KARACHI, Dec 6: Caretaker Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Abdul Qadir Halepota has issued strict directives to all DCOs to take steps against price hike, and said EDOs and DDOs with magisterial powers should carry out raids on markets to curb overcharging.

Presiding over a meeting at the Chief Minister’s House here on Thursday to discuss various issues, including price hike and law and order, he said he would not tolerate any negligence on the part of the officials concerned in the discharge of their duties to maintain law and order and control price hike.

“The mandate of the caretaker government is to create an environment conducive to the holding of free and fair elections, but it would not overlook people’s basic problems,” he said.

He observed that there was no wheat shortage in the province and, therefore, DCOs should take action against hoarders and take strict measures to control prices of wheat, as well as other essential commodities.

He appreciated the role of Sindh police on various occasions and at different places, acknowledging that many policemen had laid down their lives in the line of duty. However, he added, law and order situation needed to be improved in upper Sindh areas and Karachi. He asked police to take stringent measures in this regard. He said he was in constant touch with police officials to ensure an improved law and order.

Referring to the Wednesday police encounter near Bagarji, he told the meeting that he had immediately announced a reward of Rs1 million for the heirs of the deceased policeman, Mumtaz Burirro.

The chief minister also expressed his concern over the growing incidents of kidnappings, tribal clashes and murders in upper Sindh, and said he would not hesitate to take strict action against any DPO who would fail to control crime in his jurisdiction within a week.

“It has become imperative to bring about tangible improvement in law and order before the Jan 8 elections,” he stressed.

Justice Halepota asked police to get tough with notorious criminals in every district, and warned that action would also be taken against the policemen if they were found involved in fomenting lawlessness.

He held out the assurance that police force would be strengthened and its problems, including shortage of vehicles, would be resolved. He said President Pervez Musharraf had issued special directives for creating an environment conducive to general elections and for this purpose, a beefed-up police security had to be maintained around polling stations to thwart any attempt to disturb peace.

He said district administrations must not side with any party or individual in the elections to ensure transparency of the entire poll process.

Caretaker Home Minister Brig (Retd) Akhtar Zamin, Finance Minister Dewan Mohammed Yousuf Farooqui, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman and Home Secretary Brig (Retd) Ghulam Mohammed Mohtaram also spoke.—APP