Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad. — File photo

KARACHI: Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that targeted action is being carried out without discrimination against the culprits involved in terrorist   activities in Karachi.

He stated this after visiting Abbas Town bomb blast site here on Thursday and presiding over a high level meeting at the Governor House.

The governor said that comprehensive strategy has been prepared to counter the elements involved in terrorist activities.

He said that the Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani was also briefed about the situation in the city during his visit to Karachi.

Khan said that Sindh Chief Minister has also taken various measures to improve law and order.

Referring to the Abbas Town incident, the governor said that immediate start of rescue work is most important in such incidents, but unfortunately hindrances were created for the police and rangers in starting their work at the place of the blast.

Expressing deep grief over killing of innocent people in the bomb blast, the governor assured that all out help and assistance would be provided to the victims.

He said that 100 flats have been made available to offer immediate shelter to the affectees, whose houses were damaged in the explosion while construction and repair work of the damaged buildings would be started as early as possible.

Dr Ishratul Ibad said that instructions in this regard have been given to the commissioner Karachi.

The governor during the visit met with people who sustained injures in the blast. He also met with Ulema and offered fateha for the departed souls.

Sardar Uzair Jan Baloch visiting the area while the KESC workers are seen repairing the electricity lines as the life is getting back to normalcy after the Lyari Operation.  —Photo by ONLINE

KARACHI: Life in Lyari started returning to normality on Saturday following the weeklong gunbattles between police and suspected gangsters that left 38 people, including five policemen, dead and many injured.

Normal activities were witnessed around the worst-hit Cheel Chowk that served as the police base camp during the Lyari operation.

Workers of utility services, including the Karachi Electricity Supply Company and Pakistan Telecommunication Company, removed faults that had developed during the armed clashes that saw free use of rockets, hand-grenades and machine guns mainly by armed group who attacked the police.

Other parts of Lyari, including infamous Afshani Gali, Singu Lane, Daryabad, Khui, Chakiwara, Eidu Lane, Gul Muhammad Muhallah, Baloch Para and a few pockets of Kharadar also witnessed business with usual hustle.

In a surprise move, the law-enforcement agencies without achieving the targets the police chief had announced just a day ago pulled out on Friday evening from the strife-hit areas of Lyari, suspending the operation for the next 48 hours. While both sides suffered casualties in the weeklong exchanges of gun and rocket fire between law-enforcement personnel and members of the banned People’s Amn Committee, residents remained without access to basic amenities.

Sindh IG Mushtaq Shah on Saturday repeated that another operation would be launched in Lyari after a 48-hour break that would end on Sunday evening.

He again asked the armed men to surrender and face the law.

He admitted that there had been serious flaws on the part of the police in handling the situation and a wrong assessment of the strength of the gangsters holed up in Lyari.

“During the operation, we felt that we were fighting the enemy on the borders,” he told reporters after the funeral prayers of a police officer, who was gunned down in the Manghopir area on Friday, at the Police Headquarters in Garden.

“We didn’t have any idea that the gangsters would have such a huge cache of modern and sophisticated arms. We really had no idea. But the operation was not suspended or called off at anyone’s behest. We have asked them to surrender within 48 hours, and by the time we are analysing the situation and making better planning for the next round of the operation.”

Answering a question, he said aid from Rangers could have produced better results of the Lyari operation.

However, he did not elaborate reasons behind keeping the paramilitary forces away from the whole exercise.

“Obviously, the larger force and better-equipped force you will have, better results you will get. But we are very much satisfied with the performance of the police, who have done a good job considering the available resources and situation,” said the IG.

IG Sindh Police.Mushtaq Shah gestures during a press conference in Karachi on Tuesday. – Photo by PPI

KARACHI: Inspector General (IG) Sindh police Mushtaq Shah on Tuesday claimed to have arrested several miscreants from different areas including Lyari in Karachi and called for placing bounty on 34 most wanted criminals, DawnNews reported.

Speaking in a press conference at Karachi police head office, Shah said that during the operation in Lyari, 123 suspects including members of “gang war” were arrested by the police.

Seven betting dens have also been raided and closed up, he added.

Moreover, the IG Sindh police said that five target killers and six extortionists have also been arrested from various areas of the metropolis.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik. — File photo

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that operations will continue against extortionists and target killers in Karachi, while at the same time he reassured the people of Lyari that they are not being singled out.

Rehman Malik along with Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wassan visited Saeedabad Training Centre and spoke with a gathering of the Frontier Constabulary.

The Interior Minister said that action will continue against extortionists and target killers at all costs. He also said that there will be no breathing space given for terrorists.

Rehman Malik said that he had been given a go ahead by President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani.

He also said that the action taken against terrorists in Lyari should not be seen by the residents of the area as an operation being taken against them.