KARACHI, Jan 7: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has said the country’s stability and progress and the situations at home and abroad demand that bickerings of the past be forgotten and work undertaken for unity and cohesion of the nation.

The governor was talking to the office-bearers of the All- Pakistan Newspapers’ Society (APNS) and the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) in the Governor’s House on Tuesday.

He said that instead of entangling ourselves in acrimonies of the past, we should learn a lesson and move towards a better future.

Dr Ibad said that he was the representative of the centre in Sindh but would also defend the interests of the province with the best of his abilities.

“I want to serve the cause of people of Sindh without any discrimination and have the plan to work for the progress and prosperity of the province by playing a balanced and constitutional role in cooperation with all sections of society and by remaining above all political affiliations.”

He emphasised the need for eliminating rural-urban divide, maintaining law and order and providing facilities of health, education and employment to the masses on a priority basis.

In view of the importance of impending problems, he added, everyone would have to work with double the speed for their solutions and the government functionaries should also remain accessible to the masses all the time.

Replying to questions regarding his association with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Dr Ibad made it clear that he was the President’s representative in the province.

The governor said that the opposition would also have to play its role for the stability of democracy and democratic institutions which, he added, was very essential for the country.

The governor said that he had established contact with all sections of society, including leaders of political parties representing every shade of opinion.

Instead of criticism for the sake of criticism, all sections of society would have to work collectively for the progress of the country and stability of democracy by promoting democratic norms.

Dr Ibad said “I wish to carry everyone along with me and that no excess should be done to anyone.”

He told the delegates that the government would ensure the continuity of policies and provide protection to investment made in the province. He said unemployment could be contained only with the cooperation of the private sector.

To a question, the governor hoped that the PPP would also cooperate with him for the development of Sindh and stability of Pakistan.

He said he would always remain accessible to the people and expected that others responsible too would pay full attention to the problems of people.

Referring to the role of the media, Dr Ibad said that undoubtedly media was a pillar of the institution of democracy and that a free, unbiased and fair press would be of cardinal importance for stability and progress of the province.

The government, he maintained, would ensure freedom of the press and in this regard positive criticizm and guidance would always be welcomed.

CPNE President Mujibur Rehman Shami appreciated the views expressed by the governor and said that his talk was promising.

He assured the governor that the press would extend full support to the government for the supremacy of the Constitution, stability of democracy and progress of the country.

CHIEF MINISTER: Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar has said that the government had started a democratic journey with a view to solve the problems of the masses in the province, besides providing them basic amenities.