ISLAMABAD, June 11: President Pervez Musharraf has expressed deep concern over law and order situation and acts of terrorism in Karachi and directed the Sindh government to take all necessary steps for ensuring safety of life and property.

The directives were issued by the president during his meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim at the Camp Office in Rawalpindi on Friday afternoon.

According to an official announcement, the president called for enhancing security measures in the province and said no one should be allowed to violate the laws, jeopardize the safety of the people and cause destruction of valuable property.

President Musharraf said that terrorists should be brought to book and awarded exemplary punishment. The president also stressed the need for promoting sectarian harmony and solving socio-economic problems of the people.

The chief minister told the president that he would strive to live up to the trust reposed in him and work for the socio-economic uplift of the people of the province. During the course of the meeting, they reviewed the law and order situation in the province and measures being taken to counter the recent spate of terrorist acts in Karachi.

The president reiterated the government's firm resolve to counter and eradicate the menace of terrorism, extremism and sectarianism from the country. He said the recent terrorist acts would not deter the government from achieving its objectives.

Meanwhile, the Sindh chief minister also called on Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali in the Parliament House and discussed matters relating to the province with special reference to proposals for bringing improvement in the law and order situation.

The prime minister assured his full support and cooperation to the newly elected chief minister. Matters relating to provision of water for Rabi crops also came up for discussion.