KARACHI: Ibad reviews arrangement for local bodies polls
KARACHI, July 21: The prevailing law and order situation in the province was reviewed at a meeting held under the chairmanship of Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan here on Thursday. On the occasion, arrangements for the forthcoming local bodies elections also came under review. The heads of law enforcement agencies informed the meeting about the steps taken so far and discussed their future strategy.
Satisfaction was expressed that in the first phase of LB elections, a large number of people participated in the process of filing of nomination papers and particularly the interest evinced by women remained encouraging.
It was informed that a decision regarding deployment of law enforcing staff in different areas and polling stations would be made after finalization of lists of candidates.
The officials told the meeting that no report of any untoward incident had been received from any area during the election process in any of the constituency.
However, the governor directed that appropriate arrangements be made for the coming elections in the light of previous elections.
He appreciated the arrangements made so far and large-scale participation of people in the process of filing of nominations.
He said this was also a reflective of public confidence in LEAs and the administration.
The governor expressed the hope that with collective efforts, local bodies elections would be held in a transparent and impartial manner, which would ensure continuity and strengthening of President Musharraf’s programme of devolution of power to the grass-root level.
Reviewing the law and order situation in the province, the governor directed the authorities that there should be no letup in the efforts for elimination of crimes, particularly to control the street crimes.
He called for maintaining a strict watch on trends responsible for terrorism, extremism and those creating disturbances besides action be taken against crime dens.
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehmann, Principal Secretary Brig (Retd) Akhtar Zamin, DG Ranggers Maj Gen Javed Zia, Home Secretary Brig (Retd) Ghulam Mohammed Muhtaram, IGP Asad Jehangir, CCPO Karachi, DIG Operations and others.
BANK’S OPENING: Speaking as chief guest at the formal opening of Mybank’s SITE Branch at a ceremony here on Thursday, the governor said that Pakistan of today and tomorrow is not the Pakistan of yester years.
It is rapidly on the path of growth. Today Pakistan stands at an economic turn-around, putting the country from a negative growth in 1998-99 to the landmark 8.4 per cent GDP.
The government, he said, is following a two-track approach to improve the country’s micro-economic situation and structurally reform the economy.
He said foreign investment is now coming into the country. Many foreign international business firms have invested in the country’s tele-communications, manufacturing, financial and pharmaceutical sectors.
The market offers high profits as seen by the immense success of foreign companies operating here, he added.
The governor said while the country is being repositioned from a textile-based economy towards engineering and IT, the government was at the same time laying a lot of emphasis on agro-business.
Today, he said, Pakistan has become second fastest growing economy in Asia and the government’s investor-friendly policies would continue to strengthen the economy.
Earlier, the Chairman of Mybank, Iqbal Ali Mohammed, and President and CEO Mohammed Azimuddin also spoke.—APP
