Police performance review: Speed up targeted operation in Karachi says Zardari

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday called upon the interim government in Sindh to speed up its ongoing targeted operation against criminals.

Presiding over his first meeting with the caretaker cabinet, President Zardari examined the performance of Sindh police and emphasised the need to improve living conditions for enhanced policing.

Sources said that the president was briefed on the operation being carried out by law enforcing agencies in different parts of Karachi. He was also informed about the recruitment of 8,000 additional police personnel in the province. On the occasion, President Zardari directed the government to take all possible measures to fight lawlessness and curb unrest across the province.

The meeting, which was attended Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and caretaker Chief Minister Justice (retd) Zahid Kurban Alvi, also discussed the security plan for the upcoming elections.

The president asked the provincial caretaker setup to take appropriate measures to maintain law and order during the elections and voiced hope that the cabinet would contribute towards holding free, fair and transparent elections.

Sindh interim Information Minister, Noorul Huda Shah, while speaking to media outside Bilawal House said that the provincial government will improve the election security plan following the direction of the president.

“The president has called for a better police performance,” Shah told The Express Tribune. She added that the president had suggested a six-hour duty shift may contribute towards improved policing. “He has also directed the government to look towards better health and residence facilities for the police.”

Shah said that while a six-hour duty seemed impossible, the issues faced by the police department, including health, residence and better uniforms would be resolved on an urgent basis.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2013.