KARACHI: Seven groups involved in terrorism nabbed: Cabinet told...
KARACHI, May 7: The Sindh Cabinet was informed on Tuesday that seven groups involved in terrorism have been nabbed and efforts were being made to apprehend the others.
The cabinet which met at New Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Sindh Governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, laid stress on making the anti-terrorism measures more effective.
Governor Soomro directed that process of prosecution be fully transparent and be carried out with complete focus. He laid stress on proper investigation of cases.
Mr Soomro underlined the need for taking priority steps to check dacoities, kidnappings in the interior of Sindh and theft of vehicles.
He issued directives for expediting action against extortionists and asked the authorities to remain in contact with businessmen and the community.
He appreciated the better law and order situation on the occasion of Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA) and during referendum.
Earlier, the cabinet expressed its heartfelt grief and sorrow over the death of children in a roof collapse in Sukkur and killing of ex-Senator Mustafa Kamal Rizvi, former MNA, Dr Nishat Mallick, Prof Zafar Mehdi, doctors and other people in acts of terrorism.
The cabinet offered Fateha and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.
The cabinet meeting was also specially attended for some time by the World Bank mission now on a visit here.
The IBRD mission appreciated the reforms programme in Sindh.
It specially lauded the steps taken for good governance and the ongoing steps in the health and education sectors. They expressed satisfaction over the same.
The mission showed its agreement to credit provision for budgetary support and structural adjustment and showed the intent to provide cooperation to the reforms programme for three or more years.
In this regard, the World Bank would provide 90 million dollars during the first year.
It was hoped that after final negotiations on May 16 and 17, the IBRD would give an approval to the said cooperation on May 20.
Meanwhile, the cabinet was informed that the IBRD has, with the cooperation of Japanese Government, provided an assistance of 0.6 million US dollars for Human Resource Development in Sindh.
The cabinet discussed in detail the cultivation of rice on right bank of River Indus.
In this regard, it was agreed that a decision on this count would be in respect of transfer of land under Companies Ordinance 1984.
It was pointed out that this decision would have far-reaching effect on corporate farming and it would get a boost with a large-scale investment while side-by-side the small farmers would be able to get increased benefits by raising companies.
The cabinet decided to re-organise 80 non-functional commercial training centres and to upgrade them as 26 colleges for commercial practices.
The cabinet decided to organise investment conferences in Shanghai, Beijing and Seoul, Korea, with the cooperation of the federal government.
It was pointed out that in these conferences, the investment opportunities in Sindh could be better highlighted at the international forum.
City Police Chief Asad Jehangir informed that an anti-Bhatta cell had been established in every police station on the Governor’s directive.
He said the cell would maintain liaison with the area business people and other members of the community besides maintaining record of extortionists in the area and to keep a vigil on their activities. It will make coordinated efforts for elimination of the menace.
The Cabinet also extended felicitations to President Pervez Musharraf on his success in Referendum-2002 and thanked the people of the province for their wholehearted participation in the referendum and fully exercising their right of vote in support of President Pervez Musharraf.—APP
