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KARACHI: The Sindh government decided on Tuesday to launch a full-scale operation against criminals and terrorists within 72 hours and allowed the Frontier Constabulary to exercise police powers in the city.
The Rangers are already exercising police powers, including the authority to carry out raids and arrests, in the city.
The home department on Tuesday issued a notification, which states: “In pursuance of Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan’s notification dated 2nd August, 2011 Government of Sindh grant powers of police to Frontier Constabulary personnel deployed in Karachi to apprehend the criminal elements involved in firing and killing of innocent citizens in various areas and zones of the city (where situation warrants employment of the FC). They are authorized to cordon, search and use force in controlling firing by the criminals in effected areas.”
The government also directed the Rangers and the police to get ready to implement its action plan, which was said to be indiscriminate and based on surveillance reports.
It was also decided that a cash reward of Rs5 million would be given to those who could identify a killer.
A cash reward of Rs10 million would be given to those who could provide photographs or video footage of a killer. The identity of those who provided this information would be kept secret.
The decisions were taken at a meeting held here at the Chief Minister’s House to review the city’s law and order. The meeting was jointly chaired by CM Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who specially arrived here on the instructions of President Asif Ali Zardari to help the provincial government to control the fast deteriorating situation.
The CM and the interior minister appealed to the leadership of all the political parties to come forward and play their role by helping the law-enforcers to bring a durable peace to Karachi.
While reviewing the overall law and order situation, the chief minister directed the police, Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies to make concerted efforts to curb the activities of criminals, anti-state elements and terrorists, who he said wanted to destabilise the country, particularly the province.
Inspector General of Police Wajid Ali Durrani gave a detailed presentation to the meeting and said that 91 suspects allegedly involved in 191 targeted killings had been arrested.
He said the police expected more results and more arrests as a result of interrogation from the targeted killing suspects.
The CM observed that the Frontier Constabulary, which was also accorded police powers, would remain in reserve and their services would be utilised in accordance with requirements.
Home Minister Manzoor Wasan, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, IGP Wajid Durrani, acting Rangers Director General Brig Zafar Iqbal, Additional Chief Secretary (home) Waseem Ahmed, Additional IG Karachi Saud Mirza and others attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, the interior minister also called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad at the Governor’s House.
During the meeting they exchanged views on the law and order situation in the city and agreed on the need to initiate a severe action without discrimination against those involved in terrorism.
The minister also had a detailed discussion with the governor on the efforts to improve law and order in the city and the decisions taken at the meeting held at the CM’s House.
