KARACHI, June 27: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has dispelled apprehensions and rejected propaganda with regard to the holding of local government elections, reiterating that the polls would be held in a free, fair transparent and impartial manner for which a peaceful atmosphere in Sindh, including Karachi, would be ensured. “We have already met big challenges successfully,” he said, adding that the local government election was a minor one and with the help of Almighty Allah and cooperation of people, the government would emerge successful again.
The governor was speaking at a function held here on Sunday night under the auspices of Bazm-i-Ghalib.
He pointed out that as the front line state in the war on terrorism, Pakistan had encountered the wave of terrorism with extreme courage and success, and Sindh remained in the forefront in this regard.
There had been concerns with reference to the Pakistan-India cricket matches but the government had won appreciation world over for organizing one of the matches in Karachi in a peaceful atmosphere, and for the subsequent matches in other cities, the security plans for Karachi match had been followed.
Dr Ibad expressed the hope that local the government election, too, would send a discouraging message to subversive elements and mentalities.
“We have to strengthen our institutions and in this mission we will never go back under any circumstances, nor would we stop,” he said, adding that people would be taken along.
He described the function as an event of great significance, and observed that writers and poets had been playing an important role in the development of this country.
It has always been our desire that Pakistan should be recognized as a conscience nation in the world, but there are certain people who do not want this process to be accelerated and for this reason they are bent upon disturbing the law and order.
We are improving the conditions and ensuring security of people. We want to play our role in war against terrorism in the obtaining global environment.
Referring to changing environment, the governor made mention of the function he was addressing, and the Indian poets’ visit to Pakistan, saying that such activities continued with consistency and their outcome and effects were encouraging.
He said industrialization was growing with new units coming up. Nooriabad where there were only five units operative, had now 61 units fully operational, he added. He pointed out that industrial units were being established in Thatta and Badin districts also.
The governor said that functions like Bazm-i-Ghalib would continue to have the government’s patronage. He also stated that work on ‘Cultural Village’ was under way and Koocha-i-Saqafat had become a regular feature organized under the auspices of the Arts Council.
Dr Ibad said that at present, power supply is a big problem as power production was inadequate to meet the growing demand of the increasing population of this city.
He said that in order to overcome the problem, a project was being under taken and would be completed within 18 months as against its original completion period of over 30 months.
He also spoke of the measures taken against terrorism, and pointed out that the recent seizure of more than 3,000 kgs of explosive material was a big achievement in this regard.
The governor said that action was also being taken against corrupt officials under the process of accountability.—APP
