KARACHI: Sindh Inspector General of Police A.D. Khowaja on Thursday directed the police officers in Karachi to move fast against street crimes and launch a crackdown on gambling, drug dens and illegal trade of Iranian petroleum products, warning them that they could lose their positions if the desired results were not achieved within the stipulated time.

The directive blended with warning from the provincial police chief came during his address to the police officers in Arts Council at a ceremony called “Darbar” aimed at direct interaction between the police authorities and lower-cadre officers.

The primary focus of IG Khowaja’s address remained on street crimes in Karachi and investigations into killings of policemen for which he also came up with strong warning.

“I ask you to move strongly against street crimes, gambling and drug dens and trade of Iranian petroleum products in the city,” he said. “And let me tell you that action would be taken against those officers who fail to do so. They would lose their positions and jobs as well. I have been receiving reports of all SHOs (station house officers) and from this platform I warn them to work and work hard.”

The much-awaited warning to Karachi police by the IG came following reports of rampant street crimes, mainly in Ramazan, which have resulted in the loss of more than half a dozen lives and continued to haunt Karachiites.

The official data shows that while mobile phone theft and snatching have continued in the holy month at a staggering pace, figures were relatively lower than those recorded before Ramazan. Yet even more shocking is the fact that six people were killed for resisting armed mugging attempts in the city during Ramazan.

This might be the reason for IG Khowaja’s warning to the officers at grassroots level.

“Those SHOs who would not perform would be removed from their posts,” he warned. “Every criminal and terrorist should be arrested and brought to justice. I ask you to take every possible step for the eradication of street crimes. This time no excuse would be tolerated and in the areas where street crimes do not go down and criminals are not arrested, the SHO concerned would lose his position.”

The IG also asked the officers to expedite investigations into the killings of policemen in Karachi because their families were waiting for justice and expected police to play their role in this regard.

He also praised the officers who had been working hard in their areas as well as specialised units which had led to several successful operations against militants and hardcore criminals.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017