Ensuring writ of law among top priorities, says Arbab
By Habib Khan Ghori
KARACHI, June 9: The newly-elected Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim, soon after his election as leader of the house on Wednesday, pledged all out efforts to restore rule of law and establish good governance in Sindh.
In his first policy statement during the assembly session, he spelled out priorities of his government and said that he would run the government's affairs with mutual consultation and team spirit in order to resolve impending problems being faced by the people of the province.
Underlining significance of the opposition, he observed that difference of opinion was 'beauty of democracy' which distinguished a democracy from monarchy. He remarked: "Democracy cannot flourish without a strong opposition."
Enlisting his government's priorities, he made mention of promotion of agriculture, lining of water courses, curbing mismanagement in water distribution, introducing police reforms and screening out black sheep from the department, promotion of bureaucrats on the basis of performance, tackling of unemployment issue, exploiting natural resources to bring prosperity to the province, and strengthening the local government system.
Dr Arbab promised stern action against those responsible for the supply of polluted water to certain localities in Hyderabad which caused death of many innocent people.
Regarding water shortage, he said mismanagement in distribution system would be curbed and adequate supply to all, especially tail-enders, would be ensured. Referring to the recent tragedies in Karachi, Dr Arbab said his would make all possible efforts to improve the worst-ever law and order in the province.
He also pledged to restore people's confidence and ensure writ of law through good governance and improvement in living conditions. He, however, contended that such incidents, including suicide attacks, were taking place even in advanced countries.
"No one, except Almighty Allah, can stop a suicide bomber from carrying out an attack, but I would see that people get justice so that such acts are not resorted to," he said.
Describing bureaucracy as 'vital for the government', the leader of the house observed that barring 25 per cent of them, all appeared good officers. Those showing good performance would be promoted whereas the others would be given two months time to improve their performance, he added.
Dr Arbab especially thanked his predecessor Sardar Ali Mohammed Mahar for setting a good example of a smooth transfer of powers, and remarked that Mr Mahar had run the government's affairs to the best of his abilities.
He said the rights of all those living in Sindh would be fully safeguarded without any discrimination. He held out the assurance that the past glories of Karachi would be restored and its citizens would be provided improved civic amenities.
The city would be given a look similar to that of Islamabad and Lahore, he added. About unemployment, he said that it was not possible for the government to provide a job to each and every jobless, but he would pursue the previous government's policy in this regard.
He pointed out that more than 70 per cent of Sindh's population was associated with agriculture sector. As such, he added, his government would pay due attention to this sector.
Dr Arbab also stressed on dispensation of justice which, he said, would be one of his government's top priorities. He said he would put in extra efforts to ensure cheap justice to be restored to everyone.
He announced his determination to make police an effective and service-oriented force through reforms. Working of all other provincial departments would also be streamlined on sound footing, he added. In this regard, he expressed his intention to hold consultations with intellectuals and media. Positive criticism, he added, would always be welcomed.
Later, speaking at a press conference at the Chief Minister's chambers in the Sindh Assembly building, Dr Arbab said that Sindh's interests on the issues of the Greater Thal Canal, Kalabagh Dam and NFC Award would be safeguarded fully.
ELECTION: Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim was elected as leader of the house in a special session of the Sindh Assembly on Wednesday. The session started at 11.20am and 160 of the total 167 members were present at the time of voting.
The seven members who could not make it included outgoing chief minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar whose seat remained vacant until the Speaker, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, declared Dr Arbab elected with 98 votes in his favour.
Dr Arbab was the sole candidate for the slot of leader of the house. A total of 11 motions were moved to nominate him. The movers were Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Dr Manzoor Hussain, Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmad, Syed Ali Bux Shah, Syed Sadruddin Shah Rashdi, Sardar Manzoor Ali Panhwar, Syed Manzoor Hussain alias Syed Ghulam Hussain, Kanwar Naveed Jameel, Sardar Nadir Akmal Leghari, Syed Shoaib Ahmad Bokhari and Syed Sardar Ahmed.
Clubbing all the motions together, the speaker called the movers to read out their motions.
The opposition members, led by Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, staged a walkout and boycotted the election process. They contended that the single largest party in the assembly was not invited to form the new government.
They also criticized the Centre for interfering in the affair, saying that PML chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, while sitting in Islamabad, had announced the nomination of Dr Arbab even before the meeting of the parliamentary party of Sindh coalition partners.
Mr Khuhro also complained and protested over keeping the opposition in the dark about the whole process of nomination with regard to the election for the leader of the house.
Nasrullah Shaji of MMA drew the attention of the house to the Hyderi mosque and Imambargah Ali Raza tragedies, assassination of Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai and the violence during May 12 by-elections during which 11 of MMA activists were killed. Fateha was offered for the departed souls.
Speeches by Mr Shaji and Mr Khuhro were disrupted by treasury benches when the two leaders tried to criticize the governor. However, the speaker expunged their remarks against the governor.
At one point, the opposition members kept chanting slogans of 'Save Sindh-Remove Governor' affecting the deliberations. Rejecting all objections raised by the opposition, the speaker put to vote the motion about election of the leader of the house.
Amid the walkout by the opposition, the speaker announced that Dr Arbab had secured 98 votes and declared him elected. Soon afterwards, Dr Arbab took the seat of leader of the house. After his statement, the Speaker prorogued the session.
