Police told to regulate business of selling new, used phones

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday directed police to regulate the business of selling new and used mobile phones, and to take strict action against scrap dealers dealing in stolen vehicles.

During a meeting he chaired at the CM House to review the law and order situation, Shah also stressed the need to strengthen policing in the Sukkur and Larkana divisions to better address the issue of ransom kidnappings, besides improving the law and order situation across the province.

Stressing the importance of lawful business practices, he ordered the Sindh police chief to ensure that only phones with complete legal documentation are allowed to be bought and sold in the province.

Highlighting Karachi’s status as a major mobile phone market, Shah stressed the need to send a clear message to all stakeholders. “Every mobile phone transaction, new or used, must be properly recorded.”

IG Ghulam Nabi Memon told the meeting that the SOP for mobile phone trade has already been finalised in consultation with the Mobile Market Association. Shah also reviewed the actions taken against the sale of stolen vehicles and motorbike spare parts. Memon said that 234 scrap dealers involved in illegal activities have been arrested.

Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar said efforts to crack down on the illegal unlocking of IMEI numbers of stolen phones have led to the arrest of 27 suspects in joint operations by police and the Federal Investigation Agency.

Shah also asked about the allocation of Rs280 million for improving police stations. Lanjar replied that the renovation of 10 out of 31 targeted police stations have been completed, with the rest expected to be finished within a month.

The CM also ordered zero tolerance against armed individuals in civilian clothes travelling in vehicles. Memon reported the seizure of 14,296 vehicles with unauthorised blue lights, 81,243 with tinted windows, and 253,339 with fancy number plates. He said that 528 vehicles were impounded for illegal display of weapons.

He also said that 1,474 FIRs have been registered, resulting in the recovery of Rs34.6 million in fines. Strict action is being taken against criminals in Karachi, with some 245 encounters conducted, in which 38 criminals were killed, 262 injured and 1,983 arrested this year, he added.

The IG said the police department has reactivated the Shaheen Force, which includes a dedicated motorbike squad of 386 two-wheelers. He said that this squad patrol identifies hotspots during peak hours. Every SSP has been issued a patrolling plan that is being implemented, he added.

He also said the Madadgar 15 service has been revamped with the deployment of an extra 120 motorbikes, and eight large screens have been added to call centres for improved visibility of police activities. The command and control centre at the Central Police Office has been upgraded, he added.

He mentioned that 2,000 cameras have already been installed, with 325 new ones being installed and 500 older cameras being upgraded. He also mentioned that 40,000 CCTV cameras have been installed on the city’s streets in collaboration with the community.

Memon said the Sindh Smart Surveillance System project, which includes the installation of automatic number plate recognition and facial recognition cameras as part of the Karachi Safe City project, is under way.

Lanjar said e-tagging of repeat offenders would begin shortly. He said that 4,000 devices are being procured for a pilot project, and the rules and the SOP have already been drafted. He stressed the urgent need for a structured rehabilitation plan for prisoners. He proposed the establishment of special courts for cases involving murders and narcotics. He said the appointment of 400 prosecutors on a contractual basis to assist investigators is in progress.

Regarding policing in the Kutcha areas, the meeting was told that there were 22 reported kidnappings in the first three months of the year, with 17 victims recovered and five cases yet to be solved. Shah ordered police to intensify operations against the dacoits, and solve the remaining cases.

The meeting was told that the Kutcha operation had commenced in April 2024 in collaboration with the Sindh Rangers, with targeted intelligence-based operations being conducted by adopting advanced technology.

As part of this plan, multi-purpose drone cameras have been procured, along with night vision binoculars and monoculars, as well as night vision thermal imaging scopes. Shah ordered Lanjar to reinforce the ongoing operations simultaneously in Shikarpur, Kashmore, Ghotki and Sukkur.

The meeting was told that 85 dacoits have been killed and 166 injured since the start of the operation, and 20 policemen also lost their lives and 33 suffered injuries. The CM later announced that he would hold a meeting on Karachi’s traffic issues on Tuesday (today). He said that the increasing number of road traffic accidents has become a serious concern that needs to be addressed.