KARACHI: Amid a renewed wave of terrorism in different parts of the country and targeted killings mainly in Karachi, Sindh Governor Kamran Khan Tessori and Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Thursday appeared satisfied that the provincial police and law-enforcement agencies, under the guideline of the government, “are working day and night to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators”; and expressed their resolve to chase and hunt down anti-state elements with full force.

Talking to journalists during their joint visit to Mazar-i-Quaid to salute and pay homage to the Father of the Nation on Pakistan Day, the two leaders were found in agreement that the current wave of terrorism in the country, weakening economy and uncertainty on the country’s political front could be effectively addressed only if the people and leadership reaffirmed their commitment, forged unity and observe discipline as was advised by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

CM Shah said that terrorists were enemies of Pakistan and the whole nation was committed to defeating them with an iron hand.

He said that the Sindh police and other law-enforcement agencies under the guidelines of the provincial government were working day and night to eliminate terrorists and their facilitators.

Pay homage to the Father of the Nation on Pakistan Day

Ramazan Package for 7m families

“The provincial cabinet has approved a Rs15.6 billion Ramazan Package for over seven million low-income families under which Rs2,000 cash will be transferred to each family through the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) as subsidy to buy 30kg flour at Rs65 per kg,” the CM said in reply to a question. “Low-income people can verify their eligibility by entering their National Identity Card number on the BISP number ‘8171’ or they can visit the nearest BISP centre to register themselves. An ordinance is also in the offing to control hoarding and profiteering that would empower food department officers to control prices and check an artificial hike in prices.”

Governor Tessori congratulated the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day and called it a great reminder of sacrifices of our elders to obtain a separate and independent homeland for the Muslims of South Asia.

“This independence is a blessing from the Almighty and we should always thank our Creator for this unmatched blessing,” he said.

“People from all religions have the freedom to perform their rituals and live their lives according to their faith. Keeping in view the lessons from the last 75 years, we all must work as a unified nation. We must put our differences aside and jointly endeavour according to the teachings of our leaders and forefathers.”

In a statement, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that March 23 is an important day in the history of Pakistan when Muslims of the subcontinent decided to establish a separate homeland to free themselves from the shackles of slavery and oppression.

“The Muslims of the subcontinent were able to get their demand for an independent country approved in a short period of just seven years,” he said. “While celebrating this day, we need to follow the principles of unity, faith and discipline given by the Quaid-i-Azam. The Pakistan Peoples Party had a great struggle to make the homeland strong and keep the nation united by making the 1973 Constitution, nuclear programme and guaranteeing autonomy to the provinces under the 18th Amendment.”]

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2023