Law and order meeting: Chief minister irked over recent target killing spree

Says 'lethargy' has allowed target killers to roam freely and kill people

KARACHI: Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah demanded explanations from the DIGs concerned over their failure to stop targeted attacks in the city.

"This shows that there is some lethargy, [which is] why the target killers are roaming around and run away after killing people," said Murad while presiding over a meeting on law and order at CM House on Saturday. The meeting was attended by chief secretary Siddique Memon, Sindh IG Allah Dino Khawaja, counter-terrorism department (CTD) additional IG Sanaullah Abbasi, additional IG Mushtaq Mahar, principal secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, home secretary Shakeel Mangnijo and Karachi commissioner Ejaz Khan.

Briefing the chief minister, additional IG Mahar said that the initial inquiry shows that the targeted attacks on Friday were carried out by the same group. They also used the same pistol and just changed their motorcycle, he said. "I am further investigating the incidents and will return with a detailed report shortly," he said.

He added that the incidents have taken place in the jurisdiction of Central and East districts. On this, the chief minister expressed displeasure over the performance of the relevant DIGs and directed the IG to demand explanations from them. "Why were the police not on patrol in the sensitive areas?" he asked. "This is very serious that the same criminals, just after changing their motorcycles, killed people in one after another area without any fear of the police or other agencies. This is surprising and totally unacceptable for me."

The chief minister also said that he did not care whom the police are going to launch an operation against. "This is your duty to take criminals to task, I just want results," he said, directing the police department to intensify the operation against drug dealers, street criminals and those who were trying to create sectarian rifts in the city.

Sindh IG Khawaja said that there were some solid clues against the criminals involved in target killings in Central and East districts. "These incidents are the most important and criminals will be arrested within the next two days," he assured. On this, the chief minister directed him to begin an operation from Saturday night. "I can't give you more time, just do it and give me results," he said.

He appreciated the police for carrying out a successful operation against drug dealers, adding that this must be intensified further.

"When I had launched an anti-polio drive in Ibrahim Hyderi hospital, people had pointed out activities of drug dealers in their areas. I want you to launch an operation there also," Murad directed the IG.

CTD additional IG Abbasi said that he had gathered solid information against the criminals involved in creating sectarian violence in the city. "We are going to take strict action for which joint action of Rangers and police is being launched," he assured.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2016.