KARACHI, Oct 12: The United States has not been provided any military base, nor are its combat troops stationed in Sindh, said Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro.

“The airport at Jacobabad is being used by US personnel only for logistic purposes, like the airfield at Pasni. This is in line with the government’s policy to provide logistic support to the US,” Mr Soomro said while talking to editors here in the Governor’s House on Friday.

Asked about the influx of more Afghan refugees into the province, he said refugees would now be kept at designated camps, close to the border with Afghanistan, in Balochistan and the NWFP.

He said the Sindh government was carrying out a census to determine the number of Afghan refugees, and after that further action would be formulated.

Mr Soomro said there is a need to forge national unity, and we should refrain from violating the law. He said law and order would be maintained at all costs.

“Political leaders, Ulema, social workers, labour leaders, students and women should support the government’s stand over terrorism,” the governor said.

He said the media could play a significant role at this crucial juncture. They should play a positive role and avoid publishing such news which might harm peace.

Answering a question about exaggerated reports by the foreign media, the governor said they may have their own agenda and objective, but our national media should realize its responsibilities.

Governor Soomro said when some elements were resorting to violence, political parties must come forward and play their positive role in the greater national interest.

The editors had expressed their reservation on violence resorted to by activists of some parties while expressing their resentment against the bombing of Afghanistan.

He said those having dissenting views must express themselves but without disturbing normal life and without causing damage to anyone.

He said we are already faced with the problem of unemployment and bad economy, and violence did affect the economy.

Mr Soomro told a questioner that to maintain law and order, the administration had increased patrolling by law-enforcement agencies. He said those involved in mischievous activities would be arrested.

He claimed that in most of the cities in Sindh there was peace and for this the elected Nazims had played a good role. He told a questioner that there was no ban on political parties, except that they could not take out processions. There was a ban on rallies and no one was allowed to take out rally for specified destinations. Those who broke laws were being taken to task.

KARACHI’S PROBLEMS: The governor said the government was fully cognizant of the problems of Karachi, and wanted to solve them with the available resources.