HYDERABAD, May 1: Sindh Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh has supported the legislation against Karo-kari but defended the Jirga system for solving civil cases and not criminal cases.

Talking to journalists at the residence of Dr Bahadur Dahiri here on Thursday, he said that matters of civil natures, like property or monetary disputes, could be decided at a Jirga but cases of heinous crimes should be tried under relevant laws.

He said that Karo-kari killings could be prevented by effective legislation against the brutal custom.

Referring to the tribal strife in the bordering districts of Sindh and Punjab, he said that an inter-provincial meeting was held to evolve a strategy to ensure maintenance of law and order in the area.

He said that follow-up meetings were to be held in Islamabad for further discussion and contingents of Frontier Constabulary had been deployed along the border.

He said that the Sindh cabinet had constituted jail reforms and police reforms committees which would not only offer concrete recommendations but would also see that they were implemented.

He said that the Sindh home minister, home secretary, Justice (retd) Nasir Aslam Zahid, he and other MPAs were members of the committees. He said that terms of reference of the committees were being prepared.

He denied that any difference existed between the National Alliance and the Sindh Democratic Alliance (SDA).

He said that likewise his party had no difference with the provincial chief minister over allocation of portfolios and the issue would be decided soon.

He said that the SDA had not changed its stance over issues of the National Finance Commission award and the Thal canal project.

SI sacked: The director, Anti-Corruption Establishment, Sindh, Ghulam Qadir Thebo, here on Tuesday, terminated the services of Sub-inspector Niaz Hussain Chachar on the charges of gross misconduct. Sub-inspector Chachar had produced fake BA and LLB degrees at the time of his appointment. A case was registered against him.