KARACHI, April 16: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said that financial discipline and good governance were being implemented in the province and the terrorists involved in the Nishtar Park tragedy would be unearthed soon.

He said that the entire focus of the government’s efforts was the provision of facilities to the common people he said adding that people observed the mourning on the Nishtar Park tragedy with patience and tolerance.

Dr Ibad said that the government would leave no stone unturned to expose the terrorists behind this tragedy.

The governor expressed these views during separate meetings with the governor of State Bank of Pakistan, Dr Shamshad Akhtar, a delegation of Bear Stearns of London at the Governor’s House and a late Saturday night talk with the media.

Dr Ibad said that the implementation of reforms programme was continuing to ensure financial discipline. In this regard assistance has been taken from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank’s reforms programmes while demands of good governance are being ensured, he added.

The foreign delegation informed the governor about the services they were providing to various countries in the banking system, pension funds, saving schemes etc.

Dr Ibad told the delegation about the vast investment opportunities that existed in Sindh and said Karachi enjoyed a central position for activities of the financial sector.

He pointed out that 70 per cent of the country’s revenue was being generated from Karachi and there had been an increase in investment here due to better policies, facilities and continuity of reforms programmes of President Musharraf during the last few years.

Talking about the industrial sector, he said that at present industrial units in Karachi were developing significantly and there had been a significant increase in the interior of Sindh.

Dr Ibad welcomed the delegation from London and assured the visitors of all possible cooperation.

Later talking to the media, the Sindh governor said that there was a need for coordinated international efforts for the elimination of terrorism which at present was an international issue.

In Sindh, he pointed out, significant measures had been taken for the eradication of such heinous crimes and therefore, there were more challenges being faced here.

He said that the government was keen to improve the situation with the help of the available resources and public cooperation, as a result of which there had been an enhancement in the positive image of Karachi around the world.

Dr Ibad reminded that the country’s biggest Namoos-i-Risalat rallies were taken out in a peaceful and dignified manner in Karachi.

Similarly, before the Nishtar Park tragedy, during the 12 days of Rabiul Awwal, hundreds of rallies and congregations were organised with full zeal and fervour and some of the programmes were bigger than the Nishtar Park congregation.

Only a day before the tragedy took place, a Naatia Mushaira was held at Nishtar Park and continued for the whole night.

“We will have to counter the situation with courage and boldness by accepting the realities”, he said and added that this could be done, when the entire nation would get united and organised.

Dr Ibad was of the view that politicising this incident would only help the enemies of the country.

In this regard, he welcomed the statement of MQM chief Altaf Hussain and expressed the hope that all the organisations would show tolerance till the completion of probe into this tragedy.

He said that investigations of the tragedy were being carried out by experts in a highly professional manner and from all angles.

The governor said that in the light of the investigations carried out so far, the experts were of the view that it was a suicide attack carried out by terrorists from a distance of 20 feet from the stage.

He pointed out that 12 deaths occurred at the stage and 37 on the ground while the number of injured on the ground, too, was higher.

He was confident that the machinations of enemies against Pakistan, Islam and the Ummah would be foiled by strictly following the golden principles of Islam and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).—PPI/APP