Sindh Police. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has directed police and Rangers to intensify the on-going targeted operations against terrorists and other outlaws in the last 10 days of Ramazan so that business and shopping activities continue peacefully.
He was presiding over a law and order meeting at the Chief Minister's House on Saturday,
Sindh Police chief Dr Kaleem Imam informed the meeting that 2,686 policemen have been deployed to provide security to 7,397 mosques and 302 open spaces where Taraveeh were being offered across Sindh. He said there were a total of 5,026 shopping centres, including 318 in Karachi, 175 in Hyderabad, 28 in Mirpurkhas, 96 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 118 in Sukkur and 61 in Larakana, where 5,026 policemen have been deployed for security.
At this, the CM directed the police, Rangers and intelligence agencies to deploy their people in plain clothes for intelligence purpose. "Just as I want the people should feel safe and secure in presence of police, Rangers and other LEA personnel, there should not be any kind of harassment or inconvenience for the people," he said.
The CM said that in the last 10 days, traffic jams increase during Iftar time. During these 10 days street crime also increases because of increased commercial activities. Therefore, extra vigilance is required on the roads.
Murad was informed that during Ramazan some important arrests of target killers, dacoits, notorious killers and drug traffickers have been made.
The CM directed the police and Rangers to ensure strict surveillance of the Sindh-Balochistan and Sindh-Punjab borders in the last days of this holy month. He said that there was dire need to improve inter-provincial policing and launch operations in riverine areas.
Murad directed Sindh IGP to coordinate with the Punjab and Balochistan police for inter-provincial border security and prepare a joint action plan. He also urged him to work out a plan to start provincial highway patrolling.
Youm-e-Ali
Regarding security arrangements for Youme-e-Ali, Imam said that there were a total of 1,306 Imambargahs in the province, including 570 in Hyderabad, 273 in Karachi, 233 in Larkana, 93 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 88 in Mirpurkhas and 49 in Sukkur. In addition to this, 820 majalis and 330 processions would be held on the Youm-e-Ali. He added that 78 Imambargahs, 58 majalis and 47 processions have been declared as sensitive. Out of the 78 most sensitive Imambargahs, 30 are in Karachi, 22 in Hyderabad, one in Sukkur and 25 in Larakana, he said.
Murad directed the IGP to take strict security measures and continue combing and targeted operations across the province.
Karachi Additional IG (AIG) Dr Amir Shaikh said that the route for the procession from Shah-e-Khurasan to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah has been declared sensitive and security arrangements have been made accordingly.
Imam said that 32,260 policemen would be deployed on Youm-e-Ali, of which 5,573 would be stationed in Karachi, 13,814 in Hyderabad, 234 Mirpurkhas, 3,222 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 3,482 in Sukkur and 5,935 in Larkana. Furthermore, a total of 638 police vans, 704 motorcycles, seven armoured personnel carriers (APC) and six private vehicles to patrol the sensitive areas with the processions.
Rangers Director-General (DG) Major General Omer Ahmed Bokhari said that Pakistan Rangers have also worked out a detailed security plan. He added that some 2,960 Rangers would be deployed on Youm-e-Ali across Sindh, of which 1,500 would be stationed in Karachi, 500 in Hyderabad Range, 310 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 400 in Mirpurkhas.
Traffic arrangements
Karachi AIG shared the traffic diversion plan and said that the vehicles coming from West and Central districts via Manghopir, Sher Shah Suri Road and Sharae Pakistan would be diverted on to Nishter Road. From there it could proceed to Tower and then move further ahead.
The vehicles coming from Sharae Quaideen in East district would not be allowed to move beyond Peoples Chowrangi and would be diverted to Kashmir Road. The traffic coming from University Road will be diverted towards Ayesha Aziz Road to proceed on to Sharae Quaideen and move ahead.
The vehicles coming from University Road would be diverted from Islamia College right turn towards Guru Mandir. The vehicles coming from Nishter Road via Aga Khan III road side would be diverted to Bahadur Yar Jung Road from Coast Guard, Holy family. Vehicles coming from Sharae Liaquat would be diverted from Fresco Chowk towards Court Road, Sharae Iraq.
He added that when the procession reaches Tibet Chowk, the traffic coming from Sharae Iraq would be diverted from Fresco Chowk towards Preedy Street and again diverted from Masjid-e-Khizra Chowk towards Sharae Iraq from whence it can proceed to Saddar.
The CM approved the traffic diversion plan and directed the police department to publicise the route for convenience of the citizens.
Purchase of weapons
The CM said that Rs1 billion had been released to the Sindh police for purchase of vehicles and added that more funds would be provided in the next budget. He said that an account with an allocation of Rs50,000 per police station as revolving fund would be created. He also approved purchase of 4,500 pistols from Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF).
Published in The Express Tribune, May 26th, 2019.
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