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Karachi, December 13, 2016 (PPI-OT): Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the success of Apex Committee in restoring peace in the city was strategic partnership of Pakistan Army, Ranger and police and top of it was the will of his government. “This strategic partnership worked well because of being on the same page in implementing National Action Plan but this operation would continue till the last terrorist exists.”
This he said while presiding over an special Apex Committee meeting convened to discuss the performance of the operation because two its senior members, Corps Commander Karachi Lt. General Naveed Mukhtar who has been posted as DG ISI and DG Ranger Major General Bilal Akbar who has been promoted as Lt. General would relinquish their present positions to join their new assignments. The others were Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro, Advisors to Chief Minister Mola Bux Chandio, Murtaza Wahab, IG Sindh AD Khowja, Adl IG CTD Sanaullah Abbasi, Commissioner Karachi Aijaz Ali Khan, provincial heads of intelligence agencies and other concerned officers.
The chief minister said that since the inception of the Apex Committee, two important members, the Corps Commander Karachi and the DG Rangers played an important role to work together with civil government and defined civil military working relationship in a new dynamic way. “This working relationship translated into peace in the city,” he said.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said “when we had started this journey [Apex Committee] the law and order situation was very bad, there was unrest among the people of this city and terrorists, mafias and other criminals had established their sway in different areas,” he said and added “now things have improved considerably, the government has won public confidence in our law enforcement agencies, business activities have started flourishing and most important events/days like Moharram, Chehlum, Chup Tazia, Ideas 2016, CPEC Trade Convoy, Rabiula Awal passed peacefully. “This credit goes to our political leadership, this forum in which decisions were taken with collective wisdom and implemented or being implemented in true letter and spirit,” he said.
The chief minister assured the Corps Commander Karachi and DG Rangers that the work they have left incomplete would be completed through this forum in which their successors would be with him. “But I would need your support from the positions where you have been posted,” he said.
Briefing the meeting the Additional IG CTD Sanaullah Abbasi quoting CRSS quarterly security report said that the crime rate has dropped down in Sindh considerably. He added that Pakistan experienced a 19.4 percent rise in the number of fatalities from violence. “Fata observed a 90.5 rise in fatalities, Punjab 52 percent, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa plus 19.9 percent, Balochistan plus 18 percent and Sindh minus 19.5 percent.
Home Secretary Shakeel Mangnijo giving presentation on implementation status of 17th Apex Committee meeting said that the names of 4rth schedulers being posted on Home dept website and share with CM secretariat. The IG would send his recommendation to the Ministry of Interior and national security agencies.
The promulgation of Sindh Deeni Madaris Bill has been presented before the cabinet meeting and it has referred to the subcommittee. The Sindh government has been requested to the federal government to delegate the powers under foreigners Ordinance 1951 to Sindh police. Disaster management Authority is being strengthened. The exercise to identify the gaps to manage the disasters has been completed. The government has taken strict and focused measures to provide CPEC projects.
The government has taken tangible steps for choking the financing of terrorist activities as well as flow of funds through hundi and hawala for which FIA was playing an important role. The Corps Commander Karachi has been assisting Sindh police to establish Forensic Explosive lab. An expert from Pakistan Army was being hired.
The Pakistan Rangers has carried out a combing operation against some networks involved in recruiting people for Syria and Iraq. The Sindh government was working to amend the criminal law for the admissibility of modern technology tools in recording of evidence. The draft amendments have been sent for the consideration of the cabinet. The six ATC courts functioning at Clifton would be shifted to newly constructed courts inside the hail for which Sindh government would issue a notification.
The Home Secretary talking about Karachi operation said that the since last Apex Committee meeting (during last five week) no terrorism incident has taken place, no kidnapping case has been reported. He added that 26 extortion cases have been reported while during corresponding period of last year 35 cases were reported. He said 18 target killing incident has been reported while they were 15 last years. On this the chief minister directed the IG police to be strict in police patrolling and intelligence work.
The intelligence organisations heads said that the fire incident, including in a hotel were on the rise and there may be some mischief for which they were working. The chief minister directed IG police to investigate into the other angles. “I am also doubtful that day in and day out fire breaks out in factories- what is this,” he questioned and directed him to investigate.
The chief minister on the recommendation of the intelligence organisations directed IG police to start operation against dacoits in the katcha areas of the Ghotki and adjoining districts. DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar giving performance of his organization said that the Rangers have arrested most important Al Qaida, TTP and leaders of other proscribed organisations. He said he had arrested 1474 terrorists, 9053 target killers some of the during their investigation had confessed to have killed two to three persons and some had confessed to have killed 300 individually. He added that Rangers arrested 438 extortionists and 115 kidnappers.
On his recommendation the chief minister decided to launch operation against drugs mafia and those who under garb of religion are involved in sectarian killing. The DG Rangers said that some people had made the communities hostage by installing barriers. The Rangers sorted out. He added “if go back to November 2012 there 75 target killing in the month. Operation started in Sept 2013, there were 29 target killing in Nov 2013, in Nov 2015 there were 12, and is November 9 target killing,” he said and went on saying “Karachi can be made more secure if proper capacity building of the police is made,” he said.
Advisor to CM Moula Bux Chandio said the operation was started in a very difficult time and there were lot of anticipations and conspiracies {of imposing Governor’s rule} but all of them failed because “we all are on the same page,” he said. Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro said that Karachi was being focused and termed as dangerous city in the world and with the grace of God and collective work of civil and military leadership now this city has turned peaceful.
Corps Commander Karachi Lt. General Naveed Mukhtar appreciating the efforts of the government said that the best achievement of the Karachi operation is the change in the life of common man. The results of government, Army, Rangers, police and intelligence agencies are very much clear on the ground for which Apex Committee deserves lot of appreciation.
He said “We have travelled a long and could not return by making peace in the city sustainable. Talking about the principles of the operation, the corps commander said that its principle set was to launch blood less operation and ‘Alhamdullilah no bloodshed of common was reported anywhere from the city. The other one was the hope “this forum revived the hope of the people and nobody wivered from the target, the third was fear and we succeeded to take out the fear of mafias from the hearts and mind of people. The operation touched the untouchables and scared cows. This forum break the myth that action was not taken against the powerful [mafias].
He added that this operation would be more successful if the police and administration are strengthened. He also said that why the city turned into a violent city must be probed. “We must learn from our mistakes and should resolve not to repeat those mistakes agains,” he said. He also said that operation against drug mafia was need of hour and strict action against street crime be initiated but with proper planning.
The Corps Commander appreciated the chief minister for recruiting around 12000 policemen on merit. “Today I along with IG Police AD Khowja visited the army training centers where newly recruited policemen were receiving army training,” he said and added “I really found the police jawan energetic, vibrant and their morale was high. “If police force is expanded with 20,000 policemen appointed on merit the image and performance of the police would speak loudly,” he said.
He appreciated the former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, former Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and former chief secretary and others officers for the effective role in implementing Apex Committee decisions. Lt General Naveed Mukhat also lauded the chief minister for convening this special meeting to sum up the performance of the present apex committee and set new targets of operation with new vigour. “I would be supporting you from the position which I would take over,” he said.
The chief minister said that he was working sincerely and round the clock to give peace and tranquillity to the people of the province, particularly of Karachi. “This operation would continue from where you (corps Commander and DG Rangers) are leaving it,” he said and added the sacrifices our forces have made to make this city peaceful would not be allowed to go in vain at any cost. Latter, the chief minister presented Sindhi topi, ajrak and other gifts to the out-going Corps Commander Karachi and DG Rangers. This was the last meeting they attended.
For more information, contact:
Press Secretary,
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Website: www.cmsindh.gov.pk