PM Sharif finalises strategy for Karachi operation

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today finalised modalities for launching an operation in Pakistan's largest city of Karachi to end target killings, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and widespread crime.
Chairing a high-level meeting at his residence here as part of continuing consultations on forging a "fool-proof mechanism" to rid Karachi of "anarchic elements", Sharif said, "Extraordinary circumstances require a sustained response by the law enforcement machinery for bringing back tranquillity to Karachi as policies do not change on a daily basis."
An operation by police and paramilitary Pakistan Rangers is likely be launched in Karachi in a few days, officials said.

Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Inter-Services Intelligence chief Lt Gen Zaheer-ul-Islam, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The premier directed authorities to expedite the process of addressing existing gaps in the prosecution system to ensure the fool-proof security of citizens and a "sustained deterrence against criminals".
He further directed officials to make necessary amendments in laws in keeping with the guidelines of superior courts.

Sharif directed authorities to hold consultations with mobile phone operators to block unregistered and illegal SIMs.
The Director General of Pakistan Rangers apprised Sharif about the operational and strategic aspects of measures to curb extortion, kidnapping, terrorism and target killings.

The city of about 20 million people has been rocked by successive waves of ethnic, political and militant violence in recent years. Hundreds of people, including security personnel and workers of political parties, have died in the violence.