KARACHI: The Sindh government has apparently turned down the Centre’s offer for any assistance in the operation against bandits in Shikarpur launched after recent killings of policemen, but agreed on broad-based cooperation with Islamabad for an “operation clean-up” in kutcha (riverine) areas of the province in the future.

The understanding was shared by federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed after his daylong engagements in the city on Thursday. He met Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Governor Imran Ismail and that led to agreement between the two sides on the issues regarding law and order in the province.

The interior minister reiterated that law and order was an exclusively provincial subject but made it clear that the federal government could not remain aloof and unaffected amid deteriorating law and order situation in Sindh.

“I met the Sindh CM and we shared everything regarding peace and challenges in the kutcha areas,” the minister said at a press conference. “I have offered him every possible support on behalf of the federal government. The chief minister was offered support of Rangers in any part of the province and in ongoing operation against bandits. He has agreed to and welcomed all suggestions. He wants the province to handle the current situation in Shikarpur but going forward we would design a joint strategy for peace in parts of Sindh.”

The minister said he would submit his report on his Sindh visit in a day or two to the prime minister, who had no intention to interfere in provincial affairs nor wanted anything against the consent of the provincial authorities.

“During my meeting with officials of security forces and state institutions, it emerged that few people involved in all this [bandits and other criminal gangs] have political connections,” he said. “During the meeting with the CM we both agreed that whoever is found involved in criminal activities would be caught and charged regardless of his background or political connections. We have also decided to book criminals from kutcha areas under terror charges to ensure speedy trials and severe punishments.”

Earlier, Mr Ahmed met Mr Shah at CM House and assured him that the Centre would provide all support Sindh needed in the operation against bandits. The chief minister was told that he could seek Rangers’ assistance for the operation at any time.

“The provincial government needs some sensitive equipment and while it is making arrangements to get the equipment, the interior ministry can help us as well,” an official press release quoted the chief minister as telling Mr Ahmed.

During the meeting, the chief minister said Pakistan, which was previously ranked the sixth most dangerous country in the world, was now ranked 126th, implying that law and order situation had improved.

“In the recent past, we had to travel with a convoy, but the PPP-led Sindh government launched an operation [against criminal elements] and got the highways cleared,” he said. “Back then, law and order situation in Karachi had worsened to such an extent that the city saw the emergence of no-go areas.”

Interior Secretary Yousuf Nasim Khokhar, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah and Inspector General of police Mushtaq Mahar also attended the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2021