he said.
The chief minister observed that the arms and ammunition recovered from the terrorists were evident that they were hugely funded. “I think they are getting foreign funding but local hands behind them could not be ruled out.” Therefore, a comprehensive operation against the elements financing terrorism and sponsoring terrorist activities must be started but there should be a comprehensive intelligence work,” he said.
It was also pointed out in the meeting that there is a huge force with private security agencies. They are not only seen displaying arms openly but some of them are involved in dubious activities. On this, the chief minister directed the home secretary to coordinate with intelligence agencies and take necessary action where doubts are drawn.
The meeting was informed that the arm dealers were also involved in illegal trade of weapons. “They are running a parallel government by filling arms license application, stamping them and then making illegal license books,” said DG Rangers. On this, the chief minister directed the home secretary to personally look into this and in coordination with DG Rangers take drastic action against such dealers by canceling their license.
Corps Commander Karachi Lt General Naveed Mukhtar said: “A large number of terrorists have been arrested and now prosecution must be strong enough so that the efforts taken by law enforcement agencies could be bear fruit. “The chief minister taking this point directed the IG police to ensure proper investigation, present well-prepared challans in the court and follow the cases properly. There would be no compromise on this issue. We would make the financial support to the investigation easier and prompt,” he assured.
The corps commander also suggested that the madrassas established in the province should be computerised. There should be a detailed record in system – the details such as location, number of students, the area they belong to, the teachers and the area they come from and the size of the madrassa building, source of income etc, he suggested. On this, the chief minister taking policy decision directed the secretary law and home secretary to take necessary measures if legislation is required and meanwhile he also directed the home department to prepare a data base in coordination with police. “We would never allow madrassas operating illegally,” he clarified.
The corps commander also pointed out that land grabbing was also one of the sources of funding to terrorism. “The lands of Karachi are precious and there will be bloody disputes on their possession. Therefore, their record must be computerised.” However, the chief minister pointed out that a scheme of computerization of revenue record was initiated on the directives of then president Asif Ali Zardari. “Presently, 80 percent record has been computerised and soon, in the light of that record, a drastic operation against land grabbers would be initiated.”
Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar also urged the police and Rangers to explore old links of the criminals involved in kidnapping for ransom. The people kidnapped from Karachi were taken to lower Sindh or the people kidnapped from there were kept in Karachi. The entire network should be crushed, he suggested.
Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the IG police to restore border force. “I have heard that most of the personnel have been transferred to other areas. I want you to re-organise it and strengthen it,” he said.
The meeting also decided to give some time to the people possessing weapons illegally. The government had given them time to computerize their licenses and those who have illegal weapons must surrender or face the music.
The police and Rangers also briefed the meeting about the arrangements to hold bye-election on NA-246 in a free, fair and transparent manner.
Qaim Ali Shah directed Chief Secretary Siddique Memon to consult Election Commission of Pakistan to use 250 cameras of Sindh IT department on the elections day for which DG Rangers thanked the chief minister for his support and cooperation.
The meeting paid tribute to the police and Rangers personnel who lost their lives in the line of their duty and also appreciated Police and Rangers for restoring law and order in the province in general and in the city in particular.