Daily Times

The resurgence in terror in the port city has jolted the high-ups of the government and law enforcement agencies. Certain measures have been finalised after the conclusion of the Apex Committee meeting presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah in the wake of the latest spree of terrorist attacks on the military personnel in Karachi. The Sindh government has announced that it would establish 30 more anti-terrorism courts, induct 200 prosecutors and investigation officers as well as recruit 8,000 more police personnel besides installing more CCTV cameras across the city. It has also been decided to widen the scope of the operation to interior Sindh as there are reports that criminals and terrorists flee to the far flung rural areas after committing crimes and terrorist activities. The civil and military leaderships have evolved a consensus to pursue them and launch a surgical operation in those parts of the province where they take shelter. Another surprising development is the removal of Sindh minister and prominent Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Sharjeel Inam Memon, who has been dismissed from the post of Minister for Works, Services and Archives.

These developments indicate the existing flaws and shortcomings of the system that have been mainly responsible for the poor law and order situation in the city. The militants remain in search of such flaws to carry out their nefarious agenda and then go into hiding courtesy the presence of their facilitators. The menace of corruption, poor police and judicial structures as well as the government’s inability to purge its own ministries and departments of malpractices are factors that have contributed to the increasing lawlessness in the city. It is being alleged that the Sindh government is now purging its ministries and departments of corrupt persons on the pressure of the establishment. It would have been better for the provincial government to clear the mess itself instead of being admonished by the security agencies. The Sindh government needs to spearhead the operation instead of offering explanations for the corruption of its ministers and taking steps under the pressure exerted by some other authority. The removal of Sharjeel Memon is an indication that the government of Sindh has realised that there is no option left for it but to get rid of the most corrupt and opportunist persons from its fold. It is necessary for the PPP to pay attention to good governance for maintaining law and order.

The other important issue is the extension of the operation across Sindh province. Keeping in view the area of the province, it will be a challenging task to carry out the operation in far-flung areas. First of all there is a need to find the networks of facilitators who provide shelter to militants and criminals in remote areas. These networks need to be dismantled. However, the question is, who will perform this task? Does the military have the capability and manpower to extend the operation across the province? It is difficult but not impossible. The security agencies have to look for eyes and ears in those areas to break the networks of criminals and militants. There is a need to launch intelligence-led police operations to purge society of miscreants. The Sindh government needs to cooperate with the security agencies in eradicating all types of crime and militancy in the province. The large scale military-led operation cannot be successful unless all forces join hands against militancy and criminality. The ongoing operation is aimed at restoring peace in the biggest commercial hub of Pakistan. Therefore, there is a need to end all differences and launch a coordinated drive against corrupt elements as well as those militants and criminals who are taking benefit of flaws in the system. In order to cleanse Karachi of all types of crimes and killings, the Sindh government and security agencies should cooperate and jointly conduct operations against criminals. *