KARACHI, July 4: The Pakistan Muslim League President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, on Sunday night called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad at the Governor’s House, and discussed arrangements for the local bodies’ polls and other related matters. Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, PML Secretary General Mushahid Hussain, Provincial Minister Nadir Akmal Laghari and others were also present.

Shujaat Hussain on the occasion dispelled the negative impressions about law and order situation of Sindh, and said that the law and order situation in Karachi was satisfactory.

He hoped that the local bodies’ polls would be held in a peaceful manner and those spreading rumours about bloodshed during these polls would be ashamed.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Ibad said that some elements were spreading negative and baseless propaganda regarding holding of the upcoming polls.

He said that the government was fully capable for holding of local bodies’ polls in a peaceful manner, and no one should have any doubt in this regard.

Dr Ibad said that Karachi was the economic hub of the area, and its progress would be the progress of the whole country.

Speaking on the occasion, the Sindh chief minister said that there was complete unity and harmony among the parties of the coalition government.

He said that no one would be allowed to spread lawlessness and such elements would be dealt with an iron hand.

Meanwhile, a conference of the PML office-bearers of districts, city and town level from across the province was held at the lawns of the Chief Minister’s House, here on Sunday night.

Speaking on the occasion, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain said that it had been decided in principle to pay royalty to the oil and gas producing areas for their development and to offer jobs to the people of such areas.

The PML chief said that they were bringing a positive change in the politics ensuring the control of the ruling party over the affairs of the government unlike the past when the governments used to run the party affairs.

He claimed that the PML had emerged as a well-organized popular party across the country and would further get strengthened with the passage of time.

“We are focussing on redressing the grievances of the party workers and for this purpose committees would be constituted at district, region, province and central levels,” he told.

On local bodies elections, Chaudhry Shujaat said the polls were being held on a non-party basis, however stated that talks were being held with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) besides there would be an effort to develop understanding with like-minded people at local level in the interior of the province.—PPI