| December 31, 2007 | Monday | Zilhaj 20, 1428 |
| December 31, 2007 | Monday | Zilhaj 20, 1428 |
KARACHI, Dec 30: A sense of normalcy has returned to the city after violent protests in the wake of PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in Rawalpindi on Dec 27. The situation will further improve on Monday.
This was stated by the caretaker Sindh Chief Minister, Justice (retd) Abdul Qadir Halepota, while talking to newsmen at the Chief Minister’s House on Sunday.
He said that keeping in view the situation; the provincial government had sought the assistance of Rangers and the army to control law and order.
Mr Halepota said that the decision had a positive impact and the situation had started turning back to normal with the opening of shops and various fuel stations.
He said that various markets were established across the city to provide the citizens with the items of daily-use at reasonable rates. Similar markets were also set up in Hyderabad, he said.
He stated that life was returning to normalcy especially in Karachi and Hyderabad and the rest of the province.The chief minister informed the newsmen that three trains carrying stranded passengers left Sukkur for upcountry destinations on Saturday night.
“Four special trains with Rangers and police have been dispatched from Karachi on Sunday so that any damaged track or signals can be repaired in order to resume the train traffic from Karachi to the upcountry”, he said.
Mr Halepota said that petrol dealers and transporters had been contacted to ensure the availability of fuel at the earliest.
The chief minister said that from Monday all the petrol pumps would be reopened.
He also appealed to the political parties, their workers as well as the masses to remain peaceful and exercise restraint and refrain from acts that could affect public and private property.Replying to a question, he said that registration of FIRs had been ordered and action would be initiated against those who had caused damages to public and private properties. More than 300 arrests were made till Saturday evening, he said.
Mr Halepota said that to assess the damages, a survey would be conducted all over the province ahead of taking decision for compensation.
He said that some of the acts of lawlessness came under the purview of the Anti-Terrorists Act of 1997 and action could be taken accordingly in case of resort to killings or damaging the property.
The chief minister said that steps would be taken to increase the strength of the police force in the metropolis.—APP
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