KARACHI: The Pakistan Peoples Party has chalked out “a comprehensive strategy” to resolve three major issues — water supply and its just distribution, cleanliness and modern transport system — being faced by the people of the metropolis. The Sindh government has already announced a Rs10 billion package for implementing development schemes on a fast track which would be completed before next general elections in the country.

This was stated by Maula Bux Chandio, information adviser to the chief minister, while speaking at a press conference at the PPP media cell in Clifton on Sunday. He was accompanied by adviser for labour Saeed Ghani and PPP leaders Rashid Hussain Rabbani, Syed Waqar Mehdi and Syed Najme Alam.

Dispelling the impression that the PPP government was ignoring the metropolis, Mr Chandio said Karachi is not only the provincial capital but also it had remain a stronghold of the PPP during Z.A. Bhutto’s government, as such the question of ignoring the city did not arise.

He said a Rs10 billion special package for Karachi was in addition to the ADP projects and other development programmes which were also being worked out and soon the uplift schemes would be apparent.

Sen Saeed Ghani said the PPP under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari was going to emerge soon after reorganisation at grass-roots level as the most enthusiastic and spirited party as it was in the days of Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.

He said Mr Bhutto-Zardari had constituted a committee to observe the anniversary of the Karsaz tragedy on Oct 18 in a dignified manner and demonstrate its political power in Karachi, and for that purpose the party had started necessary preparations.

He expressed his belief that in 2018 the party would prove not only its strength with its roots in the masses and would sweep the general elections.

In reply to a question, Mr Chandio said the PPP had never ignored the city. However, there were people who had created problems for the party since the era of Gen Zia-ul-Haq but now the party had crossed over the sea of curse. “We are people who love democracy and for its restoration have given sacrifices not only by its workers but also its top leaders. We are not only friends of democracy but also keep solidarity of Pakistan to our heart. We have decided that in future political reconciliation would be only with those politicians and parties whose politics centre is Pakistan only.

In reply to another question, Mr Chandio said PPP Parliamentarians President Asif Ali Zardari had not gone abroad on the suggestion of any one nor he would come back on the advice of any person. Neither there was any ban on his returning home, and he would return whenever he felt coming home.

About the report of reorganisation of the PPP, he said the report was ready and would be soon submitted to the party chief, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, on Tuesday .

He said the rally to be taken out on Oct 18 would prove once again that Karachi is a PPP stronghold.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2016