Military police, Rangers attackers arrested, Sindh police chief tells PM

PM, army chief co-chair law and order meeting in the metropolis

KARACHI: Sindh police chief informed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday that the suspects involved in attacks on Rangers and military police in Karachi last week have been arrested.

The revelation came during a law and order meeting chaired by the prime minister in Karachi.

Earlier, while addressing the high-level meeting, PM Nawaz appreciated the role of Rangers in Karachi operation.



Sources say it has principally been decided to extend the Rangers special powers. "The notification is likely to be issued by midnight", sources said.

During the meeting, the premier said the government and all other stakeholders were "conscious of the reemergence of violent crimes in Karachi and will ensure such elements and the sources helping them do not strengthen again."



"Karachi operation is progressing with clear objectives and with the aim of reviving law and order in the metropolitan," he added.

The operation was initiated with the consensus of all political parties after a trend of targeted killings and extortion became unbearable for the dwellers in September 2013.

“Now that the situation has improved, it is good to know the investors are returning and reinvesting,” said the premier.



"This is why the operation should have been started seven to eight years ago in a bid to return peace to this city."

The meeting was attended by army chief General Raheel Sharif, interior minister, home minister, DG ISI and corps commander Karachi, among others.

During his day-long visit, PM Nawaz attended a firepower demonstration by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) at Sonmiani range.



Meanwhile, Gen Raheel arrived at the corps headquarters in the metropolis "to review the security situation in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

Security Mtng at Corps HQ Kci underway pic.twitter.com/1wBRmfwjOK

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) December 7, 2015

#COAS arrives Corps HQs Kci, chairs mtng to review security situation in Kci and rest of Sind.Corps Comd, DG ISI,DG Rangers attend-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) December 7, 2015

The COAS lauded efforts of army, rangers and other security forces for maintaining peace in the city during the local body elections.

Lauded Army,Rangers,int&other LEAs for noticeable improvement in scurity situation through ongoing ops&for peaceful conduct of LB elections2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) December 7, 2015

During the high level meeting, PM Nawaz is likely to grill the Pakistan Peoples Party-led Sindh government over the security situation, especially in the backdrop of a recent uptick in violence.

Highlighting the role of PPP and MQM in the city’s security situation, the civil and military leadership would also attempt to end the gridlock between the military and the Sindh administration over special powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for the paramilitary Rangers in the province.



Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan would ask the provincial government to extend the Rangers’ special powers, which enable the paramilitary force to detain and investigate criminals, sources said.

PM appreciates PAF's aerial show in Sonmiani

Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister extended his felicitations to Air Marshall Sohail Aman and the PAF upon the successful culmination of the event.

"The challenges and threats Pakistan faces today are not traditional, but our resolve to combat terrorism remains unwavering," the premier said while adding that "despite internal and external hindrances, Pakistan is steadily gaining strength."



Taking pride in the JF-17 project, PM Nawaz said, "Pakistan Air Force is second to none and I believe it will continue to strive towards excellence."

The premier was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, at the ceremony.