KARACHI, June 4: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has assured a delegation of the Pakhtun Action Committee (Loya Jirga) that all genuine problems faced by the Pakhtun population in Sindh would be solved and no government functionary would be allowed to discriminate against anyone on the basis of caste or creed.

Talking to the delegation, led by PAC chairman Shahi Syed, at the Governor’s House on Monday, Dr Ibad said the government wanted to create an atmosphere of brotherhood in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

He said peaceful citizens belonging to any caste, creed or race need not to fear from police, which were meant to put hands on only criminals and lawbreakers.

Calling Pakhtuns ‘brothers’, the governor said: “We all ought to work together for peace and put the province on the road to progress.” He held out the assurance that if anyone from the administration dared to discriminate against Pakhtuns on ethnic lines, he would be the first to initiate action against the official.

Dr Ibad told the delegation that he had put in great efforts for peace and progress in his four-and-a-half year tenure as governor. He said an atmosphere conducive to investment had been created and he did not want all his efforts to go waste.

The governor said police had been given strict directives not to harass transporters and innocent citizens.

PAC chief Shahi Syed said his organisation harboured no grudge against any political figure or party, not had it any differences with the government. He said PAC opposed ethnic bias, adding that peace had to prevail in Karachi to ensure progress and development. He said that an atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony was in the interest of every citizen.

He assured the governor of the PAC’s cooperation in maintaining peace in Karachi.

The governor announced setting up of peace committees to ensure ethnic harmony.