Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Peace Sports Festival Concludes in Ronti
By Qurban Ali Khushik
MIRPUR MATHELO,: The first three-day Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Peace Sports Festival concluded in the riverine (Katcha) area of Ronti, Ghotki district, with Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar and Inspector General of Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho attending the closing ceremony.
The festival featured traditional sports, including Malakhra and Kabaddi, with athletes participating enthusiastically following improvements in the law and order situation in the area. Prizes, shields and medals were distributed among outstanding performers.
Addressing the ceremony, Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar said establishing peace and maintaining law and order across Sindh remained the provincial government's top priority. He said the government had extended full cooperation to intelligence agencies, Rangers and Sindh Police to restore peace in the Katcha region.
“The residents of the Katcha areas are close to our hearts. Our opposition is only to those who commit oppression,” Lanjar said, adding that the state would not tolerate anyone taking the law into their own hands.
He said the surrender policy had been introduced in the Katcha areas following a meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, and its results were now becoming visible. According to the minister, peace had been restored in Ronti through the policy and the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies.
Lanjar said the government intended to establish schools, dispensaries and veterinary hospitals in the riverine areas to improve residents' access to essential services. He expressed hope that children from the Katcha region would one day become deputy commissioners and senior police officers.
He also said the Ghotki-Kandhkot bridge would be constructed soon, describing the project as a potential game-changer for both districts. The minister praised police officers who had contributed to restoring peace and encouraged continued efforts to maintain stability.
IG Sindh Police Javed Alam Odho said peace in the Katcha region had been achieved through the provincial government's surrender policy and the cooperation of all law enforcement agencies. He noted that authorities had relied not only on force but also on goodwill, dialogue and community engagement.
Odho warned that if tribal communities failed to protect one another, their lands could become barren and future generations would suffer. He said authorities would work to ensure lasting peace, combining firm action where necessary with efforts to make the region greener and more prosperous.
Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Ahmed Kunrani said two primary schools had initially been established in the Katcha areas following improvements in security. He added that medical camps were providing healthcare services to local residents.
Ghotki Senior Superintendent of Police Muhammad Anwar Khetran said police personnel had made numerous sacrifices to establish peace and that the situation was gradually improving with public cooperation.
During the ceremony, the home minister also encouraged Shagufta, Rameen and Anjum, three women who had participated in the peace caravan.
The closing ceremony was attended by the Ghotki deputy commissioner, Sukkur deputy inspector general of police, Ghotki SSP and Rangers officials, among others.
The festival marked a return to sporting and cultural activities in Ronti's Katcha region, bringing local athletes together to celebrate traditional games amid ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and improve living conditions.
