KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah alerted the police and other law enforcement agencies on Thursday to beef up security and enhance the coordinated intelligence work so that the fallout of the war in Afghanistan could be controlled here.

“The withdrawal of US troops in Afghanistan and advancement of the Taliban is likely to increase the insurgency which may affect Pakistan, particularly Karachi, in terms of terrorism and influx of illegal immigrants. Therefore, we have to be prepared to control the situation,” he said while presiding over the 26th meeting of the Apex Committee.

Reviewing major heads of crime in the province during 2021, the Apex Committee observed that terrorism, targeted killing and kidnapping for ransom incidents had almost come to an end, but murders and extortion had increased by 25 per cent and 65pc, respectively, than the incidents reported in 2020. However, the rise in extortion and killing incidents were the result of an operation in the katcha area and personal enmities and disputes.

The meeting was attended by Local Government Minister Nasir Shah, Adviser on Law Murtaza Wahab, Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar, Director General of Rangers Major Gen Iftikhar Hussain, provincial heads of different agencies and other officers concerned.

Apex Committee acknowledges increase in incidents of murder and extortion

Terrorism

The additional IG of Special Branch told the meeting that the clashes between the Taliban and the Afghan government might bring illegal immigrants to the province, particularly to Karachi.

He directed the LEAs to speed up their targeted operation against terrorists, adding that the banned outfits and their activities needed to be watched.

The CM decided to revamp the intelligence set-up of Special Branch and directed the IG to enhance the level of preparedness.

Murders in city

The IG said that in 2021 (up to July 15) 254 persons were murdered. Of them, 126 cases had been detected by arresting 161 suspects. He said no political, ethnic or sectarian targeted killing was reported.

The meeting was told that during 2021 as many as 28 cases of kidnapping for ransom were reported; of them 12 were “genuine” cases. Police arrested 36 suspects and three were killed in encounters.

Extortion

Talking about extortion, the IG said that during 2021, up to July 15, 74 cases of extortion were reported in the city. Of them, 62 had been worked out, four extortionists were killed and 94 arrested.

Rallies banned

On the recommendation of the provincial police chief, the chief minister banned rallies, protests, sit-in demonstrations and assembly of persons at 11 specific points of Karachi and arterial highways, railway tracks and their adjacent areas, inter-city bus terminals and major roads through the province.

The chief minister directed the IGP to issue necessary instructions to the police to provide protection to minorities. “They have equal rights in the country, and I would not tolerate if any high-handedness is committed with the minorities,” he added.

Mr Shah said that crime against women and children was intolerable, and it must be curbed. Those who have been arrested in killing a woman or raping a child must be brought to book, he concluded.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2021