Targeted operation: COAS vows to bolster peace in Karachi

Assures full support to police and civilian administration.

KARACHI: Efforts to consolidate gains in Karachi peace will continue unabated, a statement issued by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) quoted Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa as saying on Thursday.

Gen Qamar visited the Corps V and Sindh Rangers’ headquarters where he was given detailed briefings and held meetings with officers and soldiers involved in the targeted operation in the city.

Later, he laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada (Martyrs’ Memorial) and offered prayers for the martyrs, the statement said.

Appreciating the operation conducted by the paramilitary force and other law-enforcement agencies, he said that their efforts were crucial in restoring peace in Karachi.



He said that after the operation, there had been a significant reduction in targeted killings, kidnappings and other terror-related incidents.

The army, he said, would continue providing full support to all government institutions, especially police and the civilian administration, involved in the operation.

When he interacted with soldiers and officers, he appreciated their courage and resolve to rid the city of criminal elements and terrorists.

He also paid tribute to the people of the city for their support to the security forces.

Upon his arrival in the city, he was received by Corps Commander Lieutenant-General Shahid Baig Mirza.

Extraordinary security arrangements were taken on this occasion and an unusual number of paramilitary soldiers and police were deployed on Sharea Faisal.

According to a report issued by the Rangers in December last year, targeted killings and extortion cases were reduced by more than 90 per cent over the past four years.



The targeted operation was launched in Karachi in September, 2013.

Citing improvements in the law and order situation in the city, the paramilitary force said that extortion cases were reduced by 93 per cent, targeted killings by 91 per cent, kidnappings 86 per cent and other terror-related incidents by 72 per cent.

Between 2013 and 2016, extortion cases dipped from 1,524 to 99, targeted killings from 965 to 86, kidnappings from 174 to 25 and terror-related incidents from 57 to 16, over the period under review.

COAS meets business leaders

The COAS said that as an institution, the army had decided to keep Karachi safe because of its crucial role in the national economy.

“The army chief has assured the business community that the military’s policy to keep Karachi safe will not change under his tenure,” President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) Zubair Tufail said.

He said the assurance was crucial for boosting the business community’s morale.

“This demonstrates his strong commitment to restoring peace in the city ... We believe the military will continue to take interest in Karachi’s security,” he said.

The army chief met leading business persons at the Corps Headquarters on Thursday.



“Giving assurances to the business community about Karachi’s security at the start of his (the COAS) tenure is a good sign,” President of Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Shamim Ahmed Firpo commented.

According to the ISPR handout, the COAS reassured that businesses and investment would continue to benefit from improving law and order situation and “should, it turn, ensure national and social obligations”.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2017.