Contradictory message: CM rules out presence of Taliban in interior Sindh

Qaim Ali Shah chairs meeting in Sukkur to discuss law and order.

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah ruled out the presence of al Qaeda or the Taliban in the interior Sindh but also conceded that certain elements from these banned outfits may have infiltrated into a few areas of the region without their knowledge.

Shah was talking to the media after chairing a law and order meeting with police officers of Larkana and Sukkur in the commissioner’s office on Sunday evening. Shah claimed that, so far, it is Baloch insurgents that have been found involved in acts of terrorism in Sindh and claimed that they were also involved in the recent bombing of the Khushhal Khan Khattak Express near Thull.

He was also disappointed with the difference between kidnapping incidents in Khairpur and the number of cases that are reported to the police. “Only three cases of kidnapping for ransom have been reported even though 11 have been kidnapped.”

Shah then expressed anxiety over the current wave of terrorism in Sindh, especially in Karachi. “The situation is depressing but we are doing our best to curb it with the resources at our disposal,” he said. “No interference will be tolerated in the operation in Karachi.”

He also urged police officers to improve their performance and promised that those who do so will be rewarded. Shah also announced a compensation of Rs500,000 per head to the families of the civilians that have been killed in terrorist attacks, while an amount of Rs2.5 million is being given to the families of law enforcement officials martyred in the line of duty.

Shah revealed that the Khairpur police has arrested a wanted bandit, Murad Narejo, who had a bounty of Rs500,000 on his head and is said to be the nephew of Nazroo Narejo - who now commands a bounty of Rs20 million. He also advised people to inform the police about guests coming from tribal areas or foreign countries

Talking about providing employment, he said that the Sindh government has not been making any recruitment for the last six months since a few corrupt officials had made numerous fake recruitments during the last government. However, he promised that the ban will be lifted soon.  “We believe in carrying out development works with the cooperation and support of friendly countries,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 25^th, 2014.