Karachi situation: PM tells Sindh govt to combat extortion

The premier meets Sindh governor and chief minister in Karachi to discuss a range of issues.

KARACHI:

Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf has reiterated the government’s intentions to hold the general elections on time.

In a meeting with Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad and Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at Governor House here on Sunday, Prime Minister Ashraf said the general elections would be conducted according to the schedule given in the Constitution. He added that the interim set-up would also be announced accordingly and the upcoming polls would be fair and transparent.

According to sources, the political situation, upcoming elections, interim set-up, consultation with opposition parties and negotiations with Tahirul Qadri were the focus of the meeting. The governor and CM also briefed PM Ashraf on the law and order situation in Karachi.



In the meeting, the premier said the date of the polls would be announced soon, after consensus among the ruling and opposition parties. He said the government would also take other political parties into confidence regarding the interim set-up.

PM Ashraf also directed the Sindh government to devise a plan to combat extortion in Karachi, in collaboration with the city’s business community. He directed for appropriate measures to be taken against extortionists, target killers and other criminal elements. The premier observed that police officials who failed to follow instructions should be removed immediately.

“No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” remarked Ashraf, adding that the federal government would provide all possible support to the Sindh government to eradicate crime from the country’s economic hub.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2013.