Daily Times

KARACHI: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the Karachi operation is not against any particular party, and no one is being singled out.

“The operation is against criminals, and it was started with the consent of all stakeholders,” the premier said while chairing a high-level meeting at the Governor’s House to review the situation of law and order in the city. Speaking on the occasion, Nawaz said that Karachi’s peace was the government’s top priority, and all possible efforts would be made to improve the situation in the city. He said that peace had been restored in Karachi through the operation. “Terrorists are on the back foot due to the ongoing operation in the city, and the criminals now had limited ground to move,” he said, adding that the criminals’ abilities were gradually fading.

He was of the view that the government would eliminate terrorism. “Extortion, kidnapping for ransom and assassinations have ended as a result of this operation,” he said.

The prime minister said that the situation of law and order had improved in Karachi, giving some breathing space to the masses, especially the business community.

“Due to peace, investors have started coming to Karachi. The country will flourish when the situation of law and order in Karachi improves,” he added.

Nawaz was satisfied over the results of the Karachi operation and lauded those who participated in it or supported it. He also appreciated the efforts of the Sindh government, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah, police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies in restoring law and order.

On the occasion, Sindh Police Inspector General Ghulam Haider Jamali briefed the prime minister on the progress made so far in the investigation regarding the attack on MQM leader Rashid Godil. The PM said he was saddened over the attack on the MQM MNA, and added that the culprits involved in the attack would soon be brought to justice.

Meanwhile, addressing a reception hosted in his honour by the Parsi community of Karachi, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to purging the country of terrorism and said it would go for “complete deweaponisation” to realise this objective.

“We will not tolerate terrorism in any form… and we will even go for complete deweaponisation of Pakistan,” he said, adding that the ongoing operation in the metropolis would not be stopped.

Also on Thursday, Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the concrete-pouring ceremony of the Nuclear Power Plant-II. Speaking on the occasion, he noted the excellent cooperation between Pakistan and China in the peaceful use of nuclear energy, and said it would help the country meet its energy shortfall.