–Sindh chief minister expresses concern over six terror attacks in six weeks, tells police to improve its performance
KARACHI: A day after former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) MNA Ali Raza Abidi was shot dead outside his residence in one of the poshest areas of the provincial capital, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi said that ensuring a peaceful environment for citizens is a fundamental responsibility of the state.
The minister was speaking during his meeting with Sindh Governor Imran Ismail at Governor’s House in Karachi on Wednesday. Sindh chief secretary, Rangers director general (DG), Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) and senior officers of LEAs/IAs attended the meeting.
The meeting discussed at length the prevailing law and order situation of the Karachi.
The minister was apprised in detail about the current law and order situation of the city, and the factors contributing to it. The minister stressed upon the police and other LEAs to adopt extraordinary measures to unearth the activities of anti-state and anti-peace elements, hatching conspiracies and challenging the writ of law.
Addressing the meeting, Shehryar Afridi said, “Maintaining overall law and order in the society and protection of life and property of the people is our prime responsibility and every possible step was being taken in this regard.”
Afridi further said that supremacy of law should be ensured at every cost.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Sindh Imran Ismail said that stern action must be ensured to curb the terrorist activities and to bring the culprits to book.
He lauded the efforts of Pakistan Rangers in maintaining law and order in Karachi and added that all out efforts should be taken to ensure safety and security to live and property of the citizens. He also stressed upon effective implementation of ‘Safe City Model’ in the metropolis.
Afridi vowed to raise and present the outcome of the meeting before the federal cabinet for logical implementation on the recommendations.
POLICE TOLD TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE:
Separately, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also reiterated his commitment to making Karachi peaceful again and directed the law enforcement agencies to make foolproof security arrangements accordingly.
Presiding over an emergency meeting to review the law and order situation, the chief minister said that during the past six weeks, at least six terrorist incidents had taken place in the city, which was not to be tolerated.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information Murtaza Wahab, Rangers DG Major General Mohammad Saeed, IGP Dr Kaleem Imam, provincial heads of intelligence agencies, DIG (South) Javed Alam Udho and other officers concerned.
The chief minister, on the occasion, recalled that on November 17, a blast in Landhi claimed innocent lives; later the Chinese Consulate was attacked, a vehicle in District South was attacked, a Milad ceremony was attacked with a cracker in Gulistane Jauhar, PSP workers were killed in their office and now a former parliamentarian had been assassinated.
“These alarming figures of violent incidents show that disbursed terrorists are once again getting organised as we dwindle our thumbs. The law enforcement agencies, particularly the police, should put in place strict security measures,” CM Murad said.
He also directed the IGP to improve the performance of the police. “There is no political interference in the police affairs and being the in-charge, the home minister has made the police department an independent organistaion. However, despite these efforts, the results are disturbing and painful.”
“I want you to conduct a security audit of the city and strengthen security at vulnerable points,” the chief minister told the IGP, while also directing to keep him posted of the law and order situation on a daily basis.
‘GOVT TO ENSURE PEACE IN KARACHI’:
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar said that the government would take all possible measures to root out terrorism from the country as it had sabotaged peace and national economy.
Talking to the media he said that the government would soon form the National Action Plan to stabilise the security situation of the country, particularly of Karachi, as it is a hub of business and its peace is necessary to put the country on the path of progress and prosperity.
He stated that the Pakistan Army had controlled the peace situation in Karachi but some elements were up to deteriorate the peace process of the city.
Responding to a question, he said that the provincial government should take steps to curb the menace of terrorism, adding that the federation would fully support it.
He condemned the brutal murder of former Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) lawmaker Ali Raza Abidi and said that the culprits would be punished.