KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the formation of alliances against the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is not a new thing. “We are not afraid of the alliances, because the people of Sindh have always rejected them.”

Referring to the minority bill, he said all reservations concerning the bill would be duly redressed.

He said this while talking to the media at Lath Basti, after offering condolences to the family members of PPP leader Umer Jat, who died recently.

The CM said that the opponents of the PPP despite being rejected by the people of Sindh, always found ways to fight the PPP. “However, this is not possible for them because the PPP has the support of the people of Sindh, the followers of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and workers of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and they have the spiritual strength of Shaheed leaders and workers,” he said.

Replying to a question, the chief minister said he would redress reservations on the minority bill. “It is the PPP which takes proper care of minorities because we consider them equal citizens of this country,” he said.

In response to a question, the chief minister said that he had the constitutional right to appoint 18 ministers in the cabinet, and added that his cabinet was working well. “My performance is visible because media was kind to me, otherwise all the ministers are hard working,” he said. He added that those who fail to perform would be replaced, in consultation with the party leadership.

Replying to another question, he said that the chief secretary had not told the high court that advisers had been removed, but he said the executive powers of the advisers had been withdrawn.

Mr Shah dispelled the impression concerning the contract of garbage lifting being given to the Chinese. “Actually, it was an international tender and whichever company has given a successful bid has been awarded the work.”

Responding to another question, Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he would direct IGP A.D. Khawaja to assess the numerical strength of each and every police station working in the city. “The police stations which are short of force would be strengthened by giving them additional force and we are also planning to construct police stations and upgrading residential colonies of the police,” he said.

Talking about Malir district, the chief minister said that it was his district and he would start development works in its rural areas. “I am not ignoring any area or district; each and every district, city and village belongs to me and my party and PPP government would be serving them without any discrimination,” he vowed.

Earlier, the chief minister offered condolence to Haji Younis Jat on the death of his brother Umer Jat. “Umer was our strength and an old worker; our party leader Asif Ali Zardari also felt sorrow over his death,” he said, and prayed for the departed soul.

The chief minister was accompanied by PPP General secretary Waqar Mehdi. He was received by Chairman District Council Salman Murad and other PPP leaders when he reached Lath Basti.

During his meeting with the outgoing Corps Commander Karachi Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar, the chief minister recalled the important decisions taken by the Apex Committee which not only returned peace to the city but also resulted in promoting sectarian harmony all over the province.

In the meeting held at CM House, the chief minister thanked the Corps Commander Lt General Naveed Mukhtar for his valuable input in the Apex Committee meeting and supporting the Sindh government and the police by equipping them with latest gadgets and army training. “It was our collective wisdom, efforts and strong strategy that the Sindh government successfully defeated terrorists, extortionists, target killers and terrorists operating in Karachi,” he said.

The Corps Commander Karachi said that the Sindh government was performing well under the active leadership of the chief minister. “This is very good that you are giving special attention to the development of the city,” he said, adding that after a lengthy and strong cleanup operation, rehabilitation of the terrorist-ravaged city would make peace sustainable.

They also discussed that there would be no compromise on peace and targeted operation against terrorists and criminals would continue.

Published in Dawn, December 9th, 2016