KARACHI, Sep 14: Sindh minister for mines and mineral development, Mohammad Osman Malkani, has warned officials of the department of stringent disciplinary measures if the lifting and stealing of sandstone does not come to end in district Malir.

He stated this while presiding over a high-level meeting here the other day.

Complaints of the rising incidence of theft of sandstone despite the powers vested on the director general, the deputy director, the assistant director of the mineral department and the mineral development officer under the ordinance 2003 to impound vehicles and arrest persons involved in the racket and submit their challans before court.

“Despite being conferred with powers to counter this crime, continuation of this problem clearly indicates lack of interests of the concerned officials,” the minister said and ordered establishment of posts in different parts of the city to check vehicles carrying sandstone.

The minister directed the secretary of the department to conduct night raids in the areas complaining of theft of sandstone regularly, and present him a report in that regard.—PPI