Strict vigil at all entry points of city ordered
PHOTO: FILE
City Police Chief AIG Javed Alam Odho on Monday chaired an important meeting at the Karachi Police Office regarding the security measures following the incidents of terrorism in other parts of the country. He directed the police force to enhance monitoring at all the entry points in view of the terror alert in the city.
The meeting, attended by Zonal DIGs, DIG CIA, District SSPs and other senior police officers, reviewed the current security issues and finalised arrangements to thwart any untoward situation in the city.
Odho stressed on the need of adopting the stringent security measures specially at the entry points. He said that security measures should be made very effective at all sensitive installations, important government and semi-government offices and buildings etc. and in this context all district SSPs should ensure overall security measures under their supervision beside ensuring the security of the VIPs and VVIPs.
Odho said that gathering intelligence-based information in advance and timely follow-up should be ensured at all the time.
Later, Odho visited the National Stadium to review the security arrangements, made for the Test Match between Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams. He also held meeting with the chairman of interim committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Najam Sethi.
Talking to the media outside the stadium, Odho said that 35,000 police personnel have been put on security duties during the Test Mach.
Moreover, officers and personnel of SSU, traffic and special branch are also on duty while more than 150 police mobiles are on patrol.
He mentioned, there was an increase in street crimes in the month of September, which, with the stringent measures and coordinated efforts has been curbed to mentionable level. "We have adopted foolproof measures to stop drug peddling and killings during street crimes," Odho said, adding, proactive action of the police is 50 per cent more this year as compared to previous year. Police are performing well as a result 120 criminals were killed this year as against 40 in the previous year.
Similarly, number of arrests and encounters is more during the current year as compared to the last year, he said.
On a question, he claimed that peace and order situation is far better in Karachi if you compare it with Lahore and Islamabad.
He said that the police and anti-narcotics force (ANF) are working together to eliminate drug dealers. Police are also considering using their powers to seal the properties of major drug dealers to get the city rid of drugs menace.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2022.