KARACHI – Through a formal order, the Sindh government, on Sunday, directed the Rangers and police to carry out targeted action against criminals on the basis of concrete information from intelligence agencies rather than launching a full-scale operation in Lyari and other city neighbourhoods hit hard by continuing violence and bloodletting.
“Karachi is a big city and crimes here cannot be fully controlled,” Qaim Ali Shah told a news conference at the Chief Minister’s House. He, however, maintained that his government had been making sincere efforts to control the spiraling violence and ethno-sectarian killings. The chief minister dispelled the concerns that the operation was being carried out in Lyari alone, saying the law-enforcement agencies were acting without any discrimination.
“We – the ruling PPP and its allies – have developed consensus over an unbiased anti-criminal operation,” added Qaim, who was flanked by Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Khurshid Ahmed Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur. He further said that no party would allow their folds to be penetrated by anti-state elements and extremists.
Qaim told the media that he would soon meet leaders of all politico-religious parties for harmony in the city and to muster their support against the scourge of targeted killings.
Asked about the schedule of local government elections, the chief minister replied that “it can be delayed because the electoral rolls are not finalised so far, nor does a system of governance for Sindh”.
He also said that the four provinces did head into a consultation, after the apex court’s suo motu of the delay in the local bodies elections.
The chief minister further said that a difference of opinion on the issue of a new local government system for Sindh prevailed among the allies and PPP in the province. “We will submit our reply in the Supreme Court, keeping in view these matters.”
Showcasing his government’s steps for relief to the masses, Qaim said that directly and indirectly, the Sindh government provided a huge number of employment opportunities, besides bringing an economic revolution in the lives of the people, who were completely dependent on agriculture for their survival.
Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister Khursheed Shah, who also heads the National Assembly’s parliamentary committee on Balochistan, said that journalists and writers had to write the truth about the steps taken to provide relief to the people of Balochistan.
He said that for the first time in the history of Pakistan, on the demand of politicians, the military cantonment had been closed down and the Frontier Constabulary was put in charge of law enforcement in the province. “Balochistan’s share in the NFC Award has been enhanced to 9 per cent from 4 per cent by the PPP-led government. It is a significant step, but the media put it otherwise,” he asserted.
Khursheed Shah also said that those who did not accept the constitution and national flag in Balochistan were traitors. He added that the reconciliatory policy of former slain premier Benazir Bhutto would be continued by the government to resolve the problems of the masses. To a question, Faryal Talpur, sister of President Asif Ali Zardari, said the people would be provided relief in the next budget. She also said that investigation into Senate elections rigging in the Punjab Assembly was in progress.