No army for Karachi, says Nawaz
Prime minister says government is considering Rangers in its bid to cleanse the city of criminal elements.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: REUTERS
KARACHI:
Admitting that police have failed completely to control violence in Karachi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif however said the army will not be called in to handle the law and order situation of the city.
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.
Admitting that police have failed completely to control violence in Karachi, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif however said the army will not be called in to handle the law and order situation of the city.
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.