KARACHI, Jan 3: Nasreen Jalil who was sworn in as Karachi’s naib nazim on Tuesday vowed to take the development process forward.

The District Returning Officer and District and Sessions Judge, Agha Rafiq Ahmed, administered her oath at a ceremony in Polo Ground in Karachi.

The ceremony was attended by the City Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, senior officials, diplomats and businessmen.

Ms Nasreen Jalil said she would rise above political affiliation in serving the masses and hoped other elected local government representatives would lend her support in her efforts.

“Please own Karachi, think of it as your own city,” she said, adding that “progress of Pakistan lies in the progress of Karachi”.

The naib nazim extended a truce to opponents, saying she wanted everyone including those in opposition to come onboard to usher a new era of progress in the city.

She said the underdeveloped areas of the city would be developed specifically, mentioning Lyari.

She pledged to safeguard women’s rights as the city council speaker.

She said the number of women in the city council was satisfactory and their participation would bring about a positive change for women.

The newly elected naib nazim said the Hudood Ordinance and other laws considered as anti-people by human rights activists should be abolished.

Ms Jalil asked diplomats to share their expertise to make Karachi a modern city. It was now imperative for the business community to share the burden of development other than reaping the profits of prosperous economic environment.

She thanked the MQM Chief, Altaf Hussain, for nominating her for the naib nazim’s slot.

She also spoke of the efforts of President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad for the prosperity of Sindh and the country.

Earlier, DCO Karachi Fazalur Rehman read out the Election Commission’s notification declaring Nasreen Jalil as naib nazim of Karachi.—PPI