23:57
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Karachi
A special meeting of the Sindh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah decided on Friday to scrutinise arms licences and have them computerised, while Rs10 million had been given for the protection of witnesses.
Speaking at a press conference at the CM House after the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that the killings in the city could also be linked to the forthcoming general election.
“It is a fact that whenever elections approach, certain elements become active.” Memon added that some external elements, which used locals as tools to further their nefarious designs, could also be involved.
He said that Additional Chief Secretary Home Waseem Ahmed gave a detailed briefing to the ministers of the PPP, MQM and PML-Q about the law and order situation. The ministers asked questions and also gave their suggestions.
It was stated during the meeting that police raids resulted in the detention of an average of 30 suspects on a daily basis, while illegal weapons were also being recovered.
Memon said that Rs10 million was given to the home department for witness protection and the amount could be increased to provide safe places for them. He said that witness protection was being carried out for the first time, while the government also planned to introduce legislation for the same purpose.
He regretted the fact that the last witness in the Wali Baber case had been murdered. The information minister said security should have been provided to the witnesses, but unfortunately was not. He stressed that the court should also have expedited proceedings to punish the killers of the Geo News reporter.
“All arms licences would be scrutinised and computerised after Ashura,” announced the minister. He added that failure to get the licences computerized would result in their cancellation.
Memon said that the cabinet was also briefed about the security plan for Muharram and it was stated that the army would remain on standby during the 9th and the 10th of the month. He said that a vigilance cell had been established at the Central Police Office to monitor the Ashura processions. In addition, the chief minister also started holding meetings with religious scholars of different schools of thought to maintain harmony.
The cabinet was also informed about the crime situation this year, Memon said. Comparing the crime rates of Sindh and Punjab, the minister said that a gang rape is committed in Punjab every 41 hours, while the number of kidnapping for ransom cases was also much higher.
He claimed that a recent survey conducted by an ‘international organisation’ revealed that the crime rate in Punjab was 16 percent higher than other provinces. Memon complained that a certain section of the media tended to blow the law and order situation in Sindh out of proportion, but criminal activity in Punjab never drew any attention.
He said the cabinet was informed that suspects involved in several high profile murder cases were arrested, which demonstrated that the police were not ‘sleeping’ as many believed. The minister urged the civil society to play its role in improving law and order and added that the government had given ads in media, urging citizens to provide information on any suspicious activities. “A crime cell was also set up at the CM House.”
“The government is here and visible, but it needs the cooperation and assistance of every citizen to control lawlessness,” said Memon.
When asked whether or not it was a failure on the part of 29,000 cops and 13,000 Rangers present in the city that a ban had to be imposed on bike-riding, Memon said the decision was taken on credible information that a terror attack was being planned for Friday.
He revealed that when cell phone services were suspended during Eid, the government was successful in preventing a terror attack by seizing 150kg of explosive material. Memon said the purpose was not to create panic, but ensure security for the people.
To a question about a number of high profile suspects captured by the police and later released by the courts, the minister said the job the law enforcers was to detain the accused and present their Challans before the courts. He pointed out that 126 cops lost their lives in the line of duty during the current year and this showed that the police were performing their duties.
He said that on Friday, the police also arrested 15 suspects and gathered some “sensitive information” from them.
Sharjeel said three cities, namely Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur, were declared sensitive for Muharram and Section 144 was imposed, while pillion riding was also banned. He claimed that the authorities were not interested in the political affiliations of criminals and simply wanted to get them “behind bars”.
When questioned about the presence of militants in the city, the minister admitted that certain Tehreek-e-Taliban members were arrested. He also alleged that one of the suspects of the cracker attacks on the houses of Speaker Sindh and the provincial law minister in Larkana was a nephew of the central vice-president of the PML-N. He asked Nawaz Sharif to shun the “dirty game” in Sindh.
A special meeting of the Sindh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah decided on Friday to scrutinise arms licences and have them computerised, while Rs10 million had been given for the protection of witnesses.
Speaking at a press conference at the CM House after the cabinet meeting, Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said that the killings in the city could also be linked to the forthcoming general election.
“It is a fact that whenever elections approach, certain elements become active.” Memon added that some external elements, which used locals as tools to further their nefarious designs, could also be involved.
He said that Additional Chief Secretary Home Waseem Ahmed gave a detailed briefing to the ministers of the PPP, MQM and PML-Q about the law and order situation. The ministers asked questions and also gave their suggestions.
It was stated during the meeting that police raids resulted in the detention of an average of 30 suspects on a daily basis, while illegal weapons were also being recovered.
Memon said that Rs10 million was given to the home department for witness protection and the amount could be increased to provide safe places for them. He said that witness protection was being carried out for the first time, while the government also planned to introduce legislation for the same purpose.
He regretted the fact that the last witness in the Wali Baber case had been murdered. The information minister said security should have been provided to the witnesses, but unfortunately was not. He stressed that the court should also have expedited proceedings to punish the killers of the Geo News reporter.
“All arms licences would be scrutinised and computerised after Ashura,” announced the minister. He added that failure to get the licences computerized would result in their cancellation.
Memon said that the cabinet was also briefed about the security plan for Muharram and it was stated that the army would remain on standby during the 9th and the 10th of the month. He said that a vigilance cell had been established at the Central Police Office to monitor the Ashura processions. In addition, the chief minister also started holding meetings with religious scholars of different schools of thought to maintain harmony.
The cabinet was also informed about the crime situation this year, Memon said. Comparing the crime rates of Sindh and Punjab, the minister said that a gang rape is committed in Punjab every 41 hours, while the number of kidnapping for ransom cases was also much higher.
He claimed that a recent survey conducted by an ‘international organisation’ revealed that the crime rate in Punjab was 16 percent higher than other provinces. Memon complained that a certain section of the media tended to blow the law and order situation in Sindh out of proportion, but criminal activity in Punjab never drew any attention.
He said the cabinet was informed that suspects involved in several high profile murder cases were arrested, which demonstrated that the police were not ‘sleeping’ as many believed. The minister urged the civil society to play its role in improving law and order and added that the government had given ads in media, urging citizens to provide information on any suspicious activities. “A crime cell was also set up at the CM House.”
“The government is here and visible, but it needs the cooperation and assistance of every citizen to control lawlessness,” said Memon.
When asked whether or not it was a failure on the part of 29,000 cops and 13,000 Rangers present in the city that a ban had to be imposed on bike-riding, Memon said the decision was taken on credible information that a terror attack was being planned for Friday.
He revealed that when cell phone services were suspended during Eid, the government was successful in preventing a terror attack by seizing 150kg of explosive material. Memon said the purpose was not to create panic, but ensure security for the people.
To a question about a number of high profile suspects captured by the police and later released by the courts, the minister said the job the law enforcers was to detain the accused and present their Challans before the courts. He pointed out that 126 cops lost their lives in the line of duty during the current year and this showed that the police were performing their duties.
He said that on Friday, the police also arrested 15 suspects and gathered some “sensitive information” from them.
Sharjeel said three cities, namely Karachi, Hyderabad and Khairpur, were declared sensitive for Muharram and Section 144 was imposed, while pillion riding was also banned. He claimed that the authorities were not interested in the political affiliations of criminals and simply wanted to get them “behind bars”.
When questioned about the presence of militants in the city, the minister admitted that certain Tehreek-e-Taliban members were arrested. He also alleged that one of the suspects of the cracker attacks on the houses of Speaker Sindh and the provincial law minister in Larkana was a nephew of the central vice-president of the PML-N. He asked Nawaz Sharif to shun the “dirty game” in Sindh.
Posted in: Karachi News
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