Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar on Monday visited the Karachi Police Office (KPO) where he was welcomed by the Additional IG Karachi and other senior police officers. The special police force gave a guard of honour.
Lanjar presided over a high-level meeting regarding the law and order situation in the city and rising crime incidents and gave orders after a detailed briefing on various aspects.
Additional IG Karachi Imran Yaqoob Minhas provided statistics on various crimes including street crimes, robberies, snatchings, kidnappings, drug trafficking, and the sale and purchase of gutka and mawa, across the city. He recommended the formation of a Dolphin Force similar to the Punjab Police and suggested providing 1,800 motorbikes for the operation. He said this force will work only to counter street crimes.
He also informed the meeting that 9,200 posts are lying vacant in the police department. He requested for 1,100 vehicles, 2,000 pistols for the motorcycle force, and 5,000 complete anti-riot kits.
Additional IG stated that the police are consistently engaged in measures such as the protection of Chinese nationals, experts, and other foreigners. In this regard, relevant stakeholders have also been taken on board. He claimed that incidents such as snatching of cars, motorcycles, and mobile phones and killings during robbery bids have gradually reduced, which is undoubtedly due to effective and best practices in policing and continuous police actions against criminals.
He told the meeting that due to strict action against scrap dealers, involved in buying and selling auto parts, there has been a decline in the incidents of theft and snatching of motorcycles and other vehicles.
Lanjar instructed the police officials to adopt effective and integrated policing against street crimes, street criminals, and dacoits.
About Additional IG's recommendations regarding the provision of resources including motorcycles, vehicles, and small arms, Lanjar said, he would take up the meeting at the cabinet meeting.
He said he would visit KPO again next month and check the reports on compliance with orders. He said, fix the city traffic issues, I am going to give you a free hand in this regard.
The interior minister said there should not be any compromise on complaints regarding extortion slips and bribery, and immediate and prompt action should be taken against such elements as soon as the complaint is received.
He said that Madadgar 15 needs to be improved and in this regard, whatever the needs of the police are, will be fulfilled.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2024.
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