01 March 2004	Monday	09 Muharram 1425

KARACHI, Feb 29: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Mahar on Sunday paid detailed visits to various areas of Karachi to review the security arrangements made with regard to Muharram-ul-Haram by the administration and police.

He was accompanied by the provincial Minister for Religious Affairs Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, IGP Syed Kamal Shah, CCPO Asad Ashraf Malik and other officers. They visited PIDC, Dr Ziauddin Ahmad Road, Aiwan-i-Saddar Road, Haji Abdullah Haroon Road, Empress Market, Saddar, Sharea Faisal, Nursery, Baloch Colony, Mohammad Ali Society for the purpose.

The CM expressed satisfaction over the arrangements made along the procession route from Kharadar to Empress Market. He also lauded security arrangements by various scout organizations for mourning processions.

On the occasion, the CM directed the IGP and law-enforcement agencies to strengthen the security measures and to keep vigilance on activities of anti-state elements.

He Dr Magsi and other ministers to monitor security arrangements in their respective districts and areas and use their powers and influence to ensure a peaceful atmosphere.

He expressed the hope that the mourning days of Muharram would pass off peacefully. He also appealed to the masses to keep a close eye on miscreants and those spreading hatred on sectarian and other grounds.

FACILITIES: Sindh Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi has assured citizens that measures have been taken for providing facilities to mourners for observing their rituals during Muharram.

He visited various areas of the city on Saturday night and Sunday morning to review the security arrangements made by home department and police preparation to cope with any emergency. He said that people could call at 15 and 134 and police stations for help during Ashura. -PPI