KARACHI, Aug 23: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has issued directives for further gearing up the efforts to bring criminals to book.

Presiding over a high-level meeting on law and order at the governor’s house on Saturday, he called for the strongest efforts to break the network of criminals and terrorists. In that regard he emphasized coordination between the organizations responsible for law and order.

The governor said the only objective behind lawlessness was to harm the country’s progress and its economic rehabilitation. He expressed the determination that the nefarious designs of the elements trying to harm the country would be thwarted at all costs.

He said contact must be maintained with the families affected by terrorism and they must be provided security.

The governor assured the families of those who died at the hands of terrorists that the best possible measures were being taken to arrest the killers.

“Security of life and property is the most basic right of the people, and to protect it is the foremost responsibility of the government. No slackness here will be tolerated,” he said.

The meeting was attended by advisor for home affairs Aftab Shaikh, chief secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi, DG Rangers Maj-Gen Salahuddin, IGP Syed Kamal Shah, home secretary Syed Anwar Hyder, the city police chief, the DIG operation and other officials.

After the meeting, the governor visited a local hospital to see the principal of the Commerce College, Prof Aslam Khan, who is undergoing treatment there having suffered a bullet during a shootout between two student groups a couple of days back.

Regretting the incident the governor said that peaceful academic atmosphere in educational institutions would be ensured.

He also visited the families of late Drs Ibne Hasan and Shoaib Shafiq, and the family of the five brothers who too fell victim to terrorism. He offered condolences to the bereaved families.

Earlier, chief minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar met Dr Ishratul Ibad at the governor’s house. Chief secretary Dr Mutawakkal Kazi was also present on the occasion. Different issues of importance came under discussion at the meeting.—APP