Restoring Karachi’s Peace: Rangers to begin ‘targeted operation’

KARACHI: In an apparent response to the MQM’s ultimatum, the Sindh government has issued special police powers to the Frontier Constabulary and directed the Rangers to begin ‘targeted operations’ in parts of Karachi most hit by violence.

The new powers given to the FC, however, will remain ‘in reserve’ until needed. The decision to grant these new powers and initiate the operation were taken in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, who is expected to fly to Islamabad on Wednesday (today) to attend a meeting with President Asif Zardari to discuss the matter.

Shah directed the security units to devise a plan to eliminate criminals on an immediate basis while Inspector General Police Wajid Ali Durrani gave a detailed presentation to the participants including Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Home Minister Manzoor Wassan and other senior officials. Durrani said that so far 91 people have been arrested and they have confessed to their complicity in 191 killings.

Durrani said the police are expecting a breakthrough on the basis of information acquired from those in custody while other participants noted that the recent wave of killings is being fostered by anti-state elements some of which are operating under the garb of different political parties.

Meanwhile Malik said the government is going to take ‘extraordinary measures’ to restore peace in Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 3^rd, 2011.