Nawaz arrives in Karachi today to chair special cabinet meeting. PHOTO: FILE
In the special cabinet meeting now rescheduled for Wednesday, officials believe that the federal cabinet might give a nod to a ‘targeted or surgical operation’ in Karachi.
The meeting will be chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who is to arrive in Karachi today (Tuesday) to have meetings with the business community and other stakeholders.
Muhammad Haroon Agar, the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, told The Express Tribune that a delegation will meet the premier at 6.30 pm at Governor House where they will brief him on how the business community is suffering because of the rampant extortion and crime in the city. “We just want peace. It is at the discretion of the government to call army or mobilise the police and Rangers (instead).”
There seems to be consensus on what needs to be done. “Nearly all the major political parties have opposed the role of the army in dealing with the Karachi situation. Looking at the proposals submitted by the Sindh government and intelligence agencies, the operation will be kicked off by the police and Rangers,” a home department official said.
The government has also invited Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Farooq Sattar to attend the meeting. MQM had called for Karachi to be administered under the army and is the only political party that wants the army involved.
All eyes are on this meeting, which is likely to result in important decisions regarding the city’s law and order situation.
According to National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, the next three days are crucial for Karachi. Talking to the media at the Mazar-e-Quaid on Monday, he said, “The incumbent government has realised that without controlling Karachi’s law and order situation, the country cannot flourish. These three days will not only be important for Karachi, but the entire country.”
Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said, “Sindh government has decided to make a law against target killing and extortion. The cabinet meeting will be briefed about this law under which extortion cases would be registered under the anti-terrorism act.”
Nuts and bolts of the operation
The police department has submitted a report to the home department regarding the number of targeted killings, extortion cases and subsequent violence. “The report demarcates more than 40 sensitive areas where a targeted operation can be conducted,” a police official told The Express Tribune.
“Authorities have directed us to submit a summary of Rs10 billion. The amount will be sought from the federal government for the latest technology, including a video surveillance system. This will likely be taken up at the meeting.”
Meanwhile, other officials said that a high-level coordination committee, include police, interior ministry and intelligence officials, will be formed to oversee the operation, officials said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 3rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (10)
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If karachi can't be treated as metropolis city and don't have its on local government setup then why the domicile of Sindh is divided in two categories rural and urban.
The division of domicile itself shows that urban areas have difference in there structure and need separate governing body to control administrative issues.
By the way if I am not wrongit was PPP government who introduce different domiciles for urban and rural and this only happens in Sindh.
I do really hope the talks bring some changes to the city. Really in this day and age major city, economic hub which is Karachi has to rise again, really not fair for anyone in Pakistan that it is full of violent problems.
Prompt and stern action is the need of the hour for Karachi. NS should not leave Karachi before reaching any line of action that must involve Army in one way or another otherwise the entire exercise will be fruitless and the situation will further aggravate.
The proof of NS understanding of the true gravity of the situation would be in whether he limits his actions and focus to law and order only or to solve the structural issues related to Karachi's governance i.e. a strong and autonomous local government with police and transport and revenues under its control. In the absence of the latter, any actions would be akin to increasing the security at a factory without resolving the grievances of the workers.
KCCI demanded army deployment well before MQM did.
PML-N government has assured masses of bringing down food inflation. The new government has disappointed and its promises are now proving sheer humiliation to its voters and supporters in the business community.
"Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said, “Sindh government has decided to make a law against target killing and extortion"
Brilliant, make target killing and extortion illegal, that has been the problem so far, so this should solve everything.