'Sindh became hub of crimes under previous govt'

KARACHI - At least 26,186 incidents of murders, dacoities and robberies were reported in Sindh province during five years rule of PML-Q led previous coalition government in the province. Sindh Home Department disclosed this horrible picture of crimes in the province in the Sindh Assembly during question-answer session on Thursday. The crimes such as murders, robberies and dacoities were sky rocketing every year as number of above crimes was 6,263 in first year of previous government and this number of crimes increased to 6,367 in 2004. Similarly, numbers of murders, dacoities and robberies further climbed to 6,778 in 2006 and reached 8,977 in year 2007 which was last year rule of previous coalition provincial government. Detail of heinous crimes occurred during five year's rule of last government showed that a total of 8,689 persons were murdered during 2003 to 2007. At least 1,392 murders were reported in 2003, 1,528 in 2004, 1,669 in 2005, 1,946 in 2006 and 2,154 murders took place in last government's last year 2007. Similarly, the numbers of dacoities were also remained high as total dacoities reported at 3,723 during last five rule of last government. Out of total dacoities, 515 occurred in 2003, 526 in 2004, 656 in 2005, 798 in 2006 and 1,228 dacoities occurred in 2007. According to detail provided by Home Department, the numbers of robberies was increased record level during last government's rule as total number of such crime was reported at 13,774 in five year rule of last government. In reply of another question, Home Minister admitted that in violation of Sindh High Court's verdict regarding ban on 'jirgas', at least 12 cases of holding of illegal 'jirgas' took places in Sindh. The FIRs had been lodged against the holders of 'jirgas'; however, no influential person had been arrested in such offences. On behalf of concerned minister of Home Department, Law Minister Ayaz Soomro pointed out that police lodges FIR against the holders of 'jirgas' on complains. Replying to another question, Home minister informed that 775 cases of domestic violence and harassment of women had been reported from January 2005 to April 2008. During above period, 141 cases of domestic violence reported in Karachi, 146 in Dadu, 93 in Mirpurkhas while not a single case of domestic violence reported in Matiari, Shikarpur, Kashmore, Jacobabad and Larkana. Meanwhile, 114 cases of gang rape were reported from January 2005 to April 2008 in Sindh, Minister Home Department informed, adding that out of such cases, 4 victims were killed after gang rape. Out of total 114, a huge number of 54 gang rape cases were occurred in Karachi during 2005 to April 2008, Home Department informed. Replying to another question Home Minster said that total 146 police officials had been martyred in encounters during five-year rule of previous provincial government. Minister informed that 24 police officials have been martyred during present PPP government while compensation to their legal heirs is under processed. Replying to another question of PML-F MPA Marvi Rashdi, Home Minister informed that at least 37 people were killed in target killing in Karachi during January 2007 to 30th June 2008. The snap checking has been carried out at random places to prevent target killing in city, minister said and added the police guards have been provided to persons who are under security threats. 184 BOMB BLASTS Furthermore, at least 184 incidents of bomb blasts occurred in Sindh in which 1770 casualties took place during 1998 to 2008. The security has been tightened at all the public/religious places, strong picketing and effective patrolling was being carried out, minister said and added that all the DIGs, SPOs, and SHOs have been directed that area police officers should keep close watch over the activities of terrorists.