Political reconciliation to continue: Malik

Malik says anyone found involved in criminal activities would be punished irrespective of political affiliation.

KARACHI:
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that tension between coalition partners has decreased and the process of political reconciliation will continue.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, he highlighted salient features of the meeting between PPP and MQM leaders at the Governor House on Thursday night and said that terrorists will not be spared at any cost. Anyone found involved in criminal activities would be punished irrespective of his political affiliation.

Regarding the operation against criminals in Karachi, Malik said the police and Rangers are conducting a joint but covert action against the criminals. “It is our strategy that no information will be shared with the media at this stage, as this may benefit criminals,” he said. Malik said some 3,000 women police officers will be recruited in Karachi, keeping in view the vision of Benazir Bhutto of empowering women.

He said many foreign investors and businessmen have refused to invest in Karachi because of the inaccurate media coverage of events.

He urged the media not to telecast any report without confirmation.


Five new telephone connections are being installed at police headquarters and a media center is being set up for crime information, he added.

Dr Zulfikar Mirza, the provincial home minister said terrorists would be dealt with an iron fist, while appealing to political leaders to stop playing the blame game.

A man involved in targeted killings was arrested on Friday morning and 15 more suspects were arrested, the provincial home minister said.

He congratulated Ghotki police on killing the notorious bandit, Qadir Chachar, in an encounter on Friday morning.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2010.

Recommended Stories