KARACHI, June 10: Dr Farooq Sattar, deputy convener of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s coordination committee and a candidate for NA-255 byelections, said on Tuesday that it would be his endeavour to expedite development projects in Landhi and Korangi area.

Addressing corner meetings in Landhi-2C and 36-B Eidgah ground late Monday night, Dr Sattar said that even now Rs 5 million in the MNAs funds was with the federal government and he would try his best to use that amount for the uplift of the area.

Dr Sattar, who went door-to-door during his election tour and was assured of support by the residents of Sultanpur, said that MQM founder’s exile was different from those leaders who had fled the country with huge bank balance and were living like lords.

He said the Altaf Hussain was the spirit behind the MQM and it would be a folly to compare him with others.

He said that the people of Landhi had overcome the element of fear which had dominated their mindset during the past decade and were now willingly participating in the democratic process.

Dr Sattar said that his first priority would be to ensure active participation of the people in managing their affairs by restoring their confidence.

He said that effort would be made to reactivate the institutions which had become dormant owing to what he called the enslavement of the locality at gun-point by the activists of the rival faction.

He expressed satisfaction over improvement in law and order situation and said that threat and fear of the terrorists was fading away owing to the provincial government’s policies.

He urged the EC to ensure free, fair and transparent byelections.