Zardari says no compromise on people’s security

President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday said that ensuring protection of life and property of citizens was the state’s responsibility and no one would be allowed to kill people because of their faith.

The president said this during a meeting with a delegation of religious leaders belonging to Shia and Sunni schools of thought.

Zardari expressed grief over the tragic bombings at Alamdar Road and Hazara town in which more than 200 Hazara Shias lost their lives. He said that such acts could only be committed by enemies of Islam and humanity and vowed that the government would frustrate their nefarious designs.

MEETINGS:

During his brief stay in the provincial capital after arriving from Iran, the president chaired several meetings including discussions with different parliamentary parties over the possible in-house change after lifting of Governor’s Rule and the caretaker setup for the upcoming election.

An official source said that President Zardari chaired a high-level meeting on law and order in the province. He said that the president expressed serious concern over the security situation in Balochistan, particularly Quetta, and ordered the authorities to crack down on elements challenging the state’s writ.

The president also met with parliamentarians and leaders of different political parties, including Maulana Abdul Wasay of JUI-F, PPP’s Sadiq Umrani, PML-Q’s Dr Ruqia Hashmi, Jan Ali Changezi, former Senate deputy chairman Jan Muhammad Jamali, Syed Ehsan Shah of BNP-Awami, Engineer Zamarak Khan Achakzai of ANP and Senator Hafiz Hussain Ahmed.

The political leaders shared their reservations with the president on a host of issues. He gave them a patience hearing and sought their suggestions on the formation of the future caretaker government. He assured them that all the parliamentary groups of Balochistan would have their share in the caretaker government in accordance with their strength.

NOLANG DAM:

Earlier in the day, President Zardari laid the foundation stone of Nolang Dam to be constructed at a cost of Rs 18 billion. It is being constructed along River Mola in district Jhal Magsi. On completion‚ it will help irrigate hundreds of thousands of acres of land.

The president later left for Bilawal House in Lahore.