KARACHI, April 14: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan has said that the recent incidents of violence in Lyari proved that criminal and armed miscreants have holed up in the locality from where they are targeting the law-enforcement agencies and innocent people.

Talking to newsmen after the groundbreaking ceremony of the first phase of the Razzaqabad Oil Tanker Terminal project on Saturday, the governor said that none of the political parties harboured criminals or miscreants in their fold and they were all supportive of the ongoing operation to weed out such elements from Lyari and elsewhere.

He said that these criminal elements were armed with latest weapons and were targeting the law-enforcement agencies.

He echoed the government’s resolve to show zero tolerance for terrorists and criminals and said that President Asif Ali Zardari was very much concerned about the prevailing situation and had directed the authorities to establish peace at all cost.

Petroleum and Natural Resources Minister Dr Asim Hussain declared that there was no terrorist in the ranks of the Pakistan People’s Party, which he said had nothing to do with the so-called Amn Committee.

He also emphasised that the PPP had nothing to do with the ongoing gang war in Lyari and said that the party wanted an early end to the ongoing strife so that people of the area could live in peace.

About the oil tanker terminal, he said that the first phase of the terminal would be completed in two and half months. It would have the capacity to facilitate 2,600 oil tankers at Razzaqabad and also ease pressure and encroachment in Shireen Jinnah Colony besides reducing pressure on the roads.

The Sindh governor was also given a detailed briefing on the project by Administrator of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Mohammad Hussain Syed.

He said that the completion of the phase-I would cost Rs313 million in which ground leveling, dressing of 150 acres would be done where six to eight feet filling was underway at some portions. An underground water tank and overhead tank with shades would also be built for 2,375 tankers. Oil tankers parking at other places in the city would not be allowed upon completion of the terminal, he added.

Of the Rs313 million, Rs153.77 million is provided by the Sindh government and the share provided by the KMC and oil marketing companies was Rs47.03 (15 per cent) and Rs62.71 million (20 per cent), respectively. Tankers used by the companies other than oil suppliers and the petroleum ministry would provide Rs31.35 million (10 per cent) and Rs15.68 million (5 per cent) as their share in the total cost of the project phase of the terminal would be completed in two and half months. It would have the capacity to facilitate 2,600 oil tankers at Razzaqabad and also ease pressure and encroachment in Shireen Jinnah Colony besides reducing pressure on the roads.

The Sindh governor was also given a detailed briefing on the project by Administrator of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Mohammad Hussain Syed. He said that the completion of the phase-I would cost Rs313 million in which ground leveling, dressing of 150 acres would be done where six to eight feet filling was underway at some portions. An underground water tank and overhead tank with shades would also be built for 2,375 tankers. Oil tankers parking at other places in the city would not be allowed upon completion of the terminal, he added.

Of the Rs313 million, Rs153.77 million is provided by the Sindh government and the share provided by the KMC and oil marketing companies was Rs47.03 (15 per cent) and Rs62.71 million (20 per cent), respectively.

Tankers used by the companies other than oil suppliers and the petroleum ministry would provide Rs31.35 million (10 per cent) and Rs15.68 million (5 per cent) as their share in the total cost of the project.