KARACHI: Corps commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Friday evening at CM House where they exchanged views on security issues to set an agenda for the next meeting on the National Action Plan, besides discussing security arrangements for the local government elections, officials and sources said.

They added that the 10th meeting on the NAP was likely to be held before the final phase of the local government polls, scheduled to be held on Dec 5.

The chief minister and the corps commander also discussed the armed attack on the Pakistan Rangers van and picket in Ittehad Town earlier in the day that claimed the lives of four soldiers.

They also resolved that action against criminals, terrorists and non-state elements would continue at the same pace and with commitment.

According to a brief statement issued by CM House following the meeting, the Sindh chief minister and the Karachi corps commander “discussed law and order situation, with specific reference to the situation managed during second phase of local bodies’ election held in 14 districts of the province, excluding 81 local bodies in nine districts.”

It added the corps commander and the chief minister also discussed “the ongoing targeted operation against terrorism and heinous crimes and pace of implementation on the National Action Plan.”

Sources inside CM House said that the Friday meeting was scheduled. They said the chief minister and the corps commander keenly discussed the agenda and points for the upcoming meeting to review implementation of measures under the NAP in Sindh.

“So far nine meetings of that agenda have been held,” said a source privy to details of the meeting. “The 10th meeting is likely to be held before the third and final phase of local bodies’ elections, which are due on Dec 5. We can say that it will be held in the first week of next month.”

Security arrangements for the final phase of the local government elections including polling in Karachi also came under discussion during the meeting and the two agreed that better coordination between the administration and security agencies would lead to peaceful polling, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 21st, 2015