QUETTA, Aug 25: Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani directed officials on Saturday to launch a crackdown on criminal gangs involved in incidents of kidnapping in accordance with orders issued by the Supreme Court.

Home Secretary Nasibullah Bazai and Chief City Police Officer Mir Zubair briefed the meeting on the law and order situation and the steps being taken to arrest the kidnappers of Dr Ghulam Rasool.

Dr Ghulam Rasool, a psychiatrist at the Bolan Medical College Hospital, who was kidnapped earlier this month, returned home a couple of days before Eid.

The chief minister asked officials of the law-enforcement agencies to increase patrolling along highways in the province.

He said all resources would be utilised to curb criminal activities in order to provide security to the life and property of people.

The meeting decided that the orders of the apex court calling for a crackdown on criminals and action against non-custom-paid vehicles and display of illegal weapons would be implemented in letter and in spirit.

The home secretary and the CCPO told the meeting that gangsters involved in the kidnapping of Dr Ghulam Rasool had been identified and would be arrested soon.

Provincial Finance Minister Mir Asim Kurd, Health Minister Aainullah Shams and Chief Secretary Babar Yaqoob Fateh Mohammad also attended the meeting.