DADU: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that supply of safe drinking water to the people of Sindh is being ensured and held out the assurance that Manchhar Lake would be protected from pollution and contamination.

He was speaking at a gathering of PPP leaders, workers and supporters held in the guest room of a party colleague, Makhdoom Zamir Abbasi, in Bubak village near the lake on Saturday. He said that effective measures would be taken to stop disposal of effluent and toxic substances into the lake.

He said a new branch would be laid to facilitate release of fresh water from Indus into the lake. Later, speaking to journalists during his visit to different parts of Sehwan, the chief minister said that his government was executing numerous development projects in Sindh to improve the standard of living of the common man.

He said that he inspected progress of work on different schemes in Sehwan and directed the officials concerned to ensure their completion within the stipulated time. He said they were told that negligence on their part would not be tolerated. He said during his visit to water plant and sewerage installations in the town, he issued directives to the officials concerned to ensure supply of safe drinking water to people and proper sanitation.

In reply to a question, Mr Shah said that government jobs were being advertised in the media and eligible people should apply for them with confidence that merit and transparency would be upheld in the recruitment process.

Earlier, he was welcomed by PPP leaders Sardar Sikandar Rahupoto, Rais Amanullah Shahani and others on his arrival in the town. He also attended a tea party at the residence of Makhdoom Zameer Abbasi. Hyderabad Commissioner Qazi Shahid Pervez, Jamshoro Deputy Commissioner Munawwar Mahesar, DIG Khadim Hussain Rind and a large number of PPP workers attended the party. The chief minister also received a briefing on water supply, sewerage and sanitation system of Sehwan at the site of the under-construction Civic Centre in the town.

Mr Shah also visited the shrine of great Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and offered fateha on his grave after laying a wreath.

Caretakers of the shrine and officials executing the uplift work there briefed him about progress of the ongoing development schemes.

UMERKOT: Chief Minis­ter Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday visited the family of PPP’s minority leader Rana Hameer Sindh in Rana Jagir village of Umerkot to condole the recent death of his brother, Dr Pritipal Singh.

Speaking to local journalists and other people present there, Mr Shah said the era of development, prosperity and a welcome change in Sindh had begun. He said scores of development projects had already been launched in the province while many more were in the pipeline. They pertained to water supply, sewerage, healthcare and other facilities, he added.

In reply to a question, the CM observed: “Unemploy­ment in Sindh has reached an alarming level,” and said that his government was striving hard to cope with the situation. He advised job seekers to try their luck in the private sector as well.

Regarding the local government system, Mr Shah said it was being strengthened and empowered. Special funds would be provided to municipal committees now when their accounts had been opened across Sindh, he added.

When asked about the new governor of Sindh, the chief minister replied that it was up to the federal government to take a decision. “We will welcome whoever is appointed,” he said.

When his comment was sought on the unparliamentary words used and offending remarks made by a member of the Sindh Assembly during Friday’s session, the chief minister said “Imdad Pitafi’s attitude was improper”.

MIRPURKHAS: CM Shah also visited MPA Haji Noor Ahmed Bhurgari in Hashim Bhurgari village of Kot Ghulam Mohammed on Saturday to condole the death of his father, Raees Ghulam Mohammed Bhurgari.

Speaking to local journalists at Bhurgari House, Mr Shah announced that Kot Ghulam Mohammed would be developed into a model town for which all required funds would be provided.

He said the initiative was part of the ‘massive development’ currently under way in Sindh. All LG institutions would be provided funds without any discrimination, he said.

Councillors belonging to the PPP, MQM and other parties apprised the CM of the problems of their respective areas. Mr Shah issued on the spot instructions for remedial measures.

Former MNA Pir Aftab Hussain Shah Jilani, MNA Pir Shafqat Hussain Shah Jilani and MPAs Mir Haji Hayat Talpur and Nawab Taimoor Talpur accompanied the CM during the visit.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2017