KARACHI: Caretaker Chief Minister Sindh Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar presiding over meeting of APEX committee approved launching of comprehensive joint operation with Pak Army/Rangers against dacoits in riverine areas of Sukkur and Larkana divisions. He decided to curb street crimes, drug mafia and operation of illegal hydrants in Karachi and to start halted construction work on Ghotki-Kashmore Bridge on River Indus.

"Elimination of dacoits and curbing of street criminals, drug mafia and illegal operations hydrants would build confidence of people in government and its institutions and organisation," CM said and directed IG police to improve overall condition of police stations in city.

CM expressed his disappointment and dismay that dacoits were not allowing construction of Ghotki-Kashmore Bridge, therefore work has been stopped. Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar directed Rangers and police to reach spot immediately and provide security to people working there.  

Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz, Omer Soomro and Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar, Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Advocate General Hassan Akbar, DG Rangers Major Gen Azhar Waqas, PSCM Hassan Naqvi, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, IG Police Riffat Mukhtar, Adl Ig Karachi Khadim Rind, Commissioner Karachi Saleem Rajput attended meeting.

Home Minister Brig (retd) Haris Nawaz and IG Police Riffat Mukhtar in briefing said overall, 220 persons were kidnapped in 2023, including 128 in Larkana, 46 in Sukkur, 42 in Karachi three Hyderabad and one in Shaheed Benazirabad. Out of 220 kidnapped persons, 210 have been recovered, including 121 in Larkana, 41 in Sukkur, 42 in Karachi and three Hyderabad region.

Meeting was told that joint operation with Rangers/Pak Army had been planned. Rangers have been deployed along with police for operations and crackdown on organised weapon smuggling has been started.

IG police shared comprehensive joint operation plan to clear hideouts in katcha area in which air cover was advised for troops.

CM was told that district East was on top in street crime with 17,570 cases, followed by Central with 14,648 cases, Korangi with 10,731 cases, West 6,551 Malir with 3,193, Keamari with 3,174, South with 2,741, and city with 2,490 cases. CM said that when police has data where crime rate was high, they should have strategy and plan to curb it.

Apex Committee after thorough discussion decided to launch joint operation of police and Rangers against street criminals and drug mafia who are also involved in menace.

Director General Rangers Major Gen Azhar Waqas said that Rangers along with police started operations against illegal hydrants. He added that 27 operations have been conducted in Nazimabad and New Nazimabad-District Central, Orangi, Manghopir and Baldia in District West, Jamshed Quarters District South and in Chakra Goth District East.

DG Rangers disclosed that 27 illegal hydrants have been sealed and arrested 43 individuals and impounded water bowsers. He said that Water Corporation would have to be vigilant so that sealed hydrants may not start operation again.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 23 2023

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.