Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the law department and the advocate-general to propose the necessary legislation so that such illegal activities can be prevented in the future. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
Presiding over a law and order meeting with law enforcers, ministers and government officers on Thursday, Syed Qaim Ali Shah directed the law department and the advocate-general to propose the necessary legislation so that such illegal activities can be prevented in the future. “Please prepare a draft suggesting strict punishment against arsonists and protesters who damage public properties,” sources quoted him as saying. “We will get the bill passed in the Sindh Assembly.”
According to officials privy to the matter, parliamentary affairs minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro, who earlier worked as the law minister, and Sindh advocate-general Khalid Jawed Khan have been given the task to finalise the draft before Sindh Assembly session, which has now been summoned on September 18.
The public perception about forcible strikes is very adverse and people are fed up, said Shah, adding that people are looking towards the government to help them earn their livelihood and send their children to schools in a peaceful atmosphere. “We are determined to get the people of Karachi out of the torment of forcible strikes,” he said. “We are also seeking the support of the residents and the business community because we are making the law in public interest.”
Shah also directed the minister to make necessary amendments to existing laws on investigations and prosecution. “Giving the powers of investigations and prosecutions to Rangers also came under discussion,” an official said, adding that the CM directed the relevant officials to consult the committee formed during the special cabinet meeting.
CCTV surveillance
The chief minister agreed that all CCTV cameras in the city should be put under the under control of the Sindh Police but he was told that this hasn’t been done. A police official complained that the department does not have full access even though the local government ministry issued a notification. “Let our officials work and monitor the system instead of the KMC,” a senior police official requested the chief minister, who also holds the portfolio of the home department.
Focal police station
A committee, comprising home secretary, Sindh IGP, the prosecutor general and representatives of law enforcement agencies, was also formed to nominate police stations in the city where the cases of those criminals who are arrested by Rangers can be registered. According to the CM House spokesperson, Shah directed the law enforcers to speed up the operation further.
Sindh IGP Shahid Nadeem Baloch informed the participants about the raids, encounters and arrests they have carried out since September 5. Except for killing of two police constables, no target killing has so far been reported, he said, promising that this heinous crime has been reduced to zero. Rangers director-general Major General Rizwan Akhtar also gave a briefing.
Provincial ministers Sharjeel Inam Memon and Dr Sikandar Mandhro, and chief secretary Muhammad Aijaz Chaudhry were also present.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2013.
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@ftekhar hussain: "Hartals" are indeed part of a democracy but closing shopping and business forcefully is absolutely not. Though I never cared for this CM but this law, if passed, is the most brilliant things this CM could have done. Let those who bring life to screeching halt be punished to pay fines equal to loss occur by general public because of their actions. May be this way we will get the money that is siphoned overseas by political parties will come back to country.
If PPP does pass this law and IMPLEMENT IT then it would possibly be the single best thing they have done for this city!
He has only seen the politics of feudal Sindh, what he knows of democracy? He should know that in democracy 'hartals' or 'bandhs' are accepted. Like in India, Bangladesh etc.