KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain has said that the federal government will look into other options if talks with the Taliban aimed at resolving security issues fail.
In a statement, the president said that the government wants to resolve issues with Taliban militants through dialogue, adding that only if the talks with the Taliban fail then the government will look into other options.
The president said that the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi is bearing fruits and it is a good omen that the local business community is expressing satisfaction over the improving law and order situation in the city.
Mamnoon Hussain said that he himself and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif would review the steps so far taken to improve law and order situation in Karachi next week.
The present was of the view that Karachi is the economic hub of the country and peace there would help strengthen the national economy.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Interior Balighur Rehman told the National Assembly during question hour on Friday that Sindh Rangers and police have arrested 12,543 suspects during the ongoing targeted operation in Karachi.
The minister said that Karachi police conducted 8230 raids in different areas of the provincial capital during the last three months‚ killing 83 criminals in different encounters. A larger cache of arms and ammunition as well as drugs were recovered during the operations.
Balighur Rehman said that crime rate has considerably reduced as a result of the targeted operations. The federal government is extending full support to the provincial government for maintenance of law and order situation in Karachi.
The minister of state further said that all unverified SIMs in Karachi have been blocked and cellular companies have initiated biometric verification system for issuance of SIMs.
