Stopping short of giving details, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Tuesday that the police had traced the whereabouts of killers of journalist Athar Mateen, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.  

Talking to media after returning from Mateen’s home in Karachi where he had gone to offer his condolences, he said that the journalist’s murderers would not go unpunished.

He informed the provincial government was planning to enact laws in order to make it difficult for street criminals to get bail from the courts.

He was of the view that the drug culture and the country’s poor economic conditions were to blame for the rise in street crimes.

Murad claimed he had never used Sindh police against his opponents. “The provincial police is independent and has played an important role in the restoration of peace in the port city,” he said, and added, “Everybody in the police department whether an officer or a constable should be held accountable for the offence he has committed.”

“The Sindh government is serious in the accountability of top police officials,” Murad said.

He made it clear that the provincial government would not hesitate to take even some unpopular steps if deemed necessary for peace in the province.

Reporter: Iqtidar Anwar