Crime rate in Karachi has halved since start of operation, claim Rangers

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says operation to continue till it reaches its logical end

ISLAMABAD: Sindh Rangers on Monday claimed that since the launch of an operation against criminals in Karachi, crime in the city has halved.

During a meeting of heads of all civil armed forces in Islamabad, chaired by Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Director General Sindh Rangers Bilal Akhtar claimed that the civilian enforcement agencies have successfully restored peace in the city of around 20 million people, with crime down by 50 per cent.

“Months-long crackdown against criminals has restored normal life in Karachi,” said Akhtar adding that the, “operation against the criminal elements in Karachi resulted in significantly bringing down the crime rate in the metropolis.”

The interior minister observed that “It was the criminal elements versus the peaceful citizens in Karachi for which the operation was launched and would continue till it reaches its logical conclusion.”

Terming the expenditure made on security 'an investment', Nisar added that this year alone the government had allocated Rs30 billion for 28 wings of the civil armed forces.

At this juncture Nisar also emphasised the need for greater communication between the civil armed forces, intelligence agencies and other security agencies to tackle the security challenges faced by the country. He also called upon civil law enforcement agencies to chalk out a comprehensive framework to meet the present as well as future challenges.

Situation in Balochistan

Briefing the interior minister on the efforts of FC Balochistan on various fronts, including an operation against anti-state and criminal elements, IG-FC Balochistan Major General Sher Afgan claimed that the situation has significantly improved in the province.

He also highlighted various issues, including financial constraints, which were hampering the smooth conduct of the force.

Nisar reiterated the government’s commitment to provide every possible assistance to the civilian armed forces.

He also directed that policy guidelines of the ministry regarding interaction with the foreigners, direct invitation for any foreign trip and making media statements on policy matters must be enforced at all levels.

During the later half of the meeting, IG-FC K-P Major General Tayyab Azam, DG Anti Narcotics Force Major General Khawar Hanif, DG Rangers Punjab Major General Omar Farooq, DG Coast Guards Brig Shehzad Akhter, DG Scouts Gilgit-Baltistan, Brig Farooq Azam and DG Civil Defence also briefed the minister of interior.