Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday again made it clear that the country would be freed from all kinds of arms and ammunition and the mission would be completed at all costs.
Talking to reporters at the Interior Ministry after chairing a high-level meeting, Malik said strict action would be taken against extortionists in Karachi and urged everyone to respect the verdicts of the Supreme Court in true letter and spirit.
He said strict action would be taken against holders of illegal weapons and fake licences, who could also face jail terms.
The interior minister said a large scale campaign would be launched for the recovery of illegal arms, adding that special cell headed by a police deputy inspector general was being set up to deal with the extortionist mafia.
He said strict action would be taken against those who have a criminal record without any discrimination.
“It has also been decided that Karachi would be de-weaponised in phases,” Malik stressed. To a question, Rehman said FIA additional Director General Zafar Qureshi was being provided all resources and facilities.
Law and order is the prime priority of the government in Karachi, he said.
Regarding raids on the houses of Humayun Mari and Jamil Bugti, the interior minister said it was a provincial matter and a report had been sought from the provinces.
He highly praised the role of clerics and the media for helping halt suicide bombing, adding that joint and concreted efforts were required to tackle the menace tooth and nail.
Malik added that he respected the country’s courts, adding that a committee had been established on the hoax threat to blow up the FIA building in Lahore. He said key personalities have been bailed in corruption charges, however, the government would expose all culprits involved in the heinous crime and the prime example was that of Moonis Elahi.
