Karachi - Sindh government has promised giving more powers to the Rangers but with the consent of the Sindh Assembly, while crackdown against terrorists’ supports, including rogue seminaries, will be boosted.
PPP had the majority in the assembly and it would give more powers to the paramilitary force through legislation- which was a legal binding on the government, Sindh Minister for Local Bodies and Information Sharjeel Inam Memon told the media on Sunday after a meeting of the Apex Committee.
“There was no discussion over reservations regarding the powers of Rangers (in the meeting), instead, it was decided that a strict action will be taken against banned outfits and crackdown against seminaries involved in supporting militancy will be further boosted,” he said. He said the meeting also discussed ongoing targeted operation in Karachi and implementation on the national action plan.
It was decided that the operation against militants would continue till the elimination of terrorism from the country, the minister said. It was also decided that those supporting and abetting terrorists in their activities would be dealt with an iron hand, he added.
Sharjeel said the apex committee also formed a task force led by Home Secretary Mukhtiar Soomro to oversee the operation in the metropolis. “The task force will include representatives of police and Rangers.”
“The participants of the meeting appreciated the efforts and sacrifices of the law enforcement authorities, including police and Rangers,” he said, adding the meeting also appreciated police efforts in killing notorious dacoit Nazro Narejo and paid a tribute to the two policemen who sacrificed their lives during the encounter.
To a query regarding Rangers raid on MQM Headquarters, Nine-Zero, the minister said the paramilitary force could raid any place where it had tip-off of terrorists and they do not need any prior approval for this. “Hardened criminals including the murderer of the journalist Wali Khan Babar was also arrested during this raid,” he pointed out.
The Sindh Apex Committee meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and attended by Karachi Corps Commander Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar, Sindh Rangers DG Maj-Gen Bilal Akbar, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, IGP and others.
According to sources, it was decided that the police would be provided with more armored vehicles and the DG Rangers and the IGP will personally make effort for this purpose. The meeting also expressed grave concern over weak prosecution that had led to the release of many hardened criminals. It was therefore decided that the prosecution department would be strengthened and new prosecutors added in the department.
The meeting was informed that the requisition for new appointments was sent to the Public Service Commission. But the chief minister directed the chief secretary that a special committee should be constituted and recruitment be made after Eidul Fitr if the commission was taking too much time in recruitments.
It was also decided that Sindh IGP will constitute a special investigation cell that would review the cases of the arrested culprits on routine basis while the prosecutor general office would also held a meeting in this regard after every 15 days and review the progress of the cases. It was also decided that mechanism would be devised for halting the funding of the militants with the cooperation of the banks and other financial institutions.
Agencies add: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari held separate meetings with Karachi Corps Commander Lt-Gen Naveed Mukhtar and Rangers DG Maj-Gen Bilal Akbar before the apex committee meeting. Sindh chief minister was also present during the meetings but it was Bilawal’s first official meeting with the heads of key security institutions. According to the CM House spokesperson, the law and order situation was discussed during the meetings.
While Bilawal expressed concern over raids conducted by Rangers at various government departments in Sindh, DG Rangers assured the PPP chairman of not taking unilateral action. “All action will be taken with consultation of the Sindh government,” said Major General Bilal Akbar.
According to sources, General Mukhtar in his meeting argued terrorists had taken shelter in Sindh government departments due to negligence of the provincial government, but was assured by Sindh CM of action against corrupt elements.
The Karachi operation was initiated by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in September 2013 to rid the metropolitan of criminal elements, irrespective of their political, ethnic or religious affiliation. Further, in the wake of the Peshawar tragedy in December 2014, the NAP was approved by the entire political leadership to eliminate terrorism from the country. The apex committees - headed by chief ministers of the provinces and comprising army officials and political leadership - were also formed in all the provinces for the implementation of the NAP.