KARACHI, May 9: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday said that security measures for foreigners, diplomats and those associated with multi-national companies had been further improved.

In this regard, he said, essential steps had been taken after taking the diplomatic missions into confidence and as per their desire.

He was talking to the Karachi-based members of diplomatic corps, including the consul-generals and deputy high commissioners, who met him in the Governor’s House.

The governor said that soon after Wednesday’s horrible act of terrorism, he and senior administration officials had started contacting the diplomats here.

He said as the security measures initiated after taking the foreign missions into confidence after Sept 11 incident, their cooperation was being obtained after Wednesday’s incident. He assured them that their apprehensions about security arrangements would be removed.

In this regard, he referred to the beefed up patrolling with an increase in the force and deployment of plain-clothes security people at their offices and residences besides other essential steps.

Mr Soomro expressed the hope that with mutual cooperation and liaison, the situation could be kept under control. He said every one was sad on Wednesday’s bombing.

He referred to his Wednesday morning meeting with French defence minister who, he said, expressed the confidence that this act of terrorism would not harm the Pakistan-France friendly ties.

The governor informed the diplomats that the French defence minister praised the immediate response of the administration and the care taken of the injured in hospitals.

He said her visit to Pakistan and her views had bolstered our spirits and positive results would be achieved through mutual efforts in the war against terrorism.

Representing the members of the diplomatic corps, the British deputy high commissioner expressed grief over the killing of French and Pakistani nationals in the bombing and stressed the need for eliminating terrorism and foiling their designs through collective efforts and cooperation of all.

The home secretary and the IG briefed the diplomats on the investigation into the bombing and also replied to their queries.—APP