KARACHI, May 20: Sindh chief secretary Dr Mutawakkil Kazi has said that maintenance of peaceful conditions in Karachi is essential for peace in the whole country.

He said people belonging to all walks of life, aside from their petty differences, should pursue a positive approach and work for promoting a conducive law and order situation by maintaining religious harmony, moral values and social awareness.

He was speaking to a delegation, led by Hafiz Mohammed Taqi, President of Muttahida Majlis-i-Ammal (MMA), Karachi, which met him at his office on Thursday.

The delegation comprised MNA Mohammed Hussain Mehanti, MPA Maulana Mohammed Umer Sadiq, MPA Nasrullah Shajee, Qari Mohammed Usman, Rashid Nasim, Mohammed Yunus Barai and Shaikh Rafiq Ahmed.

D-G Rangers Sindh, IG Sindh, CCPO Karachi, DCO of Karachi and DIG Operation were also present. The delegation members stressed the need for effective arrangements on the occasion of local bodies byelection in Malir Town on May 22 and expressed their apprehensions regarding registration of FIR against Dr Parvez Mahmood, Nazim of Liaquatabad Town.

In the meeting, the incidents and other unpleasant happenings on May 12 on the occasion of byelections also figured. The D-G Rangers Maj-Gen Javed Zia assured that he would make every effort for dispensation of justice as per law.

He told the delegation that in the Sohrab Goth incident, the ranger concerned had exceeded his authority and he would be dismissed from service under the specified rules and regulations.

He said he would get a proposal approved at the higher level for setting up of a complaint cell, comprising Ranger, Police and Election Commission representatives for timely redressal of complaints.

The D-G Rangers said that he, his children and his parents were born in Karachi and as such establishment of peace here was his sincere desire. IG Sindh Syed Kamal Shah said that action would be taken against the police officers concerned who showed negligence and they will be held accountable on the basis of evidence found against them.

He asked the delegation members that if they have any evidence, bring the same on record. The CCPO informed that a committee has been formed for impartial inquiry. The committee comprises officials who had no connection with election duty.

He asked the delegation to submit their viewpoint along with evidence as to their apprehensions in connection with registration of FIR and assured that the committee would take an action thereon.

The DIG (Operations) said that on the election day on May 12, he got the MMA's complaints which related to Election Commission, redressed after contacting the district returning officer. -APP