KARACHI, July 12: The police training centre in Malir will get Rs 1 million grant from the Sindh government for improving training facilities to police commandos to curb terrorist activities.

This was announced by the Sindh Governor, Mohammedmian Soomro, at the 14th passing out parade of the Elite Force of Sindh Police at Anti-Terrorist Centre in Razzakabad, Malir.

The governor expressed the hope that the training would be effective in prevention of crimes and curbing the terrorists activities.

Appreciating the efforts of the Sindh police, he said the training course, which had been designed in view of the need of the hour, would help control anti-state activities, kidnappings for ransom, bomb explosions, sectarian killings, etc.

About Rs1,000 allowance to the personnel of elite force, the governor regretted that the decision could not be implemented but said efforts would be made to implement the decision in the near future.

The governor also stressed that an atmosphere should be created in which both the police and the people join hands in the fight against lawlessness.

IGP Syed Kamal Shah, in his welcome address, informed that the ATTC was established in 1992 and since then 6,786 officers have been provided anti-terrorist training.

He said that the 14th batch that passed out on Friday comprised 375 elite commandos.

The IGP said the purpose of training was to equip the police personnel with latest anti-terrorist training in order to prevent heinous crimes, sniper firing, bomb explosions etc.

He informed that in 1993 the government of Sindh had announced 40 per cent basic pay and similarly in 1994 a 100 per cent basic pay as additional allowance for the elite commandos. However, this has not been materialised as yet.

The IGP pointed out that the elite force commandos in the Punjab get an allowance of Rs 1,000 per month.

He requested for the provision of facilities for the personnel of elite force in Sindh also.

The governor assured that this request would be considered on priority basis.

The IGP also spoke about the development plans for the ATTC in Razzaqabad. These also included construction of boundary wall, cementing the parade ground, construction of residential quarters and a swimming pool.

He also said that the proper water and sewerage facilities be made available for the eight blocks consisting of 64 barracks completed in the year 1996-97.

The governor further assured that these problems would be resolved.

Among others, the Sindh Home Secretary Brig Mukhtar Ahmed, DG Rangers, senior military and police officers also present.