July 16, 2006	Sunday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 19, 1427

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QUETTA, July 15: The government has decided to beef up security around all worship places and provide protection to ulema and religious figures in the city and other parts of the province.

The decision was taken at a meeting held here on Saturday. With Chief Minister Jam Mir Mohammad Yousuf in chair, Chief Secretary K. B. Rind, Quetta Nazim Mir Maqbool Lehri and senior police officials attended the meeting.

The decision was taken in the aftermath of Allama Hasan Turabi’s murder in a suicide bomb blast in Karachi on Friday.

It was decided that law-enforcement agencies should take steps to protect ulema and all worship places, including mosques and imambargahs, in Quetta and other parts of the province.

The meeting was told that ulema of different sects would be taken into confidence to promote sectarian and religious harmony.

Mr Lehri had been directed to remain in touch with ulema and leaders of the Balochistan Shia Conference and accommodate their suggestions regarding security and sectarian harmony.

Officials concerned were directed to take strict action against those involved in subversive activities.

The over all law and order situation in the province was discussed in the meeting, which continued for several hours.

Performance of the police intelligence network and its expansion to all districts in the province also came under discussion.

Police high-ups had been directed to set up Central Crime Department (CID) centres at district-level for investigating and collecting information about anti-state elements.

While discussing the performance of the civil defence department and bomb disposal squad, the meeting decided to increase their working capacity and extend their services to districts.

Referring to the report submitted by the city nazim about illegal occupation of government land and encroachment, the meeting directed Mr Lehri and the Quetta district coordination officer to take action against those involved the business.

The meeting directed the police to launch a campaign against the use of tinted glasses in vehicles and display of arms by private guards of some political leaders.