04 January 2004	Sunday	11 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 3: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad here on Saturday ordered immediate action against landgrabbers throughout the province, with the setting up of an "anti-encroachment task force".

The task force would be headed by the additional chief secretary development and would be responsible for protecting the government land in the city and the rest of the province.

The governor issued these directives while presiding over an emergency meeting at the Governor's House on Saturday. The meeting was attended by the chief secretary, IGP Sindh and all the secretaries of departments concerned.

"If this menace is not checked effectively, the TPOs will be held responsible and action would be taken against them," he warned.

He said that it was also the responsibility of the land-owning agencies to remain vigilant and take an immediate action against land-grabbers in the province.

He also warned those writing graffiti on the walls and asked the parties concerned to voluntarily remove it or the police would ensure its removal at the expenses of the party responsible for wall chalking.

He warned that if any one was found indulging in this menace, action would be initiated against him.

He asked the officials to take cognizance of the situation and instead of indulging in intricacies of the rules exercise the laws for betterment of the people and improving the environment.