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SHIKARPUR, Dec 14: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said his government is determined to curb criminals and ensure peace in the province.
Speaking at a press conference at the circuit house here on Tuesday, he said it was the responsibility of the government to protect people's life, honour and property.
He said the Sindh government wanted permanent solution to the law and order problem so that people could run their business in a peaceful atmosphere. Referring to the situation in the Shikarpur district, he said action would be taken action against police officers who were found negligent in duties and providing protection to criminals.
Answering a question about deployment of Rangers in Shikarpur, he said the Sindh government had sought help of Rangers to control the law and order situation in the district.
About the kidnapped judges, the chief minister said efforts were being made to ensure their recovery. He said three kidnapped people, Badshah alias Bashoo Tanwari, Badaruddin Tanwari and Ghulam Tanwari, had been recovered by police.
Earlier, the chief minister met delegations of area people and traders and held a meeting with police officers to discuss the law and order problem in the district.
EARLY POLL OPPOSED: Federal Minister for Narcotics Ghous Bux Mahar has rejected statements of the opposition that '2005 is the year of elections,' asserting that since assemblies will complete their tenure, there remains no justification for holding elections before schedule.
Talking to journalists here, the minister insisted that there was no need to form a national government when an elected government was already in office and working in the interest of the nation; however, he added, local body elections would definitely be held in 2005.
About the COAS office held by President General Pervez Musharraf, he said that the President was a straightforward man, and fully capable of deciding on the issue in the larger interest of the country.
Expressing concern over the law and order situation in the district, the minister opined that all politicians, whether in government or opposition, district administration, police and notables should make joint efforts to curb crime.
Condemning the kidnapping of two judges from the district, the federal minister expressed his sympathies with the affected families, and demanded that the hostages be recovered as early as possible.
SUKKUR: Talking to journalists at the Sukkur Airport on Tuesday, Dr Rahim expressed dissatisfaction over the working of government departments.
He said public complaints against the departments had increased. He said he was trying to improve the performance of the departments but no large-scale shuffling of officers had been planned for the purpose.
He said recruitment's would be made on the basis of merit and no irregularity would be tolerated in this regard. He said all posts would be filled through a transparent procedure.
Dr Rahim claimed that the law and order situation in the province, except for the Shikarpur district, was satisfactory and he was satisfied with the performance of police. He did not agree that some influential people were responsible for the lawlessness in the district. He said people behind recent kidnappings in the district would be taken to task.
About the creation of new districts in the province, the chief minister claimed that the decision had been taken on public demand and after conducting an extensive survey and it was not politically motivated. About the Kalabagh dam, Dr Rahim said President Gen Pervez Musharraf had announced construction of big dams in the larger interest of the country.
LARKANA: The chief minister told journalists in Panjodero on Tuesday that an operation against outlaws would be launched in the Shikarpur district. He had come to Panjodero to attend the Urs of Syed Abdul Latif Shah. About the National Finance Commission award, he said provinces generating more income should be given their due share in the NFC award.
