IGP Sees Decline in Street Crime

KARACHI: There is a visible decline in street crime and vehicle thefts in the city after the police started action against drug peddlers.

This was stated by Sindh Inspector General of Police Dr Kaleem Imam at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah here on Tuesday. The meeting, which was held to curb the menace of drugs from society and the need for rehabilitating the youths involved in drug use, was also informed that this year alone 3,931 cases were registered against drug peddlers in the city.

The chief secretary said that the police, the Anti Narcotics Force and other relevant departments were taking measures to curb the menace of drugs from society. He further stated that there was a dire need for rehabilitating the youth addicted to drugs and the Sindh government had decided to increase the capacity of the drug rehabilitation centres by proving funds, medicines, psychiatrists and doctors. He said the provincial government would provide all facilities for the rehabilitation centres to rehabilitate more drug addicts.

Earlier, briefing the meeting Additional IG of Karachi Ghulam Nabi Memon stated that 5,385 drug peddlers, who were also involved in other street crimes/vehicle thefts, had been arrested this year. He further stated that 40kg of heroin, 4,1151(g charas, 23kg opium, and 3kg crystal ice had also been seized from these suspects.

He also informed the meeting that drug addicts were involved in street crimes and police did not have a major rehabilitation facility.

The meeting was also told that there were various rehabilitation facilities in Karachi, but they did not have the capacity to keep such a number of drug addicts in their facilities.

The chief secretary directed the home department to declare rehabilitation centres as correction centres if there was any provision in the law and the same prisoners would be sent to the correction centres after approval of the court.-Staff Reporter