30 June 2004	Wednesday	11 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

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ISLAMABAD, June 29: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday said he had the right and the powers to stop opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman from entering Karachi in view of the law and order situation.

Talking to reporters at Parliament House, the chief minister said the provincial assembly had empowered him to take such decisions. "Such a ban was also imposed at the time of President Ayub's government," he added.

"Maulana Fazlur Rehman may be the opposition leader, but I am not bound to obey his orders," the chief minister said while replying to a question. He said the leaders of Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) were barred from entering Karachi because their presence in the city could aggravate the law and order situation there.

The MMA had issued a call for a Peace March in Karachi on June 27 and the leader of the opposition and other leaders of the MMA wanted to take part in this march. Dr Rahim said he had told Maulana Fazlur Rehman that he could lift the ban, if the MMA called off the Peace March programme.

"I felt that the Peace March of the MMA could further deteriorate the situation in the city," he added. Responding to a question about the role of Governor Ishratul Ibad in Sindh government's affairs, the CM said Mr Ibad will never interfere in provincial government's matters.

"The governor enjoys his own powers and the provincial government has its own powers," he added. Dr Rahim ruled out the possibility of enforcement of 'Governor Rule' in Sindh.

APP ADDS: Chief Minister Sindh Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Tuesday said that his government would take every possible step to maintain law and order in the province. He said "Our top priority is to improve law and order in the province."

Replying to a question regarding election of Shaukat Aziz from Tharparkar, he said it would be better for the country if the prime minister and Sindh chief minister were elected from one district.