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KARACHI, Feb 22: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, stressing the need for early establishment of the Ulema Council in the province, has stated that a blueprint of the proposed council’s aims and objectives, and organizational setup and strategy be submitted to him within three days.
He was discussing matters relating to the proposed council with the Ulema belonging to various schools of thought at Governor’s House on Wednesday.
Dr Ishratul Ibad said that the Ulema Council was primarily aimed at establishing peace and providing its benefits to the common man and vowed that Sindh would be made a model province regarding inter-faith harmony and unity.
He told the Ulema that the council would be established on the pattern of Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) and strengthened as an authoritative institution. Necessary legislation in this regard would also be carried out, if needed, he added.
He hoped that the council would help in timely resolution of problems and disputes which occur frequently, and Ulema would get a permanent platform to coordinate with the government administration.
The governor congratulated the Ulema for holding peaceful rallies in Karachi to register their protest against publication of derogatory cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and noted that the decent and dignified way the Ulema held these rallies was acknowledged within and outside the country.
He observed that these rallies had a significant impact as compared to violent protests, saying it proved that “we are peaceful harbinger of higher values”.
The prevailing situation, he stressed, provided the Ummah an opportunity to forge unity and gather on a single platform.
Dr Aamir Liaquat highlighted the governor’s vision on establishment of Ulema council and told the audience that Ulema belonging to all schools of thought would be given representation in it.
Shah Turabul Haq Qadri, Mufti Munibur Rehman, Mohammad Salfi, Dr Maulana Zubair Usmani, Haji Hanif Tayyab, Maulana Tanveerul Haq Thanvi, Pir Syed Ghulam Jilani and others were present.
PRICE CONTROL: Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has stressed the need for joint efforts by the government and consumers to control price-hike and ensure better availability of quality consumer items.
He was talking to a delegation of the Consumers Association of Pakistan, led by its chairman Kaukab Iqbal, which called on him at Governor’s House here Wednesday.
The governor pointed out that consumers’ organizations serve as a backbone in a social and economic structure. He said their membership must be carried out on stable grounds, with people adopting an effective strategy to offer vigorous resistance against price increase.
By this way, the growing problems of consumers can be overcome, he added.
He said the system of City District Government is functioning effectively and asked the association to adopt one town as a model town and use it as a platform to work for the rights of consumers and establishment of consumer clubs in schools and other educational institutions.
He called for formulating maximum awareness programmes for consumers and cleanse the town markets of the menace of adulteration and substandard items for which the government would extend all cooperation.
The governor exhorted the association’s representatives to seek public cooperation at the grassroots level. He said instead of holding seminars in five-star hotels, venues be selected at public level.
He pointed out that local government system is the most effective medium to work at grassroots level and it had successfully been experienced during polio vaccination campaign.
He said that consumers in European and other countries are fully aware of their rights and consumer’s associations there operate in an organized manner.—PPI/APP
