KARACHI, June 22: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad returned from London on Tuesday and resumed his work, quashing all rumours about a change in the Governor's House.
Talking to newsmen on Tuesday night, the governor said as far as he understood, the MQM ultimatum had two aspects - one pertaining to self-accountability in relation to performance and the other regarding a political strategy of delivering by remaining in the government.
He said he hoped that all issues would be sorted out in cooperation with the government. Answering a question, he said that a decision about cabinet expansion would be taken by coalition partners.
Governor Ibad said: "The active role of Chief Minister Arbab Rahim augurs well for the province. We have very good understanding and hoped that it will contribute to the strengthening of the coalition government, administratively and politically. This will help to improve its performance."
When his attention was drawn to the trading of charges of terrorism between members of the opposition and the treasury benches, the governor said the opposition should demonstrate its maturity.
When asked about his meeting with Dr Arbab Rahim who was present on the occasion, the governor said the chief minister's performance had been good from day one. He said that having an active chief minister augured well for the province.
However, he said, priorities of the province remained unchanged - law and order, education and health. The governor said arrests had been made recently of people involved in terrorists activities. There would be no let-up and action against extremists and terrorists would continue.
He said he was not aware of any difference of opinion over allocation of portfolios among coalition partners. Regarding charges levelled against him by the MMA leadership, he said in a political government such accusations were of no consequence.
However, he said, he would like to advise Qazi Hussain Ahmad and Mr Munawwar Hasan to let Karachi remain peaceful and not to turn it into their 'playground'. He said they were free to take up political issues politically but no one would be allowed to create chaos because the government had to ensure welfare of the people and development of the city.
Chief Minister Arbab Rahim said that Sardar Mahar had done good work but he had his own style. He termed his meeting with the governor as a 'courtesy call'. In reply to a question, he advised the Muttahida Majlis-i- Amal to start its "peace march" from Peshawar, instead of from Karachi, and end it here and "we would also join them."
Talking to journalists on arrival from London, the governor said that whenever he went abroad, speculations and rumours about a crisis were floated. After he left for UK, he said, rumours were floated that he would not come back. "But look I am amongst you". He clearly stated that neither there would be a change of governor nor imposition of governor's rule in Sindh.
