KARACHI: The military establishment on Thursday hinted that the Karachi operation, which is going to complete four years next month, was not going to end anytime soon as the new corps commander of the city in a meeting with the Sindh governor vowed to continue the exercise “till its logical end”.
During a meeting at Governor House Governor Mohammed Zubair and Corps Commander Karachi Lt-Gen Shahid Baig Mirza discussed efforts that were afoot to make peace in the city sustainable and lasting, after the sacrifices of many security and law enforcement personnel.
“They [Sindh governor and corps commander] discussed the overall law and order situation in Sindh, the ongoing operation and issues of mutual interest in detail,” said a statement issued from Governor House after the meeting. “It was agreed during the meeting that the ongoing operation would continue till its logical end. Both the dignitaries showed resolve to meet all the challenges for sustainable peace in Karachi and other parts of the province.”
The corps commander’s thoughts came a few days after the results of the nearly four-year-old Karachi operation were challenged in targeted attacks carried out recently in different parts of the city mainly targeting Karachi police personnel and some political workers. Only last month, some half a dozen policemen in different parts of the city and at least four workers associated with different political parties were killed.
‘Karachi operation to continue till its logical end’
In the aftermath of the operation, launched in September 2013, the city’s security situation improved as peace was restored to both residential and commercial areas after years of bloodshed on sectarian, ethnic and political bases. However, the violent incidents witnessed a surge in recent weeks, setting alarm bells ringing in the quarters concerned.
The fresh assaults on one hand pushed the provincial government to do more when Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal suspended the SHOs of seven police stations for their poor performance and, on the other, attracted a warning from the Karachi corps commander to elements trying to disrupt the situation.
“Those who are trying to destabilise the situation would not be spared. The security and law enforcement agencies have offered great sacrifices for peace in Karachi and other areas of Sindh and their efforts will not go waste,” the statement quoted Lt-Gen Mirza as saying.
The corps commander pledged his support to make peace in the city sustainable, which was in the larger interest of the people of Karachi. The corps commander also said that steps were under way for the continuity of suitable environment and protection of the people. Sindh Governor Zubair, meanwhile, appreciated the role of security and law enforcement agencies for peace in Karachi that had started bearing fruit.
“Karachi has become an ideal city for investment due to the restoration of peace. Both national and international investors are coming to the megacity, which is a reflection of their trust and interest in business opportunities offered by Karachi,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
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