ISLAMABAD: The centre and the Sindh government agreed on Saturday to continue the targeted operation against terrorists, target killers and other criminals in Karachi.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah discussed on phone the law and order situation following the murder of a deputy superintendent of police earlier in the day.

According to an official, the two leaders expressed satisfaction over an “effective coordination and cooperation between Rangers and police” and agreed to take steps to make the operation more efficient.

PPI adds: The chief minister told a delegation of members of the Punjab Assembly, led by Deputy Speaker Sardar Sher Ali Gorchani, that the operation would be followed by an “effective strategy” to root out criminals.

He said his government was quite serious in converting Karachi into a peaceful and economically viable city.

The delegation appreciated efforts and timely action of the Sindh government against criminals and for bringing normality to the city.

Qaim Ali Shah said the operation had been initiated without discrimination.

Rangers and police, he said, had been given a free hand to take action against criminals and they had been directed not to spare any person even belonging to the ruling party if he/she was involved in a crime.

Mr Shah said his government had neither interfered in the operation nor it would pull back the forces engaged in restoring law and order and protecting life and property of innocent people and businessmen.

He said because of the government’s policy of impartiality, good and encouraging results had been achieved.

The government, he said, was preparing a strategy to raise the strength of Sindh police, increase its mobility and give it effective training, equipment, latest arms and ammunition, incentives and legal protection.

He said new wings of Special Force would be created to combat criminals at any time on a permanent basis.

Members of the Punjab Assembly are on a visit to Sindh for a dialogue on legislation under the auspices of the Pakistan Institute of the Legislative Development and Transparency.

They said that it was high time to take up national issues with mutual understanding to make the country stronger.

They briefed the chief minister on the Metro Bus project of Lahore and other achievements of the Punjab government.