No compromise on Karachi operation
* PM says targets of ongoing operation are very much clear * Expresses disappointment over weak investigation and prosecution procedures

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Monday said that the government won’t make compromise on law and order situation in the metropolitan city.

Addressing a high-level meeting at the Governor’s House in Karachi, the prime minister said targets of the ongoing operation were clear, adding that all out efforts would be made to maintain peace in Karachi.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif were in Karachi Monday to sort out the issue of Rangers’ deployment in the provincial capital city as the term of the paramilitary force’s operation expired two days earlier. The prime minister expressed his disappointment on weak prosecution and investigation procedures that were being practiced in Karachi.

He emphasized the preemptive efforts to avert the re-emergence of criminal elements in Karachi where peace was returning consequent to a comprehensive operation. He said the government was already too much conscious in that regard.

“We should not judge the operation’s success by the number of arrests, convictions and acquittals. Rather we should assess our efforts by comparing them with our set targets, achievements and their impacts,” he remarked.

The prime minister said the federal government had extended all possible support to the Sindh government and Rangers to ensure success of the operation. The operation, he said, was launched following intensive consultations among all the stakeholders, including politicians, businessmen, media and common citizens.

He said the people of Karachi were witness to the poor law and order before launch of the operation some 27 months ago, which had now improved.

The prime minister viewed that the operation should have been launched in the city seven to eight years ago when cases of extortion, target killings and kidnappings for ransom were rampant and the terrorism was getting roots there. Neither any society could tolerate such situation nor a government could compromise on such lawlessness, he added.

Nawaz said in the past investors were hesitant to visit Karachi and used to settle their business deals in Dubai. Now a lot of people have started coming to the city for trade purpose, he added. He said business activities have picked up after an improvement in law and order and that foreign investment is being redirected to the country from abroad. He also appreciated the performance of Rangers, police and secret agencies in reviving peace in Karachi.

Nawaz Sharif earlier met with Chief Minister Sindh Qaim Ali Shah at the Governor’s House. Sindh Police Inspector General Ghulam Haider Jamali told the meeting that there were 2,688 cases under way at Karachi ATCs.

“66 cases were handled during the month of November,” he said. Out of these, 30 cases resulted in convictions while the remaining resulted in acquittals, he added. “Assailants involved in attacks on Rangers and the Military Police personnel have been caught,” he stated.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on the occasion that the security operation in Karachi will continue till the elimination of the last terrorist in the metropolis.

“The Karachi operation seems to be lacking the amount of support it initially witnessed when the operation commenced,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar told the meeting. He recommended that all prosecutions be monitored by the apex committee.

Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk

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