Collaborative mapping of illegal immigrants ordered into Sindh

KARACHI:

The Sindh apex commission on Thursday ordered a joint mapping of illegal immigrants after an investigation revealed details of a madrassa teacher’s involvement in the terrorist attack on Karachi Police Station (KPO) last year.

Five people were killed and at least seventeen others injured during the brutal, hours-long terrorist attack on Karachi Police Station on February 17, 2023.

The police station also suffered significant damage during the attack. The suicide bomber had detonated himself on the stairs next to the elevator in front of the office of the Karachi police chief.

The 31st summit committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah at CM House. Key officials including Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon and Corps Commander Karachi Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar were present at the meeting.

Law enforcement agencies (LEAs) presented an investigative report detailing the participation of a madrassa teacher in the KPO attack. The teacher, identified as a terrorist, was among those killed during the clearance operation. Subsequent investigations, including fingerprint analysis, confirmed his association with a madrassa.

Read more: ‘Masterminds’ of KPO attack killed: Sharjeel

Highlighting concerns over illegal immigrants infiltrating educational institutions, CM Shah announced plans for a joint mapping exercise to determine the accurate number of illegal immigrants in the province, especially in Karachi.

Interior Minister Zia Lanjar announced that 43,762 illegal immigrants had been repatriated, of which 1,653 were deported and 42,109 returned voluntarily. In addition, 81,106 people had proof of residence permit (PoR), while 65,936 had other documentation.

Shah emphasized the importance of cooperation of the Sindh Police (Special Branch) and federal agencies in the joint mapping initiative. The decision followed directives issued by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at a recent special meeting on law and order, which urged rigorous operations against criminal elements including bandits, street criminals, land grabbers and drug traffickers.

Also read: A five-member committee formed to probe Karachi terror attack

During the meeting, Memon outlined an intelligence-led crackdown on drug trafficking, resulting in 166 arrests in 164 cases. Awareness campaigns have been launched in educational institutions to combat drug abuse, supplemented by a dedicated helpline for reporting drug-related activities.

In addition, the meeting proposed the establishment of a “fusion center” to improve coordination among law enforcement agencies in combating narcotics. CM Shah directed the Excise and Home Departments to submit proposals for its establishment.

Addressing concerns over display of weapons by security guards in plain clothes, Shah directed the police, Rangers and relevant agencies to take strict action against such practices as he considered them illegal.

In response, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon reaffirmed his commitment to issue directives to all police stations in the province to enforce the Prime Minister’s directives.