05 June 2004	Saturday	16 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, June 4: Governor Ishratul Ibad has thanked the people of Karachi for observing 'Yaum-i-Dua' on Friday for the departed souls of Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and other victims of terrorism and violence.

Talking to a group of newsmen at the Governor's House, the governor said that necessary measures were being taken to improve the performance of security and intelligence agencies for a stricter check on terrorist activities.

He said that the government agencies bearing responsibility of apprehending terrorists were fulfilling their duties and had arrested many terrorists. In reply to a question about a political change in the province, Dr Ibad said that after President Musharraf's statement in this regard, and detailed remarks by PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat, it had become quite clear that any administrative measures required, would be taken by the coalition partners after mutual consultation.

The governor observed that the administrator of the Jamiatul Uloom Al-Islamiyya, Binnori Town, Maulana Abdur Razzaq Iskandar, or any other colleagues of Mufti Shamzai had not given any call for a strike. Rather, he added, it was the MMA which asked people to observe the strike on Friday to give the tragic incidents a political colour.

He was of the view that strikes and shutdowns resulted in losses not only to the city's economy, but also to the national exchequer. Dr Ibad said that those behind the strike call had harassed industrialists and indulged in stone-throwing, firing and blocking roads. However, the administration brought the situation under control by taking action promptly, he added.

The governor said he would welcome even Jamaat-i-Islami and MMA leaders if they joined in the 'Yakjehti rally' on Sunday. In reply to a question, he said that the CCPO Karachi had not been transferred, but had gone on leave. "We will not take any decision in a haste while dealing in matters of administrative changes," he added.