KARACHI, Aug 13: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that the provincial government is cooperating with the Election Commission (EC) for holding local bodies elections in a transparent, free and fair manner.

He was briefing Karachi-based members of diplomatic missions of European and Western countries about arrangements made in Sindh with regard to the local body elections.

The members of diplomatic corps of Muslim countries were given a similar briefing on Friday.

In the first phase, elections are being held in 11 districts of the province.

Dr Arbab told the diplomats that there is no truth in the charges being levelled by the opposition. The government has taken all possible steps to maintain law and order, he added.

Arbab Ghulam Rahim indicated on that if required, the Rangers and Army could be called for maintaining law and order and all arrangements have been made in this regard.

He invited the diplomats to visit polling stations which they accepted. Briefing the diplomats, Sindh Minister for Irrigation, Nadir Akmal Leghari said there are 121 Talukas, 1110 union councils and 7585 Dehs in the province.

He said under the devolution plan, serving ministers, sitting MNAs and MPAs are also contesting for the posts of district Nazims.

He told the diplomats that first violation of code of conduct was committed by the opposition who took out a rally in Hala, the city of ARD leader Makhdoom Amin Fahim and unfortunately the first murder during the election campaign was also committed by PPP activists in Mirpurkhas in which a PML(F)) worker was killed.

Rejecting the charges regarding amendments to the Local Government Ordinance, he said there was no system of accountability in the SLGO 2001 which has now been included.

He said that in the 2001 local body elections, the PPP had its Nazims in eight out of 16 districts. Now after change in the situation and improved government performance, the opposition has resorted to insinuations.

The briefing was attended by the consuls-general of China, France, Germany, Korea, Poland, Switzerland, Sri Lanka, UK, USA and Italy and acting consul-general of Russia.—APP