September 05, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 04, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 4: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, at an Iftar dinner hosted by provincial Minister for Works and Services Manzoor Hussain Wassan at his residence on Thursday, expressed their views on the issue of Talibanisation threatening Karachi while replying to newsmen’s questions.

Dr Ibad said that the issue figured at the Wednesday meeting between Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Mr Rehman A. Malik and the MQM ministers and legislators at the Governor’s House. “The MQM expressed its concern over the impending threat of Talibanisation to Sindh, particularly Karachi,” the governor said, adding that the relevant (security) agencies also gave a briefing at the meeting.

“It was decided to take our ANP brothers, besides other opposition figures and madressah people, on board so that the issue could be addressed effectively,” he said.

Dr Ibad said that terrorism and extremism were the core issues of national importance and all political forces would have to help tackle it accordingly.

On his part, Syed Qaim Ali Shah did not feel that Talibanisation was an impending threat to the province. He, however, held that the law-enforcement agencies had been kept alert.

Referring to his meeting with Mr Malik, he said that the overall law and order was discussed and decisions were taken to improve it further.

Presidential election

Mr Shah said that PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari was in a strong position and was sure to bag almost all votes, including those of the PML-Q, in the Sindh Assembly in the Sept 6 presidential election. Majority votes from the Balochistan and NWFP assemblies are also expected, he added.

Dr Ibad was also of the view that political situation prevailing in three provinces, particularly in Sindh, suggested that Asif Ali Zardari enjoyed full support. “Considering the support he enjoys in the Senate and National Assembly also, it is sure that he will emerge winner,” he added.

PPP-MQM ties

In reply to a question about any power-sharing formula having been discussed during Mr Malik’s visit to the city, the chief minister said his meeting with the PM’s adviser covered the overall law and order and political situation in the province. “We didn’t talk on any power-sharing formula,” he said, adding that the MQM was already sharing power with the PPP as a major coalition partner.

Responding to a similar question, Governor Dr Ibad said that not only the MQM, but the entire country had pinned great hopes in the PPP. The MQM, he observed, had contributed greatly to the efforts towards being about stability in the country.