Karachi: In the Provincial Apex Committee meeting, it was approved to start a comprehensive joint operation of Pak Army/Rangers against dacoits in the Kacha area, including the prevention of street crimes and drug mafia in Karachi and the operation of illegal hydrants.
The 28th meeting of the Provincial Apex Committee was held under the chairmanship of the Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (R) Maqbool Baqir in which the Chief Minister conducted a joint operation of police and Rangers to prevent street crimes and drug mafia in Karachi and to stop the operation of illegal hydrants. Approved.
In the meeting, it was also decided to start a joint operation of Pak Army/Rangers against dacoits in the Kacha area of Sukkur and Larkana Division, and to start the stalled construction work on the Ghotki-Kashmore Bridge on the Indus River.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Sindh Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqir said that the people’s trust in the government and institutions will increase by eliminating bandits, street criminals, drug mafia and illegal hydrants.
He directed the IG Police to improve the overall condition of the city’s police stations. The Chief Minister expressed his disappointment and anger that the dacoits are not allowing the construction of the Ghotki-Kashmore bridge and hence the work has been stopped.
On this occasion, Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar directed the Rangers and Police to immediately reach the spot and provide security to the people working there.
Provincial Ministers Brigadier (Rtd) Haris Nawaz, Umar Soomro and Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar, Chief Secretary Dr. Fakhar Alam, Advocate General Hasan Akbar, DG Rangers Major General Azhar Waqas, Principal Secretary to Sindh Chief Minister Hasan Naqvi, Secretary Interior Iqbal Memon, IG Police Rifat Mukhtar, Additional IG Karachi Khadim Rind, Commissioner Karachi Saleem Rajput and others attended.
Interior Minister Brigadier (retd) Haris Nawaz and IG Police Rafat Mukhtar, while giving a briefing regarding law and order, especially kidnapping for ransom, said that a total of 220 people were kidnapped in 2023, including 128 people from Larkana, 128 people from Sukkur. 46, 42 from Karachi, 3 from Hyderabad and one from Shaheed Benazirabad.
He said that out of 220 hostages, 210 have been rescued, including 121 from Larkana, 41 from Sukkur, 42 from Karachi and 3 from Hyderabad region.
He further said that at present only 10 people remain to be rescued in Sukkur and Larkana areas, on which the police is working. The IG said that there are barely 50 to 60 notorious dacoits and the rest are tribals. He further said that lists of robbers have been prepared to eliminate them in the operation.
The meeting was informed that a joint operation of Rangers/Pak Army has been planned. Rangers have been deployed along with the police for the operation and a crackdown has been launched against organized arms smuggling. The first cache of military grade weapons has been seized in Ghotki.
The meeting was informed that intelligence agencies are also assisting in the operation. The meeting was informed that the operation requires sophisticated military weapons like sniper rifles, grenade launchers, mortars, night vision devices and drones.
The meeting was informed that an NOC for procurement of modern weapons is pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs/Defence. On this, Corps Commander Karachi said that they have already given the clearance, only the Home Minister has to issue a formal NOC.
The Chief Minister tasked the Chief Secretary to talk to the Home Ministry for NOC so that arms can be purchased from the Pakistan Army. The IG Police has formulated a comprehensive joint operation plan to clear the hideouts in the Kacha area, which will provide air access to the troops for consultation.
The meeting was told that 18 forward base camps with 50-50 personnel are being established in the rural areas of the four districts, including six in Ghotki and Kashmore, four in Shikarpur, two in Sukkur.
400 police check posts are being established and 3200 police personnel will be deployed in 210 posts. The Chief Minister said that all the expenses of the operation will be released in time.
Additional IG Karachi Khadim Rind while briefing the committee on the overall crime situation in Karachi, especially street crime, said that in 2013 there were 3467 murders in the city, in 2023 this number has decreased to 411. 329 wanted accused were arrested.
He added that personal enmity/conflict was found to be the main reason behind the murder. In 2013, 533 cases of extortion were reported, while only 100 cases have been reported this year. Police arrested 86 suspects involved in extortion.
Regarding street crimes, it was reported that in 2013, 39,884 cases of street crime were reported, which increased to 85,502 in 2022, while 61,098 cases have been reported so far this year (till September 17).
On this, the Chief Minister said that street crimes have not only created a sense of insecurity among the people, but it has brought the government into disrepute. The Chief Minister was told that in street crime, Eastern district is the top with 17570 cases, Central district with 14648 cases, Korangi 10731 cases, West 6551, Malir 3193, Kemari 3174, South 2741 and City 2490 cases.
The Chief Minister said that when the police have the data where the crime rate is high, they should make strategies and plans to control it.
After a detailed discussion, the apex committee decided to launch a joint operation of police and Rangers against street criminals and drug mafia.
The committee approved the initiation of frequent combing operations in slums and snap checking period also during rush hours. Bailable criminals, repeat offenders, drug dealers and absconders will be monitored and action initiated against them.
The meeting also decided to increase surveillance through proliferation of CCTV camera networks and command and control centres.
The Chief Minister formed a committee headed by Provincial Caretaker Minister Umar Soomro along with Chairman P&D Shakeel Mangejo, Interior Secretary Iqbal Memon and DG Safe City Authority Aizaz Sheikh.
The meeting will submit its report in a week and the Chief Minister will call a meeting to implement the Safe City project.
Director General Rangers Major General Azhar Waqas while briefing the meeting said that the Rangers along with the police have started an operation against illegal hydrants.
He further said that 27 operations were conducted in Nazimabad and New Nazimabad District Central, Orangi, Munghupir and Baldia in West District, Jamshed Quarters District South and Chakragoth District East.
DG Rangers told the meeting that 27 illegal hydrants were sealed and 43 people were arrested and water bowsers were seized. He added that the water board has to be vigilant so that the sealed hydrants do not start working again.
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