News
Monday, September 09, 2013
Karachi operation bearing fruits: govt* Nisar says several extortionists and target-killers associated with political parties have been arrested
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Sunday that the decision to approve a Rangers-led operation in Karachi has started to bear fruits.
Nisar said that a resolution on counter-terrorism strategies would be approved with consensus during the All-Parties Conference (APC). Speaking at a news conference, he said the APC would begin at 11am on Monday (today) and participates will be given a briefing on the country’s security matters by the army chief and ISI DG. The interior minister hoped that the conference would yield results. He said that the country should be hopeful regarding the APC. Asserting that the PML-N-led government had been working hard since assuming power, Nisar said, “This is not just a conference. It will chalk out a plan of action for the government to follow.”
“Political parties members will also get a chance to address the conference,” said the interior minister. Commenting on the situation in Karachi, Nisar said several extortionists and target killers had been arrested during targeted operations in the city. He added that those arrested had expressed their affiliations with political parties. “Operation was carried out in Malir, Frontier Colony, Site, Badr commercial, Clifton, Gizri and various other areas of Karachi,” the interior minister said while reading out from a report.
“It has been three days since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Karachi,” said Nisar, adding that the decision to approve a Rangers-led operation in the city had started to bear fruits. According to Nisar, Sindh inspector general of police (IGP) had been given one month to improve the performance of the police.
The interior minister said leaders of all the major parties in parliament would take part in the APC, which would be held at the Prime Minister’s House. “It is a matter of satisfaction that the leadership of all parties has agreed to attend the meeting. Four leaders were scheduled to go abroad, however, they have either postponed or cancelled their trips,” he said. The minister said that he had held discussions with the leaders and hoped that a comprehensive resolution would be passed at the APC. He appreciated the political leadership for its patriotism and extending cooperation to the government on issues of vital national importance.
Nisar said the Rangers-led operation in Karachi was going well, with very active mobile patrolling. He said Rangers had conducted 64 targeted raids, while police had undertaken 80 raids, arresting a large number of target killers and extortionists. Weapons, including automatic guns, rifles, pistols, bombs, repeaters and live ammunition, were recovered during the raids, he stated. The minister said it was appreciable that during the last four days the rate of heinous crimes, including target killings, in Karachi, had come down by one third.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk