Sindh Apex committee decides to eliminate illegal offices of all political parties  

KARACHI: Sindh Apex Committee has decided to eliminate offices of all the political parties constructed on illegal land.

The decision was made in the Apex committee meeting, chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday. It was the first Apex committee meeting presided over by Murad Shah at the chief minister house since assuming office.

It also decided to speed up Karachi operation, saying that incidents like August 22 would not be accepted at any cost. The meeting also gave clear message that anti-Pakistan elements would not be spared.

DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar and IG Sindh A.D Khawaja briefed members of the committee on the progress made with regard to the law and order situation of Karachi ever since the launch of the operation in 2013.

DG Rangers apprised the members of the committee that 5,863 target killings' confessions have been obtained as a result of the arrest of 654 target killers belonging to the MQM.

He further stated that 848 target killers had been arrested and had confessed to being involved in 7,224 crimes. 94 target killers connected to the Lyari gang-war have been arrested and they have confessed to committing 804 murders, according to DG Rangers.

Ninty-nine target killers belonging to banned organizations were also arrested and have confessed to 557 murders.

He also put forward the advice to end quota system.

The Chief Secretary of Sindh also briefed the members of the committee on the implementation of the National Action Plan.  

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali taking some important policy decisions decided to establish anti-riot force and Information Technology (IT) wing under which 2500 officials would be recruited to operate Criminal Record Management System (CRM).

It was pointed out that registration number plates of vehicles have no safety features. Therefore, it was decided that new standard number plates would be introduced which would have complete security features, including a tracking system. The motorcycles would also be issued such number plates. The chief minister directed chief secretary to coordinate with Excise department to introduce new number plates.

In the meeting it was noted that despite a clear ban on the display of arms most of the people are violating the ban. The chief minister through chief secretary issued directives to all the deputy commissioners to inform the people in their respective areas about the ban and after that strict action would be taken on the display.

The meeting took important decision on hide collections. It was decided that the welfare organizations interested in collecting hides would be have to seek an NoC from the concerned deputy commissioners. The government would reserve the right to audit their accounts to ascertain where they spent the funds generated from the hides.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also approved the establishment of facilitation center to bridge gap between police and public. The centers would address day to day issues of common man, restore public confidence in police, build soft image of police. The centers would serve as reporting centers for missing children, lost and found articles and assist citizens in police verification. 

The meeting was also briefed on the August 22 incident. It was informed that two FIRs have been registered with Artillary Maidan police. In both the cases 44 people, including three women have been arrested. Some women dismantling/torching public property have identified through CCTV footage. It was also disclosed that some of the women wanted in the cases have also been identified and their families have given undertaking that they would produce them when required.

The chief minister said that he has given special attention to the Implementation of National Action and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).  Therefore, he urged the police and Rangers to take concrete steps so that the decisions taken for both (NAP and CPEC) could be implemented in true letter and spirit.

The issues of illegal immigrants, particularly of Afghanis were also discussed and it was decided that federal government would be approached to ensure their repatriation.

The meeting was also briefed on the progress of cases recommended for military courts, hate speeches, violation of loud speakers etc. 

Those who attended the meeting include Governor Sindh Dr Ishratul Ibad, Senior Minister Nisar Khuhro, Corps Commander Karachi Lt General Naveed Mukhtar, DG Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar, IG Sindh AD Khawaja, Adl IGs Mushtaq Maher and Sanaullah Abbasi, Advocate General Zamir Ghumro, Prosecutor General Shahdat Awan, and other senior police officers.