KARACHI - The Sindh Cabinet on Tuesday expressed satisfaction and decided to continue the ongoing targeted operation against the criminals and terrorists in Karachi.
The cabinet, which met with Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the CM Secretariat, also approved the security plan of Sindh Police under which whole Karachi has been divided into three zones. Each zone has been equipped with zonal quick response force.
The cabinet expressed satisfaction over the achievements accomplished by Sindh Police and Rangers during the targeted operation against the extremists, targeted killers, extortionists and kidnappers in Karachi. It decided to further expedite action against the criminals with full force.
The cabinet directed the higher authorities of Sindh Police for early purchase of bulletproof vests/helmets and vehicles for which funds have already been provided to them.
It further directed for early implementation on secure housing schemes for police personnel near the police stations. The cabinet decided for further strengthening of the check posts at all entry and exit points of the province and also at railway stations to avoid any possible entry of terrorists in the province.
The provincial cabinet also decided for recruitment of more 10,000 cops in Sindh Police in 2014-15 and providing latest training to them from the Pak Army officers. It decided to enhance security at all sensitive installations/markets, offices, complexes and main public places.
The cabinet recommended the judiciary for making all approved ATCs functional and directed the provincial law ministry for making prosecution wing stronger to ensure convictions to the criminals.
Discussing the celebration of Independence Day, the cabinet decided to constitute five members committee. The committee would be headed by Sindh Senior Education Minister Nisar Ahmed Khuhro with members Sindh Local Government/Information Minister Sharjeel Memon, Sindh Youth Affairs Minister Faisal Sabzwari, Advisor to CM for Culture Sharmila Farooqi, and provincial secretary Innamullah Dharejo as secretary to chalk out the detailed programme for celebrating the Independence Day in a befitting manner.
Qaim said since Sindh was the pioneer province of Pakistan, the Independence Day of Pakistan would be celebrated with full national enthusiasm and fervor across the province.
The CM said despite of the difficulties due to geo-political and insurgency in upper country, the law and order in entire province including Karachi has remained under control. He claimed that Sindh government has taken bold steps including legislation for Witness Protection Act, increasing the number of Anti-Terrorist Courts, increasing the strength and equipping the Sindh Police to fight against terrorism and make the province ‘peaceful’.
Advisor to Chief Minister for Finance, Murad Ali Shah said, “As against the 1,95,436 Punjab Police force, we have 1,30,741 police force in Sindh but when we to look into the budget wise per capita expenditures, statistically it will prove that Sindh government is spending more on the Sindh Police as compared to Punjab government.
He claimed that the salaries, allowances and perks which are presently provided to the police personnel, working at sensitive police stations in Karachi, are more and not been provided to the police anywhere in Pakistan. However, any reasonable scheme for the encouragement of the Sindh Police would be welcomed, he said.
Sindh Acting IG Police Ghulam Hyder Jamali said against the 1,501 murder cases reported in 2013, only 518 have been reported during the year 2014. Similarly, as compared to 548 extortionist cases in 2013 only, 302 cases are reported in 2014, likewise as against 35 cases of terrorism in 2013, 32 cases are reported in 2014. Against the 113 cases of kidnapping for ransom, only 61 cases have been reported in 2014 till date.
He said between the period of January to August 2014, as many as 2,091 encounters with criminals were held in which 67 terrorists were killed and 32 arrested, 266 dacoits were killed and 6,937 arrested, 17 kidnappers were killed and 55 arrested, four extortionists killed, 166 arrested, 3,178 proclaimed offenders and 17,395 absconders were arrested. In addition to that, 1,865 criminals arrested red-handed and 689 gangs busted.
He said most of the murders were being conducted due to old personal enmities, rivalries, ethnic, sectarian and factional infighting. He said security had been enhanced at all sensitive installations. All the cabinet members attended the meeting.