KARACHI, June 14: Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that he will expand the cabinet in phases and the next phase will take place after the announcement of provincial budget.

"Before taking any decision, I will hold consultations with the governor and the coalition partners," he said while talking to newsmen at the Chief Minister's House on Monday evening.

"I would like to give due representation to all the districts of Sindh and also to the coalition partners in the cabinet," Arbab Rahim said. He further said that persons having a good track record would be inducted in his cabinet and a balance between coalition partners would be maintained.

The chief minister, who had earlier presided over cabinet meeting to discuss budget proposals, told that law and order was being attached top priority in the budget.

"The present strength of provincial police force was insufficient and it also lacks sophisticated equipment and weapons. It needs to be strengthened so that it could combat the terrorists effectively," he said.

When asked to comment on his statement, which he made in Islamabad that army could also be called in to control law and order situation, Arbab Rahim said, "It is the army of Pakistan and not of any alien country, and could be called in if needed." However, he added, it was the utmost effort of government to strengthen police force and Rangers.

He did not agree that poverty was one of the main causes of growing crime rate and said, "Had it so, there would have been grave situation with regard to crime in Tharparkar, where people live in abject conditions."

He was of the view that crimes were social evils prevailing in every human society and "terrorism" was the world phenomena. "Since the terrorism was not a problem of any single province, the federal agencies were also active and extending help to the province," he added.

About preventive measures against the smuggling of arms and explosives, the chief minister said that the government had planned to install scanners at all the entry points at provincial borders and also at some places in Karachi.

"The scanners installed at Port Qasim are very costly, but, I have planned to approach the president and prime minister for funds to buy such scanners," he disclosed. On the occasion, IGP Syed Kamal Shah told a questioner that at present cameras had been fixed at 15 locations in Karachi.

He said, "We want to install digital cameras capable of recording images even during night hours." In this regard, he added, a final presentation would be given to chief minister after the budget.

The chief minister also talked about success in apprehending culprits involved in attack on army convoy and other acts of terrorism. He said that the terrorists involved in attack on Corps Commander motorcade and those involved in mosque blasts as well as those who attacked on Rangers and police station had been arrested.

"We have succeeded to arrest the terrorists in shortest possible time. If the criminals' gangs are busted at this speed they would soon be eradicated, as their number is just limited," he added.

Giving some details of the investigations regarding attack on army convoy, he pointed out that this was the work of an organization named "Jundullah" and it was carried out through a local man identified as Ataur Rehman, an Urdu speaking hailing from Malir.

He pointed out that the eight arrested terrorists were those who remained involved in different incidents of terrorism from Jan 15 to June 10 while the rest of the arrested accused were involved in sectarian killings.

When asked about frequent power breakdowns in Karachi and other parts of the province, Dr Arbab Rahim said that he had taken serious note of it and warned the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company to avoid it, as people could turn violent and create problems for the government. "I have also taken up this matter at federal level," he remarked.

WATER ISSUES: The chief minister has announced that compensation cheques would be issued to the heirs of the victims, who died from the consumption of contaminated water in Hyderabad.