October 15, 2003	Wednesday	Sha'aban 18, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali reiterated on Tuesday his government’s resolve to eliminate sectarianism and said its perpetrators would be dealt with an iron hand.

Speaking to journalists at the parliament house, the prime minister said restoration of law and order was the top priority of his government and measures were being taken in this regard.

The government, he said, had convened a special meeting of the cabinet in this regard to review the law and order situation in the country.

Mr Jamali asked the provincial governments to play their role in improving the law and order situation.

“Government is determined to curbing sectarianism in the country and would show no flexibility in this regard,” he remarked.

The prime minister said it was the responsibility of the interior ministry to maintain law and order in the capital.

During the coming cabinet meeting the reorganization of police in the federal capital would also be reviewed and steps would be taken for attitude change in the police force.

Replying to a question on walkout by journalists from the press gallery in protest against the murder of Amir Bakhsh Brohi, a newsman in Shikarpur, the prime minister said he had personally taken notice of the incident and would discuss the matter with the chief minister, the chief secretary and the IGP Sindh.

MEETS MNAs: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has urged the elected representatives to focus on uplift of their respective areas and early solution to problems of masses.

The prime minister was talking to a number of MNAs who called on him in his chamber at the parliament house on Tuesday and urged them to work selflessly for development of the country.

He asked them to remain in close contact with the electorates and urged them to meet their expectations. The prime minister said the government was striving to improve the quality of life of the people by providing them basic necessities, especially to those in the rural areas.

The prime minister regretted the negative attitude of the opposition for not participating in the proceedings of parliament and said it was not making any effort to resolve the problems of those who elected them.—APP