22 January 2004	Thursday	29 Ziqa'ad 1424

KARACHI, Jan 21: The chief secretary has summoned a high- level meeting on Thursday to review security arrangements being made in the metropolis for the coming Eid-ul-Azha.

The meeting is being convened following the recent recovery of arms and arrest of terrorists from different parts of the city after last week's blasts. The officials, invited for the meeting, include Additional Chief Secretary (Home), DG Rangers, Commander ASF, IG police, DCO Karachi, Cantonment Executive Officer and EDO (Works & Services).

SUSPENDED: The chief secretary has suspended four officials of the food department on the charges of illegal disposal of 54,000 tons wheat from Bholari Godowns at Kotri during the holidays of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The officials are: Zahid Hussain Memon, Deputy Director (BPS- 16), Dadu; Imam Bux Bahoto, AFC (BPS-10), Incharge Bholari Godown, Kotri; and Abdul Malik Abbasi, DC (BPS-16), Hyderabad have been placed under suspension on the said charges.

Meanwhile, the chief secretary asked government officers and staff to ensure judicious use of national resources, adds PPI. Talking to newsmen at his office, the chief secretary ordered the officials to perform their duties with honesty and responsibility to help achieve the task of development and prosperity of the country.

He warned the officials involved in corruption that they would be accountable of their wrong-doings, as their activities were being monitored. The chief secretary said the practice of transfers and postings at favourable places would be completely eliminated and there would be no place for any irregularity, including recommendations from influential people in this regard.

He said that training from junior staff to officers for improving their performance had been commenced phase wise. He said they were being provided training on correspondence, filing, referencing, legal proceedings and other office works. For this purpose, the relevant department had been directed for timely disposal of their concerned office affairs, he added. He expressed hope that positive results would come out of these reforms.