Govt to fulfil responsibility to guard life, property: CM

[LRE]

Acknowledges political wisdom, experience of all leaders | Addresses APC on Karachi at CM's House

Associated Press of Pakistan

KARACHI: The government is fully cognizant of its responsibility to ensure protection of life and property of people and it will acquit this in the best possible manner, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said.

He was addressing an All Parties Conference (APC) at the Chief Minister's House here the other evening. The conference was attended by senior leaders of all political and religious parties, according to a statement issued here. Acknowledging the political wit and experience of the leaders, the chief minister said their concrete suggestions for establishing an enduring peace will also be included in the steps to be taken for its attainment.

Security of life and property of people will be ensured at all costs, Qaim vowed. Important steps have been taken and a strategy applied for establishment of peace in Sindh, especially in Karachi, he said. He apprised the participants that the government has invited them to this conference with a view to take all the political parties into confidence in the backdrop of external and internal dangers confronting the country. Qaim recalled that the present Sindh government assumed power only seven months ago and expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah that no incident of terrorism has occurred here so far.

He said 35 lives were lost in incidents of violence in Karachi on November 29 and 30 and December 1 and 2, which is sad and a matter of concern, he added. After incidents in Indian city of Mumbai, the Sindh CM said the environment in the region has assumed a serious position. He said adequate precautionary measures will be taken for Sindh, especially Karachi and peace will be restored in the light of concrete suggestions presented by the conference participants and through their cooperation.

The Sindh province has been facing crises politically and economically for a long time, he said pointing out that the government has taken a number of steps to establish peace in the province and ensure a peaceful life. Prime Minister's Advisor on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik addressing the conference participants said it is necessary to brief them on current situation in the country, the dangers it is facing externally and the situation internally. The government also desires to apprise them of the steps it has taken to meet the situation, Rehman Malik further said.

The Interior Affairs Advisor further said when this government assumed power the frequency of suicide blasts in the country was three to four incidents daily which has declined due to the government's constant efforts for four months. The situation now is drastically improved and such incidents have registered a downslide, he added. He said the entire world saw that by participating in the Islamabad conference all the parties of the country gave a proof that Pakistani nation is fully united. Religion Islam has also taught the believers to sit together and find a common solution when there is any major problem, the PM's Advisor said.

Malik said what needs to be decided is how to make Karachi a citadel of peace. "We have to think that we are one nation, we are Pakistanis."