KARACHI: Poll violence propaganda a political ploy: Ibad
KARACHI, July 15: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has dispelled the impression about any violence during the forthcoming local bodies elections in Sindh, saying that the perception was being built on political basis. Speaking at the foundation-stone laying ceremony of a school building near Karachi University on Friday evening, he held out the assurance that nothing of the sort would happen in the election process.
“We have the capability, as well as the capacity, to hold local bodies polls in a peaceful, free, fair and transparent manner,” he declared.
Dr Ibad urged politicians to see things in national interest, and cautioned that when such perceptions got stronger, the same sometime prevailed unfortunately, no matter how far from reality.
“Such perceptions may also affect economic activity which is witnessed these days,” he added.
Observing that Karachi was the industrial and economic hub of the country, he said if this city got affected, the impact was felt across the country. Obviously, he argued, this was not in the interest of the country.
Referring to hustle and bustle of the city, he noted that occupancy in five-star hotels was 100 per cent. He said 25 per cent of the accommodation booked there was by local people where the remaining 75 per cent by foreign visitors. Such a situation persisted for the past two years, he noted with satisfaction.
Keeping in view the situation, Dr Ibad said, one of the five-star hotels with 407 rooms was now adding 222 rooms. This reflected the growing number of foreign visitors and the flourishing business, he added.
The governor also referred to academic activities and stressed the need for streamlining education in the right direction. He praised those who were striving to set up a high standard school in Gulistan-i-Jauhar area.
He held out the assurance that all problems in the way of this project would be resolved.
The governor said he would direct the authority concerned to hand over an adjacent park for adoption by the school management so that the park could be developed for students and other children of the locality.
He announced a grant of Rs5 million for the construction of the school building.
Federal Minister for Housing and Works Syed Safwanullah also spoke on the occasion.
Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, Prof Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui thanked the governor for his deep interest in the promotion of education in the province.
Azhar Abbas Hashmi presented the welcome address.
CODE OF CONDUCT: Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad on Friday said that the provincial government would implement the code of conduct announced by the Election Commission of Pakistan in letter and spirit.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of Vision of Prosperity, the second exhibition organized by the All-Pakistan Memon Federation (APMF) at Expo Centre here, he said the provincial government was committed to hold free, fair and transparent elections of local bodies in a peaceful environment.
He, however, appealed to leaders of all political parties not to issue irresponsible statements to create fear of violence.
He noted people belonging to various provinces and different schools of thought lived in Karachi with harmony and in congenial environment.
In response to some queries by APMF leaders, he maintained that Karachi was a rapidly expanding metropolis and like other mega cities of the world, it was facing problems of mobile phone snatching and vehicle-snatching.
Referring to the meeting between President Musharraf and businessman community a couple of days back, the governor said that major decisions regarding rapid industrialization were taken at that meeting.
He said that these decisions would improve infrastructure facilities in the province and increase production and exports.
The governor said that the provincial government was strictly following the agenda of good governance and promoting democracy in its true spirit to strengthen democratic institutions and benefit the public.
He said that government was taking all possible measures to eliminate the element of terrorism which had seriously affected the image of this city.
“Despite having all potentials, this megapolis could not get its real place in the world,” he regretted.
Lauding the role of Memon community, he said that the role of Adamjee Dawood, Haroon family and Abdus Sattar Edhi in economic development, social welfare and philanthropic activities was appreciable.
Later, the governor gave away shields and gold medals to the leading personalities of APMF in recognition of their services.—APP
