27 October 2004	Wednesday	12 Ramazan 1425

PESHAWAR, Oct 26: The provincial police chief has assured transporters that he will address their genuine grievances against law-enforcement agencies, particularly Nowshera police which , according to transporters, was creating problems for their businesses.

A high-level delegation of various transport unions of Punjab and the NWFP, led by NWFP Sarhad Transport Workers Confederation President Mohammad Zahir Shah, called on Inspector General Police Riffat Pasha at his office here on Tuesday, according to an official statement.

A delegation apprised the IGP about the murder of bus driver Anwar Shah Kakakhel allegedly by a customs squad in Anarkali, Lahore, and harassment by the Nowshera police.

Mr Pasha gave a patient hearing and assured that every possible effort would be made for solving their genuine problems. The IGP contacted the Central Board of Revenue chairman in Islamabad and additional inspector-general (Investigation), Punjab, and asked them to listen to the transporters' genuine complaints.

The office-bearers of various transport organisations will meet the CBR chairman at Islamabad on Wednesday and will share their grievances in the backdrop of the Lahore incident.

They will also meet the Punjab AIG (investigation) on Thursday and will apprise him about their complaints and security problems.

The NWFP IGP also directed the Mardan IGP to look into the complaints of the transporters about the alleged misbehaviour of Nowshera police by arranging a meeting with them and solve their genuine problems strictly as per laid down rules and regulations.

The IGP assured the delegation that the police would not harass them and they would be provided congenial atmosphere for carrying out their business as per law.

However, he warned that no one would be allowed to smuggle weapons, narcotics and other contraband items and asked the members of the delegation to ensure that such activities would not take place.