Gen Raheel vows to end reign of 'mafias' in Karachi

E-Paper | July 10, 2026

KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said the ongoing Karachi operation will remain across the board and indiscriminate, and will continue till its logical conclusion. “We will continue to work with people and the provincial government to finish all mafias,” said the army chief.

During his visit to Corps Headquarters, Karachi, Gen Raheel said the Karachi operation is bringing relief in terms of a decrease in target killing and extortion, according to a tweet by ISPR Director General, Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The army chief said peace in Karachi is a priority to revive economic vibrancy and well being of the people.

General Raheel said the more recent pattern of killings in the city indicated a design that needs to be checked. He directed intelligence agencies and Rangers to trace out, apprehend and expose the perpetrators.

Upon his arrival at the Corps Headquarters, the COAS was briefed by Corps Commander and Director General Rangers on operational preparedness, the Karachi operation and the latest law and order situation.

The COAS commended law enforcement agencies, especially Rangers, for a peaceful NA-246 by-election. He also expressed satisfaction over the intelligence input and progress of operation in Karachi.

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ultimate

Apr 29, 2015 09:13pm

Excellent. News well received

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Hindutavi Rakshas

Apr 29, 2015 09:14pm

Lots needs to.be done, why people are easily going out of country with illegal looted money so easily with them, what 's happening to those prices against who are involved in subversive activities as all knows their names but they're running in the country.Where is th ed. Accountability? Pledges are good but it will matter more with serious action with isolation on the ground, though they can reduce their activities or tors under ground easily ad operations cannot continue till eternity.

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Awais Ali

Apr 29, 2015 09:17pm

History will be written on you Gen. Raheel. You would rescue Pakistan from all war given by previous administrations.

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salman

Apr 29, 2015 09:22pm

and then civil governments say people like army taking over the rule. If civil govt can deliver as this man is, why would we even think about military coup!

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Harmony-1

Apr 29, 2015 09:24pm

That's the best ever news for Karachi.

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Bilal

Apr 29, 2015 09:28pm

COAS please don't stop now until we live in peace. You are the only person in this complicated country that the nation is looking upto right now. InshaAllah we will rise.

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Ati Khan

Apr 29, 2015 09:34pm

Good to hear that.

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Hamood

Apr 29, 2015 09:37pm

Gen. Raheel is by far the best COAS we ever had. He is slowly but surely taking the country out of the mess. God bless him.

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Jahanzab Minto

Apr 29, 2015 09:37pm

Sir: With all due respect, there is only lasting solution to this problem: gun control. Ban guns of all types within city limits. You can start with areas under your control such as DHA and the Cantonments and then spread this across Karachi. The proliferation of small arms is more dangerous than a country having nuclear weapons. We have nuclear weapons but what is the use when you cannot even keep an innocent social worker, teacher or doctor safe. The army is the only hope left to control this menace. Arms should only be in the hands of law enforcement and armed forced personnel with stiff penalties for weapons. I know there are many guard companies started by ex army men but their weapons can be registered. These companies can be given other incentives such remove foreign security companies and give business to them. Give more public sector business to locals so that our retired officers and local entrepreneurs can prosper, not have to beg the Arabs or migrate for better jobs.

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Waqar

Apr 29, 2015 09:45pm

The best part of Gen Raheel is more a man of action then just words, things could have been much better if Gen Raheel was there at the time of Zardari Govt

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Irfan Umrani, Larkana

Apr 29, 2015 09:51pm

Army should declare emergency in Karachi and take strict measure against criminals.

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Hamaad

Apr 29, 2015 09:52pm

General Raheel Sharif, please investigate the outside third party angle with absolute urgency and accuracy.

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Silenced

Apr 29, 2015 09:55pm

I would like him to give a comment on Sabeen.

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yusaf

Apr 29, 2015 09:58pm

The biggest mafia gangs in pakistan are the corrupt politicians and the bandit-like police. the first people the army needs to deal with are the police and the politicians.

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Zak

Apr 29, 2015 10:00pm

Only man in town.

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Arifq

Apr 29, 2015 10:01pm

Kudos to the army chief for his sincere beliefs, since people of Karachi have been on this road to perdition before we have one question, when will rest of the country stop disrespecting our right to choose?

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Culture Vulture

Apr 29, 2015 10:01pm

Well done General. We the people of Karachi are with you. Go ahead and eliminate them in the similar fashion as you have done in KPK.

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James

Apr 29, 2015 10:02pm

Common man in Karachi just wants his life, property and honor to be protected by the state. We hope that this time the matter would be brought to its logical conclusion. We have really suffered - killed, looted and abused by the various state institutions.

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M Jamal

Apr 29, 2015 10:03pm

Everything said by the General is perfect.But what about the corruption found in all departments of the government. You move on the road and in brought daylight and in front of the public you find police fleecing people on the road in the name of checking and Sir how can your control criminality when Thanas are auctioned/handed to dear ones. In civilized countries cities are managed by elected mayors of local governments and community police with power and owneownership.How is it possible that corrupt people will bring peace in the city.

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Jason Rafei

Apr 29, 2015 10:03pm

Good luck! Karachi has only lost several hundred thousand people in the MQM era. No rush on this. I am curious as to how all the so called Muhajirs survived before MQM took over? I sincerely wish that Karachi can be cleaned up to become the leading city as it used to be.

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Malik USA

Apr 29, 2015 10:04pm

This General is last hope for peace in Karachi and other places of Pakistan. Otherwise we do not have any hope from all politician.

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Yawar

Apr 29, 2015 10:06pm

Excellent!

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syed wasim haider

Apr 29, 2015 10:07pm

This will be the greatest service for the people of Karachi if done indiscriminately.

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Apr 29, 2015 10:08pm

Who is in charge of the country? Civilian government or Military? Democracy?

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Khizr

Apr 29, 2015 10:09pm

Gen Raheel, we have hope from you. 1. Please track down the calls originating overseas (South Africa) for the threats being received by civilians. 2. Please also trace back how the media get the 'claim' from Taliban after every incident. 3. Please track if agencies are involved in killing activists that are talking about un-silencing Baluchistan. There are 100s of criminals whose photographs are in the police stations. Use electronic media, use newspaper, to publish these photographs, use Nadra technology to apprehend them. Please also make sure the culprits in police-custody and in jail are not operating freely by sharing the money with police.

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Last Word

Apr 29, 2015 10:11pm

Military take over is not far away in Pakistan. Indian dailies have already predicted this news.

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M. Emad

Apr 29, 2015 10:11pm

Job of Army to end reign of 'mafias' !

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Rachit

Apr 29, 2015 10:13pm

Army fights against armed terrorists in FATA, army fights against mafias in Karachi, army fights against armed seperatists in Balochistan- what is the police for?

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alfatmi

Apr 29, 2015 10:17pm

Salute to this great professional soldier & the armed forces.

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Zak

Apr 29, 2015 10:20pm

Now karachi will be cleaned up. Zarb e Azb has finished TTP, now Gen Raheel is focusing on karachi.then Baluchistan. Clean up for Eco corridor.

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John, Canada

Apr 29, 2015 10:21pm

Well timed reply to those who want to destroy Karachi in the name of democracy and for their foreign masters.

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Concerned

Apr 29, 2015 10:23pm

Our politician should learn from this great man!

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ENGR OSMAN

Apr 29, 2015 10:26pm

We salute you Gen Raheel! Hope your mission is accomplished and the evil of terrorism is crushed in our great country

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Temo Shanko

Apr 29, 2015 10:28pm

Good luck General clean up Karachi as also Pakistan of these criminals

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Abbas Ali

Apr 29, 2015 10:29pm

In East Pakistan, army was also trying to bring vibrancy to the society. Vibrancy can't be brought by regimental order. Intellectual stagnation and lack of diversity in thought process is the reason for current state.

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Dr. Abdul Rehman

Apr 29, 2015 10:30pm

I am in loooooove with my country. I wish to serve in my capacity like Raheel Shareef. I salute my General, I salute my Army. Long Live Pakistan.

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Imdad Ali

Apr 29, 2015 10:35pm

The recent killing of KU professor must also be investigated and the responsible group must be eradicated, if anyone really wants peace in Karachi.

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n dean

Apr 29, 2015 10:37pm

Dear Gen Raheel Sharif, I commend you and applaud you for your unwavering resolve and determination to rid of mafias from Karachi and most importantly from through out of this great nation of ours. I hope and pray that day will come when people of this nation will feel safe in their own homes.

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mushtaq

Apr 29, 2015 10:37pm

Only apolitical force like army cane help bring back peace and stability to karachi. this whole chaos is sewn by these political mafias.

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Imtiaz kkhan

Apr 29, 2015 10:37pm

Gen. Raheel, keep up the good work. Prayers for the success of all operations under your command. InshaAllah, Armed forces will achieve the objective.

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Malik

Apr 29, 2015 10:41pm

So far the results are abysmal--everyday someone important is killed. Can the general cleanse the ISI and the finger pointing towards it in the wake of Sabeen Mahmood's murder. Let the charity begins from home.

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Sunil

Apr 29, 2015 10:42pm

There are Pakistani mafias too? Italian, Russian, Mexican mafias are the notorious ones heard, and seen in movies, this is for the first time reading mafias in Pakistan.

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Haider1

Apr 29, 2015 10:43pm

@Awais Ali -Excellent!

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Ahmed

Apr 29, 2015 10:45pm

I have believed that General Raheel will continue in fast track to eliminate all kinds of mafias to restore the glory of this city .

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Anwar Motan

Apr 29, 2015 10:46pm

Alhumdo Lillah. Thank you General Raheel. We need peace in Karachi

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NORI

Apr 29, 2015 10:47pm

Gen.Raheel knows how to play to the audience. Given the way Gen.Raheel rules Pakistan indirectly and the cheers he receives from public, Pakistan looks more like an Middle eastern country than a South Asian country.

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mansoor

Apr 29, 2015 10:48pm

May I humbly ask who is the biggest landlord of the country, who is the biggest land grabber, who are occupying largest pieces of prime land in Islamabad.

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Kamran

Apr 29, 2015 10:48pm

The nation salutes your leadership Gen. Raheel sahab. We Karachiites are with you in this mission. Carry on the great work and make Karachi inshaAllah the city of lights again.

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Ahsan Ali Syed

Apr 29, 2015 10:54pm

COAS Gen Raheel Sharif I can only speak for the people of Karachi. We are solidly behind Pak Army in elimination of terrorists activities from Karachi. Pak Rangers did a wonderful job in maintaining law and order in the recent bi-elections in Karachi. We felt so honoured to be Pakistanis in a disciplined society. That is what we want. We want the Pak Army to help us live with dignity and in peace.

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Arsalan

Apr 29, 2015 11:08pm

If Army has to manage security through Rangers & Intelligence Agencies and in some way dispense justice through military... then whats the point of paying for police and judiciary, which has miserably failed to deliver for the betterment of common citizen. In parallel we need to restructure the overly bloated and inefficient civil services i.e. policing, prosecution, and justice system to sustain and maintain law and order... permanent solution is not the Army.

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Nasser

Apr 29, 2015 11:09pm

It is all talk only. Performance speak louder than words.

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Atif Khan

Apr 29, 2015 11:12pm

I have, very attentively, followed what Gen. Raheel says and does and I am convinced he has his sights for the Pakistan of 2020 - one that is vibrantly integrated with the rest of the world, free of violence, proud of its culture and heritage and at peace with itself and its neighbours. Basically, he has a vision and on an execution path to get there...

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T. M. Wazir

Apr 29, 2015 11:14pm

General Raheel sharif will do very well if he ever became head of the state. Good luck Pakistan.

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Hyder

Apr 29, 2015 11:30pm

Hello All, i would like to appeal to General Raheel and all Establishment that being common man i need Electricity at my home, Water and cheap things like Roti Rs. 5/-, Churgha Rs. 200/- in Punjab so please try to make and provide equal rights to all. Please call all CMs of provinces and instruct them strongly. remove Qouta system. Equal share on equal basis. Can you Do Mr. General and push Govt. ? or same will continue......

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Parvez

Apr 29, 2015 11:41pm

Please remember that every problem has its own unique solution......one solution never fits all. I say this because history shows that the establishment due to its very nature resorts to only one solution. But.......best of luck anyway.

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Aaqil

Apr 29, 2015 11:43pm

Hope he already knows the number and types of different mafias operating in the city. We - the masses know of Transport mafia, tanker mafia, land grabbers mafia etc . There may be more such mafias which - all of them - need to be eradicated for sure. Moreover, the shopkeepers / market where stolen and snatched cell phones can easily be sold by the culprits also need to be caught and punished in order to bring an end to this cell phone snatching menace.

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Shan Kazmi

Apr 29, 2015 11:54pm

Go ahead COAS, go ahead! Dwellers of this helpless city are with you. Urdu speaking population has always been patriotic and cooperative. They shall support you.

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Baluch

Apr 30, 2015 12:07am

Hats off to you our beloved and greatest General Raheel ! May God bless you for taking pains of the innocent and peace loving citizens of Karachi. You are the bravest man and a true professional. History will always remember you as the saviour of Pakistan. Heartiest prays for your long life and a "Mard-e-Momin" insight. You are like an angel of peace for terror stricken Pakistanis. Your undefeated courage is reverting terror on the satanic messengers (Terrorists). O coward enemies of Pakistan ! Listen ! there is no more space for you here. Leave our beloved motherland or be ready for an approaching and bleating death. Long Live Pak Army....Long Live Pakistan

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Muhammad iqbal

Apr 30, 2015 12:18am

There are several mafias operating in Karachi. Water tank mafia, car parking mafia, bhatta mafia, kidnappers mafia, anchor person mafia. Interestingly, most of these mafias have direct or indirect contact with political parties. For example, saulat mirza, uzair baloch, and many more prominent(notorious) political figures who are often seen flying to London, Dubai as if they are going to wash room. General Raheel must bypass the sindh govt, if he is serious to wipe out mafias. Otherwise, see what happened with Uzair case. Sindh government used all its resources in preventing his extradition for fear of another Saulat Mirza opening his mouth.

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Peshawar

Apr 30, 2015 12:47am

Respect for our COAS

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Zak

Apr 30, 2015 12:48am

@Abbas Ali Reason for factors you mentioned in your last line, is because criminals, mafias etc won't allow thought process to rise.

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khan saheb

Apr 30, 2015 01:15am

Please do respect the vote bank, normalacy can only be brought through democracy, Please let it continue

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Vittorie

Apr 30, 2015 01:23am

People are still being killed.

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aftab

Apr 30, 2015 01:28am

General. I wish your words are turned into reality.This will be great great ehsan on Karachi and Pakistan.Go ahead sir,if you could do it you will be remembered in Pakistan history as saviour and not commoner.

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Apr 30, 2015 01:28am

it seems like he had to come out and make such bold statements about Karachi to take the attention of the real culprits behind recent killing spree in Karachi...

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haider shaikh

Apr 30, 2015 01:31am

Go ahead, Gen Raheel and show no tolerance or relaxation with any criminal/terrorist belonged to any political or banned organisation. The nation is with you.

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Khan

Apr 30, 2015 01:39am

May God bless you General. You represent the true blood line of Maj Aziz and Shabeer Shaheed....InshAllah you will be victorious and will get dua from all Paksitanis

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M. Siddique

Apr 30, 2015 01:46am

I hope that includes Bhatta , Water Tank mafias as well. Every neighborhood has a mafia. Does that mean that money laundering to London will stop?

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M. Siddique

Apr 30, 2015 01:47am

@Zak, I won't put all eggs in one basket.

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Ashan Gul

Apr 30, 2015 01:50am

Gen Raheel your mission of restoration of peace in Karachi will be Remembered for many years to come only if you carry it out 100% and take out rotten apples indiscriminately . There is no hope and integrity in our politicians to even think about cleaning Karachi for they are self centered and greedy. I am proud of our army and rangers. If someone can bring peace in all Pakistan that will be army. Thanks.

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O Hanif

Apr 30, 2015 02:06am

So our army is doing exactly what America is doing to Muslim world. First create problem, support all these militant groups then play on the other side and all of sudden all of these groups are bad people, we did this Kashmir, Afghanistan in Karachi and every where where Army/establishment needs their support. After who is suffering 'common people' . Can he clean arm? can he clean army from corruption and the way army controls politics of this country, if he can do then I will really salute him otherwise he is another General who is saying we are the Savior. Real change will come only when we will give people their rights and we will do social justice. Army never try to fix the problem from its root cause, they always helped and saved feudal and this establishment. If they were really sincere they would have changed the political system, support land reforms, create a nation instead they created corrupt politicians and corrupt establishment so they look good when time comes.

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bkt

Apr 30, 2015 02:18am

As recent events have shown in the form of targetted assassinations of intellectuals, the security issue is much more complicated than imagined. But although there are no easy solutions at least General Raheel is showing the will to do something. That attitude alone has helped restore a sense of order to Karachi.

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Shaan

Apr 30, 2015 02:28am

This is good to know that Gen. Raheel is relentless in pursuits of terrorists in the country. Since, he is an army General, his tool has to be a hammer. Pakistan's current internal condition needs the hammer but the country also needs a softer dialog about tolerance and live and let philosophy. Who will lead that dialogue and initiative? Long term change will only happen by changing the narrative and outlook of the country. I also understand with the recent assassination of activists and educators in Karachi, mood is very somber and people may be reluctant to step up and advocate for softer and gentler Pakistan. I continue to hope and wait that change is just around the corner. Shaan, San Diego

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Audit

Apr 30, 2015 02:28am

Demand for division of Sindh is conspiracy to break Pakistan.

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Ali

Apr 30, 2015 02:47am

Let's please speak truth. Karachi is a place where we protect corrupts like Mirza Aslam beg and where no one cares about Sabeens. Please atleast say the truth. Karachi can never improve unless justice is done and justice cannot be done until individuals like Aslam beg are preferred over institutions. It has been proven that he took millions from Mehran bank yet he is being fully protected from justice done. Sad that you too are following policies of protecting corrupt individuals and destroying institutions that has given you so much.

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Hugh Slaman

Apr 30, 2015 02:47am

@mansoor Once you are done with all that, also ask who has made the biggest sacrifices to bring terrorism to an end.

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Uzair

Apr 30, 2015 02:53am

You are the man General, lead us out of the mess.

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Raja Farhat Abbas

Apr 30, 2015 02:55am

@Sunil I recommend you wear glass's and read more carefully.

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Rahul

Apr 30, 2015 02:56am

So as a General of the Army, he is supposed to deal with mafia? He is defintiely growing stronger by getting involved in the lives of ordinary citizens just like the previous military rulers.

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Jay

Apr 30, 2015 02:57am

Why would army involve in civil matters? This is government and the anti terroism squad or police should take care of the situation. This sums up why democracy and military rule comes one after another always !!! Just my thought !!!

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Salman Pakistani

Apr 30, 2015 03:29am

hocus pocus. If you want peace in Karachi then improve the local security authorities and employ local police officers. This is simply a take over strategy by the center which will never be successful. The only solution is to give support and power to locals here, not take over them.

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Khan

Apr 30, 2015 03:36am

@Awais Ali History is always written full with the details of Pakistan's military rulers, and Gen. Raheal is no exception. Stop glamorizing the generals and their mind set. They are paid employees of the state and are just doing their job like I do or you do. A lot of non Karachites get excited when it comes to controlling Karachi.

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Khan

Apr 30, 2015 03:37am

@Irfan Umrani, Larkana How about whole Sindh ? Would you support it ?

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Khan

Apr 30, 2015 03:39am

@M Jamal Stop inviting generals to intervene and bring another martial law.

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ayesha

Apr 30, 2015 04:41am

karachi used to be a great peaceful city til early 90s

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Apr 30, 2015 05:13am

There should be limit for Army's responsibilities. We have state police, federal police and what are they doing. Tragedy of Pakistan is that, Army is involved in politics, diplomacy and day to day affairs like this. A total disaster. Coming days we may see Army involved in finding out lost buffaloes.

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L.Ahmad

Apr 30, 2015 05:28am

Your determination is much appreciated. You can undo the treacherous work our politicians have done. Terrorism has the backing of some politicians and influential individuals who think they cannot be reined in.

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Pankaj

Apr 30, 2015 06:11am

What is Police and Government doing?

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s.khan

Apr 30, 2015 06:13am

De-weaponize Karachi. so long people are armed there will be violence. Arresting the cuplrits after the crime is not going to solve the problem. Prevention is the best solution. Take the weapons away. Give them financial reward for turning over their guns. After that send the rangers door to door to search and seize the guns.

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Mansoor

Apr 30, 2015 06:14am

long live, general.

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Khangul

Apr 30, 2015 06:18am

Across the board and across the country, please.

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Akil Akhtar

Apr 30, 2015 06:52am

@Rachit Police is there to protect the politicians and their families...

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Sheikh Khalid

Apr 30, 2015 07:33am

It will take 20 years at least to get this done. a lot of your bosses are in on this microcosm(relative to the whole country's state) of a mess sir. and it is all interrelated. i think you are making a false promise, served to a populace already weary that it is grabbing for straws. the question is why are you doing this sir? water, sewage, construction, electricity, transportation, education, food and employment, transient population (short term stay people who come for a while to conduct business duties), entertainment and recreation, bureaucrat-ism, cronyism ...the list is pretty much the same as the rest of Pakistan. you cannot solve a city without solving the country. its in the nature of data and culture that holds and regards it. you cannot solve something this big and form a holding line except in smaller cities, unless you want to take over power, and solve the problem, Top-Down, Bottom-Up, AND sideways(CONCURRENTLY). and no such thing as luck sir.

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You brother

Apr 30, 2015 07:36am

@Malik Agreed

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Sheikh Khalid

Apr 30, 2015 08:03am

The mafias in Karachi are NOT as Finite as you might be portraying. And the problems of Karachi also involve its own people. Force a solution by taking the low level mafia operatives and you WILL have a metastasis/morphing of the problem on your hands. Meaning a Computationally Intelligence-proof situation will evolve in short order. Check your "approach-vector" sir, keep that close to you. A person kills the railways and another person kills the steel mills, so on and so forth, and you came in to help. why? because politics is sacrosanct? it isn't. Force wont succeed neither will politics. anyway, just a couple of thoughts.

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nadeem qazi

Apr 30, 2015 08:18am

Great news gen. Sahib. We all wish you all the best and success. Please don't forget, Lyari, Asif Square, Parts of Gulistan-e-Jouhar from Jaya sindh party, and Banaras. You will find lots of criminals. God bless Pak Army

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Maqsood

Apr 30, 2015 09:39am

We need leaders like this.

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shafeeq

Apr 30, 2015 09:40am

please we hope you

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dedar

Apr 30, 2015 09:45am

Salute Sir.

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