CM, corps commander review NAP progress

Karachi 

The two top officials of the province discussed law and order situation in separate meetings held at the Governor and CM House, with the US consul general and Corps Commander Karachi, respectively.

As Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan apprised US Consul General in Karachi, Brain Heath, of the urgent need to expand Pak-US relations to the fields of sustainable energy and defence, the chief minister and Corps Commander Karachi Lt General Naveed Mukhtar in a separate tete-a-tete, discussed the implementation of decisions taken by the provincial apex committee.

The decisions include setting up of anti-terrorism courts, strengthening of criminal investigation and proper follow-up of high-profile cases.  The governor told the US consul general that Pakistan valued its multi-dimensional relations with the US there was an urgent need for expanding them to the fields of sustainable energy, economy and defence.

He said the armed forces of Pakistan had made tremendous sacrifices in the War Against Terror and it was due to their contributions that the world was becoming a safer place.

Ebad stressed strengthening Pak-US cooperation even more to buttress bilateral relations. He said improved law and order in Karachi had resulted in better investment opportunities and it was fair to capitalise on these.

He lauded the efforts of USAID in the fields of health and education and said the projects had ensured improved healthcare and access to education for children living in far-flung areas.

Citing the example of Jacobabad Institute of Health Sciences (JIHS), being established with help from USAID, the governor said this state of the art health facility will also cater to the medical needs of people from Balochistan.

Separately, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar discussed the ongoing operation in Karachi and implementation of the National Action Plan.  The chief minister said he had directed the new Sindh IGP AD Khwaja to strengthen police investigation so criminals and terrorists in custody get the punishments they deserved. "The decision taken in the apex committee regarding incentives for Investigation Officers (IOs) is being implemented," he said.