Law And Order: Karachi operation to continue indefinitely, says PM
The premier dispelled impressions that the ongoing operation is aimed at any political party.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Sind Ishratul Ibad Khan, Interior Minister Chaudry Nisar Ali Khan and DG Rangers at the Rangers Headquarter In Karachi. PHOTO: PID
KARACHI:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the operation to purge Karachi of criminals will continue ‘indefinitely’.
“We will neither call off the operation nor reduce its intensity… the action will continue until the last criminal is netted,” he told a delegation of businessmen, senior journalists and anchorpersons at the Governor’s House in Karachi on Friday.
The premier dispelled impressions that the ongoing operation is aimed at any political party. He added that high-profile suspects detained by police and Rangers would be moved to other provinces so that they could be tried without any fear.
“These high-profile cases will be prosecuted under newly promulgated laws to ensure speedy trials,” he said, stressing his desire to restore peace to Karachi.
“Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan. We want to make it the city of lights again because the entire country suffers if Karachi is unstable. We cannot tolerate further bloodshed. I assure you that Karachi’s law and order is our top priority,” the premier said. He added that his government will not allow anyone to blackmail it.
During the meeting, representatives of the business community urged the premier to resolve the energy crisis and take concrete steps to promote the country’s industry.
“We cannot resolve these issues overnight,” he said in reply, while diverting the participants’ attention towards the Rs500 billion worth of circular debt his government has cleared and mega projects, like Diamer-Bhasha dam, it seeks to complete in its tenure.
He added that government also intends to excavate its coal reservoir, which can take three and half years, to free itself from importing coal for power generation.
Negotiations with the Taliban
Premier Nawaz said the federal government still believed in dialogue to resolve the insurgency in the country.
“Our government was sincere about resolving the issue through negotiations, but suddenly a situation has been created [the death of Hakimullah Mehsud] which has forced us to defer the process,” he said. He added, however, that the government was still sincere about talks with the Taliban and sought ‘the same spirit’ from the other side.
Meeting on law and order
Earlier in the day, the prime minister visited the Rangers Headquarters to chair a meeting on law and order.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Ishratul Ebad, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Rangers director general attended the meeting along with the province’s chief secretary, police inspector general and senior home department and intelligence officials.
During the meeting, Rangers and police officials informed the premier that around 6,000 suspects have been arrested in Karachi. They informed him that un-registered SIMs were a major factor in extortion, target-killing and other criminal activities. They also pointed out the shortage of anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in Karachi.
Premier Nawaz asked the interior minister why there was a delay in blocking unregistered SIMs and asked him to expedite action in this regard. He also directed concerned officials to reserve two ATCs in Karachi solely for cases part of the operation in the city.
PM allays MQM’s apprehensions
A Muttahida Qaumi Movement delegation also called upon the prime minister on Friday, expressing concern over the ongoing operation in Karachi. They demanded the formation of a neutral committee supervised by senior citizens to oversee the operation.
Prime Minister Nawaz assured the MQM leaders that such a committee would be formed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2013.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said the operation to purge Karachi of criminals will continue ‘indefinitely’.
“We will neither call off the operation nor reduce its intensity… the action will continue until the last criminal is netted,” he told a delegation of businessmen, senior journalists and anchorpersons at the Governor’s House in Karachi on Friday.
The premier dispelled impressions that the ongoing operation is aimed at any political party. He added that high-profile suspects detained by police and Rangers would be moved to other provinces so that they could be tried without any fear.
“These high-profile cases will be prosecuted under newly promulgated laws to ensure speedy trials,” he said, stressing his desire to restore peace to Karachi.
“Karachi is the economic hub of Pakistan. We want to make it the city of lights again because the entire country suffers if Karachi is unstable. We cannot tolerate further bloodshed. I assure you that Karachi’s law and order is our top priority,” the premier said. He added that his government will not allow anyone to blackmail it.
During the meeting, representatives of the business community urged the premier to resolve the energy crisis and take concrete steps to promote the country’s industry.
“We cannot resolve these issues overnight,” he said in reply, while diverting the participants’ attention towards the Rs500 billion worth of circular debt his government has cleared and mega projects, like Diamer-Bhasha dam, it seeks to complete in its tenure.
He added that government also intends to excavate its coal reservoir, which can take three and half years, to free itself from importing coal for power generation.
Negotiations with the Taliban
Premier Nawaz said the federal government still believed in dialogue to resolve the insurgency in the country.
“Our government was sincere about resolving the issue through negotiations, but suddenly a situation has been created [the death of Hakimullah Mehsud] which has forced us to defer the process,” he said. He added, however, that the government was still sincere about talks with the Taliban and sought ‘the same spirit’ from the other side.
Meeting on law and order
Earlier in the day, the prime minister visited the Rangers Headquarters to chair a meeting on law and order.
Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Governor Ishratul Ebad, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Rangers director general attended the meeting along with the province’s chief secretary, police inspector general and senior home department and intelligence officials.
During the meeting, Rangers and police officials informed the premier that around 6,000 suspects have been arrested in Karachi. They informed him that un-registered SIMs were a major factor in extortion, target-killing and other criminal activities. They also pointed out the shortage of anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) in Karachi.
Premier Nawaz asked the interior minister why there was a delay in blocking unregistered SIMs and asked him to expedite action in this regard. He also directed concerned officials to reserve two ATCs in Karachi solely for cases part of the operation in the city.
PM allays MQM’s apprehensions
A Muttahida Qaumi Movement delegation also called upon the prime minister on Friday, expressing concern over the ongoing operation in Karachi. They demanded the formation of a neutral committee supervised by senior citizens to oversee the operation.
Prime Minister Nawaz assured the MQM leaders that such a committee would be formed.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 9th, 2013.