KARACHI: Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday said the ongoing target operation in the city against terrorists and criminals will continue till elimination of the last criminal.

The chief minister was presiding over a meeting on law and order situation and to review performance of the law enforcing agencies specially with reference to the ongoing targeted operation against terrorists, kidnappers and extortionists in the port city.

The meeting was held at the Chief Minister House here, said an official statement.

From the day first it was decided by the federal and Sindh governments to continue the targeted operation up to its logical conclusion rather than to surrender to any pressure. Both the governments are still committed for the same, he said.

Shah appreciated determination shown by LEAs for fighting against terrorists at the cost of their lives to protect the masses.

He said that the operation was jointly launched by federal and provincial governments with consultation of all political parties and stakeholder to fight against outlaws without any discrimination.

The Sindh government and security agencies are still working within their mandate and no one will be allowed to surpass the law, he said.

Referring to reservations shown by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on the operation, the chief minister said that democracy was functioning across the country and there was no space for victimisation in the democratic set up.

He said that achievements and performance of the law enforcers will also be shared in the Sindh Assembly.

The chief minister however said that some bottlenecks were being experienced by his government including illegal SIMs while carrying out targeted operation in the city. Now, the Sindh government is considering having such a mechanism to resolve such issues with immediate effect, he added.

The database of 40,000 SIMS was examined only to investigate one case of Chaudhry Aslam, he said.

Slow pace of proceedings of the criminal cases challaned in the courts was another problem to get the criminals convicted.

Chief Minister Shah formed a two-member committee comprising the advocate general and the persecutor general of Sindh to approach the higher authority of judiciary for speedy disposed of cases with reference to the targeted operation from September 5 and onward for which the government has sanctioned five more ATC courts.

He also urged the officers of investigation and prosecution branches to establish close coordination among them on the pattern of Sindh Police and Rangers.

The CM said the Sindh government was investing a huge amount to strengthen police by equipping it with latest weapons, APC and bullet proof vehicles, helmet and vest for enabling them to fight with terrorists with full force.

He said since inception of the targeted operation, the crime rate has declined and the confidence of the citizens and business community has been resorted while improvement in investment and business activities has been witnessed.

Additional IG Police Karachi Shahid Hayat said that after the comparative study of present crime rate with its corresponding period, a big decline in the crime rate can be witnessed after the targeted operation period.