Daily Times

KARACHI: Additional Inspector General Mushtaq Ahmed Maher has said that the ongoing Karachi operation, which successfully achieved numerous objectives since its inception, will continue until it attains the logical conclusion.

“The logical conclusion of Karachi operation will surely ensure progress and prosperity for the entire country. If Karachi city stands up on its feet, the entire country will stand up on its feet and head towards progress and prosperity,” he added.

Exchanging views during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Saturday, the AIG stated that although the incidents of target killing, kidnapping for ransom and demand for extortion had reduced considerably due to the ongoing Karachi operation, the ratio of street crimes was still high, and now it was the Police Department’s top priority to devise a strategy for effectively dealing with this menace as well.

The AIG further commented that thanks to various strategies adopted for the Karachi operation, incidents of target killings had been brought down to hardly two incidents a day as compared to around seven to eight killings happening every day prior to commencement of this crucial operation.

Commenting on the rising street crime all over the city, he said that the Police Department had identified at least 40 to 50 looting points in various areas from where street crimes were frequently being reported, particularly during traffic jams. To effectively deal with the situation and keeping in view the limited resources of the Police Department, the AIG sought the assistance of the business and industrial community in securing these looting points by installing streetlights and surveillance cameras.

The businessmen and industrialists must also extend support in clearing encroachments in these localities that usually cause traffic jams and provide a perfect opportunity to criminals to take advantage of the situation, and easily flee from the spot, he said.

He also advised the KCCI and other trade associations of the city to “adopt streets in their respective areas” and act in association with the Police Department against encroachments, traffic violations, double-parking and other issues causing traffic jams in their areas.