ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken notice of the police action and violence against workers of the Mutta­hida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) during a protest against the local government law in Karachi on Wednesday and sought a report on the incident that led to the killing of a protester.

“I have taken note of the violence used by Sindh police against MQM’s peaceful protest against Sindh’s LG law, & have called for a report from Interior Ministry, Sindh Chief Minister & Sindh Inspector General,” he said in a tweet on Thursday.

The prime minister said action would be taken against the responsible persons in the light of findings of the report. “Will take necessary action against those responsible after receiving these reports,” he added.

Two main opposition parties in Sindh — the MQM and Jamaat-i-Islami — have been protesting against the local government law recently introduced by the Pakistan Peoples Party-led provincial government.

Seeks report from interior ministry, Sindh CM, IGP

According to reports, a worker of the MQM was killed and several others, including women, were injured when police fired tear gas and resorted to baton charge on their protest sit-in outside Chief Minister House.

On the other hand, Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani had said they always supported peaceful protests and provided space to rival parties for protest. He pointed out that the Jamaat-i-Islami had been staging a sit-in outside the Sindh Assembly for the last 25-26 days and that showed PPP’s democratic approach that they did not want any restriction on political meetings. He had said the MQM had announced that it would take out a rally from Sharea Faisal to the Karachi Press Club, but suddenly they changed its route and moved towards CM House.

Tourism

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) on Tourism Coordination Azam Jamil called on Prime Minister Khan and discussed with the latter matters relating to promotion of the tourism sector in the country.

The prime minister directed that alternative tourism destinations be developed in the country to divert the flow of tourists from the existing busy tourist places in the northern areas, especially during the winter season. He said Pakistan was gifted with natural beauty and “we need to improve tourism facilities, including deve­lopment of infrastructure and housing”.

The prime minister also ordered rehabilitation of Governor House in Nathia Gali in order to develop it into a high-end tourist destination, especially for the state guests. He emphasised the need for involving the private sector in promotion of tourism in the country.

Overseas Pakistanis

SAPM on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Syed Tariqul Hasan met Prime Minister Khan and discussed with the latter matters related to provision of facilities to overseas Pakistanis.

The prime minister directed that a comprehensive policy be formulated within one month to ensure maximum service delivery to around nine million overseas Pakistanis who, according to hem, were a valuable asset of the country.

He also ordered the establishment eight overseas centres to provide one-window facility for provision of different services to overseas Pakistanis.

Published in Dawn, January 28th, 2022