KARACHI, March 18: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui on Friday said that the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) had been allowed to hold a ‘public gathering’ at M. A. Jinnah Road on Sunday (March 20) on its insistence and assurance that the protest would be peaceful. “Everybody knows that we had allowed PPP and MMA in the recent past to hold protest rallies, and this time too, we have allowed the MMA to hold a public gathering on Sunday in Karachi,” he told a news conference at his office where Home Secretary Brig (r) G. M. Mohtaram and CCPO Tariq Jamil were also present.
Mr Siddiqui said that keeping in view the three mega events — Textile Asia (March 19-21); Health Asia (March 19-20) and ITIF exhibition (March 26-28) –- to be held in the city, the MMA had been advised to postpone its protest for another two weeks.
He pointed out that owing to restoration of peace and improvement in law and order, international events like one-day cricket match between Pakistan and India, trade and economic exhibitions and other such major events were regularly being held in Karachi. Three major events are being held during this month for which over than 500 foreign delegates are arriving in the city.
The minister said that after MMA’s refusal to postpone its protest, it was allowed to hold a public gathering near Tibet Centre on M. A. Jinnah Road on condition that the alliance would follow the code of conduct signed by it.
He said that all security arrangements had been completed for the forthcoming three mega events. He said that police, Rangers and other law-enforcement agencies had not only finalized the arrangements, but had already carried out rehearsals.
These events, he said, would prove a milestone in economic progress of Sindh. “Time is not far when we will succeed in ensuring a bright and secure future for the next generation through the ongoing industrial and commercial development,” he added.
He appealed to people of Sindh in general and Karachiites in particular to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies in maintaining peace in the city. He asked the citizens to inform ‘Madadgaar 15’ if any disturbances took place.
He said that during the days of the mega events, control rooms set up at his office, as well as those in the offices of the home secretary, CCPO and DG Rangers would remain functional round-the-clock to monitor law and order in the city.
“People may face some problems, including possible traffic congestion, but they should exercise restraint in the larger interest of the province and the country” he added. Brig Mohtaram, in reply to a question, told reporters that 29 Indian fishermen, along with four other Indian nationals, would be released on March 21 as ordered by President Pervez Musharraf.—PPI/APP
