HYDERABAD: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Senator Dr Rahila Magsi has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his March 27 visit to Hyderabad is expected to announce a number of development schemes for the district in the social, education and health sectors. He will also hopefully announce the establishment of a federal university here, according to Dr Magsi, who gave details of her recent meeting with the prime minister in Islamabad.

Speaking at a press conference at her residence here on Thursday, she said that the prime minister’s visit to the city would usher in a new era of development.

She claimed that the Sindh government did not execute development schemes in this city and Pir Mazharul Haq, the senior minister for education in the previous PPP government, had opposed establishment of a federal university in Hyderabad.

She said during her meeting with the PM, she had put up a number of proposals before him and requested that they be accepted and announced in his Hyderabad visit. “I wish he also announces dates for the ground-breaking of the schemes on the day [March 27],” she said, adding that the proposed schemes pertained to health cards, a 1,000-bed hospital, resumption of Haj flights from Hyderabad airport, etc.

The PML-N leader said that although the March 27 gathering would be held in a banquet hall, a big public meeting would be organised later for the ground-breaking of the schemes by the PM on his next visit to the city.

Dr Magsi told reporters that before calling on the PM, she had held meetings with prominent lawyers, businessmen, politicians and other people for their input regarding the proposals. She said that she would host a lunch for the PM before the scheduled banquet.

“I hope that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will announce a federal university [to be established in Hyderabad] considering the fact that Pir Mazharul Haq had opposed such a proposal during his tenure,” she said.

She informed the media that the PM was also briefed about core issues of the agriculture sector in the light of her earlier discussion with leaders of the Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB). The other issues discussed with the PM included the upgrading and facelift of the Hyderabad airport, she added.

According to her, she had held meetings with Pir Pagara, Ghaus Bux Bizenjo, Ghaus Bux Mahar, Ghulam Murtaza Jatoi and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan lawmakers.

In reply to a question, she said that the PM would be visiting Tando Allahyar next month.

Former PML-N MNA Shabbir Ansari, Hanif Siddiqui and others were present at the press conference.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2017