KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Monday asked his principal secretary to slash his motorcade protocol by half and set an example of punctuality for others by arriving at his office at the new Sindh Secretariat building at 9am.

He also asked cabinet members to keep him informed about their activities by posting details in a WhatsApp group he created for review of their performance and better coordination.

Just a day earlier he had directed the bureaucracy to observe punctuality. As the chief minister arrived at his office at 9am, he was received by additional chief secretary (development) Mohammad Waseem and secretary for the general administration, while the chief secretary and secretary (services) were not there, officials said. Both the bureaucrats had gone to appear before the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a case, the officials said, adding that they joined him later.

According to official spokesman, Senator Rehman Malik also called on the chief minister at CM Secretariat and discussed issues of mutual interests.

Officials said that lawmaker of the Sindh Assembly Manzoor Wassan also called on Mr Shah.

Financial aid for ailing cricketer

Earlier, the chief minister visited legendary cricketer Hanif Mohammad at the Aga Khan University Hospital and inquired after his health.

He prayed for his early recovery while saying with enthusiasm that he was his fan. He asked the health secretary accompanying him to ensure that he receives the best health facilities at the hospital.

“He is an asset of the country and he must be honoured accordingly,” said Mr Shah. He also announced Rs1 million as financial assistance for his medical treatment and other expenditures.

Protocol

The chief minister asked his principal secretary to slash his motorcade protocol by half. “I don’t believe in unnecessary protocol and pomp and show ... this huge cavalcade of protocol causes problems in the smooth flow of traffic,” he said.

In reply to a question, the principal secretary informed the chief minister that nine vehicles or police mobile vans usually moved with the chief minister for his security and protocol. The chief minister asked him to reduce them by four. The order was implemented forthwith, said the spokesman.

Cabinet on WhatsApp

Using the latest technology for good governance, Mr Shah created a WhatsApp group titled ‘Cabinet’ and included ministers, advisers and special assistants in it. The chief minister himself is the group administrator.

He asked all the cabinet members to keep him informed about their activities and issues on the group.

Official sources told Dawn that cabinet members had started sharing pictures of their visits and meetings, and details of other activities in the group.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2016