KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Saturday said that miscreants in Lyari should not consider the temporary halt in the operation as our weakness, DawnNews reported.

Speaking to police officials at the Police Headquarters Karachi along with Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, Shah praised the courage of policemen for participating in the grand operation against the armed criminals in the troubled area of the metropolis.

He said that the “pause” in the operation was just a step back and should not be considered as our weakness.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik said the only purpose behind the operation was to capture just a handful of terrorists fighting against the security forces. “I salute to those policemen who sacrificed their lives for peace and stability in the area,” said the interior minister.

He pointed out that Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) and steal bullets were used against the security forces in Lyari. “Innocent people do not carry anti-aircraft guns,” he added.

The minister also pointed that there are 72 betting and drugs dens in Lyari alone.

Earlier, in a statement Malik said that the repositioning of the police and the “pause” has been done purely to facilitate the people of Lyari.

“We cannot put people in inconvenience because of gangsters.” “I am glad to know the life in Lyari is getting normal,” he said.

The minister said it is shocking to see Nawaz Sharif showing solidarity now to the Lyari people whereas he and his messengers have been encouraging the “Lyari Gangwars.”

He said that it is understood that Lashkar-i-Jhangvi is being fully backed by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government in Punjab and now Nawaz Sharif wants to back another banned organisation namely Peoples Amman Committee (PAC).