ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan Wednesday said that a non-political targeted operation will be carried out by civil armed forces to restore peace in Karachi and opposed demands of handing the city to Pakistan Army.
“There was no need for a full-scale military operation in Karachi as scores of target killers, extortionists and criminals have already been identified,” he said while addressing a news conference in Islamabad.
Next meeting of the federal cabinet will be held in Karachi on September 3, where blueprint of the proposed operation would be discussed, he added.
Chaudhry Nisar said Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and heads of intelligence and law enforcing agencies will be invited to attend the meeting.
Due to law and order being a provincial subject, the chief minister will have to act as captain of the team and all federal agencies and resources will be at his disposal to ensure success of the operation, he said.
The statement came after the Supreme Court, earlier in the day, had held law-enforcement authorities responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in Karachi.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had summoned a special meeting of the federal cabinet to be attended by the Sindh governor and chief minister, and representatives of the law-enforcement agencies.
The interior minister also announced to form a monitoring committee, consisting of representatives of major political parties having presence in Karachi and known media and business figures, for transparency and fairness of the operation.
Civil armed forces and police will act against the culprits, said the interior minister, adding that, “once action is initiated no one would be spared irrespective of his/her political affiliation.”
Intelligence reports suggest majority of target killers, extortionists and criminals have political affiliations and situation in Karachi will only improve if we rise above party interests and political expediencies, said Chaudhry Nisar.
Commenting on the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s demand of handing over Karachi to Pakistan Army, the minister said he understands MQM's concerns. However, he added, handing over of the city to army would not be in interest of both the army and the people of Karachi.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader said the federal government will table a detailed plan before the cabinet meeting in Karachi; however, it was willing to modify it or replace it with a better one if reasonably proposed by the provincial government.
