KARACHI: Police on Monday proposed Sindh Home Minister Zia Lanjar to set up a squad on the pattern of Lahore’s Dolphin Force to control street crime.

Launched in 2016 by then Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dolphin Force is an elite unit of the Punjab police to combat street crime.

In response to the proposals submitted by the city police chief, the home minister vowed to highlight them at the Sindh cabinet meeting and get approval for practical steps.

Briefing the home minister during his visit to the Karachi Police Office (KPO), the city police chief, Additional Inspector General (Addl. IG) Imran Yaqoob Minhas, said 1,800 motorcycles should be provided for patrolling.

According to a spokesperson, the police chief also proposed provision of 1,100 vehicles, 2,000 pistols and 5,000 anti-riot kits for the motorcycle force besides recruitment of 9,200 policemen for the metropolis.

He informed the minister that the incidents of murder during robberies and those of injury were gradually declining because of an effective strategy and steps taken by the police.

He pointed out that because of strict action against junk/scrap dealers, the snatching/stealing of cars and motorcycles had been reduced since such dealers were involved in the sale/purchase of those vehicles.

Observing that the street crime was a big challenge, the home minister directed for eliminating the gangs involved in it through effective and coordinated policing.

He announced that he would hold meetings about the law and order on a monthly basis and check reports as to whether practical efforts were taken to control the crimes.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024