ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari has instructed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to initiate a comprehensive operation against street criminals in Karachi, dacoits in the Katcha area, and drug traffickers across the province, in close coordination with other provinces.
The President issued several directives, including cracking down on the drug mafia, curbing the trade in stolen goods, completing the long-delayed Karachi Safe City project, and other measures to restore law and order in Sindh, particularly in the provincial capital, amidst a surge in violent street crimes.
This decision was made during a special meeting chaired by President Zardari to assess the law and order situation in the province at the CM House on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the federal and provincial governments, as well as representatives from security institutions.
Present at the meeting were Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Federal Minister for Science and Technology Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, provincial ministers Sharjeel Memon, Nasir Hussain Shah, Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the chief secretary, inspector general police (IGP), Director General (DG) Rangers Sindh, and other senior officials.
The meeting aimed to review the overall law and order situation in the province, with a specific focus on longstanding issues such as Karachi street crimes, Katcha bandits, narcotics menace, land grabbing, security of foreign nationals, as well as the provision of facilities and resources.
During the meeting, Sindh CM Shah provided a detailed briefing on the prevailing law and order situation in the provincFe to the President. He noted that the situation had improved following operations in Katcha (riverine) areas.
He highlighted events such as the visit of the Iranian president to the metropolis, Pakistan Super League (PSL) and international cricket matches, and the peaceful organization of religious events as evidence of the improved law and order situation.
In a briefing, Sindh Rangers DG Major General Azhar Waqas informed President Zardari that a total of 5,357 crimes were reported in the first four months of 2024. It was mentioned that in 2014, Karachi ranked sixth in the global crime index, which has now dropped to 82nd.
The briefing further revealed a decrease in street crime cases in March and April. Forty-nine people lost their lives in 48 street crime cases, with 43 accused arrested after investigations into 27 cases, while 13 suspects were killed in encounters.
To combat street crimes, the provincial police implemented key measures, such as making Shaheen Force operational and restructuring Madadgar 15 in Karachi. Additionally, 168 cars and 120 vehicles were provided to the police, CM Sindh added.
President Zardari emphasized the importance of the police force being aware of locations where stolen vehicles and mobile phones were being sold. He directed the police to take stringent actions against the trade centers where stolen assets were being marketed.
