Karachi operation ‘to go on come what may’

PM Nawaz, Gen Raheel agree to accelerate ongoing crackdown

ISLAMABAD:

With the prime minister scheduled to visit Karachi today, the top civil and military leadership agreed on Tuesday to accelerate the ongoing surgical operation in the metropolitan city come what may. The decision was taken during a meeting of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif with Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif at the PM House.

According to an official statement, the two discussed matters related to Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan as well as the return, rehabilitation resettlement of the temporarily displaced persons (TDPs) in the tribal regions. Sources privy to the meeting said the premier and the army chief devised the future strategy for the Karachi operation and discussed the agenda of the PM’s visit to the metropolis on Wednesday.

Read: Karachi operation launched on political parties’ demand, says minister

They said the premier would try to keep up with the Pakistan Peoples Party’s leadership in Sindh on the ongoing Karachi operation and would avoid speaking about the controversies surrounding the Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The premier was scheduled to fly to Karachi on Monday but he was advised to get input from the military, which is now a major stakeholder in the Karachi situation, they added.

Karachi operation

The civil and military leadership also agreed to accelerate the ongoing operation against those Sindh government officials involved in organised crimes like land grabbing, misuse of public funds, inefficiency and water mafia, sources said.

The prime minister will be updated about the latest steps against financial mismanagement, and is likely to direct the authorities to speed up efforts to make Karachi safe not only for Pakistanis but also for foreign travellers.

Read: Karachi operation: Ex-military men throw weight behind Rangers

Apart from the efforts of Sindh Rangers, the premier and army chief appreciated the roles of other federal departments as well in the ongoing crackdown.

According to sources, they expressed their satisfaction over the activation of National Accountability Bureau’s chapter in Sindh and extending the scope of 90-day detention to the Federal Investigation Agency.  During his visit to Karachi, the NAB Karachi branch would also brief the premier about the steps being taken against corrupt elements in the provincial setup.

The prime minister is also likely to visit different hospitals to inquire after the health of patients of heatstroke as well. and

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2015.