KARACHI: Conceding the surge in street crime in Karachi and showing concerns over growing number of armed muggings and killings, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday blamed the “deteriorating economic conditions” in the country for the recent trend.

But in the same breath, he vowed that his government had taken the menace “as a challenge and would eradicate it to restore the writ of law” citing a number of measures that included directives to police authorities after Friday’s murder of journalist Athar Mateen by armed bandits in North Nazimabad.

He shared his thoughts while talking to reporters at the Election Commission of Pakistan’s office, where he came for the submission of the nomination paper of senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Nisar Khuhro, who had been awarded a party ticket to contest the Senate election on a seat fell vacant after disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leader Faisal Vawda.

“It’s really concerning for me and everyone,” he replied to a question about the recent trend of street crime in Karachi which had claimed dozens of lives. “We are taking measures and have recently made some moves, but you see in many cases the people got involved due to deteriorating economic condition of the country.”

PPP fields Nisar Khuhro as candidate for Senate seat; five PTI men file nomination papers

He claimed that the police in the city had done a tremendous job for restoring peace. “You all know what was the situation in 2012-14, but our police performed and offered sacrifices. They eliminated terrorist outfits and sleeper cells of target killers. So we have again taken up this [street crime] issue as well, and hope it would soon be controlled. When I say bad economic condition, I don’t give any excuse. I admit that it is our [Sindh government’s] responsibility, but there is definitely a reason behind the recent surge of its [crime] rate.”

More changes expected in universities

To a question about some recent incidents in different universities, the chief minister said that he had brought changes in the administration of two universities, and more actions were being taken. “Our universities are important, and I would never allow deterioration of the educational atmosphere there,” he vowed.

Responding to a question about proposed amendments to the local government law, the chief minister said that the commitments made with opposition parties such as Jamaat-i-Islami, Pak Sarzameen Party and others would be fulfilled.

“We will discuss the proposed amendment in the cabinet meeting on Monday, and then refer the draft law to the assembly,” he said.

Senate nomination papers

Earlier, Sindh PPP president Nisar Khuhro filed nomination papers for the Senate seat. Chief Minister Shah proposed his candidatures, while MPA Nida Khuhro seconded her father’s candidature.

Five leaders of the PTI — Ali Palh, Shozaib Kapadia, Arsalan Agha, Aman Qazi and Tahir Shah — filed their nomination papers as the party said that that it would announce the name of its candidate later.

Later talking to reporters, PTI MPA Arsalan Taj said that CM Shah had admitted in the past that he had enjoyed nationality of Canada till 2012 and for that a petition seeking disqualification was filed in the Sindh High Court and Supreme Court, which was still pending.

“So people of Pakistan wonder about this dual standard,” he said. “On one hand a person loses his Senate seat for possessing dual nationality at the time of filing nomination papers while another is enjoying the top executive office of the province since over five years despite admitting about his dual nationality. This should come to an end and justice should be served on the basis of merit,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2022