Malik announces judicial probe into Karachi target killings

KARACHI: Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Tuesday announced initiating a judicial inquiry into target killings in the provincial metropolis while a police team led by a DIG rank officer would also conduct investigation into it.

He also announced establishing a directorate of “crisis management cell” in the city, which would share intelligence with institutions concerned and the Sindh government.He said plots and jobs would be given to the heirs of victims of target killings.

The interior minister was addressing a press conference at the Chief Minister house after attending a high-level meeting on the law and order situation in Sindh.Flanked by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali, Rehman said Rs500,000 award would be given to those who would provide information about culprits involved in target killings.

He said deployment of police and the Rangers would be increased in troubled areas of the city. He said police and Rangers would launch search operation after receiving credible information but the police party would be led by a DIG rank officer. The minister said that the Karachi killings should be seen in the context of other events in the country and added target killings were aimed at destabilising Pakistan. He said the government had inherited terrorism and the law and order problem. He said all political parties had given assurances to help in curbing such killings.

Malik claimed that peace had been restored in Swat. He said the situation in Balochistan had been compounded after the murder of three Baloch leaders in Turbat; however, the government was in contact with Baloch leaders to address the problem there.

Talking to newsmen, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said the government was concerned over the killings. He said Rehman Malik had brought “some ideas and suggestions” to end target killings and his govt would implement them. He admitted that the Sindh govt was facing problems in tackling killings in the city partly because of lack of sufficient resources.

Governor Dr Ebad said there was complete harmony between President Asif Zardari and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) Quaid Altaf Hussain. Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, Interior Secretary Kamal Shah, Home Secretary Arif Khan, Sindh IGP Babar Khattak, DG Rangers Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali, CCPO Karachi Wasim Ahmed, heads of intelligence agencies, AIGs, DIGs, Chief Minister’s Principal Secretary Sohail Akbar Shah and other officials attended the meeting.

Earlier, talking to newsmen at the Governor’s House, Rehman Malik said the law-enforcement agencies were being given “more powers” to end target killings.The interior minister said “target killings should be deemed to have ended from today”.

He said if any incident of target killing happened in future, strict action would be taken. Malik disclosed he had talked to MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain and he was in contact with the intelligence agencies for last three days to end target killings. He said President Zardari took serious notice when 18 people fell victim to target killings two days ago in the provincial metropolis. He said an atmosphere of political tolerance would be created with the help of coalition parties. He said the govt had adopted “zero tolerance” policy towards target killings.

He said activities of those elements who wanted to destabilise the country in the NWFP were also seen in Karachi and the city would be cleared from them. He said strict action would be taken against those “black sheep” destabilising the country.

The minister ruled out the possibility of replacing the Sindh governor. He said President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani had categorically said the Sindh governor would not be replaced. He said the prime minister had specially asked him to issue denial of such news items. He said newspapers should avoid publishing such news without any confirmation.

Talking to newsmen on this occasion, Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad said the government had taken strict notice of target killings. He said “concrete steps” had been taken during last three days in this regard. He said contacts had been made between President Zardari and MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain and both had agreed on protecting life and property of the people. The governor said the coalition partners were working in complete harmony. He said the peace in the city would be ensured.

During his visit to the Rangers Headquarters, Malik said necessary instructions have been given to the Rangers to control continued target killings in the provincial capital.The interior minister exchanged views with Sindh Rangers Director-General Maj-Gen Liaquat Ali and other senior officials about the law and order situation. He said the Rangers would extend all possible cooperation to the Sindh government for maintaining peace, especially in Karachi. Malik said rangers would take all possible steps to end targeted killings and maintain peace in the city at all cost, according to a statement issued by the Rangers.