KARACHI, Nov 16: Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon has said that a close coordination between law-enforcement agencies has resulted in arrest of killers involved in some high-profile murders, including the targeted killing of journalist Wali Babar.

The information minister said this while addressing a press conference at the CM House on Friday after a cabinet meeting.

He said that the home secretary and additional home minister had briefed the cabinet on measures being taken to ensure peace during Muharram.

For monitoring of Muharram processions, a command-and-control cell was set up in the home department which was in addition to the Central Police Office cell and a complaint cell at the Chief Minister’s House, whose phone is 919, he added.

Referring to the police performance, he said after a close coordination of police with other law-enforcement agencies, the number of average daily arrests of criminals had reached to 30 who had been arrested along with illegal weapons.

He said that a gang of “conspirators” was behind targeted killings and other crimes in the city and said that these elements had also become stooge of “foreign elements”.

However, criminals could not got off scot-free and the government had also released Rs10 million to the home department to provide protection to witnesses and pledged to release more funds, if needed, for relocating them for their protection, he added.

The same police were delivering despite shortcomings and lack of resources, he claimed. This could be assessed from the sacrifice of 126 law-enforcement agencies personnel, who lost their lives while performing their duty, he added.

He said even today (Friday) the police had arrested over 15 suspects involved in different crimes.

Replying to a question, the minister said for ensuring peace during Muharram the government had declared Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur most sensitive cities, where all precautionary and protective measures had been taken for the protection of the people.

He said in cabinet meeting certain important decisions were taken to check terrorism and extortion cases, including scrutinising all arms licences through computerisation. He said after Muharram, a time frame would be announced to get arms licences computerised and after expiry of that date, all other licences would stand cancelled.