Law and order, atta crisis and other important issues figured top in the first meeting of Sindh cabinet held under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah at New Sindh Secretariat here on Sunday.
Prime Minister's Advisor for Interior, Rehman Malik attended the meeting on special invitation. "Since it was cabinet's first meeting, therefore, there were less decisions but more proposals and suggestions", said Provincial Information Minister, Shazia Mari in her maiden press conference as Minister after the Cabinet's meeting.
She said law and order had been going on bad in Sindh but it will now show an improvement as an elected cabinet has come into being and Home Department being headed by no less a person than Dr Zulfikar Mirza.
It is the government's responsibility to maintain law and order in the province especially in Karachi, the minister said and informed that Co-chairman PPP Asif Ali Zardari has asked Interior Advisor Rehman Malik to visit Karachi once in a week for bringing improvement in law and order.
She pointed out that Sindh Minister has prepared a complete programme in relation to law and order. Among others, it also envisages the appointment of officers on merit.
Pointing that Sindh will be provided relief soon, Shazia Mari said the Provincial Home Department is to be strengthened for which the cooperation of media is required.
Replying to a question, she said the vacant ministries in Sindh government will soon be filled. She said the cabinet ministers would perform their functions under the set Rules of Business.
Shazia Mari said the Sindh Government has resolved to redress the excesses done to the people of Sindh during the last 10 years. Replying to a question, the Information Minister said the process of dialogue with MQM is continuing. She said the talks with MQM last night continued but no final results came out.
Ms Mari said henceforth newspapers in Sindh would be given advertisements on merit. She informed that today the Cabinet held special discussion on "atta" crisis and its soaring prices and said that strict action will be taken against hoarders. She assured that Sindh will be provided relief soon. She said the factors in the backdrop of the attta crises would be identified and action taken against those found responsible.
She told reporters that the Cabinet decided to review the decisions taken by the caretaker government and those found unrealistic and without having legal validity would be done away with. She said everyone in Sindh must ave assurance that they will be fully protected.
She invited the media to submit their proposals and suggestions to Provincial Information Department and said their problems would be resolved. She said that cases of contract employees would be reviewed and if any illegality is found in contract jobs, the same would be done away with.
Talking to media after the Cabinet meeting, Advisor to Prime Minister for Interior Rehman Malik said the Terrorist Act would be applicable in cases of mobile theft, robberies and dacoities.
He said police have been told to submit a report to National Police Bureau in this regard on daily basis. He said investigation into the factors responsible for April 9 disturbances is continuing.
He said the Tribunal for October 18 Karsaz Tragedy inquiry will be reconstituted. He said that Rangers occupying education sector buildings would be provided alternative places. Earlier the Cabinet meeting started with recitation from the Holy Quran whereafter Fateha was offered for the departed soul of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.