KHAIRPUR: Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has appreciated the high morale and exceptional performance of the provincial police, as well as other law enforcement agencies, in combating terrorism.

Posting of police officers strictly on a merit basis also helped achieve the goal of containing terrorism and crime across the province, he observed while speaking at a ceremony held at the district police headquarters on Saturday evening to pay tribute to the 115 policemen who laid down their lives in the line of duty over the past decade.

Mr Shah told the audience that the perfect training to police personnel and modern methods of investigation ensured by the government played pivotal role in increasing the conviction rate.

He said prosecution process was also being made more effective. While appreciating the bravery of police personnel fighting terrorists, dacoits and armed criminals, he made mention of Khairpur SSP Pir Mohammed Shah for demonstrating a high level of courage and without caring for his life challenged the terrorists who had stormed Karachi airport and entrenched themselves inside during hours-long gun battle about two years ago. He said the Sindh government had recommended an award for the police officer.

The ceremony was attended by Sukkur Commissioner Abbas Baloch, DIG Azher Rasheed Khan, Rangers commandant and officers and notables of the district.

The chief minister give away shields and appreciation certificates to the heirs of the deceased policemen. He also participated in a candlelit vigil for them organised by the district police and civil society organisations.

Shields and appriciation certificates were also given to a number of policemen who demonstrated extraordinary professional skills and exceptional performance.

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that journalists’ struggle for freedom of expression and PPP-led parties Movement for the Restoration of Democracy had the common cause.

“Journalists and politicians have rendered great scarifies and faced all odds for democracy and freedom of expression,” he observed while speaking at a reception given in his honour at the Sukkur Press Club on Saturday evening. Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, advisers Maula Bux Chandio and Dr Abdul Qayoom Soomro, MNA Noman Islam Shaikh and others attended the reception.

The chief minister said that in 2007, World Bank and Asian Development Bank had in their reports observed that 65 per cent population of Sindh lived below the poverty line. The PPP launched massive development projects and created jobs to improve the situation, he said.

As many as nine universities were established in the public sector within the last eight years, he said, adding that a women university and arts college would be established Sukkur soon.

Meanwhile, Adviser to the CM Maula Bux Chandio on Sunday inaugurated a computer learning centre in Sukkur Township under the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Programme.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr Chandio said that over 200,000 jobless youths were being provided vocational training under the programme to enable them to get jobs in the public or private sector.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2016