Pak army chief in Karachi after Amjad Sabri killing

Karachi: Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif today flew into Karachi to chair a high-level meeting during which he promised to “leave no stone unturned” to nab the killers of noted Sufi singer Amjad Sabri and rid the city of crime and terrorism.

The army chief chaired a high-level briefing at Rangers Headquarters here in which he directed all commanders to focus on the entire network of terrorists, their abettors and financiers, and continue the clean-up in Karachi until peace is restored to the city.

“No stone would be left unturned to nab those behind the killing of Sabri,” Sharif said.

The army chief visited the city after a week of terror incidents rocked Karachi and spread fear among the people.

His visit comes after the high-profile kidnapping of advocate Owais Shah, son of the Sindh High Court Chief Justice, and the targeted killing of Sabri who was gunned down last week by unidentified motorcyclists in an attack claimed by a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban.

In other incidents, two well-known religious figures also came under attack in Karachi but escaped unhurt.

The incidents raised serious questions over the efficiency of the Rangers-led operation since 2013 in Karachi.

Sharif was briefed in detail by Director General (DG) Rangers Major General Bilal Akbar on the paramilitary force’s ongoing operation, the law and order situation and the way forward for Karachi during the meeting.

Referring to recent incidents, the army chief directed all commanders, including those of intelligence agencies, to continue working hand-in-glove, leaving no stone unturned finding the perpetrators.

Official data also shows a sharp rise in crime recently indicating renewed activities of armed groups and individuals in the city despite ongoing Rangers-led operation.

Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub and biggest city, has for years been a hotbed for criminals, gangsters and militants who are involved in kidnapping for ransom, targeted killings, sectarian violence, terrorism and bank robberies.

Street crime remains one of the biggest problems here despite the paramilitary rangers and police carrying out a clean-up operation since September, 2013.