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Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, on Wednesday traveled to the country's commercial hub of Karachi to review the law and order situation where targeted attacks routinely claim lives and disrupted economic activities.
The Prime Minister presided over a high level meeting that was also attended by the army chief, head of the intelligence agency, and leaders of almost all political parties. Former President Asif Ali Zardari, whose Pakistan Peoples Party rules Sindh province, of which Karachi is the capital, was also invited to the meeting.
Sharif visited the violence-hit city as there is no let up in the killings of political activists, ethnic leaders and security officials despite the ongoing operations by the paramilitary troops and the other law enforcement agencies.
"It is very natural that there will be retaliation from extremists and terrorists, but the government is prepared for that and all possible support will be provided to law enforcement agencies to counter the retaliation," the Prime Minister said.
"We started operation in Karachi with the agreement of all political parties and stakeholders," an official statement quoted the Prime Minister as saying.
The Prime Minister told the meeting that terrorists and criminals should be brought to justice without any political prejudice.
He said Karachi holds special significance for him, being the economic hub of Pakistan and that the government wants cooperation of all stakeholders in Karachi. He sought cooperation of all political parties to restore peace in Karachi as a "joint solution is the only option."
Analysts say that political interference in the police and political expediencies are the main causes of the poor law and order situation. The Sindh government has now sought acquired the services of retired army personnel for maintaining law and order in Karachi.
Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif said that Pak Army is ready to provide any kind of support to the Federal and Provincial Governments with a hundred percent honesty and sincerity.
"We will give our honest opinion and assistance whenever sought from us," said the Army Chief. He also suggested that posting and transfers of police personnel should be depoliticized and also stressed upon the need to equip them with modern equipment and resources.
Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan briefed the meeting that state-of-the-art equipment is being provided to law enforcement agencies and about 700,000 illegal mobile SIMs have been cancelled.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari said that Sind police needs to be equipped with resources. He further said that support from all political parties is needed of the hour to bring peace in Karachi.
Chief Capital Police Officer Karachi briefed the participants that closure of illegal SIMs will reduce crime by 50 percent and also assured that police is acting against criminals without discrimination and that there was no political pressure on police.
