01 March 2004	Monday	09 Muharram 1425

PESHAWAR, Feb 29: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani on Saturday directed law-enforcement agencies to remain vigilant. Presiding over a meeting at the chief minister's secretariat, he said there might be attempts to create a law and order situation during Muharram.

He said close coordination and timely intelligence gathering and sharing among the law-enforcement agencies would help foil any attempt to disrupt peace. He said no one would be allowed to disturb peace in the NWFP.

He stressed the need for collective efforts for maintaining peace during Muharram and urged the people to demonstrate tolerance and coherence and supplement the government's effort in this regard.

He said those who challenged the writ of the government would be dealt with severely and the honest police officials would be encouraged. He said the provincial government had taken steps for improvement in the law and order situation.

He urged the people to shun their petty differences for the solidarity and integrity of the country. He said the people of the province brotherly relations with each other and he hoped that peace would prevail during Muharram.

He appealed to the ulema to keep vigil on the anti-social elements. He said the elements spreading disinformation would face action. He said the law and order situation in the NWFP was better than other provinces. He directed NWFP police chief to beef up security in the sensitive areas.

SMUGGLERS WARNED: Presiding over a briefing regarding developmental schemes in the Haripur district, the chief minister said timber smuggling would not be tolerated and the forest department would be provided more facilities to check it.

He said the officials colluding with the timber mafia would not be spared. He said preference was being given in developmental schemes to the backward districts.

He said resources have been allocated equally to the education, health, communications, social welfare, women's welfare, agriculture and engineering sectors.

He said the elected representatives and people would be involved in the developmental process in their areas. Mr Durrani said the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal government had started efforts for getting the rights of the province. He said the Tarbela Dam victims would be rehabilitated on emergency basis.