Restoring law, order is priority: Zardari

KARACHI: President Asif Ali Zardari while chairing a meeting of senior party leaders from Sindh at Bilawal House Sunday reiterated that the restoration of complete law and order and stability and the protection of lives and property of the citizens in the port city was the priority of the government.

"No comprise would be made in this regard", he added.

The President while condemning the incidents of violence in Karachi directed that criminals and all those involved in disturbing peace and stability in Karachi be tackled with an iron hand regardless of political affiliations.

Those who were present during the meeting included among others Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ayaz Soomro, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Rafique Engineer, Abdul Qadir Patel and Rashid Hussain Rabbani. Law Minister Farooq H. Naek was also present during the meeting.

The President also advised the ministers, MPAs and office bearers to reach out to the people especially in far flung areas in Sindh and enhance contacts with voters of their respective constituencies for redressal of their issues as part of party's preparations for the forthcoming general elections to be held on time.

The meeting discussed current political situation, matters relating to coalition, local bodies election in Sindh, developmental issues, flood situation and the law and order situation in the province, particularly in Karachi.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah briefed the meeting about the steps being taken to maintain law and order in Karachi including equipping the law enforcing agencies with modern tools to fight criminals in effective manner.

The Chief Minister also apprised the President about Saturday's meeting of the Core committee of PPP Sindh and MQM.