Security threats: Sindh govt to shift high-profile trials from Karachi

Meeting chaired by chief minister seeks three-month ban on Viber, Tango, Skype and Whatsapp.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI:


Given the security threats, Sindh government has decided to transfer all high-profile cases registered against criminals under Anti-terrorism Act out of Karachi.


This was decided at the law and order meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the CM House on Wednesday.

“Wali Babar’s, Naimatullah Randhawa’s and other similar murder cases would be transferred to the far flung districts of the province,” CM spokesman said, referring to the decision at the meeting.

Qaim Ali Shah, expressing his satisfaction over the targeted operations, said, “The law enforcers will continue their action against criminals till such time that citizens are able to go to work, send children to school, and participate in social activities without any fear.”



Shah agreed with a proposal floated in the meeting that police officers should get financial incentives for arresting notorious criminals, investigating, prosecuting their cases and getting them convicted.

Operation statistics

The meeting was informed that as many as 7,794 criminals have been arrested during 5,287 raids conducted by Sindh Police including CID.


The Inspector General of Police Sindh Shahid Nadeem, while giving breakup of arrested criminals, informed that during these raids, 350 encounters took place in which 35 criminals were killed. He said that out of 7,794 arrested criminals, 3,704 have been challaned but only three have been convicted so far.

Sindh IG informed the meeting that as many as 145 police personnel have been killed during the action against the criminals in Karachi.

The Rangers officials, briefing the meeting, informed that they had conducted 585 raids in which 1,434 criminals were arrested and 1,200 weapons recovered.

Ban on social media

The meeting also discussed the importance of curbs on the Viber, Tango, Skype and Whatsapp applications and decided that federal government would be approached again for banning these services for three months.

The meeting also expressed dissatisfaction over the assurance made by mobile companies that all illegal SIMs would be blocked by October 20, 2013, and decided that these companies be asked to get their customers registered with one SIM on the pattern of verification and registration of Arms licenses being made by Nadra.

Lyari violence

The Sindh CM, taking notice of Lyari violence for the last 2-3 days, directed IG Police to control the situation and ensure full protection of citizen.

Qaim Ali Shah directed Sindh police to trace those involved in attacks on the shrines’ and religious personalities in upper Sindh and also to plug the entry routes of criminals along the provincial borders.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31st, 2013.
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