January 4, 2006	Wednesday	Zilhaj 3, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 3: The Nazim of Liaquatabad Town, Osama Qadri, on Tuesday alleged that the police was openly patronizing criminals and drug traders and that police stations in his town had turned into safe havens for criminals.

“Except a few officers, none of the police functionaries cooperate with the town municipal administration, which has resulted in deterioration of law and order situation,” he said while talking to journalists after the oath-taking of naib nazims of the Liaquatabad, Gulberg, North Karachi and North Nazimabad towns in Liaquatabad.

“Street crimes are committed under the patronage of the police that also connive at illegal activities like encroachment, narcotic and gambling dens,” he said.

He accused the police of setting narcotic trade in the graveyard of Liaquatabad C’ area, Nazimabad Bara Maidan area, etc.

Mr Qadri claimed that trees in his towns were washed and streets cleaned in the night everyday while encroachments had been removed from roads.—PPI