Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar today issued stringent directives to ensure citizens face no traffic inconvenience during Sehri and Iftar throughout Ramadan, while also ordering a city-wide crackdown on beggars and suspicious individuals. Expressing his displeasure over existing traffic issues, the minister mandated a zero-tolerance policy towards anything disrupting public order during the holy month.
The directives were issued during a high-level conference at the Central Police Office, where the minister reviewed a comprehensive security contingency plan. He instructed the police to implement a robust traffic management strategy, which includes deploying additional personnel on major arteries and taking indiscriminate action against illegal parking to maintain a smooth flow of vehicles.
To further bolster security, Mr Lanjar ordered strict checking at all entry points of Karachi, an increase in snap checking, enhanced mobile patrolling, and an acceleration of intelligence-based operations. He specifically directed that beggars be taken into custody and returned to their native towns. The minister also announced he would conduct surprise visits to personally review security arrangements across the city.
District SSPs have been tasked with providing full support to the traffic police, particularly around Iftar points, mosques, imambargahs, shrines, and commercial centres. The minister also called for strengthening CCTV surveillance under the command and control system and deploying extra forces at sensitive locations.
During the meeting, Inspector General of Police Sindh, Javed Alam Odho, briefed the attendees on security priorities. He confirmed that foolproof security measures were being ensured for Taraweeh prayers, Fridays, Youm-e-Quds, Youm-e-Shahadat Hazrat Ali (RA), Laylatul Qadr, and Eid-ul-Fitr, with a special focus on markets during the second Ashra due to anticipated increases in public activity.
The conference was attended by senior police officials including Additional IGs for Karachi, Special Branch, and Operations, Zonal DIGs, and District SSPs, while officials from Hyderabad and other districts participated via video link to present their respective security strategies.