Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif Tuesday approved an increase in the number of military courts in Karachi. The move, ISPR spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said, is aimed at ensuring speedy trial in terrorism-related cases which have been pending before the military courts since their inception under the 21st Constitutional Amendment. The CoAS is present in this violence-prone metropolis since Monday night to review the overall law and order situation in the city.
On Tuesday, General Shareef was briefed by Corps Commander Karachi, DG Sindh Rangers, provincial chief secretary, IG Sindh, Commissioner Karachi and representatives of security agencies at Corps Headquarters here. During the briefing, General Shareef was apprised that latest equipment worth Rs 65 million had been handed over to Karachi Police in order to build its capacity to fight off terrorism and criminal activities.
The army chief, according to General Bajwa, directed the law enforcers and security agencies to break the "evil nexus" between terrorists and criminal and corrupt mafias to ensure a lasting peace in the city. The Army Chief also commended the role of Rangers, police, intelligence agencies and Karachiites for a significant improvement in law and order situation in the city. He also directed to continue an across-the-board operation till elimination of terrorists, criminal elements and mafias in city. Earlier, CoAS visited Army Air Defense Center in Malir Cantt and laid a floral wreath at Martyrs Monument (Yadgare-Suhada), where General Shareef was briefed on the training activities at the center. The CoAS also pinned badges of rank on shoulders of Lieutenant General Zamir Ul Hassan Shah, Adjutant General Pakistan Army to formally install him as Colonel Commandant of Army Air Defence. General Raheel Sharif also addressed all officers and men of the Garrison.