activists. The PTI was particularly vocal over the issue as the party had secured the constituency wherein the Bilawal House lies in the last general elections.
The Rangers operation against barriers in Karachi was also discussed at meeting held at the PAF Base Faisal, presided over by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif when he had arrived in the city on March 25.
The prime minister had reportedly appreciated the Rangers’ efforts and directed the paramilitary force to continue the crackdown without any discrimination. He had also instructed government high-ups to assist Rangers in their action against barriers.
The chief minister and provincial information minister Sharjeel Inam Memon had come to the defence of retaining barriers outside the Bilawal House at a time when blockades at other high-profile places in the city including those outside the Muttahida Qaumi Movement headquarters Nine Zero had been removed.
Memon told reporters on March 26 that barriers had been placed outside the Bilawal House after acquiring special permission from the federal and provincial governments.
He also said the home department and the police’s special branch, after evaluating the security situation, had reached the conclusion that the Bilawal House required special barriers and barricades.
The chief minister said on the occasion that barriers outside the Bilawal House were not affecting human and vehicular movement as much as those at some other places in the city that were completely barricaded and citizens were allowed to pass through them after being subjected to questioning.
‘Gear up for LB polls’
PPP co-chairman and former president Asif Ali Zardari also directed the party’s cadre to prepare for local government elections in earnest as the polls are essential to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
Presiding over a meeting, attended by Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari and other elected representatives and office bearers of the PPP from Hyderabad and Matiari districts at Bilawal House, Zardari stressed the need to gear up development work including construction of roads for providing farmers with an easy access to markets. He directed office bearers to start campaigning and announced to hold public gatherings throughout the country in this regard.
Sindh CM Qaim Ali Shah, MNA Faryal Talpur, Sherry Rehman, Ministers Sharjil Memon, Jam Khan Shoro, Makhdoom Jamil-uz-Zaman, Makhdoom Rafiq-uz-Zaman and others also attended the meeting.