KARACHI: Top civil and military leadership sat together in the provincial metropolis on Tuesday to review the overall law and order situation and progress of the National Action Plan (NAP) in Sindh with special focus on Karachi.

Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa presided over the special meeting of the Sindh apex committee at the headquarters of the V Corps, better known as the Karachi corps, in which he directed all stakeholders “to further improve synergy, reaction capability of law enforcement agencies, decision-making process and to hold the public office-holders accountable”.

The army chief’s directive to bring improvement in the accountability process came a day after the Sindh Assembly repealed the applicability of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, better known as the NAB law, in Sindh — a move being criticised by all opposition parties and civil society.

Apex committee reviews law & order, NAP progress in Sindh

The last meeting of the apex committee was held six months ago under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by CM Shah, Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, ISI chief Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Shahid Baig Mirza, Rangers chief Maj Gen Muhammad Saeed and other senior officials.

Inspector General of Police A.D. Khowaja, who had not been invited to recent meetings of the Sindh cabinet as the provincial government wanted to replace him with a pliant officer, also attended the apex committee’s meeting.

The meeting, which continued for hours, was briefed on the law and order situation in Karachi and internal security matters of the province by the officials concerned, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

“Stable law and order in the country is only possible with effective writ of the state through implementation of state laws, its willing abidance by the public and across-the-board speedy dispensation of justice,” the ISPR statement quoted the army chief as telling the meeting. “Despite considerable headway, we have a long way to go on these counts.”

Gen Bajwa categorically stated that the army would continue to render its full support to all state institutions in maintaining law and order and implementing state laws.

The meeting also discussed the recent escape of two high-profile militants belonging to the banned Lashkar-i-Jhangvi from the Karachi central prison and “corrective measures” to avoid such incidents in future.

While the top officials expressed satisfaction over the law and order situation in the province, particularly Karachi, “areas requiring more focus to retain the peace dividends were identified for further progress to include police reforms, better coordination between the federal and provincial authorities on NAP, expeditious completion of the safe city project and the need for speedy prosecution, beside others,” the ISPR statement said.

The meeting reiterated the need for a durable peace being essential for the safety and security of the people and economic activities, particularly in Karachi.

The army chief praised the Karachi corps and Rangers for coordinating multi-agency efforts as well as the performance of other law enforcement agencies, including police.

Appreciating recent improvements in capability and capacity of the Sindh police, the army chief suggested improvements in the internal functioning of the force, including induction on merit, availability of young trained leadership and strengthening of command, the statement said.

Earlier in the day, the army chief visited the Pano Akil garrison.

According to an ISPR statement, the COAS was briefed on operational preparedness and internal security matters during his visit to the garrison. Karachi Corps Commander Lt Gen Mirza was also present.

Gen Bajwa expressed satisfaction over their state of preparedness and contributions towards the internal security. He lauded the performance of his troops during the recently conducted sixth population and housing census in the country and other internal security tasks.

“Country comes first, self later,” said the army chief during an interaction with the officers and soldiers of the garrison. “The army shall continue its support to all state institutions for prosperity of Pakistan and its people through selfless devotion and commitment,” he added.

He said Pakistan came a long way towards success in its efforts against terrorism and militancy. “We shall now consolidate our gains to further strengthening of the state neutralising all negative stimulants,” the army chief reiterated.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2017