Some have 50 weapons on a single licence

Interior minister says Raza Haider’s killers will be arrested soon

KARACHI: Federal interior minister Rehman Malik said Wednesday that some people in Karachi are keeping around 50 weapons on a single licence.

“The government has decided that those possessing arms licences would be required to have them attested at police stations,” he told daily Express at the Karachi airport.

The interior minister said those who fail to have their arms licences attested within two months after the directives are issued, will face action.

He said the government was mulling not only cleansing Karachi of illegal weapons, but the rest of the country as well. “I will hold a meeting with provincial officials to devise a strategy for making the country weapon-free,” he said.

Malik added that parties trying to challenge the writ of the government in Karachi will be dealt with strictly.

The interior minister also termed the decision to activate peace committees at the police station level as a successful move. “Qasba and Ali Garh colonies are examples that prove the step has been a success,” Malik said.

Raza Haider

Malik said the culprits responsible for the killing of MQM lawmaker Raza Haider will be arrested soon as significant progress has been made in the investigation of the murder case.

Ramazan

The interior minister said though terrorists were conspiring against the government, there is nothing to worry about during the month of Ramazan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th, 2010.