Govt lacks capacity to deal with deteriorating law and order situation: Altaf Hussain

MQM chief urges Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to convene a meeting of the heads of security forces immediately

LONDON: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain censured the government on Monday for lacking the intelligence resources and capacity to deal with the deteriorating  law and order situation. 

Talking to the party's coordination committees in London and Pakistan via telephone, Altaf urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to convene a meeting of the heads of security forces immediately.

Altaf said that an ordinance should be passed to set up committees across Pakistan which should be entrusted to keep an eye on militants.

“Members of these committees should be elected by local people and they should be divided into three teams for performing duties in shifts of eight hours in their respective areas,” said the MQM chief.

Altaf said  the members of these committees should be given a license to carry arms as well because they would not be able to fight with armed people empty-handed.

He said that the PM and the federal cabinet should act immediately on his suggestion and also recommended the PM to come up with a solid line of action as soon as possible.

“If my suggestion does not appear appropriate, they should find another solution as the military alone cannot solve these problems,” said Altaf.

Further, he directed the members of the MQM coordination committees to give up their personal engagements in view of the Muharram processions to set up medical camps all over the country in order to handle any emergencies.

The MQM chief said experienced doctors and paramedical staff and ambulances should be present at the medical camps at all times in order to provide timely medical assistance to the mourners.

Altaf offered his condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in the suicide attack at the Wagah border on Sunday.

He also appealed to the Punjab Government not to take any remorse in arresting the culprits behind the barbaric suicide blast.

“Any expediency might save the government but it would ultimately lead the country on the verge of destruction,” said Altaf.