A high-level meeting on the overall law and order situation in the Sukkur and Larkana Ranges was held under the chairmanship of Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar.
The meeting was attended by IGP Sindh Javed Alam Odho, DIG Sukkur Nasir Aftab, and the concerned District SSP. On the occasion, the IGP Sindh, DIG Sukkur, and SSP Ghotki gave detailed briefings on ongoing police actions against crime, operational progress, and the achievements attained so far.
The briefing informed that police contingents are fully active and vigilant in both riverine (Katcha) and settled (Pakka) areas. Hideouts of dacoits are being dismantled, while indiscriminate action is also underway against their facilitators. Through the use of modern technology, drone surveillance, and intelligence-based operations, criminal elements are being effectively pursued. The continued presence of police in Katcha areas is ensuring the eradication of crime. The Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar further stated that mistakes can occur during operations, and if any difficulty arises, the Sindh Government stands firmly with the Sindh Police.
While addressing the meeting, the Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar termed the professional performance of the police as satisfactory and commendable, and directed that a coordinated and effective strategy be adopted to completely eliminate crime in both Katcha and Pakka areas. He made it clear that those challenging the writ of the state will be dealt with strictly under a zero-tolerance policy, and no one will be considered above the law.
The Sindh Home Minister instructed the concerned authorities to immediately submit recommendations regarding the required logistic support for the mega operation against dacoits to be launched from Ghotki, including modern drones, weapons, ammunition, and vehicles, which will be approved without delay. He stated that operational requirements and resources change over time; therefore, relevant institutions should keep the authorities informed in a timely manner so that the mega operation is not affected at any stage and the process of eliminating these brutal, anti-human elements continues uninterrupted. The Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar expressed his resolve that he would personally monitor the mega operation moment by moment.
During the meeting, the Sindh Home Minister directed the IGP Sindh to personally contact the IGP Punjab and RPO Bahawalpur, take them into confidence, and ensure all necessary measures for a joint mega operation. He said that effective actions against criminal elements are ongoing through mutual cooperation between Sindh and Punjab Police, and such measures will continue in the future under a joint strategy.
The IGP Sindh also directed that recommendations encompassing the required resources for the mega operation be sent promptly so that all support and approval measures by the Sindh Government can be ensured. Later, while speaking to the media, the Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said that detailed meetings and discussions were held with the officers of Sukkur and Larkana Ranges, and from today onward, special focus will be placed on the districts of Sukkur and Larkana. He informed that individuals kidnapped from Sindh were recovered from Punjab with the full cooperation of Rangers and other security agencies, for which he expressed gratitude to the Punjab Government.
The Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar made it clear that whether they are notorious dacoits or any other criminals, the law is equal for all and action will be taken against everyone without discrimination. He stated that the killers of journalist Jan Muhammad Mehr will be arrested soon, and that the Sindh Police is fully capable of maintaining complete control over the situation; therefore, there will be no need to call in the army. He said that dacoits are being given a final opportunity to lay down their arms and join the national mainstream; otherwise, they will be eliminated through the use of state force.
In conclusion, the Sindh Home Minister reiterated his commitment that no negligence will be tolerated in the protection of life and property of the public, and operations will continue until lasting peace is established in the province.