KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review Karachi law and order situation, wherein he directed the authorities concerned to immediately implement Protection of Pakistan Ordinance in order to deal with the heinous crimes and offenders in the city.
The premier further directed the law enforcing agencies and the Sindh government to shift terrorists to other provinces for trial so that safety of prosecutors and witnesses is ensured.
During the meeting which was held at Governor House in Karachi, the premier said that restoring peace in Karachi is of vital importance as it is the economic hub of Pakistan.
“Karachi operation will continue till fulfillment of its objectives,” the prime minister said.
“I stand by police and rangers and they should treat criminals as criminals and must not care about the criminals’ affiliations,” he added.
The prime minister directed that all illegal cellular phone SIMs should be blocked and biometrics system be henceforth used for issuance of new SIMs.
During the meeting, the premier was briefed that since September this year 63‚475 raids and 455 encounters have been conducted while as 74 criminals including target killers and terrorists have been arrested.
The prime minister was apprised that request for establishment of new anti-terrorism courts and appointment of new Judges has been sent to Chief Justice Sindh High Court.
Moreover, he was also informed that 41 proxy prisoners have been identified after NADRA verification and these persons were in prisons instead of the real criminals.
At this occasion‚ the prime minister said that high value and hardened criminals should be tried in other provinces and mafias inside jails should be dismantled.