The provincial Apex Committee in its 20th meeting has decided to shift 270 prisoners from Central Jail Karachi to different jails of the province by declaring them high-security prisons. At least 19 of them are said to be the most notorious prisoners. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presided over the meeting which was attended by Corps Commander Karachi Lt-Gen Shahid Baig Mirza, Chief Secretary, DG Rangers Maj. Gen. Mohammad Saeed and other officials.
It was pointed out that there were 270 notorious prisoners in Karachi Central Jail, of them 19 were most dangerous. They were running their networks through different ways and means. Keeping in view the gravity of the situation, the meeting decided to shift them within next 10 days. The chief minister also directed the home department to move their cases to military courts. For the purpose, the home and law departments and CTD police would scrutinize their cases and send them to military courts with the supporting documents. It was pointed out that of 270 prisoners the cases of 110 could easily be sent to military courts for trial because solid evidence have been collected against them. The chief minister gave two weeks to CDT department to finalise them.
The meeting also discussed the mushroom growth of madaris in the province. It was pointed out that around 1000 madaris are located on government land, illegally. The meeting decided to scrutinize the documents/NOCs, etc., of such madaris. The meeting decided that no madaris would be allowed its construction on the main artery/road. It was also noted that during the last three to four years, some 60 madaris have been established in Tharparkar despite the fact that majority of the population of the area is Hindu. These madaris in Thar are questionable and a matter of apprehension. Therefore, it was decided that the home department investigate those madaris that were constructed, illegally. The meeting was informed that three madaris in Ghotki have been given notice over their establishment on the government land that was an illegal act.
The apex committee also discussed the proscribed organizations' emergence with new names. Therefore, it was decided that intelligence agencies, police and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) would investigate such cases and take necessary action. The meeting approved sending 10 more cases, including of Amjad Sabri to the military courts. In these 10 cases, the same group of criminals namely Asim Capri, Ishaq Bobby (arrested), Samiullah and others are nominated.
It may be noted that the Sindh government had sent 90 cases to military courts, of which 37 were tried in the military courts that awarded capital punishment in 21 cases. But, not a single execution has taken place so far because of appeals. The meeting also discussed growing cyber-crime cases and decided to seek powers from the federal government/FIA to register and investigate the cyber-crime cases. The chief minister said that the provincial police not only need schedule of cases but also need expertise to work out such cases. The meeting decided to invest in cyber-crime detection system.
The meeting was informed that the data of terrorists was being compiled. The Sindh police were working closely with the Punjab police and sharing and compiling the criminals' record. It may be noted that this decision was taken in the 18th meeting of the provincial Apex Committee.
The growing trend of targeted killings of policemen was also discussed at the meeting. Murad Shah said this is very serious issue. He said this must be stopped and worked out. On this, the DG rangers and IG police said that they were close to bust the gang involved in the killings of the policemen.
Operation against outlaws in katcha area was also discussed. The chief minister has already accorded approval to it. The meeting decided to get aerial support, spare force comprising police, rangers and probably the armed forces personnel. The modality of the operation would be finalized by the DG Rangers and IG police.
The security of shrines of saints was also discussed. The meeting was informed that the shrines of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai have been made secure by deployment of required police force, installing walk-through gates and CCTVs. Work on strengthening security of other shrines is also in progress.
The meeting also thrashed out street crimes in Karachi. "Street criminals must be crushed," urged Murad Shah directing the AG Sindh to discuss the street criminal cases with the chief justice of Sindh High Court. "I want their cases be tried in special courts under anti-terrorism laws," he said assigning the AG Sindh to talk to the chief justice. The DG Rangers told the meeting that they have handed over 450 street criminals to the police while police had also arrested a large number of street criminals. "This is serious issue and must be dealt with iron hands," Shah directed the IGP Sindh.
The meeting also discussed the measures being adopted to install SIMs into cars, motor bikes and activation of tracking system in mobile phone. The home minister said that he had held a number of meetings with the manufacturers and to some extent he has changed their mind but still he needed some time to convince them. As far as mobile phones are concerned they have a system through which they could be blocked and traced.
The land grabbing issue was termed an organized crime in Karachi. The district administration and police assigned the task to protect government and private property and in case of number of claimants or dual claim papers over a piece of land then it must be verified from automation branch of the Sindh Board of Revenue.
The meeting was also informed that on the recommendation of Sindh government, the Ministry of Interior has names 69 organisations in the Schedule 1. The provincial government has placed 573 persons in the list of Schedule 4. The chief minister directed the IG police to implement 4th schedule in its letter and spirit. The 4th Schedulers must comply with the law for which police stations may be directed, accordingly.
The meeting was told that 7095 Afghan Refugees have been repatriated, cases against 3135 illegal Afghan immigrants were registered, 5073 Afghanis residing here illegally were arrested and 888 Afghanis were deported.
The meeting also discussed the issue of bank dacoities in detail. Home department was directed to ensure implementation of the SOP which the State Bank had issued for the security of the banks. Under the SOP, every bank has to construct a bunker for his guard from where he would be able to fire but nobody would be able to shot him.
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