KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday gave approval to the law enforcement agencies to take action against the patrons of criminals without taking into account their political affiliation in the next phase of the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi.

Informed sources told Dawn that the next phase would be known as ‘fast-track operation’ and the PM gave the go-ahead to proceed against influential patrons of criminals while chairing a high-level meeting to review the overall law and order situation.

The PM directed the authorities to relocate the anti-terrorism courts to the Malir Cantonment area for the protection of judges, witnesses, investigators and prosecutors.

He asked the Sindh government to expedite establishment of isolated high-security prisons in the province to confine terrorists.

The PM was briefed on law and order by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah. It was followed by a briefing session with the chief secretary, director general of the Intelligence Bureau, Rangers DG and Sindh police chief regarding the operation in Karachi. Federal ministers Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Ishaq Dar and Khurram Dastgir were also present.

PM Sharif directed the Sindh government to lift a ban on recruitment in all civil armed forces.

He asked the authorities to use army recruitment centres for fresh recruitment and ensure transparency and merit in the process.

He and also asked the interior ministry to expedite the process to block illegal mobile phone SIMs and ensure issuance of the SIMs through a biometric system.

The prime minister agreed to set up more police stations in the strife-hit Lyari area.

During the meeting the matter of illegal Afghans and Bengalis in the metropolis also came under discussion and the prime minister assured the provincial government that it would get all-out support from the federal government for the success of the operation, which he said would continue till achieving its objectives.

He asked the provincial government and the Rangers to remove operational flaws to make the targeted action more effective against criminals and against the land mafia to protect government land.

“The Karachi operation will continue until its objectives are achieved,” he said and termed the sacrifices of security personnel invaluable.

He said the Karachi operation was not a matter of routine but of immense importance and he would continue to regularly monitor and supervise the operation and would help the provincial government to resolve its all related issues.

He said that a high-level meeting would be held during the next week to review the overall security situation of the country.

The PM said: “We will also discuss coordination mechanism regarding border control, intelligence sharing and combating terrorism.”

He said the police and Rangers should use new anti-terrorism laws to combat terrorism, extortion and land-grabbing.

Earlier, the chief secretary briefed the PM on the law and order situation and apprised him that 393 cases of heinous crimes had been registered.

The PM was informed that illegal migration of foreign nationals was also causing the law and order problem.

He was also informed that fresh inductions in the police force were needed in order to strengthen the force.