PM lauds role of Rangers, police for restoring peace in Karachi

Expresses concerns over water issues

KARACHI:

Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan appreciated on Sunday the role of Rangers, police and other law enforcement agencies in restoring peace in Karachi.

PM Imran is on his first official visit to the provincial capital after assuming the premiership last month.

He was received by Governor Sindh Imran Ismail and Chief Minister (CM) Murad Ali Shah at the airport earlier in the day. PM Imran began his day-long visit by offering prayers at the Quaid's mausoleum before heading to the state guest house where he planted a tree.

Chairing a meeting on law and order situation in the Sindh capital, the premier reiterated that there should be better coordination among the agencies at federal and provincial levels to maintain peace and security across the country.

The meeting reviewed overall law and order situation in the province with special focus on peace and security in Karachi. Inspector General (IG) Sindh Police Kaleem Imam briefed the meeting regarding law and order situation. Director General (DG) Rangers Major General Muhammad Saeed also briefed about the threat assessment and role of the paramilitary force in the Karachi operation.



PM Imran offers prayers at Mazar-e-Quaid. PHOTO: EXPRESS



The meeting was informed that overall crime rate has been reduced by 90 per cent since start of Karachi operation.

Prime Minister Khan observed that overall situation in the city has improved significantly due to the devotion and sacrifices of LEAs. “Law and order is high priority agenda for the government because without peace and stability economic potential of the country cannot be harnessed,” the prime minister was quoted as saying in an official statement.

“Karachi is financial capital of Pakistan … the government will continue to offer full support to the provincial government for law and order maintenance,” he added.

The meeting was attended by Governor Imran Ismail, CM Shah, Corps Commander Karachi Lt-Gen Humayun Aziz, Chief Secretary Sindh Maj (retd) Azam Sulaiman Khan, Commissioner Karachi Muhammad Sualeh Farooqi, DG Rangers Maj-Gen Saeed, IG Sindh Dr Imam, Home Secretary Abdul Qadir Qazi, Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar, senior officers of Karachi Water & Sewerage Board and Sindh government.

President Arif Alvi also arrived at the state guest house to meet the premier.

PM Imran concerned over Karachi's water woes

The premier also expressed his concern over the water issues faced by Karachi citizens and emphasised on enhanced coordination between federal and provincial governments for co-funded projects.

The prime minister was informed that Karachi is facing a water shortage of 573 million gallons per day (MGD) as against a demand of 918 MGD.

PM Imran will review pace of development projects under the federal government's Karachi package. He will also hold separate meetings with the governor and chief minister.

The meeting was also briefed about the federal government funded ongoing development projects particularly Green Line Project (GLP) and the K-IV water supply project.

PM Imran directed that a representative of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) should be included in the GLP board of directors.



According to the PM Imran-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) tweet, he will also attend a fund-raising programme for the constriction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam.

Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI l arrives in Karachi today where he will attend several meetings, be briefed about various public projects for Karachi and attend a fund raising event for the Daimer Bhasha dam.#PMinKarachi

— PTI (@PTIofficial) September 16, 2018

Imran-led PTI swept Karachi constituencies in July 25 general polls. It managed to dethrone the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) – the undisputed overlords of Karachi.

According to results issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), the party bagged 14 out of 21 National Assembly seats and 22 out of 43 Sindh Assembly seats.