The interior minister stressed that it was important for the federal and the provincial governments to work together to deal with the situation. PHOTO: PPI
KARACHI: The law and order situation in Karachi was heading towards chaos, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated on Thursday.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, the interior minister said that the ongoing operation against criminals needs to be conducted in an environment similar to that of the first three months of the operation.
The targeted operation started in the city on September 7, 2013, soon after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited the megalopolis in a bid to devise a strategy to curb violence.
On Thusrday, Nisar held two meetings, one at the Chief Minister House and the other at the Governor House, to discuss the security situation of the city.
The interior minister stressed that it was important for the federal and the provincial governments to work together to deal with the situation. The meeting also constituted a committee to liaison between federal and provincial governments over the targeted operation.
He further stated that the situation in Karachi was a national issue. “It concerns every citizen.”
He commented that the work of intelligence agencies and their operations have improved and intelligence-sharing too has also become better. He also asked to devise a strategy on weekly basis for the operation against terrorists.
Meeting with MQM
Members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) met with the interior minister on Thursday evening to discuss their party’s concerns regarding alleged disappearances and extra judicial murders of their workers.
Later, MQM’s Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui told the media that Nisar had assured the party that appropriate measures would be taken to bring the culprits to justice.
Meeting at CM house
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali held a detailed telephonic conversation with MQM chief Altaf Hussain in the presence of Governor Sindh Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah after a meeting in the CM House.
The MQM chief expressed concerns about the extrajudicial killings of his party workers, but extended support for the ongoing law and order operation in Karachi.
Nisar directed Sindh chief minister to take notice of the extrajudicial killings. He lauded the law enforcement agencies for working in precarious situations and said that Federal government will provide due share of weaponry to the Sindh government, including provision of bullet proof vests.
Further, the trio agreed to continue Karachi operation in full-swing.
Nisar said that both Federal and Sindh governments are on the same page in the operation but coordination is needed for its success.
Bombs recovered
Explosive materials and several ready-to-use bombs were recovered from a house in the Fareed Colony area of Orangi Town in Karachi on Thursday, Express News reported.
The Bomb Disposal Squad was called in to disassemble the bombs and secure the area.
Some 60 kilogrammes of explosi ves, 30 kilogrammes of chemicals, one ready-to-go suicide jacket, two block bombs, 15 magnetic bombs, six improvised explosive devices, six RPG rockets, 12 awan bombs, 12 mini-rocket launchers, 15 hand grenades, three kalashnikovs, 15 remotes, 15 timers, 55 detonators, 15 kilogrammes of ball bearings, 2,500 bullets, and security forces uniforms.
AEC acting chief DSP Ali Raza said that militants were planning for major terror activities, particularly to target security forces and sensitive installations.
No arrests were made in the raid.
COMMENTS (32)
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@KMAN: I will second to you and want to add some more, these PPP leaders are Waderas who even don't treat their sindhi Haris equally than what kind of attitude you can expect from them for the ordinary karachiites. Sharukh Jatoi and Shahzeb case is quite recent.
@Major Iqbal: Grapes are sour!!!
Nisar can only talk, talk, and talk. The 'muk muka' between PPP and PMLN is a fact delineated by Imran Khan. PMLN rules Punjab or most of it and PPP has minimal influence and wants total Sindh, so the 'muk muka' has to be completed. The fight is for Karachi, which is the jewel in the crown and nothing else. Salams
Only an operation conducted by the Army under the Federal Government is likely to be fair in which all criminals, regardless of their political affiliation would be brought to justice.
Only an unbiased operation by the Army is going to really make a difference in bringing peace to Karachi.
Pakistani oppression and illegal occupation of Balochi people is causing the same.
MQM knows that both PPP and PMLN are itching to crush MQM with any slightest of opportunity they can get. That is why MQM has been avoiding confronting PPP and PMLN for the last 6 years. They remember how whole of Pakistan was clapping for Zulfiqar Mirza when he was after MQM.
@LOK: To put it straight it's the other way round i.e., MQM belongs to Karachi... That is why MQM has never won, and with this mind frame can never win, representation from any other part of Pakistan.
@karachiite: I guess you are immune to the MASSIVE rigging in Punjab done by PMLN?
p.s. for your info 90% of rigging is done in RURAL areas of Pakistan like KP, FATA, Baluchistan, Interior Sindh & South Punjab where there is no access of media or even cell phone cameras
@Muslim Leaguer: You are right. We remove PPP and MQM, and we then let Shahbaz Shareef rule Sindh. How soon you have forgotten 1971 incidents when this selective justice and unfair treatment to a specific group caused a disaster.
@karachiite @CK Out of 272 national assembly seats only one NA-254 I repeat only ONE was conducted under Pak Army and who won? you guys are the re-incarnation of the same mindset who denied awami league their true mandate and we all know the outcome.
@karachiite @CK Out of 272 national assembly seats only one I repeat only ONE was conducted under Pak Army and who won? you guys are the re-incarnation of the same mindset who denied awami league their true mandate and we all know the outcome. shame shame.
So he finally accepted his failure!
Karachi belongs to MQM. I fully understand that you may not like it if you are a PPP/PTI/PML-N voter or part of establishment. Sooner you accept this fact, sooner we can bring peace in the city which will bolster the economy of the country. Targeting MQM in Karachi and then hoping for peace is not a good strategy. Hope is never a good strategy anyway.
Failed state.
The less than desired results of Karachi Operation are due to the fact that the parties controlling (not necessarily representing) Karachi (i.e., PPP & MQM) have their own militant wings being protected & patronized by the Chief Minister and Governor Sindh. . In order to bring 100% result of the Operation to purge the metropolitan city from criminals, terrorists, encroachers & extortionists it is very important that the Chief Minister & Governor Sindh are removed.
@SilverT:
Agreed and no comment.
In 2001, Pakistan made big mistake by helping US in destruction of Pashtuns.
Ch. Nisar is a political liability. Must be fired immediately.
I'm all for a military operation in Karachi, but the question is will it face the TTP elements in the city head on? MQM has already learned its lesson in the 90s, now they're part and parcel of Karachi's population whether you like it or not - anyone can walk in any day in a MQM-controlled area of Karachi, but what about the millions of illegal Afghan/FATA refugees who have turned certain parts of the city into no-go zones for law enforcement and civic agencies.
Will this military operation be focused on areas like Sohrab Goth, Al-Asif Square, Mangophir, Gulzar-e-Hijri, Sohrab Goth, Gadap and the city's outskirts, parts of Orangi and Katti Pahari - or will it be focused on largely peaceful middle-class areas like Azizabad, Gulshan and Liaquatabad where MQM enjoys a stronghold?
karachi need elected mayor with full power like Delhi...
@ CHENGEZ K
More than 12 Years ...and counting.
@Ali.b My friend if they did that then how will they brainwash people and get (sympathy) support. Thats how theyve been working for decades now. And then they play the victim card.
True Story.
@Chengez K: so true.. they did nothing when they were in power.. always beat about the bush that center is not giving us power.. always threatening center that they will leave govt but never did because they were getting what they wanted. PML-N is not giving them what they want so thats the chaos. MQM should be reasonable because if govt got angry.. it might be the end for them. MQM does not own Karachi. full stop
So the Hon. Governor who has been enjoying his position for 10 years has nothing to do with MQM?
What else can you expect. A giant city of 18 million people being run by low competence, unelected public officials most having a myopic, rural centric training and outlook on public issues. Give Karachi an elected, fully empowered local government and see it become the model for Pakistan which it always was and can still be. Let this not be seen through a MQM centric or ethnic glasses. Let the best party win in a transparent elections.
Till the time the provincial and federal government keep relying on ad hoc measures, Karachi will continue to burn - and so will the weeping candle of the Pakistani dream.
@ground reality
Are you talking about the 85% mandate which was taken on gun point? I
@ground reality the biggest ground reality is that the 85% stakeholder you are talking about is the major source of terror in the city and it should be dealt of. FYI all this 85% stake is snatched not earned.. (see the rigging reports during election).
hats off to PMLN govt and ch nisaar.
I just read the news about pepper sprays, knives, spitting and what not in our indian parliament over the telangana bill. Your Karachi in particular ( and the whole of Pak in general ) look so tamed in front of us.
If you won't take the biggest stakeholder on board that represents 85% of Karachi and only discuss the situation with people representing 5% of the city then this was bound to happen!