KARACHI – Having suffered criticism all these days, a senior official of the Sindh Police on Sunday snapped back, holding out promises of proactive policing in the metropolis, particularly in the downtown markets that had been hit hard by the growing scourge extortion killing.CID Additional Inspector General Ghulam Shabbir Sheikh, addressing a news conference, promised proactive policing in the city. Sheikh, who also holds the charge of additional IG Karachi, admitted that there had been a near anarchy-like situation in the city, adding that it should be brought to an end. The official told the media that during the last 24 hours, 13 people were killed. “Of them, five feel prey to targeted killing, 3 to personal enmities, while the motives behind the remaining could not be ascertained,” he said. The AIG, however, stopped short of issuing shoot-to-kill orders, saying if any suspected men, riding motorcycles, were seen roaming in the business district or pulling out their weapons, law enforcers would only act in self-defence.He also observed that in the past, traders were not targeted or killed. He, however, feared the flight of the capital in the present situation.He said that traders would also be issued arms licences for their defence.“Police personnel, deputed in the city, should be visible to everyone (to restore the public confidence that had greatly eroded by this time),” the AIG remarked, adding, “Plainclothesmen would also be deputed in and around business areas to keep a vigilant eye on any suspects.” The senior police official also told the media that from now on, the SSP would visit crime spot personally along with his team. “Passing instructions over phone from office would not be enough.” The AIG also warned that arsonists would be dealt with sternly and made to pay for the damages.Referring to the registration of fake cases, Sheikh warned that if it transpired that a policeman had lodged a fake case, he himself would be booked in the same case.  In reply to a question about the alleged involvement of CID and other police units in extortion and kidnapping, the AIG said that he heard similar complaints from traders at a meeting the other day. He said if anyone had complaints of extortion or kidnappings against the CID or any other police unit, they should contact him directly. He assured that he would take stern action if any police official was found guilty.

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