Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Maqbool Baqar reviewing the overall law & order situation in the province observed that the crime rate, particularly the street crime in Karachi, Hyderabad, has increased while the Sukkur and Larkana ranges have shown no tangible progress in curbing bandits in the Riverine areas. “I want the police to take appropriate measures to bring the street crime rate to zero in Karachi so that everyone feels secure in the city,” he said and added the main job of the police was to protect the life and property of the citizens. Justice (R) Baqar also directed the police to fish out black sheep from their ranks who were bringing black names for the police in general and the provincial government in particular.
The meeting was held at CM House and was attended by Minister Home Brig (R) Haris Nawaz, Chief Secretary Dr Fakhre Alam, Home Secretary Iqbal Memon, IG Police Riffat Mukhtar, Additional IG Karachi Khadim Rind, Commissioner Karachi Saleem Rajput, DIGs Special Branch, CTD, South, East and West. The Commissioners and DIGs of Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad attended the meeting through video link. IG Police Riffat Mukhtar briefing the CM said on overall law and order situation in the province said that during 2023 1660 people were killed, 232 kidnapped and 155 extortion cases were reported.
He added that out of 229 kidnapping for rtansome cases, 44 belonged to Karachi, three Hyderabad, one Shaheed Benazirabad, 45 Sukkur, and 136 Larkana but all the abducted persons have been recovered, except two of Sukkur, and one of Larkana. The CM was told that terrorism was under control and most of the murder cases have been detected and found due to personal enmity. The IG said that kidnapping for Ransom and road robberies have decreased by 90 percent because of focused strategy and targeted operation.
Analyzing the surge in crime in Karachi IG Riffat Mukhtar said that due to divided focus of Karachi police on repatriation of foreign nationals, anti-smuggling campaign, anti-electricity theft campaign the street crime has shown a surge.
He added that action against organised crimes and gutka/mava were being carried out with zero tolerance police, police officials involved in patronizing crime were being punished as per law. The IG said that the CTD has been given the task to carry out operation in collaboration with other agencies to prevent any potential threat.
To a question, the IG police told the CM that election preparation and planning was underway. The political rallies and events have started and with time they would increase, the IG said and added that as per chief minister’s policy of indiscriminate and equal security to every party was given with all SOPs. Sharing police performance with the chief minister, the IG police said that 1831 encounters were conducted all over Sindh, in which 1080 gangs were busted, 11262 terrorists/dacoits were arrested.
The CM was told that targeted operation was underway with the help of Rangers, with focus of effective approach against honey trapping. Additional IG Karachi Khadim Rind through a presentation told the CM that from Jan to November 2023, 537 persons were killed, 51 cases of kidnapping for ransom and 137 of extortion were registered. It was pointed out that 316 cases or 61.35 per cent cases were detected against which 566 accused were arrested. The CM was told that 50.39 per cent of victims belonged to other areas (up-country) that brought their enmity from their native place. Murderers in most cases have left Karachi after the commission of the offence.
The Karachi police chief said that from January 1 to 23 Nov, 4689 cases were registered in which 6190 persons were arrested and 63.078 kg heroin, 3084.29 kg charas, 56.562 kg Ice, 17.121 kg crystal and 28.36 kg opium was recovered from their possession. At this, the CM said that the narcotics items were not produced here even then the smugglers managed to smuggle them to the city. The interim CM directed Karachi police to arrest the smugglers and major members of the drug mafia for which he has given clear instructions.
