18 July 2004	Sunday	29 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 17: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that criminal elements would be weeded out from streets and mohallas through joint efforts by political parties and people.

He expressed his determination that the government's writ would be established at all costs.

The minister was talking to newsmen during his visit to the Rangers headquarters here on Saturday.

In reply to a question about ban on Jamaat-i-Islami, the minister observed that some elements, dangerous to the country, had made their way into some political parties. However, he added, it would have to be determined whether they had been inducted by the parties as a policy or they had joined the parties on their own.

Mr Siddiqui declared that affairs of all such parties which might promote terrorism would have to be given serious consideration. Geographical and ideological frontiers of the country would have to be defended at all costs, he added.

Describing the law and order situation in the interior of Sindh as better, he said this should be compared with the days when there had been political and official terrorism in the province.

Replying to another question, the minister clarified that no operation was being carried out in Lyari, rather, police force was being used against criminal elements. He declared that gangsters, criminals and mafias would not be spared at any cost.

He told a questioner that there might be two dozen or more Al Qaeda activists in the city. However, whoever the terrorist, he would be caught.

The home minister said that budgetary allocations for law and order were insufficient. "Police force does not have basic facilities... I will talk to the chief minister in this regard."

Earlier, Director General Rangers Maj-Gen Javed Zia briefed the minister about the performance of his force.

Mr Siddiqui said that all forces and organizations in Karachi would have to abandon professional jealousy and work in a coordinated manner to weed out criminal elements.

PASSING OUT PARADE: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that police service is a sacred profession, but its sanctity can be preserved only when members of the force will discharge their duties with full responsibility.

He was speaking as chief guest at the passing out parade held at the Police Training Centre, Saeedabad, here on Saturday.

The minister hoped that the uniform they were wearing would continue to remind policemen of their onerous responsibilities and they would not spare any effort to restore their trust in the hearts of people by adopting decent attitude.

Mr Siddiqui said that only those who would uphold morality in public dealing for the good of the department would be regarded as suitable and eligible for the department. The others, he added, would have no place in the force.

"It is your foremost duty to redress the grievances of oppressed people and get the oppressor to justice by becoming 'arm of the weak'."

He pointed out that police played a cardinal role in our society in eliminating crime. Therefore, they should uphold supremacy of law with a sense of responsibility.

"At present, the government is faced with the challenge of establishing law and order," he reminded the force, and expressed his confidence that police had the capability and determination to meet the challenge.

The home minister said: "Today we have greater responsibilities from Sindh people and, therefore, it is our duty to provide them a peaceful environment which is free from crime and terrorism, where our children can get education without fear, and where people can do their business without any tension."

He pledged: "We will work as a team in the campaign against crime and other evils in the society, and carry out a vigorous struggle for the attainment of this objective."

The minister assured the force that funds would be provided for the construction of the training centre's boundary wall and development work. In case a shortage of funds, he added, cooperation of different NGOs would be sought.

He announced a reward of Rs20,000 for the best performer at the passing out parade and commendation certificates for teachers of PTC.

Earlier, IGP Syed Kamal Shah said that public opinion about police would be considered final and he would have all respect for those officials and personnel who would earn praise from people.-PPI/APP