Issue of blocking illegal prepaid SIMs: IG Sindh seeks business community's help to persuade government

Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Iqbal Mahmood has sought business community's help to persuade government to block all illegal prepaid Subscriber Identification Modules (SIMs), which are being used by criminals for committing crimes.
Addressing members of Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), he said that the use of illegal and prepaid SIM for committing crime was a major issue and if it was resolved crimes rate will go down substantially.
He said that he was consulting his colleagues to assess the current situation and develop a fresh strategy to control law and order in the city.
He informed that a scheme has been prepared for community police which will be launched very soon.
Iqbal Mahmood said that the department was giving top priority to control law and order in industrial, commercial and other parts of the city, as it provides livelihood not only to the city but to entire country.
However, he admitted that city law and order particularly extortion and kidnapping for ransom were deep-rooted and cannot be eradicated at once.
The IG said that the unplanned development had turned entire city into Katchi Abadies.
He expressed concerned over low conviction rate as majority of arrested criminals are released by the courts. He emphasised on the need to change laws so that criminals could not go unpunished. "Police department has a system but it needs improvement.
The witnesses feel insecure therefore they do not speak in courts when trials begin. Due to lack of proper proceedings, detained accused are released," he added.
The IG further said that peace could not be established in the society until criminals got punishment for the crime they committed.
Referring to shortage of police personnel, he said that the police department has 29700 personnel out of them 16700 were on various duties. "We are managing and maintain law and order with only 13000 policemen," he added.
There is one policeman for 13000 people in Karachi whereas in Lahore there is one policeman for 300 people, he added.
Leader of Business Community and CEO TDAP, S. M. Muneer lauded police officials who are making excellent efforts to control law and order in the city.
He opposed strike calls to press the government and said that the city suffered around Rs 7 billion losses due to single day closure. He admitted that during last 15 days Bhatta mafia has become active once again in the city. President KATI, Syed Farukh Mazahar said that said that a number of police officials lost their lives while performing their duties.