KARACHI: Governor heartened by complete peace on Eid
KARACHI, Oct 27: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has congratulated the people, city government, police, Rangers, town administrations and other administrative authorities for ensuring a peaceful and pleasant environment during Eid days.
He appreciated the steps taken under the combined efforts and coordinated planning by all these authorities in this regard.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, he said: “The atmosphere of peace and brotherhood at worship places during the holy month of Ramazan, Eid shopping, Eidul Fitr, and the continuation of work on fast track on development projects became possible with the constant efforts and planning by the government.”
The governor pointed out that continuity of the present policies and the steps taken by the government over the past few years had led to the better arrangements for ensuring peace and tranquillity on the occasions of religious festivals and other events, besides achieving headway in containing terrorist activities. Proclaimed terrorist groups had been apprehended and all possible attempts to carry out terrorist activities had successfully been foiled, he noted.
Meanwhile, during his visit to shopping centres on the day before Eid and talking to people belonging to different walks of life on Eid day, the governor mingled with citizens and exchanged views on various matters.
He listened to their problems and issued on the spot directives for addressing the same.
Referring to dengue virus, he said special attention was being paid to it by the federal, as well as provincial, government.
Dr Ibad said that on his request, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz had, without any delay, issued orders for exemption of duties on blood test kits used in the diagnosis of the haemorrhagic fever.
“Adopting precautionary measures is imperative to avoid the virus. However, clear instructions have been given to the city government to undertake sprays in an effective manner,” he said, adding that implementation of the same was being ensured.
Federal and other organisations continue to carry out campaigns to create awareness of the disease and precautions to be stay safe. He said people should also ensure adopting the precautionary measures recommended by experts like using insecticides, mosquito nets etc. and keeping environment at home clean.
Holidays of the health department staff had been cancelled and all hospitals had been directed to stay alert round the clock, he pointed out.
Regarding street crime, the governor said the crime rate during this Ramazan remained low as compared to that of previous years. Particularly during the last ten days of this Ramazan, a significant improvement was witnessed, he added.
“The increase in Eid shopping, hustle and bustle at shopping centres and enthusiasm exhibited by people is a testimony to the improvement in the overall crime situation,” he observed, and added that people had done Eid shopping in a peaceful environment. He said he had been frequenting various areas of the city to monitor the situation by himself and, in this regard, had remained in direct and constant touch with people.
Dr Ibad said that besides the steps taken for ensuring cleanliness and security to the life and property of people, better arrangements were also made with the cooperation of the administrations of mosques.
Representatives of different trade associations appreciated the governor’s visits to shopping areas and other places during Ramazan, saying that the visits had significantly added to the confidence of the common man.
The governor said that patrolling by the law-enforcement personnel on motorcycles, setting up of assistance centres at markets and keeping the intelligence network active and alert were some of the measures that helped ensure peace.
Visible improvement was noticed in traffic flow this year as traffic police and volunteers of town administrations, who had to stay on roads at Iftar time in the line of their duty to ensure prompt arrival of people at their destinations for Iftar.
“I also paid frequent visits to the sites of various development projects and reviewed progress of work,” he said.
Appreciating the city nazim’s efforts, he appreciated the continued work on these projects at an accelerated pace during Ramazan to ensure their completion within the stipulated time.
“After completion of these projects, the city will have an entirely different look making this seventh biggest city of the world one of the most modern and beautiful cities.”
Condemning the propaganda regarding the Liaquatabad underpass, he said the project was still in the construction stage. Only one track of the road had been opened to traffic to facilitate people’s movement while some carpeting and other work was yet to be carried out. “The propaganda in this regard reflects negative thinking,” he said, and termed it an attempt to mislead people.
The Governor offered Eid prayers at Bagh-i-Jinnah, where the biggest congregation of the city was held, along with the city nazim, diplomats from Muslim countries, bureaucrats, elite of the city and other faithful.
The doors of the Governor’s House were opened after Eid prayers and the governor exchanged Eid greetings with Muslim diplomats and notables as well as general public.
Mrs Shaheena Ibad also exchanged Eid greetings with the women who visited the Governor’s House.
Dr Ibad hosted a lunch for the servants of the Governor’s House on the occasion.—APP
