Sindh, Karachi police chiefs order action against hooliganism, firing in air

A high-level meeting was held at the Central Police Office in Karachi to review the overall security situation, with a focus on New Year’s Eve. Sindh police chief IGP Riffat Mukhtar Raja chaired the meeting.

During the meeting a comprehensive briefing was conducted, including references to the security situation, and further necessary directives were issued. According to the Sindh police spokesperson, the IGP emphasised the need for solid and effective measures at all levels, considering the protection of people’s lives and properties.

The police chief expressed concern that aerial firing on the arrival of the new year poses a serious threat not only to children but also to other youth and adults, causing severe casualties.

Directives were given to initiate immediate implementation of security measures in connection with New Year’s Eve. These include rigorous checks on all internal and external roads, mobile and motorbike patrols, random snap checking, and strict monitoring at entry and exit points in all districts.

The IGP highlighted the importance of strong and successful actions against hooliganism and aerial firing, bringing those involved under the grip of the law.

He said that based on information received through government mobiles and intelligence related to aerial firing, all regional SSPs, SDPOs/DSPs and SHOs would be bound to take prompt action in their respective areas.

He stressed conducting search operations, and making announcements at markets and through mosques to thwart aerial firing, and promoting positive police actions through social media to counter any negative impact.

He said that security measures, including patrolling and checking, should be arranged in such a way that all central mosques, Imambargahs, schools, religious minorities’ worship places, and other important public and private buildings and installations are adequately covered.

He urged all district SSPs to give special attention to community-friendly policing initiatives while respecting the dignity of law-abiding citizens in the overall implementation of the security measures.

The Karachi police chief and all the zonal DIGs, along with district SSPs of Karachi, and other range DIGs and district SSPs participated in the meeting through videoconferencing. In view of New Year’s Eve, Karachi police chief Addl IGP Khadim Hussain Rind on Saturday ordered his subordinates, especially traffic police chief DIG Iqbal Dara, to arrest those driving recklessly or under the influence of alcohol.

Moreover, a ban has also been ordered on the carrying and display of weapons throughout the city, as well as directives for arresting those involved in conducting aerial firing.

Officials said Addl IGP Rind ordered DIG Dara to ensure smooth flow of traffic on New Year’s Eve. Traffic police will check random vehicles with alcohol level checkers, and in case of drunk driving, FIRs will be lodged at the relevant police stations and the vehicles will also be impounded.

Police said that the vision of the Karachi police chief is to protect every resident and let the people of the city enjoy without any trouble due to the forbidden acts of a few persons.

Besides that, South Zone police chief DIG Syed Asad Raza has requested the Sindh government to order a ban on the display of weapons on New Year’s Eve.

A relevant notification issued by the city commissioner reads that the South Zone DIG, through a letter dated December 29, has informed that on New Year’s Eve a large number of youngsters from different areas of the city would move to Sea View on motorbikes and in cars, which can create traffic jams and inconvenience to area residents.

The notification states that the DIG has requested that a ban under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) be imposed on the carrying and the display of arms, on aerial firing and on the use of firecrackers in order to safeguard precious lives. The commissioner said that it has been observed that on New Year’s Eve some individuals get involved in aerial firing, which can cause untoward incidents and the loss of human lives.

In order to ensure the safety and the protection of human lives, he pointed out, it is necessary that a ban under Section 144 be imposed on the carrying and the display of arms, on aerial firing and on the use of firecrackers on New Year’s Eve in the limits of Karachi Division.

Exercising his powers under Section 144(6) of the CrPC delegated by the home department under a notification dated May 21, 2020, Commissioner Saleem Rajput imposed a complete ban on the carrying and the display of arms, on aerial firing and on the use of firecrackers in the city on December 31 (today) and January 1 (tomorrow). In pursuance of Section 195(i)(a) of the CrPC the station house officers of the police stations concerned have been authorised to register complaints in writing under Section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code for the violation of Section 144 of the CrPC.