Daily Times

KARACHI: Though the Sindh provincial home minister and provincial police chief have differences over powers but they are on same page regarding the provision of security to the citizens during the holy month of Ramadan.

Both – the provincial chiefs have not met each other since the home minister assumed the charge of his office but their agenda is same and both are holding meetings with senior police officials but separately.

On Saturday, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Khan Sial has issued directives to Special Branch and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police to adopt extraordinary measures to raise standard of intelligence and ensure coordination with the Range police throughout the province for a peaceful environment during the holy month of Ramadan.

While reviewing the Police Ramadan Contingency Plan, he issued directives to Range deputy inspector generals (DIGs) to raise Advance Intelligence Collection Networkat all police stations level.

“The Advance Collection Units should gather information keeping in view the minimum possible threats in proper coordination with CTD and Special Branch to avoid any untoward incident”, the Home Minister emphasized. He further directed Addl. IGP Karachi and other Range DIGs to ensure maximum utilization of available resources. Police should work in proper coordination with Rangers and other Intelligence agencies for a peaceful and secure environment. ” All Range DIGs and District SSPs and other subordinate officers should ensure their physical presence in their respective jurisdictions since Iftar time up to Namaz e Taraveeh. DIG Traffic Karachi and Zonal Traffic SSPs should also follow these timings”, he added.

Sohail Anwar Khan Sial issued directives to Additional IG Karachi and Zonal DIGs of Karachi to ensure random snap checking and picketing in different areas of the city besides extensive Police Mobiles and motorcycle patrolling specially near and around Masajids, Imambargahs and open places where Namaz e Taraveeh is scheduled to be offered.

According to the police report, collectively 4215 Masajids and open places for Taraveeh have been enlisted for a foolproof security cover in Karachi, 1711 in Hyderabad, 227 in Sukkur, 740 in Larkana, 663 in Mirpurkhas and 720 in Shaheed Benazirabad Ranges respectively.

Similarly, IGP Sindh has also held a similar meeting with the senior police officials at Central Police Office which was attended by a large number of senior officials including Additional IGs and DIGs from across the province.

IGP was also briefed about Contingency plan. According to a report prepared by Add IG Karachi, more than 13145 police personnel and officials will perform security duties at 4215 Masajids, Taraveeh places in all three zones of Karachi while the police personnel would also conduct snap checking in 534 mobiles and 481 motorcycles.

According to DIG Hyderabad’s report, 10100 police personal would perform security duties to 1711 masajids and Taraveeh spots while they would also conduct snap checking in 334 mobiles and 203 motorcycles. DIG Sukkar report stated that 1933 cops would be deployed on security duties at 227 masajids and Taraveeh places.

Similarly, DIG Larkana report said that 3810 cops would deploy at 740 masajids and Taraveeh places while 192 mobiles and 109 motorcycles would busy in snap checking.

DIG Mirpurkhas report said that 1126 cops are deployed for 663 masajids and Taraveehs.

In Shaheed Benazirabad, 2739 cops for 720 Masajids and Taraveeh would perform the security duties. IGP Sindh directed the officials concerned to make foolproof security mechanism under the Contingency plan,adding that Lyari Expressway should be one way for traffice from 4pm from Mauripur to Sohrab Goth.