Malik directs police to remove political parties' flags

Federal Interior Minister Rahman Malik said on Sunday that the police have been directed to remove flags of all the political parties and ensure that no flag hoist at any building in Karachi. The Station House Officer would be responsible for implementing these directives in his respective jurisdiction.
In case any political party wants to hoist its flags on certain declared occasions, it would have to seek permission from local administration, he told at a high level meeting on law and order situation presided over by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at Chief Minister's House here.
Rahman Malik said the police also been directed to identify the sensitive areas and intensify the patrolling of police and rangers. He further said that pickets would be setup at markets, sensitive areas and important roads to combat street crimes like snatching, robberies and killings.
A constant patrolling would be done at Banaras Bridge and check-posts would be set up deploying shooters. Similarly, police and Rangers would carry out round-the-clock vigil at ICI Bridge.
Interior Minister said that DG Rangers and AIG Police Karachi would identify highly sensitive roads and areas so that additional force could be deployed there. Moreover, different zones would be created as per their sensitivity.
The meeting decided that every Station House Officer would start Volunteer and Community Support Programme to maintain peace in his respective area. Moreover, a divisional intelligence committee would be constituted that would consist of Commissioner, AIG Police, AIG Special Branch and representatives of other law enforcing agencies to ensure security measures by exchange of intelligence. The meeting made it clear that SHOs would be held responsible for any crime committed in their respective areas.
Interior Minister said that police and Rangers have been given free hand to take indiscreet action against the criminals in Karachi where the extortionists, land mafia and weapon-mafia was responsible for law and order situation. He added that all the political parties would be taken on board for maintaining peace.
Sindh Home Minister Manzoor Wasan also briefed the meeting about the measures for restoring peace in the city.