News
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Karachi will be de-weaponised in phases: MalikAll arms licences to stand ceased from Sept 1
* Interior minister says arms licences issued only by NADRA will be valid after August 31
* Advises licence holders to approach nearest NADRA office for new licence
Staff Report
KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Monday said that no arms licences, except issued by NADRA, would be valid after August 31 while all the arms licences issued by the Ministry of Interior would stand cancelled with effect from September 1.
Talking to reporters after presiding over a high level meeting at the National Crisis Management Cell, he said that Karachi would be de-weaponised in phases and extensive measures would be taken for the purpose.
He said the criminals carrying illegal arms would be tried Anti-Terrorism Act and Arms Ordinance 1969 while a special cell, headed by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, was being set up to deal with “extortion mafia”. It will be a non-bailable offence with punishment starting from seven years to life imprisonment.
The police have been directed to maintain forensic record of weapons used by criminals and target killers, enabling the law enforcement agencies to identify usage of the same weapons in various crime incidents.
The meeting decided that Rs 20,000 for automatic weapons and Rs 50,000 would be given for heavy weapons as award to informants. Their identity of the informers will be kept secret, the minister said.
He said all the arms licences issued by the Ministry of Interior shall stand ceased with effect from September 1, as lot of forgery had been reported in their issuance.
All those licences which have not been issued by NADRA will be cancelled and only those arm licences will be valid which have been issued by NADRA authorities duly authorised by the Ministry of Interior, he said.
Malik said that a large-scale campaign would be launched for recovery of illegal arms after August 31.
The public at large has been warned not to carry any illegal weapon and surrender illegal weapons to the nearest police station voluntarily if they have any.
Anybody who supplies information through mobile video with credible evidence against any criminal shall also be rewarded suitably, the meeting decided.
The meeting noted with concern that mobile SIM cards are still being used in criminal activities, which is the constant way of aiding criminals. Hence it has been decided that all the mobile telephone holders must send an SMS message on 668 and verify number of mobile SIM being used in his/her name and report to the nearest police station, NADRA office or the FIA if there is any mobile SIM issued fraudulently against their names.
This must be done by all the mobile telephone users by August 31 and any mobile SIM found used in any crime shall lead to legal action against the owner.
In the meeting, the PTA was appreciated for blocking 2.1 million mobile SIMs. There are reports that still many unverified SIMs are being used which need to be blocked. The PTA chairman has been directed to use all available technical resources to block the remaining unverified or fraudulently issued SIM cards. It has also been made mandatory for the SHO of every police station in Karachi to collect and maintain complete population data of the individuals and families of his area whereas NADRA and the Population Senses Commission will assist him.
The SHOs will also maintain proper computerised record of the criminals, suspects, land grabbers and drug barons in their jurisdictions. The DIGs will ensure that their respective administrative areas are regularly inspected and record of progress of community policing initiatives is maintained. The progress of Qasba Colony was reviewed and further directions have been given to the Additional IG (Special Branch) to visit the area in person with a team and submit the report within the next two days.
It has also been resolved that the Rangers and police will continue their targeted actions based on real time intelligence and will ensure peace in their respective jurisdictions.
It has also come to notice that children, elders and women block streets when law enforcement agencies reach a crime scene or conduct a raid based on the intelligence in certain houses or certain streets. It has been appealed to the community of the respective areas not to repeat this practice as it is detrimental to their own safety and moreover it would amount to the protection of criminals. It is appealed that they should do their national duty and help the law enforcement agencies in identifying the criminals.
It has also been noticed that electric and telephone poles are being used for drumming and getting the people together in the areas which should be stopped and anybody found instigating in the gathering on the crime scene shall also be liable for punishment.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Hussain Wassan, Inspector General of Sindh Police Wajid Durrani, Karachi CCPO Saud Mirza, ISI Commander in Karachi Brig Shafiq, NADRA General Manager Brig (r) Zahid Ahmed, Col Shafeeq of the Sindh Rangers and FIA Additional Director Azad Khan attended the meeting.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk