Apex committee meeting decides to ban display of weapons; people urged to surrender illegal arms. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The provincial apex committee of Sindh set up to oversee implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism has decided to swoop down on financers of terrorists in the province.
Chaired by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the apex committee met on Friday to review progress on NAP execution and chart out a future course. Attendees included Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, members of the provincial cabinet, senior bureaucrats as well as officials from the military and intelligence agencies.
In his briefing to the apex committee, the director general of Sindh Rangers, Major General Bilal Akbar, said a large number of terrorists from proscribed groups had been arrested since the NAP execution started.
“However, special attention needs to be given to their sources of funding,” he said. “Terrorists are receiving funds through various means, including extortion, illegal hydrants and kidnapping for ransom.”
Chief Minister Shah said the huge caches of arms and ammunition recovered from terrorists showed they were hugely funded.
“I think they are getting foreign funding but local involvement cannot be ruled out either,” he said. “Therefore, a comprehensive operation against the elements financing terrorism and sponsoring terrorist activities must be started but on the basis of comprehensive intelligence information,” he added.
Display of arms
The meeting also decided to take action against display of arms. Participants noted that private security agencies had a huge force that was not only seen displaying arms but some of them were involved in dubious activities.
“The chief minister has directed the home secretary to coordinate with the intelligence agencies and take necessary action where doubts are drawn,” said a spokesperson for the Chief Minister’s House.
The meeting was informed that arm dealers were also involved in illegal trade of weapons. The meeting also decided to give some time to the people possessing illegal weapons to surrender their arms.
Need for strong prosecution
Speaking with reference to prosecution of arrested terrorists, the chief minister directed the provincial police chief to ensure proper investigation into such cases and present well-prepared challans in courts as well as to follow such cases properly. “There will be no compromise on this issue. We will make financial support to the investigation easier and prompt,” he promised.
Computerisation of Madrassas
On the recommendation of Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar to take necessary measures for computerising data related to madrassas, the chief minister directed the provincial secretaries for law and home to see if legislation was required in this regard. He also asked the home department to prepare a madrassas database in coordination with police. “We will never allow madrassas operate illegally,” he clarified.
Land-grabbing
The corps commander also pointed out that land grabbing was one of the sources of funding for terrorists. To this, the chief minister pointed out that his administration has already initiated a scheme for computerisation of land revenue record. “Presently, 80% record has been computerised and very soon in the light of that record a drastic operation against land grabbers will be initiated,” he added.
Kidnapping for ransom
Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar also urged the police and Rangers to explore old links of criminals involved in kidnapping for ransom. “People kidnapped from Karachi are taken to lower Sindh and those kidnapped from there are brought to Karachi. The entire network should be dismantled,” he said.
By-polls at NA-246
Police and Rangers officials also briefed the meeting about arrangements for by-elections in NA-246 in a free, fair and transparent manner. The chief minister directed Chief Secretary Siddique Memon to consult the Election Commission of Pakistan on the use 250 cameras of the provincial IT department on the election day.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 18th, 2015.
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