KARACHI, July 28: The diplomats of Islamic countries have expressed their satisfaction over measures taken by the government for maintaining the law and order situation.

Describing the conditions in Karachi as better and satisfactory, the diplomats said they could now move around freely, adding that the hustle and bustle of the city had been restored.

These views were expressed by diplomats of Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Indonesia, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE and Libya in a meeting with Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad held at the Governor’s House on Thursday.

The Kuwaiti Consul General Hasan Badar Al-Iqab appreciated the steps taken by the government for maintaining law and order and described them as satisfactory.

Governor Ibad gave a detailed briefing about governmental steps with regard to the local bodies’ elections and the measures being taken to ward off any untoward situations.

He assured the diplomats that despite the opposition’s propaganda, the government would ensure the conduct of elections in a peaceful, free, impartial and transparent manner whereby powers would be devolved to the grassroots level, and thus new and better local governments would come into being.

The governor said they would welcome monitoring teams from the world over to come to Pakistan to monitor elections.

Highlighting Pakistan’s significant role in the global fight against terrorism, the governor pointed out that after the London and Egypt bombings, the international media had initially involved Pakistani citizens but it later issued clarifications to that effect.

He said Pakistan had expressed concern over incidents of terrorism wherever they occurred and condemned them.

He said President Pervez Musharraf had played a key role in propagating the real message of Islam and the Muslim Ummah. “Islam is the religion of peace and Muslims are an enlightened and peaceful people,” said Ibad.

He said the Pakistani government was taking revolutionary steps to root out terrorism and extremism from society, criminal elements had been arrested, and process of registration of madressahs was in progress.

Ibad told the diplomats that the government was focussing on the local bodies’ election and arrangements were complete in this regard.

He said the police and Rangers had completed their arrangements and the army would be called only for backup support.

On the occasion DG Rangers Maj-Gen Javed Zia and IG Police Sindh Asad Jehangir dilated upon the details of security measures taken for ensuring peaceful elections and assured the diplomats that there would be no violence.

Also present in the meeting were Provincial Minister Adil Siddiqui, Adviser Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Industries Secretary Nasar Hayat and others.—APP