Normalcy inches back after Army deployment

RAWAKPINDI—A spokesman of ISPR has said that as an institution of the state Pakistan Army is mandated to assist civil administration in maintaining law and order and other administrative tasks when called upon to do so under directive of the civil Government. Army has been requisitioned in aid of civil power by Sindh Government to assist it in controlling law and order, he said.
The spokesman said troops have been deployed in 16 districts of Sindh including Karachi. Army authorities are coordinating law enforcement actions by Police and Rangers. Troops are also conducting joint patrolling in various cities and towns of the Province with other law enforcement agencies. Army troops have also been tasked to provide security to sensitive installations and national assets in the Province, he added.
Spokesman said that there has been a visible improvement in law and order situation since deployment of the Army in the Province. Army troops are engaged continuously in assisting the people and local administration. More than 5000 stranded passengers of looted trains were provided shelter and food through special relief camps at Pano Aqil and
Hyderabad. Troops also cleared blocked roads and moved buses and other traffic by providing protection. All railway stations and trains are also being provided security by Army. All stranded trains have been moved under protection of Army Troops to their destination. A convoy of 750 stranded passengers was transported to Karachi from Hyderabad through buses.
Similarly Army troops evacuated more than 400 passengers of Awami express coming from Peshawar at Jalal Mari, 75 KM north east of Hyderabad. People were also facilitated by opening of Petrol Pumps, CNG Stations and shops in many cities and towns across the Province by Army, spokesman added. In Karachi division Army facilitated the PTCL staff to conduct the repair works by providing them access to the troubled areas.
Spokesman said law and order situation had aggravated due to involvement of criminal elements who had exploited the situation and indulged in looting of trains, banks and shops and destroying government and public property. The majority of the population however, did not join these criminal elements which helped law enforcement agencies in controlling the situation, the spokesman concluded.
The government has deployed extra numbers of Frontier Corps, increase number of Anti-Terrorists Forces and Balochistan Constabulary at important government installations and sensitive places in Quetta in order to meet any unpleasant situation.
According to details, the government has increased the number of law enforcing members at all the important places in the Provincial capital of Balochistan on to meet any law and order situation after the assassination of Ms. Bhutto.
Meanwhile, all the business circles, shops, markets at Prince road, Abdul Sattar road, Kandahari bazaar, Jinnah road and Masjid road remain close on the third day of mourning of Ms. Bhutto.
The public transport and traffic was equal to none and atmosphere of fear gripped the entire city. Similarly, all the shops, market and bazaars in Khuzdar, Nasirabad, Jaffarabad, Dera Murad Jamali and Dera Allah Yar also remain close. However, no unpleasant incident was reported in any of the area.
After the tragic death of PPP Chairperson Ms. Benazir Bhutto the incidents of looting, torching and arson of public property have increased in Kharipur besides death of nine persons. The army and rangers have taken charge of the city on the appeal of District Coordination Officer (DCO).
A meeting was held in this connection in Circuit House to review the law and order in the city, which was attended by Rangers commander colonel Shaheen, Major Atif, DCO Khairpur and other high officials. The meeting urged the citizens to remain peaceful and clam.
After the meeting army and rangers patrolled the city while patrolling has been started in eight Tehsils of district Khairpur. After patrolling of the army and rangers, law and order situation in the city was improving as some vehicles were witnessed plying on the road beside the fruit and vegetable vendors along with large number of public at punjgoor Chowk.—Agencies