Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS
Prime Minister Nawaz said this while chairing the special cabinet meeting at the Governor House on Wednesday.
Calling the violence in Karachi a national issue, Nawaz said that the government is considering Rangers in its bid to cleanse the city of criminal elements.
Criticising the police structure of Karachi in particular and of Pakistan in general, the prime minister said appointments at the senior level are usually done without merit.
“I have been told that certain DSPs, SPs and SSPs were transferred to the police department from other irrelevant departments such as Karachi water board through political influence,” he revealed.
He added that expecting such officers to do their job and protect the common man is senseless.
Explaining the government’s security plan for the city, Nawaz said the term “operation” should not be used and it should be called a “campaign” to help restore peace in the city.
No-go areas
Earlier in the day, the prime minister directed the law enforcement agencies to implement the Supreme Court’s order by removing the ‘no go’ areas in Karachi.
While chairing a high-level meeting on Karachi violence, the prime minister discussed administrative flaws in the city and a possible mechanism for starting targeted operations. He further directed the intelligence agencies to maintain strong coordination with the police.
Nawaz stated that the Sindh Government and Rangers are responsible for making the targeted operation successful.
The attendants of the meeting included Director General ISI, Lieutenant General Zaheerul Islam, DG Rangers Major General Rizwan Akhtar, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar, Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and other officials of police, intelligence agencies and important media personnel.
COMMENTS (37)
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Hakeem Baloch , MNA of PML(N) from Malir. He was in the meeting headed by the prime minister of Pakistan. In the recent interview of Uzair Baloch of Lyari Gang openly said that Hakeem Baloch was supported by him during elections , thats why he won the election. If it is so , then how gangster-supported MNA can attend the meeting for peace in Karachi ? I just wonder. You can find that interview in dailymotion , Interview was taken by Shazaib Khanzada.
pakistan should make gawadar and lahore its commerical hubs, both citices should be developed further and govt should invest its efforts here instead of begging for peace from political thugs in karachi. . And let sindh govt solve karachi issues
thanks ET for the magnanimity extended to me by printing my comments , diverse views based on facts and logic gives opportunity of healthy debate , which inturn prunes societies of its ills and thus road to progress and success is clear. for all
@Saleem: yes true people of karachi should take things in their own hands , well what is the manner u suggest for taking things in own hand As little i know taking things in own hand means democracy and first step of democracy is election and then governance is given to elected people , am i right , haven`t we have seen karachiite rooted out ANP, PPP, and ASWJ( never got elected by Grace of Allah) , they have been reposing faith in MQM since last 30 years and very recently they did it again in bye election under army supervision, now what is missing , since last 3 decades administration and governance of karachi were never given to people karachiite overwhelmingly elect , apart from 2002 till 2008 and local govt from 2005 till 2010 police records shows lowest number of people were killed during 2002 till 2008 .and record developement also in this time . All those people who love karachi must make a movement across all ethnicities for strong powered directly elected mayor with powers over police , also the police be Metropolitan police comprised of locals both men and women , selected on pure merit and be given traing on international standered and in no time karachi will see a turn around. We need a pwerful mayor like london , like newyork , ike tehran ,like paris............................
@Aysha M:
Very True, political midgets like MQM, ANP, PPP, ASWJ needs to understand that destroying Karachi is not a win for them. It is about time people of Karachi take things in their own hands and root out all political parties with armed wings.
ET i hope you will be generous with me like yesterday and would allow my comments even though it is very difficult for ur organization to let pro karachi comments be printed , all IMPORTANT ISSUE TRANSPORT BE ALSO UNDER LOCAL GOVT.
@Napier Mole: how very pertinant , karachi needs structural changes , why cant these enlightened democrates understand , karachi needs a directly elected mayor with poers over police a metropolitan police and revenue collection also all other civic departments like health , education from primary till under graduate , roads , recreation parks markets etc This is the way all mega cities are governed , london , newyork ,paris ,tehran istanbul and many more. We can have army supervised local body elctions , it was fine who ever wins should be given empowerd administration. Over here in london there is Greater London authority , with london essmbly , with representation from all nook and corner of the mega city. Rather lahore quetta and peshawar also follow this patteren. Untill we have metropolitan police with all recruitments at all levels on merit and by locals . The mailice of karachi has been always that it is not administered by representatives it elects , it is treated as colony by elected members who are elected by rural sindh. Al police from interior sindh or other provinces , all administration in govt offices who are domiciled in interior sindh , all levels. I dont know all these ppl from islamabaad who make tall claims that they wish to improve situation in karachi , cant understand karachi only neds administration which belongs to karachi.and it should not be treated as a captured area.
@Ahmed: "Obviously, two armies (Pak Army and MQM Army) can’t operate in the same city as there will be a war between two !"
What a clueless statement. You do realize that it is MQM that was asking for the army to be called in?
@Adeel: although i am a staunch supporter of MQM , i do think that there should be a new governor
Pakistan wants Karachi be rescued but when Govt appoints Cheema as Sindh's new police chief, PPP objects which indicates "There is something in the bushes".. isnt it?
And I thought the purpose of Army is to protect and defend. This is the time for defense. Is it not? Is the city not enough in flames?
I am disappointed Mian Sahib. Your statement is full of contradictions.
very well said it sir and its true that in last two decades karachi police and other dept were filled by with one special group who allways cries for Haq prasti.
@M: Karcahi has always been dispossessed, so we are used to it. thanks for the prayers, though. Only divine intervention can save us from injustices
@Aysha M: Had everybody understood that, Karachi wouldn't have been a mess in the first place.
Hahaha, meeting was also attended by other media personnel. Whats the logic of presence of these people in the official cabinet meeting. While on the other hand Govt. made plea that invitation of Farooq Sattar was cancelled as he is not hte member of the cabinet.
BAHANE TU KUCH SUJH BOJHE KE SOOCHA KAROOO.
Nothing will be done for Karachi , I bet.
Criminal should be crucified and executed whenever found and wheresoever found. No mercy for them at all. I hope Rangers will have no lame excuses now and will do a Fair Operation against every criminal exist in Karachi.
He did the same as expected ; giving excuses and excuses and hope after hopeless 3 moths ,; Never gave a plan or policy or time frame for any issue:( load shedding, bhatta khori or dhashat gardi etc) I have no expectation from this phus PM and phus COAS. Will need commando like Mushharraf to come forward and help the country out of the crises
Obviously, two armies (Pak Army and MQM Army) can't operate in the same city as there will be a war between two !
@Aysha M: Political 'midgets' and understanding?! Understanding, cooperation and will to progress are matters for those who recognize and follow a political vision and 'vision' from midgets is expecting much too much from 'midgets' even from the kind you refer to here.
@Aysha M: "... not a win for anybody to destroy Karachi"
Yet that is exactly what the political maestros have been promoting for the last 5 years. So who's interests are they serving?
“I have been told that certain DSPs, SPs and SSPs were transferred to the police department from other irrelevant departments such as Karachi water board through political influence,”
And who was making these 'brilliant' postings? Now Sharif expects the same people to clean up the mess they have created. Quite obviously PML-N has no vote bank in Karachi, so doesn't really care enough to do anything worthwhile to improve the situation.
At least you admit the police is filled with useless ppl. Start with immediate restructuring of police force. Appoint only on merit. This is your first obligation to the ppl of Karachi.
As expected no structural improvement was announced except for law and order related actions. This is neither the right nor the long lasting solution to Karachi's issues. Till the time Karachi has a strong, local government, it will continue to simmer and along with it, the rest of the nation.
Usual grudge against Army to keep them out of taking action regardless of terrorists' political clans!
So when are we starting "THE CAMPAIGN" ....
Karachi ko jeenay do!
The first step PM should do is sack both governnor and CM of Sindh! Both are responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi and both a equally inefficient and ineffective! Its about time they are replaced!
No doubt he will do that, regardless fear of losing support from some opportunist factions!! People of Karachi deserves peace more than anyone!
Its not a matter of passing the orders, Mr. PM, something substantial needs to be done immediately for this burning city otherwise the entire country would suffer.
It will all be fine when political midgets understand that it is not a win for anybody to destroy Karachi