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Strike call is not justified, says Sindh CM
The chief minister said the government had taken steps to maintain peace and protect the life and property of the people by mobilising law- enforcement agencies, including the Rangers, who would be patrolling the city. - APP photo Major growers’ bodies reject tax on farm income The battle for hearts and minds KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said there is ‘no justification’ for Monday’s strike call given by Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz against the influx of internally displaced people into Sindh, while provincial Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza has given shoot-at-sight orders to law-enforcement personnel to keep miscreants in check. The Arisar faction of the JSQM gave the call for strike after a similar strike observed on Saturday on call by another action of the JSQM. The MQM coordination committee has expressed support for the JSQM. Speaking at a crowded press conference, Sindh CM Shah termed the strike an extreme step, which would not only disrupt the progress of the province, but would also make people suffer, particularly daily wage-earners. The chief minister said the government had taken steps to maintain peace and protect the life and property of the people by mobilising law- enforcement agencies, including the Rangers, who would be patrolling the city. He requested all those who had decided to observe the strike on Monday to ensure people’s safety and said that this was the responsibility not only of the government and its coalition partners, but also of those who had given the strike call. He regretted that ‘our coalition partners, who are also in favour of the registration of the IDPs and for keeping them in camps, are supporting those who are giving strike calls’. Speaking at the same press conference, Sindh Home Minister Dr Zulfiqar Mirza announced that law-enforcement agencies had been authorised to shoot at sight miscreants who might indulge in acts of arson, damaging private or public property or endangering lives of citizens. ‘Those who want to disturb city’s peace and take the law into their own hands must let their family members know before taking to the streets that their bodies might return home,’ he warned. Karachi tense Karachi, meanwhile, was tense on Sunday evening with people having all types of fears and apprehensions. Most public transport went off the road by the evening, after a few incidents of arson and firing in different parts of the city. Various trade bodies, educational institutions and the Karachi Transporters Ittehad announced suspension of their activities, with the KTI pointing out that it did not support the strike call, but would keep vehicles off the road because of the risk of arson. After the transporters’ announcement, the government decided to keep in force its ban on pillion-riding, which is likely to add to people’s suffering. DAWN: Staff Report:Monday, 25 May, 2009 |
