Businessmen win Kayani’s support
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday night directed Director-General Rangers Sindh Ejaz Chaudhry to ensure safety of the business community and address their concerns.
He issued the order following a meeting with a 30-member delegation of the business community at the Corps Commanders Headquarters in Karachi. The delegation included presidents of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry and heads of various industrial zones.
During the one and a half hour long meeting, the businessmen expressed their concerns regarding the law and order situation. They demanded a permanent role for rangers in policing, establishment of new rangers pickets at key locations in industrial zones and certain constitutional changes that would ensure speedy trials of criminals in the courts.
According to KCCI President Muhammad Saeed Shafiq, it was an important session for the business community “because it is only the army chief who can ensure that our concerns are addressed.”
(Read: Volatile city - Army chief takes stock, weighs in on Karachi)
According to Shafiq, the meeting was arranged at Gen Kayani’s desire. “Till the last minute we believed that we were going to meet the corps commander,” he added.
Gen Kayani agreed with the businessmen that constitutional changes are needed to rectify the weaknesses inherent in the country’s laws, Shafiq said.
Although the businessmen were happy with the ongoing ‘surgical operations’, they demanded permanent deployment of rangers in the city to ensure that the criminals who have fled the operations do not return to the city.
The army chief directed DG Rangers Ejaz Chaudhry, who was also present in the meeting, to establish a two-digit helpline for businessmen and general public.
(Read: Decrease in Karachi target killings is temporary: DG Rangers)
Gen Kayani also directed Chaudhry to establish check posts at the entry and exit points of the industrial zones and increase patrolling in the city. A military statement said that Corp Commander General Muhammad Zahir ul Islam briefed the army chief about the law and order situation in the city. He was also briefed on the Sindh flood and relief efforts being done by the army.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 22nd, 2011.
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When peace is the goal every striving leader wins. A leader working for peace always wins no-mater what the outcome is. Here the Army, the Judiciary, the President, the Prime Minister, the Parliament, the Media and the Opposition all are winners. Why all? Because they are united for a common goal and have developed an understanding of respecting and supporting each other for the good of the country and specially the institution of democracy. When democracy "Rules" everyone wins, when democracy fails even the winners are actually losers.
I don't understand why people want to see the ARMY out of the equation when it comes to 'THE' CIVILIAN GOVERNMENT matters, if some one is guarding the house , he should have his say in all matters of the house too, it just doesn't make sense that other power pillars of the country should not intervene when the stupid civilian pillar cannot seem to even comprehend their duties let alone fulfilling them efficiently. Good job Gen. Kayani
So now the businessmen are directly approaching the army chief for security.
On one hand it shows the utter failure of the government to provide safety and security to the businessmen where as on other hand it shows the willingness of business community to invite the army into internal affairs.
Waaa! The industrialist-military tie up! A real winners all the time!
He can be concerned about karachi peace because he is the chief of the most poweful part in Pakistan - the Pakistan Army!
I thanks Allah Almighty for giving courage to Gen Kiyani to restore peace in Karachi. Salute Pakistan Army. Elected Government has failed in restoring peace in karachi.
Only one solution : MARTIAL LAW
awesome move by Gen. Kiyaani... We love you army
What a mess are we making? Why don't you spare the army for good. If they are doing a good job and providing security to the economical hub at least recognize it.
Hence proved , who actually rules Pakistan
Constitutional changes? Again?
Good move. He won't go for a take over, but sending a strong message
Active till extention.
Rangers want to continue its operation in Karachi, while certain political elements want the government to halt the operation. It also seems the Rangers is carrying out operation in a rather unusual way, that instead of launching a full-scale operation at one time they are targetting miscreants gradually to avoid the sensational journalism which our media is best for, as well as giving no chance to political elements, who support the armed wings of political parties and thugs, to raise hue and cry. Hope to see the city restoring back its distinction soon as the city of lights.