ISLAMABAD/KARACHI - The federal government has received credible intelligence reports of the presence of high profile criminals and miscreants in Karachi who also have foreign support and an operation is expected against them in consultation with the provincial government.

Credible sources told The Nation that Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed who is in Karachi carried with him intelligence reports which would be shared with the provincial government during his meetings.

The interior minister would take into confidence Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on the prevailing law and order situation and plan to restore the situation.

The Rangers, who operate under the federal interior ministry, have also been consulted for a massive combat operation against criminals in Karachi and interior Sindh. The interior minister would also be briefed by top Rangers officials about the law and order situation in Sindh.

Prime Minister Imran Khan the other day had directed the interior minister to consult the provincial government on how the deteriorating situation in the province could be improved and what help the federal government could extend to the Sindh government. The sources said the final decision would be made by the Prime Minister after receiving a detailed report by the Sheikh Rashid today.

Interior Minister reaches Sindh to review law and order

The sources said Rangers are expected to be moved to interior Sindh to help police in combating dacoits in Kacha area, near Shikarpur, where the situation is out of control of the police.

 

 

Federal Minister for Interior Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed said Wednesday that Prime Minister Imran Khan led PTI government would complete its constitutional tenure without any hurdles.

“There are no any factions within Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf,” he said while talking to reporters at Karachi Airport. He said that there were no chances of imposition of governor rule in Sindh. The Minister said although the law and order was a provincial chapter however PM had directed him to visit the megalopolis to review the law and order situation and submit the report.

He added that he would be conducting meetings with Sindh Governor, Chief Minister and Rangers officials to discuss the law and order situation of the city. To a question about operation in Katcha area of Shikarpur, Sheikh Rasheed replied that he would be discussing the matter with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. All needed support would be provided to provincial government for maintenance of peace in the area, if asked.

The minister also said that he would present his final report about the law and order situation in the province to the prime minister. He said that he was visiting Sindh and holding meetings with the Rangers officers on the directions of the PM. He said that PM Imran Khan would take final decision about Rangers’ operation against criminals to improve the law and order situation in the province. However, he said the federal government would welcome any proposal by CM Murad Ali Shah in this regard.

 

Replying to another query, the federal minister said that the Interior Ministry had not issued a single arm license during the tenure of PM Imran Khan. Responding to another question, Sheikh Rasheed reiterated that all out efforts would be made to eliminate the menace of drugs from Karachi. For the purpose, he said, he would take the Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) authorities on board. The Interior Minister said that half of the officers of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had been changed while the rest would also be changed sooner.

 

Law and order situation

Director General Pakistan Rangers Sindh Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry reiterated his commitment that full cooperation will be provided for the betterment of Sindh and Karachi.

This commitment he expressed while presiding over a high-level meeting held at Pakistan Rangers Sindh Headquarters Karachi. The overall law & order, COVID-19 situation, anti-encroachment operations projects completed and underway with the help of civil administration were discussed. On this occasion, the meeting also discussed all steps to ensure implementation of government orders and directives regarding COVID-19 and completion of ongoing projects.

 

Operation against most-wanted criminals likely in Karachi