KARACHI, Sept 11: Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said that special attention is being paid to improve law and order in the city which would help achieve economic progress through investment promotion and increased job opportunities.
In a briefing to senior newsmen at the Governor House here on Thursday, Dr Ibad also recounted measures being taken against ‘honour killing’ and for ensuring peace in all educational institutions in the province.
Stressing the need for a rational approach to be adopted by intelligentsia of the society, particularly the press, while projecting events, he said that all the policies pursued by the government were aimed at ameliorating standard of living of common man and bring about prosperity to the province and the country.
He informed the newsmen that in Karachi, the strength of police personnel was 28,000 half of which was operational and divided in three shifts. Similarly, there are over 2,500 Madressahs and mosques, more than 100 diplomatic missions, 280 petrol pumps and as many as 100 multinational firms, all of them being provided security within the limited resources and means of a city which has 10,000 kilometres of roads.
He pointed out that the draft PPC amendment pertaining to curbthe menace of Karo-kari (honour killing) had already been sent to the federal government and efforts were under way to strengthen prosecution in this regard.
However, he stressed, there was a need to create awareness among masses against the abominable practice.
COALITION: The governor, commenting on press reports about differences between him and the chief minister, made it clear that he and the chief minister were part of a team and were on the same wavelength.
“There are no differences between us.” he declared and said: “There is no political instability in the country while the coalition partners are honestly working to resolve people’s problems.”
INVESTMENT: Referring to the government’s business-friendly policies and availability of professional and skilled manpower in Sindh, the governor invited overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors to avail the opportunity and make investment without any fear.
“Sindh offers best opportunities for investment and business in projects like solid-waste management, environment, drinking water, sewerage treatment and transport sector. The government has instructed financial institutions to extend all required facilities to investors,” Dr Ibad said and added that the government wanted to make Sindh a regional hub and centre point for business and investment activities. The province would prove to be the best place in the country for investment and business for generations to come, he declared.
The governor said that continuity of the policies in investment, economic and industrial sectors were being ensured under President Musharraf’s reforms programme so that investors could get a handsome return and be sure of their investment being safe and secured. Dr Ibad recalled that businessmen from Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Malaysia and other countries who visited Pakistan recently had expressed their full satisfaction over the situation prevailing in Karachi. They were of the view, he said, that the city was economic hub of the region and could become an important centre of economic activity for central Asia also.
The foreign investors’ observations and interest would help dispel the wrong impression abroad about the business atmosphere in the city, he said.
HOUSING PROJECTS: Governor Ishratul Ibad recalled that the New Malir Housing Project having a total of 23,596 plots in its 25 sectors, which had been abandoned, had now been revived. Balloting has already been held and the successful applicants would be getting possession of their plots within two months.
He directed the concerned departments to ensure availability of all the basic facilities, roads, storm-water drains, education, health, etc., at the housing scheme.
Likewise, he said, the Taiser Town Housing Scheme and certainindustrial schemes in Baldia, Korangi and Orangi were also being revived.
About water problem in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, the governor held out the assurance that water board would be making arrangements for a smooth water supply within a month. He said that concerned officials have been directed to accelerate process of the restoration of
six specified roads in the city and regularization of pending construction projects.
HARMONIOUS WORKING: Replying to newsmen’s queries, the governor described Sindh’s relationship with the federal government, as well as inter-provincial ties, as ‘exemplary’ and expressed satisfaction over the atmosphere where all the allies are rendering their best services together to the citizens and striving for national cohesion.
Underlining the need for effective contacts between the elected representatives and masses and monitoring of officials’ performance, he said that promotions should be based on performance and result-oriented efforts.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES: Dr Ishratul Ibad told newsmen that he had issued directives to the concerned officials for effective steps for an immediate relief to the victims of certain investment companies, like Allied Motors. He pointed out that 25 per cent of the amount invested by the victims in Allied Motors would be disbursed among the claimants within two weeks after they completed legal formalities.
SCHOLARSHIP: The governor said that on the pattern of internationally renowned Rhodes Scholarship, the government was introducing ‘Quaid-i-Azam Scholarship’ for students in higher studies while a separate system of examinations for the external candidates registered with the public sector universities had been evolved for upgrading their qualification and competence at par with the required degrees.
Under the system, external candidates would be required to get themselves registered for a specific examination one year ahead of the scheduled examinations. The candidates would be required to complete assignments under the supervision of the concerned faculty members.
Regarding a peaceful atmosphere in educational institutions, the governor said that in future, no outsider would be allowed to enter any educational institution without a prior permission from its head. Besides, he said, committees would be constituted in every educational institution. These committees, he added, would consist of teachers and representatives of students and headed by the chief of the institution to ensure proper implementation of the code of ethics.
CULTURE: The governor also made mention of the steps being taken to promote art and culture and said that a ‘Cultural Village’ had been proposed to be established which would comprise the Arts Council, National Museum, Hindu Gymkhana, Burns Garden and Faizi Rahamin Art Gallery.