LARKANA: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is not supporting any candidate in the NA-246 (Karachi) by-election.

Speaking to journalists after attending a Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) function at the Chandka Medical College auditorium on Thursday, he said the PPP had decided not to provoke a controversy by fielding its candidate in this particular election.

However, he added, it would surely contest other polls, including the upcoming local government and general elections.

Take a look: Karachi's NA-246 by-poll: A three-way contest

He claimed that under the leadership of chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, the PPP was getting stronger.

In reply to a question about differences between them, he said it was mere propaganda resorted to by the party’s opponents. “Party workers as well as other people are fully aware of the facts and they will foil the opponents’ designs,” he said.

Regarding the program­mes to mark the 36th death anniversary of PPP founder chairman Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the chief minister said that owing to the situation obtaining in the country, all events were being scheduled during day time.

“Party leaders from across the country will address the gathering at the Bhuttos’ mausoleum and pay homage to them,” he said.

Giving details of the programme, he said the events would start with the Quran Khawani at the mausoleum at 9am and then prominent scholars and party leaders would present their papers on the life and achievements of Z.A. Bhutto. Other party leaders would also deliver speeches and the programme would come to end at 6:30pm, he added.

Earlier, speaking at the the PEC function, the chief minister announced that the bill seeking regularisation of ad hoc and contract employees from grade 1 to 20 would be tabled in the provincial assembly soon.

He held out the assurance that the engineers working in grade 11 and 14 would be placed in higher grades through legislation and the posts of grade 17 would be filled through the Sindh Public Service Commission in the light of Supreme Court orders.

Mr Shah told engineers to introduce modern architectural designs and appreciated their internationally recognised services and skills. “The perks of those engineers who merit will definitely be enhanced.” He said the government was considering grant of technical allowance to engineers and allotment of land for a colony of engineers in Naudero or Ratodero.

PEC chairman Syed Abdul Qadir Shah described engineers as “nation builders” and urged the chief minister to regularise the National Programme for Improv­e­­ment of Watercourses in the light of the relevant Supreme Court order.

He informed the audience that a sub-office of the council had been established in Larkana and more such offices would be opened in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Nawabshah.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2015

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