KARACHI, Oct 28: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has announced Rs100 million for North Nazimabad Gymkhana, to be established at a total cost of Rs220 million.
Addressing the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of the gymkhana here at North Nazimabad on Sunday, the prime minister also announced to provide a snorkel to help carry out rescue and fire extinguishing work in the city.
Earlier on the city government’ behalf, the governor had announced Rs50 million while the chief minister had also announced an equal amount of funds for the project.
The prime minister said the idea of embarking on the gymkhana project came from Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri. He also appreciated the formation of North Nazimabad’s community which was striving to bring about development in the area. “I hope such a spirit is seen in other residential areas of the city,” he added.
He congratulated people as well as City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal on carrying out revolutionary development in Karachi. He appreciated the efforts and role of Dr Ishratul Ibad and Babar Ghauri in completion of uplift projects, including Bagh Ibne Qazim, Beach Park and the KPT fountain.
“An active and energetic middle class could bring about a big positive change in any country,” he said. He claimed himself and General Musharraf from the same middle class who was striving for the country’s progress.
About his visit to Nine Zero, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s headquarters on Saturday, the prime minister said he talked to MQM chief Altaf Hussain for half an hour. Mr Hussain came up with some valuable suggestions for maintenance of peace and forging unity among people, he said.
Saying that elections were round the corner, he appealed to the people to vote for those who had made sincere efforts for development and progress of the country. “Your vote should support those who offered their services for you,” he remarked.
Mr Aziz reaffirmed his commitment to work in unison for the progress and prosperity of people of the country, particularly the poor and the downtrodden masses.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad said it was the focused approach and vision of the present government due to which projects of billions of rupees were initiated and completed in the city.
He said the government truly represented the poor people and that was why they were not only well aware of their problems but also making real targeted efforts to solve them. “The prime minister also belonged to the middle class,” he added.
Dr Ibad said it would happen for the first time in the history of Pakistan that a parliament would complete its term and its credit also went to the present government. He said the freedom enjoyed by the press and media was also because of the policies of this government.
Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim appreciated the step of establishing a gymkhana in North Nazimabad which would provide quality recreation to citizens.
Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Khan Ghauri said the gymkhana would open the door for recreation for the families where facilities like tennis and squash courts and swimming would be made available.
He said the middle class would also have the right of access to such facilities which so far had been enjoyed only by the privileged class of the society.
City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal said Karachi did not see as much development in the last 60 years as had been made in the last couple of years. He said the present city government was providing facilities and solving problems of the people in each every town without any discrimination.
Mr Kamal said there was still a lot to be done and the struggle would continue with the same spirit till all the civic problems were solved.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz met the children of ARY TV Chief Cameraman Arif Khan who lost his life in the line of duty when twin blasts hit a huge procession near Karsaz on October 18.
On prime minister’s behalf, Federal Minister Babar Khan Ghuari announced one million rupees for the bereaved family of Arif Khan.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement Coordination Committee in charge Anwar Alam and joint in charge Abdul Haseeb Khan were also present on the occasion.—APP
Security plan reviewed
Emphasising the need for ensuring pre- and post-poll public order Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday spelt out the government’s resolve to ensure that the law enforcing agencies firm up their comprehensive security plan, in accordance with the draft code of conduct circulated by the Election Commission of Pakistan, adds our reporter.
Chairing a meeting on law and order at the Sindh Governor’s House, Mr Aziz said that security of the people and maintenance of public order were essential components for peaceful political process before, during and after the forthcoming elections.
Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad, Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Home Adviser Waseem Akhtar, Chief Secretary Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi, Home Secretary Brig Mohtaram, Rangers DG Major-General Liaquat Ali and high officials of the law enforcing and investigation agencies.
In view of Benazir Bhutto’s demand for induction of foreign experts to investigate October 18 carnage near Karsaz, the prime minister said that law enforcers and security agencies of the country were well equipped and capable of meeting all kinds of security challenges.
He directed police and security agencies to be extra vigilant and improve coordination with the Election Commission of Pakistan while making arrangement to streamline political activities of various parties.
Mr Aziz said the government had asked all political parties to give their input for evolving a consensus on the code of conduct to streamline political activities so that a level-playing field was made available to all in the forthcoming elections.
Earlier, Inspector-General of Sindh Police Major (retired) Ziaul Hasan briefed the meeting about the steps being taken by Sindh Police to maintain law and order before and during the polls, official sources said.
They claimed that Mr Aziz emphasised the need for seamless coordination among all law enforcing agencies.
Foreign investment
Talking to newsmen and a UAE delegation, he said Pakistan had become a destination of choice for foreign investment as completion of five-year term by the provincial and national assemblies augurs well for the country and its political system.
Mr Aziz claimed that the credit for giving freedom to the media and fostering a spirit of accommodation in political parties went to the Muslim League government and its allies.
He said his government had steered the country out of the ‘morass’ when it was often termed ‘a failed state’.
He said the PML was ready for the coming elections. PML workers and leaders were fully motivated, he said, while recalling the minutes of PML’s Sindh chapter meeting held on Saturday night which was attended by 500 district representatives of the party.
While talking to UAE’s Al-Omran Group Chairman Abdullah Omran, official sources said, Saukat Aziz was of the view that it had become possible because of economic stability, investment-friendly policies and a level-playing field to both local and foreign investors.
He said these policies had enabled Pakistan to attract a record amount of US$8.4 billion foreign investment last year. He was told that a company of Al-Omran Group had invested nearly US$50 million in Pakistan during the last five years.
About the soaring oil prices in the international market, the prime minister said the government’s policy would help minimise its effect on public. He said the guiding principle pursued by the present government was to be above prejudices and personal interest while running the affairs of state in a transparent manner.
Referring to the government’s reform agenda based on deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation, Mr Aziz claimed that per capita income was expected to reach US$1,000 by the end of this year. Despite massive unemployment, he said, the middle class was growing.
However, when asked about the need for reviewing the service structure of the media industry and implementation of Wage Award, the prime minister avoided giving comments other than the standard official statement that represented the haplessness of the government.
