KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has criticised Governor Mohammad Zubair, saying he is the representative of federation in Sindh but his interest in the affairs of the province does not reflect from his attitude.

Answering questions of reporters during a press conference in which Naz Baloch announced her decision to leave the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and join the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) at the PPP’s media cell here on Sunday, he said the governor had the right to return a bill without signing it to the provincial assembly.

He said the provincial government would respond to objections raised by the governor on the National Accountability Ordinance 1999 Sindh Repeal Bill 2017 when it would be taken up again for consideration by the Sindh Assembly in its coming session.

The chief minister said when the bill was presented in the assembly a detailed briefing was given to provincial lawmakers on it.

He claimed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) had failed to eliminate the menace of corruption from the country, adding that the successes it had so far achieved were only in plea bargain deals.

He said the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, which gave birth to NAB, was introduced by the military regime of Gen Pervez Musharraf in emergency and it was given protection by the 17th Amendment to the Constitution.

Mr Shah said the PPP was against corruption and would work for its elimination from the country.

Answering a question about reports that unfit water was being supplied for human consumption in Sindh, the chief minister said the provincial government was aware of the problem and was making efforts to supply clean drinking water to people.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2017