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KARACHI, July 6: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad here on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting which reviewed law and order, as well as the arrangements for expected rains and possible floods in Sindh. The officials concerned briefed the governor about the measures taken to meet any eventuality. The Governor called for maintaining round the clock vigil and immediate response in case of emergency in the face of heavy rains and floods.
Reviewing the arrangements for the upcoming local bodies elections, he directed the officials to ensure provision of equal opportunities to all those contesting the same. “The government is striving for strengthening public and democratic institutions and the local bodies elections are in continuity of the efforts,” he told the meeting.
He said that the newly-introduced devolution system was aimed at transferring powers to people at the grass-root level and ensure participation of general public in the development and welfare process.
People would be provided a transparent, impartial and conducive environment so that they could use their right to vote as per their own will.
Reviewing the law and order in the province, the governor issued directives for continued action against crime and criminals in urban and rural areas. He said the action should be taken without any pressure or fear.
He said that the police personnel showing good performance be encouraged and those showing negligence and carelessness be held accountable.
He also issued directives for taking special measures to curb incidents of mobile phone snatching effectively and weed out the elements involved in robberies and dacoities.
The governor also called for full attention to be paid to a strict enforcement of steps taken for ensuring a smooth flow of traffic with the aim of providing relief to people.
Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui, DG Rangers Maj-Gen Javed Zia, Chief Secretary Fazalur Rehman, Home Secretary Brig (r) Ghulam Mohammed Mohtaram and IGP Asad Jehangir were among those present at the meeting.
CONTACTS: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that he is ready to meet opposition leaders in the larger interest of the people of this province and for the sake of development and prosperity.
“I feel no hesitation in visiting them personally if necessary,” he said while talking to newsmen after his meeting with PML-F chief Pir Pagara at Kingri House here on Tuesday night.
Dr Ibad said delimitation of a few constituencies in the province before local bodies’ polls was not aimed at dividing people, but only to improve the system administratively.
He maintained that the responsibility of fair and transparent LB elections rested with both the government and political parties, including those of the opposition. “Everybody should play his role so that the benefits of devolution system could trickle down to the masses at grass-root level,” he added.
About his meeting with the PML-F chief, he said he wanted to benefit from Pir Pagara’s political wisdom and to seek his guidance.
The governor criticized certain elements who, he said, were out to create disorder by constantly spreading rumours. He declared that the local bodies polls would be conducted at any cost as the government was aware of its responsibilities.
In reply to a question, he said that permission to hold rallies and public meetings during the election campaign would be granted in accordance with the policy laid down by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Dr Ibad urged political parties to uphold public interest and not political interest as maintaining law and order in the province and safeguarding public interest was responsibility of both the government and the opposition.—PPI/APP
