KARACHI: Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that the law and order situation in the riverine areas of Sukkur and Larkana divisions has improved after a number of criminal elements surrendered due to effective measures taken by the government.

He said that along with maintaining peace in the katcha areas, special attention was also being given to development projects aimed at ensuring sustainable development and provision of basic facilities to the local population.

Speaking to the media, he said that a meeting on law and order chaired by senior Pakistan Peoples Party leader Faryal Talpur reviewed the overall law and order and ongoing development works in the riverine areas of Sukkur and Larkana divisions.

He said that MNAs and MPAs belonging to the katcha areas also attended the meeting and briefed the participants about development works underway in their respective constituencies and the problems being faced by the people.

He said the measures taken in the katcha areas were producing positive results, adding that action against criminal elements and other measures had helped reduce crime, while several criminals had also surrendered.

The minister said the government was striving to further strengthen law and order in the katcha areas while also addressing the deprivations of the local population.

For this purpose, funds had been allocated for various development projects so that issues faced by local communities could be addressed through roads, basic facilities and other essential schemes and peace could be made sustainable, he added. He claimed that the law and order situation in the katcha areas of Sindh was better compared to the katcha areas of Punjab.

He said peace could not be strengthened through operations alone and that development activities in the katcha areas were equally important.

The government’s priority was to provide people with basic facilities and opportunities for development so that they remained away from criminal elements and their confidence in state institutions was further strengthened, he added.

Talking about the political situation, the minister alleged that violence was witnessed in every movement of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and said the party should demonstrate that its political activities would remain peaceful.

He said the government should hold talks with the PTI, adding that political issues could be resolved through dialogue and that talks among political forces could help reduce tensions and improve the political environment.

Responding to a question about governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the minister said the PPP did not consider governor’s rule or an emergency a desirable option. However, he said that questions arise where a government fails to take effective action against terrorism.

He said the chief minister of Balochistan was standing against terrorists and taking action against terrorism, while in KP, if the government failed to act effectively, it was difficult to say more about the situation. The minister said all political forces and governments would have to play their role in ensuring law and order, political stability and resolution of public issues in the country.

He added that the Sindh government was fulfilling its responsibilities for maintaining peace, promoting development and providing basic facilities to the people.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2026