News
Sunday, July 14, 2013
PML-N govt moves on Lyari exodus* Nawaz orders interior secretary, IB DG to visit Lyari; meet people and Sindh govt; submit report
* Sindh CM forms five-member body to resolve Lyari issue
ISLAMABAD/KARACHI: Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director General (DG) Aftab Sultan and Interior Secretary Major (r) Qamar Zaman Chaudhry on Saturday visited Lyari after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif took notice of the mass exodus from the violence-hit locality of Karachi.
Following their visit to Lyari, the IB DG and interior secretary also visited Sindh Chief Secretary Ejaz Chaudhry.
Speaking to a news website, the chief secretary confirmed the visit of two officials, saying that that they had been instructed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit the conflict-ridden area.
The chief secretary said that the IB DG and interior secretary were given a briefing about the situation in Lyari.
“They were told that the prevailing situation in Lyari is due to the conflict between two groups,” Ejaz Chaudhry said. They were also informed that the federal government had assured the provincial government of its assistance in restoring law and order in Lyari. The chief secretary also said that 59 cases pertaining to the out-of -turn promotions in the Sindh Police Department had been disposed of on Supreme Court’s order, adding that only 12 cases of out-of-turn promotions remained and would be resolved soon.
The Sindh chief secretary also said that those officials who were transferred to the provincial police department from other departments had been sent back to their previous departments.
Earlier, taking notice of the mass exodus from Lyari, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had ordered the interior secretary and IB DG to reach Karachi and submit a report on the situation.
The prime minister also directed the two officials to hold meetings with Sindh government officials and various groups of people from Lyari. Nawaz had also ordered provision of security to all those people who have migrated from Lyari to Badin and Thatta, and said that all resources should be utilised for their rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah formed a five-member committee to resolve the Lyari issue.
A delegation, led by the provincial law minister, also departed for Thatta and Badin to hold talks with the Kutchi community.
Also on Saturday, Sindh Law Minister Sikandar Mehindro described the law and order situation in Lyari as not an ideal one but refused to admit people’s migration from there to other parts of the city as the government’s defeat.
“Some elements from Kutchi localities could be involved in disturbing the law and order of Lyari,” he said while addressing a press conference at Circuit House but at the same time added that putting the entire onus on Kutchi community would be unfair.
He said elaborate efforts were afoot to bring peace to the violence-stricken Lyari.
Commenting on the local government system, the minister told the reporters that negotiations could be held even today with the government allies.
Awami National Party (ANP) Sindh chapter President Shahi Syed said in a statement that the exodus of citizens from the restive Lyari area puts a big question mark on the provincial government’s ability to provide security to the public at large.
Violence has persisted in several localities of Lyari for many weeks with the area from Kamela bus stand to Agra Taj and Bihar colonies gravely affected, forcing residents to migrate in large numbers. In a shocking incident two weeks ago, gunmen fired at the public near Machchi Miani Market and killed three people, including a woman. staff report/agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk