ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Ministry Chaudhry Nisar in a detailed briefing to the National Assembly (NA) on Thursday said that the ongoing operation in Karachi against crime and terrorism has resulted in a 43 per cent decrease in target killing, 37pc decrease in incidents of murder, and a 6.7pc decrease in incidents of terrorism, DawnNews reported.

Nisar said that along with 713 terrorists, 58,603 suspects have been arrested during the operation so far. Of this number, at least 731 were suspected of murder, while 517 were suspected of involvement in extortion cases.

The Interior Minister told the NA that 14,253 arms were recovered, and that the number of fugitives increased by 9.4pc during the operation.

He said that there had been a significant decrease in crime following the Karachi operation.

Training for security forces

The Interior Minister emphasised the need for security agencies to provide security training to their employees, and urged them to conduct a security clearance of all their employees.

He said training ─ including weapons training ─ should be provided at least once a year. "Police, civil armed forces are ready to provide training free of cost."

The federal interior minister also spoke of the need to compensate employees of security agencies fairly. "Security is a very important problem for Pakistan, and clients spending so much money should be provided with good service," he said.

Nisar also highlighted the need to implement policies that allowed security agencies and civilians to "supplement and complement" each other.

He said that there should be standardisation among policies followed by the provincial and federal government regarding policies concerning non-governmental organisations (NGOs), arms, and security agencies.

The Interior Minister also said his department was working on new policies concerning the Exit Control List, arms licenses, security agencies and the visa policy.

Rehabilitation of beggars

The Interior Minister said that beggars found stealing are caught 'respectfully' by police. "We determine if they are needy. If it is the case, we hand them over to NGOs."

"We give these people a first warning, after which they are detained in a police station, and then they are sent to jail. We also try to determine who backs them, we have also taken action against them."

"We want to create a policy in all cities ─ for all those who are needy, there should be arrangements for food and shelter, which can be done easily through collaboration with NGOs.

Background: Karachi operation

The ‘operation’ against criminal elements in Pakistan’s commercial hub was initiated back in September 2013 after the federal cabinet empowered Rangers to lead a targeted advance with the support of police against criminals already identified by federal military and civilian agencies for their alleged involvement in targeted killings, kidnappings for ransom, extortion and terrorism in Karachi.

When Rangers raided Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) headquarters in March 2015, the party alleged the operation had taken on a political colour.

But Rangers claimed it had conducted the raid on a tip off that said wanted persons were present at Nine Zero— the party’s headquarters.

Since then, Rangers DG Maj Gen Bilal Akbar and army chief Gen Raheel have insisted that the operation is not targeted at a particular political party and will meet its logical end.

A high-level apex committee meeting chaired by the Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif on May 14, 2015 decided to implement effective policing and surveillance in the "vast suburbs of Karachi", to prevent what the military spokesperson said were "sneaking terrorist attacks".

At the meeting, Gen Sharif vowed to continue "across the board operations" at an increased pace and hunt down terrorists who commit heinous acts.

Military spokesman Asim Bajwa announced that the meeting had assessed ongoing operations against terrorists, and touched upon directing intelligence agencies to assist in the "exploitation of existing leads" in all operations.

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