Murad orders police to intensify patrolling in crime hotspots

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday chaired a meeting to discuss the law and order situation in Karachi, and praised the city police for successfully rescuing two kidnap victims from Baldia.

Shah, however, was dissatisfied with the overall law and order situation, and said he wishes to cultivate the spirit of dedication and hard work in the police force so that Karachi can become a peaceful and liveable megalopolis.

The meeting was attended by city police chief Imran Yaqoob Minhas and DIGs, and the police officials, including the Anti-Violent Crime Cell SSP, who participated in the operation to rescue the two kidnapped persons.

The CM said he knows the police are working hard, but he pointed out that special focus is needed in the hotspots where the crime rate is high. He directed the city police chief to strengthen the police stations in whose jurisdictions the crime rate has increased.

Addl IGP Minhas said that the crime rate in the city has been recorded at 166 cases a day, meaning less than one case per police station. He said that the crime rate in the big cities of other provinces is high but the situation is being controlled through extensive checking, patrolling and intelligence.

The CM said people are being killed during robberies every day. “This is quite painful. It’s our responsibility to protect the lives, liberties and properties of the residents by whatever means necessary,” he added, and directed Minhas to replace lethargic police officers with efficient and hard working ones.

Baldia rescue

The city police chief said that on Sunday a raid was conducted near the food street at Baldia No. 2, following which four kidnappers, identified as Sabir, Inayat Rehman, Hazrat Ali and Wahidullah, were arrested in an injured condition. Their victims Shahid and Abdullah were also successfully rescued, he added.

He said that a gang of criminals operating out of the UAE is involved in kidnapping people for ransom. He added that he had collected all the data on the gangsters, and that he would arrest them with the support of the UAE authorities.

The CM appreciated the hard work and dedication of the police force, and stressed the need for a similar spirit in future to make the city peaceful and liveable. Police have been provided with the latest technology, weapons and gadgets, which can aid in controlling crime, he pointed out.

Shah said he has sent Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon to visit the riverine area and ensure the safe recovery of the kidnapped persons.

The CM expressed concern over the increasing incidents of street crime in Karachi, and of ransom kidnappings in the Kutcha areas. He stressed that the police must take strict action with the support of the Rangers and other law enforcement agencies to rid the province of criminals.

‘Crime-free city’

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said in a statement on Monday the problem of street crime is because the police are taking action against outlaws and during the week several robbers have been killed and injured in police operations.

He said police and Rangers personnel were patrolling streets in Karachi day and night, and the police are doing their job. Lanjar added that they had made progress in the investigation of many cases and in some cases the accused have been traced.

He directed the police to try and catch criminals alive and eliminate their gangs. He said the orders of the chief minister regarding law and order should be implemented.

He directed that the SHOs should patrol areas in government vehicles, SPs should also go to these areas, and SSPs should come to the field and focus on security measures, including better snap checking during peak hours. Lanjar directed that the police mobile and motorcycle patrolling should be made integrated and effective, and security deployment should be kept prominent at main shopping centres, markets and other commercial centers.

The home minister visited different parts in District South to reviews snap checking, and during the visit the SSP briefed him about the security steps. He later inspected police facilitation centre in Saddar. Business community leaders also met Lanjar, who assured them that the maintain law and order would be maintained.

Later, he also visited the Old City areas, including Jama Cloth and its adjoining markets. Traders and shopkeepers complained to him about street crime. He assured them of full security and improved law and order in Karachi as a top priority. “We will make the city crime-free.”