KARACHI: The ongoing operation against terrorists in Karachi is being extended to the interior of Sindh to strengthen the operation further and eliminate terrorists’ cells in these areas.

These cells, according to sources, exist in the interior of Sindh in areas bordering Balochistan.

This issue came up during the meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Corps Commander of Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, who called on him here on Wednesday at CM House.

The chief minister recalled that the Sindh government was working hard to implement the National Action Plan in its true spirit and reiterated his resolve that the operation against terrorists would continue till the last terrorist for which the role of police, Rangers and intelligence agencies was commendable.

During the discussion, according to sources, the incidents of terrorism that occurred recently in Jacobabad and Shikarpur also came up for consideration and it was stated that such acts were not possible without the presence of facilitators in the interior of Sindh.

It was also agreed to call the Sindh apex committee meeting to review the pace of implementation of the National Action Plan and remove hurdles, if any, in its implementation and achieve its objectives.

In the meeting, appreciation of performance of police and Rangers by citizens for restoration of peace to the metropolis was referred to and public complaints regarding encroachments on roads were discussed and a decision was taken to remove the hurdles.

The issues pertaining to the overall law and order situation, operation against terrorists, cases sent to military courts and their progress, other cases in the pipeline and arrest of a terrorist involved in Safoora Goth incident also came under review.

It is worth noting that the Sindh government has held 13 apex committee meetings in which most important decisions have been taken and their implementation is being monitored at government level.

They also discussed the prosecution issues and the chief minister told the corps commander that the appointment of new prosecutors was in progress. “With the establishment of 10 more antiterrorism courts and appointment of new prosecutors, pendency in the ATCs would come down and the disposal of the cases would also be in time.”

The chief minister lauded the efforts of the intelligence agencies and army for their role in thwarting the Hyderabad jailbreak conspiracy.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2016