KARACHI, Nov 2: Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui has said that activities of security agencies in Gulistan-i-Jauhar on Monday evening was part of training exercise for action in residential areas in case of any emergency.

Speaking at a press conference at his office, he said that neither security forces were acting to arrest any suspect nor they had launched any operation in Karachi.

Sindh Home Secretary Brig Ghulam Muhammad Mohtaram told newsmen that it was a notified exercise and all the agencies, even city nazim and naib nazim were informed about it.

The building, where exercise took place, was empty and the surrounding areas were also not populated, the secretary said adding that arrangements were made on the ground that no harm was caused to any civilian or any other during this exercise.

He was of the view that this place was selected to give a difficult target to the SSG.

Brig Mohtaram said that the troops were given targets on 30 minutes' notice. The troops had to capture the terrorists hiding in the building, which was an excercise to test their preparedness.

Referring to the security steps taken for Eid shopping, Sindh Home Minister said that all arrangements for the last 15 days of Ramazan had been completed and intelligence officials in plain clothes had been deployed in all big markets of the city. Besides, close circuit cameras had also been installed to monitor the shopping centres, he added.

He asked traders, retailers and shopkeepers to manage their things in an orderly manner. He made it clear that in case of any deficiencies, action would be taken against defaulters and arrests would also be made. He warned that no leniency would be shown towards such matters.

"I will pay surprise visits to different markets in the city and serious action would be taken against those found in profiteering," he said.

He said that special security measures had been taken on the occasion of "Shahadat-i-Hazrat Ali" and all possible security would be provided to the participants of mourning precession. All the vehicles participating in mourning procession would be allotted stickers and any of the vehicles without stickers would not be allowed to enter in the procession, he added.

The minister said that all police stations had been directed to help traffic police in their respective limits for smooth flow of traffic during the last fortnight of Ramazan, especially on 21st (Yaum-i-Ali).

Referring to Badin incident, the minister said that the areawas sensitive and people should avoid spreading propaganda. DG Rangers and IGP were conducting inquiry about the incident and excesses would not be committed against anyone, he added.

He said that the prevailing law and order situation in the province was satisfactory. He also lauded the services of IGP Syed Kamal Shah towards maintenance of law and order in Sindh and made it clear that the IGP was not being transferred.-APP/PPI