• Murad chairs Apex Committee meeting attended by corps commander, other high-ups
• Orders action against trucks violating traffic rules
• Sindh to establish centre to counter violent extremism
• Province coordinating with Punjab and Balochistan to foil dacoits’ escape, meeting told

KARACHI: The Sindh Apex Committee has decided to set up a special unit within the home department to address growing cases of social media “misuse” in coordination with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).

The decision was taken by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah while chairing the 32nd Apex Committee here at CM House on Thursday.

Corps Commander Lt Gen Mohammad Avais Dastagir, Rangers director general, inspector general of police, provincial ministers and representatives of intelligence and law enforcement agencies attended the meeting.

According to a press statement, the Apex Committee was informed that “a Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority has been created” by the federal government under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) framework “to ensure online safety and protect the rights of individuals on social media”.

The committee was also informed that the authority will have the power to regulate unlawful or offensive content on social media platforms, manage the enlistment of these platforms, partially or fully block them, and issue guidelines and directives for standards regarding content.

Additionally, it can direct relevant authorities to block or remove unlawful or offensive content.

The chief minister said that a special unit was being established within the home department to address complaints and cases related to the misuse of social media, involving collaboration among all federal agencies, including the FIA, PTA and provincial police.

At the outset, the CM emphasised the need for rigorous pursuit of terrorism cases, declaring zero tolerance for militants.

The main components of the National Action Plan (NAP) include strengthening Counter Terrorism Departments (CTDs), combating terrorism in various media forms, choking off terrorist financing, regulating religious seminaries, and reforming the criminal justice system.

Action against heavy vehicles ordered

It was pointed out that 29,926 illegal foreigners were residing in the province, and their data mapping had been completed for repatriation.

At present, 479 have been repatriated, while around 400 are awaiting deportation at a camp.

During the meeting, the chief minister expressed concern about the increasing number of road accidents in the city, as well as incidents of tankers and dumpers being set on fire.

He instructed the police to take strict action against dumpers and trucks operating on roads in violation of traffic rules and regulations.

Additionally, he directed the police to apprehend those responsible for arson attacks on trucks.

The meeting was informed that the provincial government had completed Phase-I of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in 2023-24 and began repatriation of Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) Holder under Phase II that commenced on April 1.

Centre on countering extremism

Following the Apex Committee decision, the home department proposed the Sindh Centre for Excellence on Countering Violent Extremism Act, 2025, to combat violent extremism and terrorism.

Once established, the Centre will focus on research, policy development, and strategies to counter violent extremism. It will also provide support to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on terror financing investigations and work to counter online radicalisation, hate speech, disinformation, and youth delinquency.

The CM directed the home secretary to present the draft law in the next cabinet meeting.

Strategic coordination among provinces

The CM discussed the issue of dacoits in the northern districts along the River Indus.

He stated that the provincial government was coordinating with Punjab and Balochistan governments to plan joint operations against dacoits in the katcha areas, to prevent their escape.

The meeting was told that the Sindh home department had contacted the home departments of Punjab and Balochistan to inform them about decisions made by the chief minister in Apex Committee meetings.

It was explained that the aim was to devise a comprehensive strategy for conducting simultaneous operations against dacoits in the katcha areas across all three provinces. This approach is designed to prevent dacoits from evading capture by crossing provincial borders.

A proposal was made to schedule a meeting on a suitable date in one of the border districts. This will allow for a first-hand assessment of the operational environment, enabling participants to better understand the on-ground realities and tailor their strategies accordingly.

The meeting discussed the importance of properly following up on counter-terrorism cases in the courts.

It was noted that in 2025, a total of 23 cases were registered. Out of these, seven cases have been challaned and are currently under trial.

Convictions have been secured in four of these cases, while the others are still in the trial process. In 2024, there were convictions in only two cases.

It was revealed that in 2025, the police conducted 318 intelligence-based operations, registered 153 cases, arrested 84 and killed 12.

During the meeting, it was reported that Chinese workers involved in both CPEC and non-CPEC projects were receiving security.

The security forces include personnel from the Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Army, Rangers, and the Frontier Corps.

The FBR representative told the meeting that during the 3rd quarters of 2024-25, they had seized goods worth Rs16,214.54 million being smuggled through 222 seizures. The major seizures include 10,008 mobile sets, 5,027 tyres.

Regarding the Hub Check Post, it was noted that the chief minister had allocated Rs214 million for its establishment. Currently, land identification and cost estimates are in progress.

The check post will be jointly operated by various agencies to combat smuggling and will be equipped with the latest technology and gadgets.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2025