Baqar expresses distress over Sindh’s law and order situation

Sindh caretaker chief minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has expressed distress over the deteriorating law and order situation in the major cities and the rural areas of the province, directing the provincial chiefs of police and Rangers to take stern action to improve the state of affairs.

Officials said that a letter has been issued by the CM’s Secretariat to the Sindh inspector general of police and the Pakistan Rangers Sindh director general. “With reference to the subject matter, I have been directed to state that the honourable chief minister Sindh has been distressed by the recent surge in crimes in the major cities and rural areas which include robbery, murder, rape, kidnapping, drug trafficking, impersonation, mobile snatching, target killing and extortion among other serious crimes. Newspapers and electronic media abound with reports of incidents of the above crimes.

“In view of the upcoming general elections, there have been multiple reports of attacks on candidates who in a few cases have even been kidnapped in broad daylight. The most vulnerable segment of our society, that is women, children and the elderly, have borne a disproportionate brunt of these crimes.

“Journalists, lawyers, doctors, businessmen and other professionals face a bigger threat to their lives and properties, but the law enforcement apparatuses continue to be complacent.

“The honourable chief minister Sindh has expressed his utmost displeasure on the above state of affairs and has desired that immediate measures may please be taken to stem the rising tide of crime in the cities and rural areas in order to protect and safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens as enshrined in the constitution. This is being issued with the approval of the competent authority (chief minister Sindh).”

Weapon ban

The Sindh government has banned carrying and displaying weapons across the province through an order issued by the home department. This step is necessary to maintain law and order during next month’s general elections, said home department officials.

They said the ban would not apply to officials of law enforcement agencies, adding that guards of security companies would be allowed to keep weapons only where they are on duty. They also said that those working for private security companies would not be allowed to display weapons in vehicles, but the weapons can be kept inside the vehicles if needed.

The home department’s notification reads: “The inspector general of police Sindh has submitted that the General Elections 2024 are going to be held on February 8, 2024, and the process of elections as per schedule is under way; therefore, he has requested and recommended issuing a notification for imposing a ban on displaying and carrying firearms to avoid any eventuality and to peacefully conduct the election process.

“The Government of Sindh is satisfied that in order to maintain the law and order situation, and to avert any untoward incident and mishap during the process of the General Elections 2024, it is necessary to take immediate measures.

“Now, therefore, the Government of Sindh, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 144(6) of the CrPC [Criminal Procedure Code] does hereby impose a ban on displaying, brandishing and carrying firearms throughout the province of Sindh for a period of 45 days with immediate effect, provided that the ban shall not be applicable to police personnel and the personnel of other law enforcement agencies during their duty hours.

“The guards of registered private security companies are allowed to carry weapons at their places of duty during duty hours; however, the displaying and brandishing of weapons by them is not allowed during transportation in open surface vehicles, and weapons shall be kept inside the vehicles.

“In pursuance of Section 195(i)(a) of the CrPC, the SHOs [station house officers] of the police stations concerned are hereby authorised to register complaints under Section 188 of the PPC [Pakistan Penal Code] in writing for the violation of Section 144 of the CrPC against the violators of this notification.”