KARACHI: A special meeting of Apex Committee Sindh on Tuesday reviewed progress of the National Action Plan (NAP) and discussed escape of high profile terrorists from Karachi Central Jail last month, ARY News reported.
The meeting held at Headquarters Karachi Corps was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, Sindh Chief Secretary, Inspector General Police Sindh AD Khawaja, Commander Karachi Corps, Director General ISI, DG Pakistan Ranger Sindh and other civil / military officials.
Military media wing, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the forum was briefed about law and order situation of Karachi and internal security matters of the province by concerned stakeholders.
“Progress of NAP was reviewed and escape of high profile terrorists from central jail Karachi with suggested corrective measures was also discussed,” said the ISPR.
It is worth mentioning here that under-trial prisoners, Shaikh Muhammad Mumtaz alias Firoon and Muhammad Ahmed Khan alias Muna had escaped from the judicial complex of Central Prison Karachi last week.
Startling revelations about the incident indicate that the prisoners had escaped on June 13 by breaking prison grill and changed their appearance in the judge’s bathroom. However, the jail staff came to know about their escape on a day later (on June 14) when they were supposed to be presented before the court inside the jail, police sources said.
The duo were arrested by the CTD in 2013 for their involvement in dozens of targeted killings.
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The Apex Committee Sindh while expressing satisfaction on improvement of law and order situation, stressed upon the requirement for persistent efforts to achieve durable peace and stability in the province.
Areas requiring more focus to retain the peace dividends were identified for further progress to include police reforms, better coordination between federal and provincial authorities on NAP, expeditious completion of safe city project and the need for speedy prosecution beside others, it added.
The military media wing said the forum reiterated the need for durable peace being quintessential for safety and security of the people and economic activities especially in the metropolis.
The Army chief lauded efforts of Karachi Corps and Sindh Rangers in coordinating the multi agency efforts and performance of other law enforcing agencies including police.
He directed all the stakeholders to further improve synergy, reaction capability of LEAs, decision making process and to hold the public office holders accountable.
Appreciating recent improvements in capability and capacity of Sindh police, the COAS suggested improvements in its internal functioning to include induction on merit, availability of young trained leadership and strengthening of command.
“Stable law and order in the country is only possible with effective writ of the state through implementation of state laws, its willing abidance by the public and across the board speedy dispensation of justice. Despite considerable headway, we have a long way to go on these counts. Army shall continue to render its full support to all state institutions in this regard,” Bajwa concluded.
