28 January 2005	Friday	17 Zilhaj 1425

SUKKUR, Jan 27: The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) has opposed any army operation in Balochistan, saying it will harm the integrity and solidarity of the country.

A meeting of the Sindh chapter of the party held at the Madressah Manzil Gah here on Thursday also decided to take part in the coming local bodies' elections and launch a mass contact campaign for the purpose.

The meeting also finalized arrangements for the Sindh visit of Maulana Fazalur Rehman from Feb 24. Later, talking to journalists, Sindh JUI-F secretary general Dr Khalid Mehmood Soomro expressed concern over the political situation in the country and held the government responsible for it. He expressed solidarity with Baloch people and called for resolving the issue through dialogues.

BALOCH LEADER: Baloch leader Mir Dostain Khan Domki, nephew of tribal chief Sardar Chakkar Khan Domki, has criticized the government's decision to establish a cantonment in Balochistan.

In a press statement issued here on Thursday, he regretted that on the one hand Pakistan Muslim League chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain was trying to resolve the issue through dialogues and on the other, the government was establishing a cantonment in Balochistan. He said the Baloch people were united and the people of Punjab had also expressed solidarity with them.

SECURITY MEASURES: Security measures have been taken by the Sukkur railway division to avert any terrorist bid following a ban on plying of passenger trains in Balochistan during night.

More than 250 railway policemen have been deployed to ensure security of passenger trains and the railway track. Security has also been beefed up at Sukkur and Rohri railway stations.

Close-circuit cameras have been installed and policemen in civvies have been deployed at the railway stations. The divisional superintendent, railways, Sukkur, Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad, confirmed that patrolling has been intensified.