KARACHI, July 11: Sindh governor Ishratul Ibad has said that the brutal custom of karo-kari cannot be eliminated effectively only by addressing its legal issues, including its administrative and prosecution side to ensure conviction to the culprits, but through creating awareness among the people in which media and elders can play an important role.

He stated this, while responding to the questions of journalists before the dinner he hosted for them on Friday at the Governor House.

The governor was hopeful that soon necessary amendments to laws would be made, which would have provision to hire services of good lawyers to ensure conviction of those indulged in this brutal and inhuman tradition. “We are focusing our attention on those four to five districts in Sindh, where its intensity was more than others, to find out the causes of karo-kari and measures to eliminate this menace.

He appealed to the area notables to extend cooperation to eliminate this menace, as this could only be eliminated with collective efforts.

For Thal canal issue he said that this was rightful demand of Sindh to have its due share of water. He claimed that he had found positive attitude of Prime Minister, governor and chief minister of Punjab in this regard.

The governor said that he had tried to understand the water issue in its entirety and reached to the conclusion that the real issue was of trust on each other.

He said that the government had already taken steps to restore this trust by installing Telemetry system, shifted the headquarters of IRSA to a neutral place and increased representation of Sindh in the IRSA.

Mr Ibad said, “No doubt, there was right concern of Sindh for water. However, why other issues concerning water are not being raised like that of loss of water for want of linings in the canal and who are protecting feudalism in Sindh?” he asked.

About Friday’s bomb blast, he ruled out any possibility of any link between the incidents of Karachi and Quetta. He expressed hope that soon the hands behind the blast would be uncovered. He assured that the government had taken all steps to ensure maintenance of law and order. He dispelled the impression of delay in the establishement of public safety commission, while saying that he wants to expedite the process.

About unemployment, he said, considering the proportion of unemployment, this issue could not be addressed solely by recruitment in government departments. He said efforts were being made to restore confidence of investors with maintenance of law and order.