Expressing serious concern over the recent incidents of killings and terrorist violence in Karachi, President Zardari directed the Sindh government to take steps to curb terrorism and criminal activities. He said that terrorists and criminals would never be able to shake the resolve of the government and all efforts would be undertaken to bring the culprits to justice.

He issued the directives at a high-level meeting held at the presidential camp office in the Bilawal House on Wednesday. Most of the city had shut down on the strike call over the killing of a Jamaat–e-Islami activist in Karachi when the president chaired the meeting to review the law and order situation.

Spokesperson Farhatullah Babar said that a briefing on the flood situation was followed by another meeting on the law and order situation in the province, especially in Karachi, and was attended by the chief minister, provincial ministers, including Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani and Sharjeel Inam Memon, chief secretary Sindh, senior officials of the police department and others.

According to the spokesman, the president also inquired from the chief minister about the people who had sustained injuries as a result of Tuesday’s explosions at Haideri Market. The president also expressed deep concern over the killing of members of the Bohra community and directed the CM to ensure that best possible medical assistance was provided to the injured.

Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah briefed the president on the law and order situation and various measures taken to control it. He also briefed him on the details of the factory fire incident, Tuesday’s bomb blasts and other violence-related incidents. The president, expressing sympathies with the bereaved families, inquired about the well-being of the affected people.

He reiterated that maintaining law and order in the province, especially in the metropolis, was the top priority of the government and no effort should be spared in this regard.

President Zardari was also briefed about the video surveillance system that had been operationalised in Karachi to monitor the law and order situation. He was told that 960 cameras at 164 locations had been installed as well as 100 mobile vehicle mounted cameras and 300 data supported handheld PDAs.

In another meeting, President Asif Ali Zardari directed all federal and provincial government departments to undertake every possible effort in a concerted manner to provide relief to the flood-hit people and to ensure that the outbreak of various waterborne diseases was kept in check.

He said that along with relief activities, comprehensive plans should be chalked out immediately to provide necessary assistance for the rehabilitation of the affected people and farmers.Senator Farhatullah Babar said Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah briefed the president about the latest flood situation and the devastation caused by the floods in various districts of Sindh, including Sukkur, Khairpur, Jacobabad, Kashmore and Shikarpur. He also informed the president about the relief efforts that had been undertaken so far for the victims by the provincial government and district authorities.

The president, while expressing grave concerns over the devastation caused by the floods, directed that authorities concerned ensure that the affected people were provided with tents, ration and safe drinking water on a priority basis in view of the fast approaching winter season. He directed that medical camps should be set up to provide assistance in case of any waterborne disease. The president said that all efforts should be made to cater to the needs of women, children and aged persons.

The president said that the federal government would provide all possible assistance to the provincial government in relief and rehabilitation activities. The president also directed the chief minister and members of the Sindh cabinet to personally monitor the relief activities and maintain close coordination with the district officials. He directed that the presidency be informed about the latest situation. The president further said that he would personally be monitoring the situation and would be interacting with the district officials and representatives through video-conferencing.

NDMA Chairman Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir briefed the meeting about the preparations that were made by the PDMA to meet any emergency situation and also about efforts undertaken in providing basic necessities to the affected people, including transporting them to safer places and providing them with tents and ration.

Utility Stores Corporation Managing Director Maj Gen (retd) Muhammad Farooq briefed the meeting about the situation vis-à-vis availability of ration and other food items.

The meeting was attended among others by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Pir Mazharul Haq, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Khan Durrani, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Muhammed Adil Siddiqui, Haji Muzaffar H Shujrah, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah Rizvi, Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo, chief secretary Sindh, provincial secretaries of education, health agriculture and rehabilitation departments.