Lawmakers voted in January to set up military courts to hear terrorism cases, prompting criticism from lawyers and rights activists concerned about the hearings, which are held in secret.
“Chief of Army Staff approved increase in number of military courts at Karachi to handle outstanding terrorist cases,” ISPR spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter.
General Sharif “directed across the board operations to eliminate terrorists, criminals and mafias from Karachi.”
The army chief was in Karachi to review the ongoing operation by paramilitary Rangers and police against militant and criminal groups.
Karachi, a port city of some 20 million and Pakistan’s economic hub, is frequently hit by Islamist, political and ethnic violence.
Paramilitary forces began a sweeping crackdown on terrorists and criminals in the city in 2013 that has led to substantial drop in overall levels of violence.
COAS briefed on latest security Situation in Kci.Commended all ranks of Rangers,Police,int agencies,particularly support of Kci’s people-1/5
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
4 significant improvement in security Envmt.Directed across the board ops will continue to eliminate terrorists,criminals&mafias from Kci-2
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
Directed to break evil nexus b/w terrorism,criminal mafias,violence&corruption to ensure peaceful&terror free Kci-3 pic.twitter.com/9TMXumJWd3
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
#COAS approved increase in number of mil courts at Kci to handle outstanding terrorist cases-4
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
To build capacity of Kci police,in addition to their training completed,equipment worth RS.65 million handed over to Kci Police-5
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
To build capacity of Kci police,in addition to their training completed,equipment worth RS.65 million handed over to Kci Police-5
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
Security briefing at Kci chaired by COAS.Corps Comd,DGs ISPR& Rangers,Chief secy,IGP,Comsnr,int agencies reps attend pic.twitter.com/Fb1Uq1Hnho
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
#COAS in Kci:Floral wreath-Shuhada monument.Pinned Badges Colonel Comdt Air Def On Lt Gen Zameer.Addressed offrs&men pic.twitter.com/vvvgrH2WeB
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) August 25, 2015
COAS General Raheel Sharif visited Army Air Defence center this morning at Malir Cantt and laid floral wreath at Yadgare shahuada. He was briefed about the training activities at the center, a press release by ISPR stated.
COAS also addressed all officers and men of the Garrison. COAS will also visit Corps HQ later today.
COAS also pinned the badges of rank on the shoulders of Lieutenant Gen Zamir Ul Hassan Shah, Adjutant General Pakistan Army to formally install him as Colonel Commandant of Army Air Defence, the press release read.
