Karachi operation ‘to continue’: PM lifts ban on security personnel recruitment
ATCs to be moved to Malir Cantt; directs speedy work on prison in Badin.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to lift the ban on the appointment of civil and armed forces and shift Anti Terrorism Courts (ACTs) from the Sindh Secretariat to Malir Cantonment.
“All appointments must be made following merit. Tests and interviews should be conducted at the army recruitment centres to make the process transparent,” Nawaz directed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah as he presided a high-level meeting at Governor House in Karachi.
The meeting – also attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan – reviewed the law and order situation and the ongoing operation against criminals in the provincial capital.
The situation of Karachi’s restive area of Lyari also came under discussion. Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that Ranger’s Director General Major General Rizwan Akhter informed the PM that criminals involved in the gang war had full backing of political parties.
“It is difficult to resolve the issue until and unless two political groups stop supporting criminals,” he said, adding that criminal elements are provided information and they manage to escape as soon as the forces decide to take action. DG Rangers further informed that the wireless operators at police stations in Lyari work as informers of the gangsters.
The PM ordered the authorities to set up more police stations in Lyari and assured that the federal government would provide full support in releasing the promised amount to purchase the latest equipment and vehicles.
Nawaz reiterated that the Karachi operation would continue. “The sacrifices rendered by our security agencies are invaluable. It is not a routine operation. I will regularly monitor and supervise it,” he said.
“This is a review meeting pertaining to Karachi, but we are going to hold a high-level meeting next week wherein all chief ministers, chief secretaries and IGs will participate,” he said.
The meeting also decided to strengthen the coordination mechanism regarding border control, intelligence sharing and combating terrorism. “It should make sure that police and Rangers use new anti-terrorism laws to combat terrorism, extortion and land- grabbing,” said the premier.
He also directed the CM to speed up work on ‘high security prison’ in Badin district. The CM told the meeting that the PC-1 for the jail, to be spread over 2,000 acres, had been prepared.
Later talking to the media, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said the anti-terrorism courts in Karachi were being shifted from the Sindh Secretariat to Malir Cantonment to ensure protection to judges, investigators, witnesses and prosecutors.
Earlier, addressing the business community at an export trophy awards ceremony, Nawaz said, “We are trying our best to provide peace and a level playing field to the business community here.”
He said as a result of his government’s initiatives and remedial steps, load-shedding of electricity had visibly been reduced.
He said that his government was taking aggressive steps to revive and strengthen the public sector organisations operating in loss, including the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
“The government has resolved not only to transform PIA into a profitable organisation but also to make it one of the best airlines in the world,” he added.
During the meeting, PM Nawaz also ordered to the lodging of cases against land-grabbers under Pakistan Protection Ordinance.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2014.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday directed the authorities concerned to lift the ban on the appointment of civil and armed forces and shift Anti Terrorism Courts (ACTs) from the Sindh Secretariat to Malir Cantonment.
“All appointments must be made following merit. Tests and interviews should be conducted at the army recruitment centres to make the process transparent,” Nawaz directed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah as he presided a high-level meeting at Governor House in Karachi.
The meeting – also attended by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan – reviewed the law and order situation and the ongoing operation against criminals in the provincial capital.
The situation of Karachi’s restive area of Lyari also came under discussion. Sources privy to the development told The Express Tribune that Ranger’s Director General Major General Rizwan Akhter informed the PM that criminals involved in the gang war had full backing of political parties.
“It is difficult to resolve the issue until and unless two political groups stop supporting criminals,” he said, adding that criminal elements are provided information and they manage to escape as soon as the forces decide to take action. DG Rangers further informed that the wireless operators at police stations in Lyari work as informers of the gangsters.
The PM ordered the authorities to set up more police stations in Lyari and assured that the federal government would provide full support in releasing the promised amount to purchase the latest equipment and vehicles.
Nawaz reiterated that the Karachi operation would continue. “The sacrifices rendered by our security agencies are invaluable. It is not a routine operation. I will regularly monitor and supervise it,” he said.
“This is a review meeting pertaining to Karachi, but we are going to hold a high-level meeting next week wherein all chief ministers, chief secretaries and IGs will participate,” he said.
The meeting also decided to strengthen the coordination mechanism regarding border control, intelligence sharing and combating terrorism. “It should make sure that police and Rangers use new anti-terrorism laws to combat terrorism, extortion and land- grabbing,” said the premier.
He also directed the CM to speed up work on ‘high security prison’ in Badin district. The CM told the meeting that the PC-1 for the jail, to be spread over 2,000 acres, had been prepared.
Later talking to the media, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said the anti-terrorism courts in Karachi were being shifted from the Sindh Secretariat to Malir Cantonment to ensure protection to judges, investigators, witnesses and prosecutors.
Earlier, addressing the business community at an export trophy awards ceremony, Nawaz said, “We are trying our best to provide peace and a level playing field to the business community here.”
He said as a result of his government’s initiatives and remedial steps, load-shedding of electricity had visibly been reduced.
He said that his government was taking aggressive steps to revive and strengthen the public sector organisations operating in loss, including the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA).
“The government has resolved not only to transform PIA into a profitable organisation but also to make it one of the best airlines in the world,” he added.
During the meeting, PM Nawaz also ordered to the lodging of cases against land-grabbers under Pakistan Protection Ordinance.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 15th, 2014.