Lyari Violence: Malik issues 72 hour deadline for criminals to surrender
After a passage of 72 hours, any house from which a rocket is fired, or gunfire emanates, will be burnt down.
KARACHI:
Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik, whose Pakistan Peoples Party counts Lyari as one of its key vote banks in Karachi, said on late on Thursday that an operation by the police, rangers in the locality was unpleasant, but necessary, before he gave criminal elements entrenched in Lyari up to 72 hours to lay down their arms.
Lyari, where the police has been engaged with armed criminals in pitched battles for seven straight days, has seen a number of police officials, passer bys, being killed along with scores being injured.
Addressing a joint press conference with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the Chief Minister house, Malik said that all criminal elements had 72 hours to surrender themselves to the nearest Rangers checkpost. After this deadline expires, no leniency will be shown to any one.
Talking about some aspects of the plan to rid Lyari of violence, Malik said that after 72 hours, “if during the rangers sweep, any house from which a rocket, or grenade, or any criminal is found, it has been decided today that that house will be burnt down."
Detailing steps that had been taken against criminals, Malik said that they had acquired systems that allows law enforcement agencies to have aerial monitoring of each lane of Lyari.
He added that the had concrete evidence that pointed towards the involvement of a number of banned groups were operating including the Taliban, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Baloch Liberation Army, other Baloch separatists. In fact, he said that the situation in Lyari mirrored what they had seen in Malakand, Swat.
In response to a question he said that if it is found that the weapons recovered from Lyari is old, then he will resign from his post as Interior Minister.
He also announced Rs0.5million as aid for the police officers, journalists, and citizens injured during the Lyari operation. While police officers killed in Lyari operation will be awarded. A Pakistan Police Medal for SHO Nawaz and Sitara-e-Shujahat for the DSPs and Pakistan Police Medal for SSP, for demonstrating courage and leading role during the operation.
SSP Chaudhry Aslam, who is heading the police operation in Lyari and has survived bomb attacks, has also been given Sitara-e-Shujahat for his highly dedicated and professional courage demonstrated by him.
The Interior Minister said that he was creating another checkpost at Hub and will be clipping the unfrequented six routes, used by smugglers, while on the main road, police, rangers, FIA, customs and the coast guards will be used to increase checking.
Malik said that 36 cameras with digital lines have been ordered to be installed in Lyari over the next four days and its control will be with the police headquarters where monitoring shall take place. Additionally, Police had been given four helicopters with machine guns to monitor and provide cover for ground offences by police.
In response to a question he said that if it is found that the weapons recovered from Lyari is old, then he will resign from his post as Interior Minister.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that they have formulated a plan for the Lyari operation and that Rangers will take part in the operation.
Federal Minister of Interior Rehman Malik, whose Pakistan Peoples Party counts Lyari as one of its key vote banks in Karachi, said on late on Thursday that an operation by the police, rangers in the locality was unpleasant, but necessary, before he gave criminal elements entrenched in Lyari up to 72 hours to lay down their arms.
Lyari, where the police has been engaged with armed criminals in pitched battles for seven straight days, has seen a number of police officials, passer bys, being killed along with scores being injured.
Addressing a joint press conference with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the Chief Minister house, Malik said that all criminal elements had 72 hours to surrender themselves to the nearest Rangers checkpost. After this deadline expires, no leniency will be shown to any one.
Talking about some aspects of the plan to rid Lyari of violence, Malik said that after 72 hours, “if during the rangers sweep, any house from which a rocket, or grenade, or any criminal is found, it has been decided today that that house will be burnt down."
Detailing steps that had been taken against criminals, Malik said that they had acquired systems that allows law enforcement agencies to have aerial monitoring of each lane of Lyari.
He added that the had concrete evidence that pointed towards the involvement of a number of banned groups were operating including the Taliban, Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Baloch Liberation Army, other Baloch separatists. In fact, he said that the situation in Lyari mirrored what they had seen in Malakand, Swat.
In response to a question he said that if it is found that the weapons recovered from Lyari is old, then he will resign from his post as Interior Minister.
He also announced Rs0.5million as aid for the police officers, journalists, and citizens injured during the Lyari operation. While police officers killed in Lyari operation will be awarded. A Pakistan Police Medal for SHO Nawaz and Sitara-e-Shujahat for the DSPs and Pakistan Police Medal for SSP, for demonstrating courage and leading role during the operation.
SSP Chaudhry Aslam, who is heading the police operation in Lyari and has survived bomb attacks, has also been given Sitara-e-Shujahat for his highly dedicated and professional courage demonstrated by him.
The Interior Minister said that he was creating another checkpost at Hub and will be clipping the unfrequented six routes, used by smugglers, while on the main road, police, rangers, FIA, customs and the coast guards will be used to increase checking.
Malik said that 36 cameras with digital lines have been ordered to be installed in Lyari over the next four days and its control will be with the police headquarters where monitoring shall take place. Additionally, Police had been given four helicopters with machine guns to monitor and provide cover for ground offences by police.
In response to a question he said that if it is found that the weapons recovered from Lyari is old, then he will resign from his post as Interior Minister.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said that they have formulated a plan for the Lyari operation and that Rangers will take part in the operation.