KARACHI: The civil and military leaderships reiterated on Monday their resolve to continue the operation in Karachi till elimination of the last terrorist and to take all measures to achieve the target. Rangers were asked to continue their action against criminals as well as their patrons and facilitators without yielding to any pressure.

This was the outcome of a high-level meeting held at the Governor’s House to review the law and order situation and progress in implementation of the National Action Plan.

The meeting was presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. It was attended by Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, ISI Director General Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar, DG Rangers Maj Gen Bilal Akbar, Chief Secretary Mohammad Siddique Memon, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Mohammad Waseem, Sindh IG Ghulam Haider Jamali and chiefs of intelligence institutions and other senior officials.

According to informed sources, the chief minister assured the prime minister that special powers of Rangers would be extended for four months in accordance with the law.

Civil, military leaders ask Rangers to continue their action against outlaws

Mr Shah briefed the meeting on measures being taken by the provincial government to restore peace in Karachi and said that to improve the prosecution system, 30 additional anti-terrorism courts (ATCs) were being set up and 200 new prosecutors recruited.

He urged the federal government to release special funds and provide advanced APCs and weapons to Sindh police. He also sought access to Nadra data.

The IG informed the meeting that police had arrested some suspects over attacks on Rangers and Military Police personnel. He said that 2,668 cases were being tried by the ATCs. Last month 66 cases were decided and 30 accused were convicted. The others were acquitted.

The prime minister praised the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies, saying the situation had improved to such an extent that foreign investors who used to invite local investors to Dubai for talks were now coming to Karachi for holding negotiations and signing agreements.

He said targets of the Karachi operation were quite clear: criminals would not be allowed to raise their head again and the operation would continue till all its objectives were achieved.

He said the operation, which was launched in 2013 with consensus of all parties, should have been carried out seven to eight years ago in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.

But, he regretted, no attention was given and as a result incidents of extortion, target killings and other crimes had increased. The situation had improved in the city after the operation, he added.

The prime minister said there would be no compromise and no one would be allowed to disturb peace. The government will keep a strict eye on the situation. The people and political parties should join hands for the success of the operation and help the government find the financiers and facilitators of terrorists and take them to task.

He expressed displeasure over flaws in the investigation and prosecution system, directing the authorities concerned to improve it and hold regular meetings of the provincial apex committee.

ARMY CHIEF: Gen Raheel Sharif said the Karachi operation was apolitical and against criminal elements. It has brought peace to the city and will continue till elimination of the last terrorist and the facilitator. Nobody will be allowed to disturb peace of the city.

He stressed the need for coordinated efforts by all institutions for elimination of terrorists and restoration of durable peace in the city.

The military leadership made it clear that they were determined to combat terrorism not only in Karachi but throughout the country as security institutions would continue their action to eliminate the network of terrorists under a coordinated link.

The meeting decided to expand the targeted operation to the interior of Sindh to nab those terrorists who had fled during the operation in Karachi. It stressed the need for installing advanced CCTV cameras and improving the monitoring system at all exit and entry points to Karachi.

There was a consensus between the civil and military leaderships that the federal government contact the Interpol to arrest and bring back the terrorists who had escaped to foreign countries. The meeting decided to hold trials of high-profile cases in prisons. All institutions will sit together and help the interior ministry formulate a coordinated strategy to eliminate the financial network of terrorists.

The meeting directed the home department to take measures in coordination with all security and intelligence institutions and district administrations to expedite the process of scrutiny of cases and send them for trials in military courts.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar raised the issue of extension in special powers for Rangers, terming it necessary for the success of the ongoing operation.

He said the people had endorsed the Karachi operation and all federal institutions, the Sindh government and security institutions would have to extend all possible cooperation for its success.

Earlier, Gen Raheel Sharif presided over a meeting at the Corps Headquarters in Karachi. According to the ISPR, the army chief observed that because of the ongoing operation there was a marked improvement in the law and order situation in the city.

He praised the role of the army, Rangers, intelligence agencies and other law-enforcement agencies in restoring peace in the city. The holding of local government elections was possible due to improved law and order situation in Karachi.

The Army chief was briefed by the DG Rangers on the law and order situation in the city.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2015