Karachi operation will continue, says DG Rangers

Siraj Kassam Teli, the chairman of Businessmen Group said the business community would support the Rangers efforts

KARACHI:

The head of paramilitary Rangers in Sindh has said the targeted operation in Karachi will continue as per the instructions of the heads of the armed forces and the federal government.

“Despite the ongoing pushing and shoving, I have been clearly instructed by the heads to go on with the operation,” Maj Gen Bilal Akbar, the director general of the Sindh Rangers, was quoted as saying at a meeting with traders on Monday.



“The future of Karachi operation is bright and it will continue until it reaches its logical conclusion,” a Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) press release stated.

Siraj Kassam Teli, the chairman of Businessmen Group and a former KCCI president, said the business community would support the Rangers efforts.

Teli, however, feared that attempts were being made to once again push Karachi into the same position it was two decades ago. “The business community hopes the government and Rangers will continue working to restore peace in Karachi,” he added.



Meanwhile, Maj Gen Akbar accepted the traders request to form a coordination committee with which evidence and suspicious activities of any businessman could be discussed prior to taking action against him. The Rangers will, however, only take action in clear and solid actionable cases.

Zubair Motiwala, BMG vice-chairman and KCCI’s ex-president, said the overall law and order situation had improved that can be gauged from decreasing incidents of targeted killings, kidnappings, extortion and vehicles snatching.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2016.