Karachi operation: Govt won’t leave job half-done, says PM
Advises Sindh CM to rest after Shah says he is unwell
PM Nawaz presents FPCCI Export Trophy Award to one of the winners. PHOTO: APP
KARACHI:
Declaring his government’s success in stemming the tide of terrorism in Karachi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted on Monday that there will be no compromise in the ongoing operation in the metropolitan city.
His remarks come in the wake of intense wrangling between the Sindh and federal governments over extension in the powers of the paramilitary Rangers.
“We are all striving for peace in Karachi and will not compromise on the operation,” said Nawaz, adding that the operation would continue.
Addressing the 39th Annual Export Awards distribution ceremony under the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) during a daylong visit to Karachi, the premier claimed that the situation both in the country and Karachi, in particular, was much better than it was seven years ago.
“Soon after taking over, I stayed in Karachi for two days to consult all stakeholders, including political parties, business community and journalists, to work out an amicable solution,” he said. “Finally, we have contained the situation.”
Nawaz pointed out how foreign businessmen are now coming to Karachi to interact with their local counterparts. “In the coming days, I hope Karachi will become vibrant and serve as the country’s economic hub.”
At this point, Nawaz credited the Sindh general of police and provincial chief secretary for bringing peace to the city. Strangely, there was no mention of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, a man who he himself has hailed as the ‘captain’ of the Karachi operation in the past.
Claiming that the operation was not against any party or group, rather its targets were criminals and terrorists, Nawaz asked whether anyone could forget the threat terrorism and extremism posed to the city.
“My government is committed to rooting out terrorism... we will not abandon the business community and the citizens.”
No meeting with Shah
Earlier in the day, Shah had received the prime minister and his entourage at Karachi airport. Yet there was no customary meeting at the CM House.
While many expected that Nawaz’s arrival in the city would afford an opportunity for the Sindh administration to discuss its grievances, no meeting was held.
“I am not feeling well, so I cannot attend the events,” officials sources quoted Shah as saying.
Nawaz, in turn, asked Shah to take some rest, suggesting that any pressing matters could be taken up in Islamabad. Official sources suggested that the chief minister had deliberately ducked out of the premier’s engagements in protest at the federal government’s move to override Sindh on limiting special policing powers for the Rangers.
However, it is not clear whether this move invited Nawaz’s cold shoulder during his speech later on in the day.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, however, dispelled the notion of a rift, explaining that by appreciating the Sindh bureaucracy, efforts of the chief minister were lauded as well.
“The law and order meeting was not on the agenda that is why the prime minister did not meet the chief minister,” he said.
Asif rules governor’s rule in Sindh
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday dismissed speculation that governor’s rule would be imposed in the city, stating that no such option was currently under consideration.
“We are political people and we do not want confrontation,” he told the media in Karachi.
“It was the Pakistan Peoples Party’s right to raise objections, which would also be addressed politically,” he added.
The defence minister said the Karachi operation would continue till all targets are achieved.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2015.
Declaring his government’s success in stemming the tide of terrorism in Karachi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted on Monday that there will be no compromise in the ongoing operation in the metropolitan city.
His remarks come in the wake of intense wrangling between the Sindh and federal governments over extension in the powers of the paramilitary Rangers.
“We are all striving for peace in Karachi and will not compromise on the operation,” said Nawaz, adding that the operation would continue.
Addressing the 39th Annual Export Awards distribution ceremony under the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) during a daylong visit to Karachi, the premier claimed that the situation both in the country and Karachi, in particular, was much better than it was seven years ago.
“Soon after taking over, I stayed in Karachi for two days to consult all stakeholders, including political parties, business community and journalists, to work out an amicable solution,” he said. “Finally, we have contained the situation.”
Nawaz pointed out how foreign businessmen are now coming to Karachi to interact with their local counterparts. “In the coming days, I hope Karachi will become vibrant and serve as the country’s economic hub.”
At this point, Nawaz credited the Sindh general of police and provincial chief secretary for bringing peace to the city. Strangely, there was no mention of Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, a man who he himself has hailed as the ‘captain’ of the Karachi operation in the past.
Claiming that the operation was not against any party or group, rather its targets were criminals and terrorists, Nawaz asked whether anyone could forget the threat terrorism and extremism posed to the city.
“My government is committed to rooting out terrorism... we will not abandon the business community and the citizens.”
No meeting with Shah
Earlier in the day, Shah had received the prime minister and his entourage at Karachi airport. Yet there was no customary meeting at the CM House.
While many expected that Nawaz’s arrival in the city would afford an opportunity for the Sindh administration to discuss its grievances, no meeting was held.
“I am not feeling well, so I cannot attend the events,” officials sources quoted Shah as saying.
Nawaz, in turn, asked Shah to take some rest, suggesting that any pressing matters could be taken up in Islamabad. Official sources suggested that the chief minister had deliberately ducked out of the premier’s engagements in protest at the federal government’s move to override Sindh on limiting special policing powers for the Rangers.
However, it is not clear whether this move invited Nawaz’s cold shoulder during his speech later on in the day.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, however, dispelled the notion of a rift, explaining that by appreciating the Sindh bureaucracy, efforts of the chief minister were lauded as well.
“The law and order meeting was not on the agenda that is why the prime minister did not meet the chief minister,” he said.
Asif rules governor’s rule in Sindh
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday dismissed speculation that governor’s rule would be imposed in the city, stating that no such option was currently under consideration.
“We are political people and we do not want confrontation,” he told the media in Karachi.
“It was the Pakistan Peoples Party’s right to raise objections, which would also be addressed politically,” he added.
The defence minister said the Karachi operation would continue till all targets are achieved.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 29th, 2015.