KARACHI, July 31: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Saturday said that the government had adopted a 'multi-pronged strategy' to curb terrorism.

The strategy, he said, included educating masses and creating awareness, interaction involving mosques and madressah people, and improving socio-economic conditions in Sindh, besides administrative measures.

The governor was talking to a 20-member delegation of under-training diplomats of the Foreign Service Academy of Pakistan (FSAP) at the Governor's House here on Saturday.

He said that attempts to carry out more terrorist attacks had been thwarted by law-enforcement agencies which busted five major gangs of terrorists and recovered more than 3,000 kgs of explosives, arms and ammunition since June 10, 2004. The government, he added, had made it possible by improving the intelligence network.

Headed by Director Programmes of the FSAP Amjad Ali Sher, the delegation comprised 12 local and nine foreign trainees.

Dr Ibad observed that after the 9/11 event, dynamics of crime had changed and the people of Pakistan were faced with the new trend of suicide attacks. Crimes like dacoities, robberies, arson and car-snatching, he added, appeared to be minor incidents of law and order.

"Between May 7 and June 10 this year, we witnessed a wave of terrorist attacks against our people and government functionaries which left many innocent people lost their lives," he pointed out, adding that due to hectic efforts by the government, the law-enforcement agencies brought the situation under control.

The governor told the delegation that the government laid emphasis on an improved and effective coordination between the agencies and intelligence which ultimately resulted in improvement in the law and order in Karachi to great extent.

He said that the government was taking measures to prevent 'fundamentalist' segment of the society from becoming extremists and imposing their policies and thoughts on others.

He noted that those found involved in terrorist activities appeared to be in the age group of 18 to 25. The multi-pronged strategy, he said, was aimed at educating such people and ensuring satisfactory life for them.

"Employment opportunities are being created and foreign investors are attracted to alleviate poverty, which is a major factor forcing the youth to indulge in anti-social activities," he added.

Dr Ibad was of the view that discussions, seminars and conferences were also being held to create awareness in masses.

About administrative measures, the governor told the delegation that delivering provocative speeches from mosques had been prohibited in order to prevent clashes between followers of different schools of thought.-PPI