Karachi operation to meet logical end, says Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said on Monday that the Karachi operation will meet its logical end. He said harmony among the civil armed forces, intelligence and security agencies of the country will be created in order to overcome the security challenges.
The minister was expressing these views while chairing a meeting of the top hierarchy of civil armed forces at the Interior Ministry. DG ANF Major General Khawar Hanif, DG Rangers Punjab Major General Omar Farooq, IGFC Balochistan Major General Sher Afgan, IGFC KP Major General M Tayyab Azam, DG Rangers Sindh Maj Gen Bilal Akbar, DG Coast Guards Brig Shehzad Akhter, DG Scouts Gilgit-Baltistan Brig Farooq Azam, and DG Civil Defence besides senior officials of the Interior Ministry attended the meeting.
The interior minister observed that the civil armed forces were playing a critical role in maintaining the security of the country. He paid tributes to the martyrs of the civil armed forces and said they were the real heroes of the nation. Pakistan is indebted to them and ‘we owe itforward their legacy but also to respect their memories and take care of their heirs’. He said at time when the country was faced with many challenges and there seems chaos at every level, there is still respect for uniform.
It is because of services that men in uniform are rendering for the nation and for the country, he added.He said the Interior Ministry would continue facilitating civil armed forces. He reiterated his call that policy guidelines of the Ministry regarding interaction with foreigners, direct invitation for foreign trips and making media statement on policy matters be observed at all levels.
He said he was aware of the financial constraints faced by the civil armed forces and has pleaded their case with the government. He said he has always considered expenditure on security is an investment in the security. This year alone, the government has allocated Rs30 billion for raising 28 wings of the civil armed forces, continued the minister.
During the later half of the meeting, DG ANF, DG Rangers Sindh, IG FC Balochistan, DG Rangers Punjab and DG Coast Guards Karachi briefed the minister about their performance, issues faced by them and also put forth their suggestions.
Briefing the Minister about Karachi situation, DG-Rangers Sindh Major General Bilal Akhter said that Rangers were effectively undertaking operation against the criminal elements in Karachi which has resulted into significantly bringing down the crime rate in the metropolis. The interior minister said that it were the criminal elements versus the peaceful citizens in Karachi for which the operation was launched and would continue till its logical conclusion.
IG FC Balochistan Major General Sher Afgun said due to efforts of FC Balochistan on various fronts including operations against the criminal and anti-state elements, border security, security of important places and state properties, checking poppy cultivation etc., the situation has significantly improved in the province. He said besides launching operation against the miscreants and establishing writ of the state in the province, FC Balochistan was also contributing towards education sector and has opened a number of schools and boys’ hostels to impart and facilitate education to the youth.
He spoke of constraints and financial issues that were impeding the smooth conduct of operations of the force. The minister appreciated performance of the civil armed forces and observed that it was heartening to note that the best officers were commanding the civil armed forces of the country.
He expressed hope that leadership qualities of these officers would strengthen the role of their respective forces and help in promoting national interests. The minister advised the heads of the armed forces to keep media updated about their achievements so that facts are put before the nation.