Are You Safe In Karachi ?

Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has claimed that law and order situation in Karachi is under control, however, said that police force is not sufficient in accordance with mega population of the city which was a cause of problems for the law enforcing agencies.

Talking to media persons after condoling the death of MQM MPA Manzar Imam with his family here on Sunday, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that it was a difficult task for insufficient law enforcement personnel to make fool proof security arrangements for people of highly populated city with a population of about 20 million.

He assured that police force in the volatile areas would be increased, besides deploying additional security forces in Orangi Town and another police station would be established in the area.

Earlier, the chief minister Sindh offered Fateha for the departed soul of Manzar Imam and presented Rs 2.5 million cheque to his brother. Later, Qaim Ali Shah also visited the house of former provincial minister for sports, Muhammad Ali Shah and condoled his death with bereaved family. He termed the death of Dr Muhammad Ali Shah as a great national loss.

Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah disclosed last night that only 27000 policemen were performing the duty with 14000 in each shift to maintain peace in Karachi, the city of 20 million.

"The existing police strength is insufficient as influx of people from other provinces and illegal immigrants continues disturbing the peace," he said speaking at a dinner hosted by him at Chief Minister's House for the office bearers and members of Council of Pakistan Newspapers & Editors.

Qaim Ali Shah claimed having raised the strength of police force by inducting 10, 000 men, increased salaries of police force, raised compensation for martyred policeman from Rs.100, 000 to Rs.2 million besides a job and a plot to the heirs.

Chief Minister said sectarian divide, political tug of war, economic issues and land grabbing are the main cause of law and order situation in Karachi. "Karachi's population is double than Lahore and four times more than Peshawar. This has led to high price of land and its grabbing," he added.

Qaim Ali Shah said PPP believes in maintaining democratic values and added that it wants to hold elections on specified but certain elements were trying to conspire for postponing the polls.

He also announced Rs.1 million grants for treatment of ailing journalist Siddique Baloch of Balochistan.