KARACHI: The Sindh government has decided to take the ongoing targeted operation to its logical conclusion by fully implementing the National Action Plan (NAP) that includes repatriation of illegal immigrants and registration of people from other parts of the country acquiring property on rent in the city for temporary residence.

This was one of the major policy decisions taken at an apex committee meeting, which was jointly chaired by Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, held at CM House on Wednesday.

The apex committee decided that both the operation and investigation wings of police would be strengthened with the recruitment of personnel for a riot force and an IT wing besides establishment of facilitation centres.

Corps Commander Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, senior minister Nisar Ahmad Khuhro, DG Rangers Maj Gen Bilal Akbar, IG Sindh A.D. Khwaja, Additional IGs Mushtaq Mahar and Sanaullah Abbasi, advocate general Zamir Ghummro, prosecutor general Shahadat Awan and other officials concerned attended the meeting.

Sources privy to the meeting quoted the chief minister as saying that no one would be allowed to forcibly impose his will on the people and collect extortion money in the cover of welfare work.

Maj Gen Bilal Akbar highlighted the need to do away with the quota system and to ensure recruitment on merit in Sindh to remove a sense of deprivation among the people and help in keeping them away from crime.

Sindh to approach Centre for repatriation of illegal immigrants; registration of tenants to continue under NAP

According to the police spokesman, the IG earlier briefed the apex committee about the need to develop automation system in the police department. He said the Punjab government had agreed to provide their software to the Sindh police free of cost. He said an IT cadre could be created under a deputy inspector general for IT with 2,500 well-trained officials to operate criminal record, human resource and complaint management systems.

The chief minister approved the proposal and directed the chief secretary to get the formalities completed at the earliest. He also approved the formation of a riot force.

Besides, the apex committee decided that new number plates, which would have complete security features, including a tracking system, would be introduced for vehicles. In this regard, the chief secretary was asked to coordinate with the excise department.

It was decided that welfare organisations interested in collecting hides on Eid would have to seek a no-objection certificate from the deputy commissioners concerned so that the government could audit their accounts. The committee also called for effective enforcement of a ban on the display of arms.

Police investigation

The apex body also decided to strengthen investigation wing of the Sindh police. The chief minister asked the police chief to send him a proposal for recruitment of qualified detectives. The committee was earlier informed that the police had planned to recruit assistant directors/ deputy directors in BPS-17 having relevant qualification to investigate important cases of murder and kidnapping for ransom.

Keeping in view investigation problems, the chief minister said he had enhanced the budget for investigation to Rs364 million in the financial year 2016-17. The IG informed the committee that Rs20,000 used to be allocated for the investigation of each murder and kidnapping for ransom case, and Rs11,000 for bank robbery investigation. The government increased it to Rs100,000 for the investigation of each case of murder, gang rape, kidnapping for ransom and bank robbery, he said. The investigation budget for each case of bomb explosion, suicide attack, targeted killing and anti-state activities had been increased to Rs500,000.

The chief minister also directed the IGP to talk to the Punjab police for the establishment of a forensic lab in Karachi. ‘I have already approved Rs2 billion for the purpose but I want you to expedite it,” he said.

Mr Shah noted that the recruitment of 200 inspectors for investigation and 170 law inspectors were taking time. “I would urge you [law minister, AG and IGP] to explore ways and means so that all the recruitments in police could be made urgently but purely on merit. The IGP told the meeting that he had started recruitment of 14,000 constables through NTS and involved army officers for physical checking.

The chief minister also approved the establishment of facilitation centres to address day-to-day issues of common man and to bridge a gap between police and public.

Repatriation

It was decided that the federal government would be approached to ensure the repatriation of illegal immigrants, particularly the Afghans.

The apex committee was informed that the names of 602 persons had been put on the Fourth Schedule, indicating they could be a threat to peaceful atmosphere and for the purpose 41 cases had been registered. The meeting was also briefed on the progress of cases recommended for military courts, hate speeches, and violation of loud speakers etc.

Referring to the implementation of NAP and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the chief minister asked the Rangers and police to take concrete steps so that the decisions taken for the NAP and CPEC could be implemented in letter and spirit.

The apex committee was informed that 806 ex-army personnel had been recruited and 168 of them had been deployed for the security of Chinese engineers on a two-year contract. It was told that 638 more soldiers would join training next week.

The apex committee was also briefed on the August 22 violence, its investigation and arrests.

Published in Dawn September 1st, 2016