Sindh

Briefing on security: Political-criminal nexus behind Karachi unrest, ISI tells lawmakers

Strategy needed to deal with TTP’s growing influence in the city if peace talks fail: agency.

Azam Khan March 26, 2014

A file photo of a destroyed public bus. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

The premier intelligence agency of the country has informed a parliamentary panel that the nexus of political parties and criminal organisations is responsible for the volatile law and order situation in Karachi.

“The political nexus of criminal elements, political parties and mafias is still the main cause of unrest in the city,” the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Defence on Tuesday.

The parliamentary panel headed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Sheikh Rohail Asghar held an in-camera briefing over security situation of the country.

The officials revealed that the influence of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the metropolis has also increased that needs attention and a strategy needs to be formulated to deal with the group in case the peace talks with the outfit are not successful.

Referring to the Supreme Court’s judgment on political parties having militant wings, the officials claimed that these wings were still operating under the umbrella of mainstream parties.

On the other hand, the agency said that “external hands” were behind the insurgency in Balochistan.

Officials also informed lawmakers about the total death toll and losses incurred due to terrorist incidents in the country.

The National Internal Security Policy also came under discussion, a member of the parliamentary panel told The Express Tribune. “I can share with you that there was nothing new for us in the in-camera briefing,” a committee member commented. “The focus was on information and figures,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th, 2014.

COMMENTS (4)

Khaalis | 10 years ago | Reply You know these are registered political parties with offices to operate out of. We now know what will happen if we give the TTP a political office as well like the PTI is so badly itching to do and then hold protracted negotiations with them or otherwise refuse to smash them hoping they will become "insaan ke bacche" and stop their terrorism but clearly just like the PPP, MQM and ANP, the TTP will do the exact opposite.

Candid1 | 10 years ago | Reply

Prosecute the parties then! But no, we can't do that because they will start rioting in the streets, and the incompetent/politicized courts will find them innocent! No wonder extra-judicial killings don't raise a concern in the country.