No one to be allowed to ignite hatred, spread terror in Karachi

KARACHI: Sindh provincial and the federal governments have reiterated their resolve that nobody, at any cost would be allowed to ignite fire of hatred and spread terrorism in any form in the city. 

Any activity which causes threat to life, liberty, public and private property, business activities and day-to-day life would be dealt with iron hands.

It was decided in a high level meeting held at CM House here on Wednesday.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar assisted by CM advisor on Law Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Siddique Memon, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, IG Sindh AD Khawaja and some other senior officers deliberated over all law and order situation in the city, particularly the August 22 incident.

It was observed that under a preplanned and organized move an attempt was made to hijack peace of the city but the accurate and timely move by what they termed as `young and energetic chief minister' nib the nefarious designs of the outlaws and enemies of Pakistan in the bud.  

Federal Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar said that the new chief minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah has taken a very good start for good governance and he was quite sure that not only law and order would improve but business activities would also flourish.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that his government has given top priority to law and order for which he was holding review meetings day in and day out.

"Even today I held a law and order review meeting," he said and added that peace in Karachi has been restored after lot of sacrifices and now "I am committed to make it sustainable," he said.

He said that FIR of the incident has been registered and each and every outlaw who torched vehicles, dismantled offices of a media house have either been identified or in the process of identification.

"I would not allow any kind of terrorism whether it may be through hate speech, instigation or direct or indirect threats," he said and thanked people of Karachi for supporting him in his peace move. 

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said that there should be a coordinated effort between federal and provincial government for sustainable peace. He called for close coordination between the two governments.

Chaudhry Nisar said that a one-day strike or shutter down in Karachi causes Rs5 billion loss to the exchequer apart from causing anguish and trauma among in the hearts and minds of the people of this city.

The DG Rangers and IG Police briefed the meeting on the incident of August 22 and gave detailed account of their initial investigations and the actions taken by them.

The meeting appreciated the move of the chief minister by reaching on the spot of the incident and then went channel to channel [TV] just to give confidence to the media houses and their workers. The meeting decided to work out a detailed plan to provide security to the media houses.

The police chief said that the case was being investigated from different angles and its report would be shared with the federal government.

Federal Minister Chaudhry Nisar assured his full support to the provincial support. The chief minister thanked him for his support.