KARACHI: Although more than two and a half years have passed, the Sindh government lacks proper implementation of the decisions of the Special Apex Committee held after the deadly attack on Ismaili community in city’s Safoora area that claimed dozens of precious lives.
After the Safoora tragedy, former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on May 14, 2015, that asked the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) led Sindh government to expedite implementation on the decision taken by the top civil-military leadership.
The meeting was attended by the then COAS, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general (DG), Commander 5 Corps, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG , Military Operations DG, Military Intelligence (MI) DG, Public Relations DG Sindh, ISI Karachi sector commander (SC), 202 Survey SC, ISI Counter-Terrorism Wing Karachi (CTW) Commander and Chief of Staff 5 Corps. While the civil leadership included Sindh governor, Sindh chief minister, Sindh chief secretary, Sindh Inspector General, Sindh home secretary, Intelligence Bureau (IB) joint director general, Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) additional director, Special Branch Police deputy inspector general.
Air Surveillance
In the meeting, it was decided that while considering the complexity of internal security management, air surveillance of Karachi be launched for timely detection and quick response, use of a helicopter for the purpose was considered not financially viable. Therefore, the Sindh government was requested to study Kabul Model static air balloons with installed cameras for surveillance along with requisite command and control communication mechanism and interface. Moreover, it was decided that the scanners would be installed at inter-provincial and Karachi entry and exit points to check the flow of weapons and terrorists. The proposal was concurred by the governor and chief minister.
Media Management
It was discussed that in the aftermath of an act of terrorism, the media either out of responsibility or due to vested interest ends up undermining the Karachi operation. Therefore, it was emphasised that ISPR and the Sindh government need to effectively engage with media. Narratives on the importance of revival of Karachi in line with national interest need to be embedded in media through effective management. The Karachi operation is apolitical and across the board operation, single terrorist act or incident must not undermine the efficacy of whole of the operation and projecting positive steps undertaken by Government and law enforcement agencies be encouraged were few of the guidelines prepared for the media.
Shifting of Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC)
CPLC was recommended to be shifted from Governor House to Police Headquarters to make it more effective and non-controversial in an attempt to gain the confidence of the public. The officials having good repute be posted in CPLC and rotated only after specified tenure were also among the few decisions taken in the meeting. This was the only decision which implemented within few days after the apex committee meeting.
Counter-Terrorism Cell
It was decided that a Counter-Terrorism Cell is established at Corps Headquarters to do comprehensive surveillance and thoroughly check the internal security of Karachi. All civil and military intelligence agencies will share input will share input according to a mechanism approved by the Corps. The common intelligence picture at Corps level will assist in developing actionable intelligence.
Crisis Control Mechanism
Karachi does not have a crisis management system to deal a terrorist attack or natural or manmade disaster. Therefore, Sindh government was asked to study the model of Crisis Control management system in Rawalpindi and Rescue 1122 and establish crisis control mechanism for Karachi.
Security System for Soft Targets
Private organizations, minorities, communities, and schools do not have an appropriate security system and these soft targets remain vulnerable to any terrorist acts. The provincial government was requested to issue ordinance or a policy for all soft targets to have independent security mechanism with resistance capacity before application of law enforcement agencies.
Capacity Building of Police
Capacity building of police was identified as an immediate requirement to improve the security of Karachi and Sindh. The then COAS had assured the Sindh government that he would request the federal government to release a special package for Sindh police. He asked Sindh IG to share his demand with GHQ and maximum assistance possible will be provided from the resources of Pakistan Army.
Effective Functioning of Government Institutions
Frequent transfers and postings of police and government officials are one of the major impediments in the ineffective functioning of various departments. The COAS had requested the government to evolve the mechanism for ensuring stability and merit-based posting and transfers. The frequent transfers and postings had been the routine issue of Sindh authorities.
Madrassah Reforms
The federal government has not issued a policy on Maddrassh reforms which is the main impediment to implementation at the provincial level. The Sindh government was requested to approach federal government for early finalization of Madrassahs reforms.
Crackdown on Banned Sectarian Outfits
The banned sectarian and religious organizations conduct rallies with different names. Therefore, the Sindh government was requested to legislate on holding rallies by the banned outfit.