KARACHI, May 23: Advisor to Sindh chief minister on home affairs Aftab Ahmed Shaikh has assured that the government will give full protection to life and property of the people living Landhi and Korangi areas.

He issued directives in this regard to the police and all relevant authorities in the wake of a report submitted to him by the advisor to Sindh chief minister on information, Salahuddin Haider, and advisor to the CM on special projects, Mumtaz Ahmed. Both the advisors jointly toured the various areas of Landhi and Korangi on Thursday night to learn about the area people’s grievances, it was officially stated here on Friday.

During the two-and-a-half-hour visit, a number of complaints were made by residents, particularly relating to shortage of water, insanitation, harassment and intimidation by a group of people.

The area was full of garbage dumps. Parks and playgrounds had been encroached, and several houses were found in unusable conditions. Their residents had fled to safety because of alleged coercion, and intimidation by a particular group of people.

The advisors assured the people that the government was utilizing all resources for their protection.

The advisor on home affairs made it clear that no discrimination would be made on political grounds or ethnic affiliations. Everyone would be allowed level-playing field for the coming by-election of June 22.

Police have also been asked to refrain from excesses or face disciplinary action for any violation of government directives to ensure justice to all.

The advisor on home affairs categorically stated that the government would ensure complete peace and harmony in the area. Steps are being taken to remove complaints about water shortage persisting for 12 years and a cleanliness campaign to remove garbage had already been initiated in a colony which had remained neglected for a long time.

A meeting had already been held in which minister for finance, Syed Sardar Ahmed, minister for planning and development Syed Shoaib Ahmed Bukhari, advisor on home affairs, Aftab Ahmed Shaikh and senior officers of the department concerned participated.

A number of development schemes for road construction, parks and play-grounds, water and sanitation have been planned to ensure a healthy environment for those living in the area.

Aftab Shaikh gave an assurance that no innocent person would be arrested and in fact industries minister Adil Siddiqui has already got 40 people released from police detention.

He said the operation carried out on Wednesday morning was to flush out elements with criminal records because some 12,000 families had abandoned the area for fear of life and their rehabilitation is now been under-taken.—APP