KARACHI, Feb 7: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan on Tuesday stressed the need for taking coordinated steps for elimination of encroachments throughout the province and particularly to protect the government land.

He was presiding over a high-level meeting held at the Governor House in which law and order situation, arrangements for Muharram and anti-encroachment measures came under review.

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Rauf Siddiqi, Advisor on Local Government Waseem Akhtar, Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal, Provincial Police Officer Jehangir Mirza, CCPO Niaz Ahmed Siddiqi, DIG Operations Mushtaq Shah, DCO Fazlur Rehman and other officials.

The governor directed that strict watch be kept on police personnel and government functionaries involved in encroachments and procedural action be ensured against them.

He made it clear that encroachments cannot come up without their support.

He also laid stress on taking action against those involved in this heinous business. He issued directives for deployment of dutiful, honest and efficient personnel, particularly in areas where land is used for public housing, development projects and industrial and business purposes.

Dr Ibad also called for implementation of a coordinated programme for elimination of encroachments without any pressure and discrimination.

On the occasion, he had an appraisal regarding arrangements for Muharram.

In the meeting, the overall law and order situation was also reviewed. The governor directed that action must continue unabated against crime dens.

He called for having written undertaking from area police officers regarding closure of narcotic and gambling dens and mini-cinema houses showing obscene films.—APP