CM rules out army deployment for Ashura

Karachi
The army would not be deployed in the metropolis to maintain peace during Ashura; however, troops were told to remain on standby, particularly on the 10th, to counter any volatile incident, said Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah on Friday.

Shah added that the government had complete faith and confidence in the ability of the police and the Rangers to deal with any untoward incident. However, in order to protect the people and in national interest, the provincial government could request the deployment of troops.

Speaking to the media after a two-hour long visit to different areas of the city on Friday to review the security situation, the chief minister, in an apparent reference to the army chief’s statement, said that the Sindh government also did not want a military operation in the metropolis to control targeted killings.

He told the media that the police sealed all routes of Muharram processions so that mourners would have no fear. He urged citizens to cooperate with the administration and ordered law enforcement agencies to deal with any situation in the best possible way.

“The Police and Rangers have adopted concrete and effective steps,” said Shah, who is also in-charge of the Home Ministry. He added that the police and Rangers needed to enhance patrolling and their intelligence network as well as keep a strict vigil on miscreants.

He said that law enforcement agencies were directed to prepare foolproof security measures and hoped that the police and Rangers would control the situation.

He said law enforcement agencies were facing challenges such as the shortage of modern equipment and efforts were being made to address the issue. He said three bombs had been defused the other day in the city.

Earlier, the chief minister visited the Khajur market, Shaheen Complex, II Chundrigar Road, Tower, New Memon Mosque, Boulton Market, Denso Hall, City Courts, Light House, Tibet Centre, Regal Chowk, Abdullah Haroon Road, Bohri Bazaar, Empress Market and MA Jinnah road to personally assess the security measures.

IG Sindh Fayaz Leghari personally drove the vehicle of the chief minister.

Additional IG Sindh Iqbal Mehmood briefed the chief minister about the routes of processions and the deployment of cops. Shah directed a further increase of security measures.

The chief minister also assessed fire arrangements at the NJV High School and ordered the deployment of lady police officers.

Posted in: Karachi News