LAHORE: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Saturday chaired a high-level meeting here as part of continuing consultations on a strategy and modalities for a foolproof mechanism to rid the country, especially Karachi, of lawlessness and terrorism.

Director General Rangers Maj-Gen Rizwan Akhtar apprised the prime minister of the operational and strategic aspects to curb extortion, kidnapping, terrorism and targeted killings in the port city.

Prime Minister Sharif expressed satisfaction on the progress, said a Press Information Department press release.

“Extraordinary circumstances require a sustained response of law enforcement machinery for bringing back peace in Karachi as policies do not change on a daily basis,” he said.

Sharif reiterated his government's principled commitment to provide all possible assistance to the provincial government to restore confidence of the citizens of Karachi in law enforcement agencies.

He directed the authorities concerned to expedite the process to remove flaws in the prosecution system to ensure foolproof security to citizens and a sustained deterrence against the criminals. Essential amendments to law, following guidelines of superior courts, were also directed by the premier.

Prime Minister Sharif also directed the quarters concerned to finalise the strategy in consultation with the operators to block unregistered and illegal mobile phone SIMs.

The meeting also discussed agenda of the multi-party conference (MPC), which has been called for September 9. The conference is aimed at evolving consensus on a counter-terrorism strategy as well as the law and order situation of Karachi.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Minister for Science and Technology Zahid Hamid, Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam and other senior officials also attended the meeting.