KARACHI – The Sindh government Thursday convened an ‘All Parties ConferenceÂ’ (APC) at the provincial level on January 26 at the Chief MinisterÂ’s House to ascertain and discuss the law and order situation in the province, with particular reference to volatile Karachi.
The decision was made at a meeting held between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik and provincial Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza at the CMÂ’s House.
Earlier, Mirza in a policy statement on the floor of Sindh Assembly in the morning categorically said that neither he as Sindh home minister nor Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, the IGP and the CCPO Karachi were taken into confidence about the operation by Rangers in city, especially in Orangi Town.
Just a few hours the harsh statement, the meeting lauded and appreciated the role of police, Rangers and Interior Ministry with respect to the efforts being made by Mirza and the Sindh Police for crushing the criminal activities of anti-social elements. They expressed satisfaction over measures adopted and results achieved so far, the official statement issued from the CMÂ’s House said.
Shah and Mirza lauded the assistance being extended by the federal govt, particularly the efforts of Malik, for combating the challenge and maintaining the law and order in all parts of the Karachi.
The also decided to ensure close coordination and liaison among them and hold regular meetings after every fortnight.
In response to the anger expressed by the Sindh government, Malik clarified that all the federal agencies and Rangers would coordinate the Sindh govt and the Home Department.
The three leaders vowed to resolve all issues to maintain at every cost and said the action against the criminal elements would continue without any discrimination.
They also appreciated the guidance of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for resolving the political and law and order issues.During the Sindh Assembly session, Mirza came hard against the federal government over RangersÂ’ operation in Karachi without taking the provincial government into confidence, as he threatened to withdraw the powers granted to the Rangers.
He was replying to PML-FÂ’s Marvi Rashdi who on a point of order drew MirzaÂ’s attention towards his statement in which he had showed unawareness about the operation in Karachi. The opposition member also pointed out that people were being killed in targeted shootings in Karachi, but it was strange that the minister concerned had no knowledge about the operation.
Replying to the point of order, Mirza affirmed that he stood by every word he had uttered.
“I still stand on my words. I was not taken into confidence on operation being initiated in the city through Rangers. Even, the Sindh chief minister, IG Police and CCPO were also not taken on board. I don’t know who gave the orders to Rangers to initiate operation. May be the federal government had given such orders.”
He said, “I had signed the summary, in which Rangers had given policing powers,” adding, “I can withdraw the powers.”
Mirza, “It is not a martial law; there is a civilian government. Therefore, the Rangers has to work under the civilian control.”
Agencies add: Rehman Malik told newsmen that he and Zulfiqar Mirza were unaware of the recent operation.
He said he did not interfere into the matter since it was administrative in nature.
Responding to MirzaÂ’s claim, Malik said the Rangers and police were subservient to the provincial home minister, adding that he would ensure sharing of intelligence gathered by the federal agencies with the provincial government.
He claimed that police did not raid former state minister Nabeel GabolÂ’s residence and the CCPO had informed him that he sent the police van to bring back the police security guards.
Malik said he came to Karachi on the directives of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani.
The federal minister said some religious groups were dividing the nation and supporting the terrorists who had been aiming at destabilising the country. He would not allow anyone to disturb peace in Karachi, he vowed.
He informed the journalists that the security forces foiled a terrorism bid at the Sindh Assembly.
Later, Rehman called on Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan where they promised to take indiscriminate action against those involved in criminal and terror activities without surrendering before any pressure.
Meanwhile, three people including a doctor were killed in various incidents of targeted killing in Karachi on Thursday.
The doctor was gunned down near Khaliq Jinnah Hall, Mahmood Shah Road in the limits of Eidgah Police Station. 30-year-old Dr Imran, son of Fasih, was on way to his home located in Gulshan-e-Iqbal from Lyari General Hospital in his car when armed men on a motorbike intercepted him at Mahmood Shah Road and managed to flee from the scene after shooting him.
The victim sustained bullet wounds and succumbed to his injuries on way to hospital. Police shifted his body to Civil Hospital for medico-legal formalities. SHO Amjad Kayani said that victim was ENT specialist in Lyari General Hospital. He added that the deceased was not affiliated with any political or religious party and had no personal enmity with any one.
In another incident, an ex-army man was shot dead in Frontier Colony in the limits of Pirabad police station. The victim 40-year-old Akbar Shah, son of Ameer Jan was a resident of Noorani Area Frontier Colony. He was standing at his shop when two armed men opened firing on him. Resultantly, he died on the spot. Police shifted his body to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Police said he hailed from Swat. Police registered FIR against unidentified men on the complaint of his brother Mahmood Shah.
Similarly, an Afghan national was shot dead and another injured in MPR Colony in the jurisdiction of Orangi Town police station. The incident took place at MPR Colony where two armed men targeted 39-year-old Fakhar Uddin, son of Mohammad Khan. Resultantly, he died on the spot while Shireen Khan sustained injures and was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment. Police said the victim was father of two children and used to run a cloth shop in Paposh Nagar area. Police so far have been unable to ascertain the motive behind the incident.
Meanwhile, a Chinese engineer was injured in a robbery attempt here in the jurisdiction of Boat Bassan police limits.
Police said that the victim, namely Shoe Young, drew Rs 5 million from a local bank branch and drove away when armed men intercepted his car and tried to loot him. Culprits remained unable to rob him and shot him on offering resistance.
Culprits managed to flee while police shifted the victim to the private hospital where doctors termed his condition stable. DSP Qamer Ahmed said that bandits fled away when police party on routine patrolling reached close to the crime scene.