Chilling violence: CM tells law enforces to better control Karachi situation

Shah tells IG Police to list requirements for improving situation. PGS bemoans 1400 cases still pending in courts.

KARACHI: After another wave of deadly violence in the city which has seen chilling scenes of target killings, attacks on Rangers and police personnel, and murders on sectarian and ethnic grounds, the Chief Minister Sindh took serious notice of the situation and directed concerned officials to make concerted efforts to bring the situation under control and arrest the culprits.

Chairing a meeting on law and order situation at CM House Syed Qaim Ali Shah reminded the officers that it is the responsibility of government and law enforcing agencies to protect the lives and properties of the people. Shah called for extensive patrolling and for increased vigilance on criminal and terrorist activities. He further directed security officials to redouble their efforts in curbing target killers, extortionists and kidnappers.

The Chief Minister directed Inspector General Police Sindh Fayyaz Ahmed Laghari to prepare a security plan and list out his requirements for vehicles and personnel and the government will do its best to meet them accordingly.

Briefing the high level meeting IG Police Sindh said that his force already had 186 vehicles patrolling Karachi's streets. The province's top cop added that they would soon deploy 100 surveillance enabled vehicles and 1300 associated police personnel who recently completed their passing out parade have been added to the force. The process for recruiting more policemen on the posts of ASI’s and Constables has been started and will be completed by the end of December 2012.

During the meeting Prosecutor General of Sindh (PGS) highlighted the details of cases registered against criminals and killers in various courts particularly in Anti-Terrorists Court along with results of these cases. He said that 45 new cases have been challaned in courts of Karachi, while 89- fresh cases have been challaned in courts of interior Sindh.

The PGS said that of the cases undergoing due legal process in the courts, six had been concluded so far. Of these, punishment was awarded in four. For the remaining two cases, the accused were released. The somber news was that the courts were lagging quite far behind. At the moment, 1438 cases are lying pending in Sindh courts, of which 600 are lying in anti-terrorism courts alone.

The meeting warned to make measures to control entry points on the provincial borders and check all sources of transport to stop the flow of explosive materials, narcotics, illegal arms and ammunitions into the province.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Chief Secretary Sindh Raja Muhammad Abbas, IG Police Sindh Fayyaz Ahmed Laghari, Deputy DG Rangers Brg. Muhammad Rafique Khan, Additional IG Police Karachi Iqbal Mehmood, Additional IG (CID), Additional IG (Special Branch), all DIG’s of Police for East, West, South and heads of other law enforcement agencies.