08 November 2004	Monday	24 Ramazan 1425

KARACHI, Nov 7: The Sindh Governor, Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan, has said the government valued the Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief's tour to New Delhi, and was sure that it would help in fostering peaceful relations between India and Pakistan.

Talking to newsmen at a dinner hosted by the Dawood Bohra Jamaat at Burhani Mahal on Saturday, the governor said that Altaf Hussain, the chief of Muttahida, was a citizen of Pakistan and was visiting India as a political leader to add up to the ongoing CBMs between India and Pakistan.

"Political leaders play an important role in opinion building and as such the MQM chief's visit has the blessing of the government," he added, saying that Altaf had talked about Kashmir and other issues during his tour with the purpose of bringing normalcy in the relations and for the uplift of people of both countries.

He said that the impression that President Musharraf's visit to India had failed to deliver any good was not true. "The president has taken bold initiatives to end the deadlock between India and Pakistan and I am hopeful that under his (Musharraf) leadership, conflicts between the two countries would subside and both countries would flourish."

He said that local government elections were going to be held in 2005, and a schedule in this regard would be announced in December.

He said the government wanted to hold elections in a fair manner, and therefore, appointment of administrators in place of existing nazims would be a step towards ensuring transparency in elections.

He said that appointment of nazims was under consideration of the Sindh government, but expecting that within a week or two was not right.

On a question about the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's public meeting on November 28, Dr Ibad said that the Sindh chief minister had a clear policy on rallies and meetings in the province, and the government would not allow any person or group to disturb the city peace or create a law and order situation.

He said the government would also ensure implementation of a decision of the Supreme Court regarding a ban on wedding meals.

Earlier, in his speech at the dinner, the governor lauded the efforts of the Dawoodi Bohra community and its leader, Syedna Dr Burhanuddin, in the social sector. "The services of the Bohra community in the development of Pakistan cannot be ignored," he noted.

In his welcome address, Shabbir Bhai Saheb Nomani, the president of Faize Hakimi, a trust of the community, highlighted the services of his community in the field of education, industry and economics, and held that the community wanted to continue with the same zeal for the betterment of Karachi.