KARACHI: During his first visit to Karachi on Saturday after assuming the office of the president, Dr Arif Alvi tasked Sindh Governor Imran Ismail with monitoring the federal government-funded development projects in the metropolis and vowed to turn his hometown’s infrastructure just like other mega city of the world.

The president and governor, both belonging to the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI), met at the State Guest House and discussed development projects going on not only in Karachi but in other cities of the province as well.

A statement issued after the meeting said the president issued key directives regarding the projects and vowed to complete them all at the earliest.

“Federal Finance Minister Asad Umar and Sindh Governor Imran Ismail attended the meeting. The meeting which was held at the State Guest House reviewed progress of projects in Sindh under the federal government,” said the statement.

The president said Karachi was among the largest cities in the world and the financial hub of the country, therefore, its infrastructure should meet the standards of major cities.

“Being the largest city of the country, the development of Karachi will reflect the development image of Pakistan in the world,” he added.

“The Sindh governor from now on will monitor the progress of federal government-funded development projects in Karachi and other parts of the province for their timely completion,” the statement quoted President Alvi as saying.

The Sindh governor, the statement said, briefed the meeting about his engagements after assuming the charge.

“The federal government will also take into account the feedback and opinions of provincial and city governments while executing its projects,” the Sindh governor told the meeting.

Finance Minister Asad Umar assured the meeting of timely release of funds from the federal government for the projects in Sindh.

Earlier, President Alvi visited the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam. He laid a floral wreath and offered fateha.

Governor Ismail, Minister for Local Government Saeed Ghani and senior civil officers accompanied him.

President Alvi had arrived in the city on Friday night.

APP adds: Responding to a video of his convoy which went viral on the social media and news channels, President Alvi clarified on Saturday that long chains of cars followed him in Karachi despite the fact that he had asked the officials present at the airport not to embarrass him with a huge protocol rather deploy minimum possible number of cars to satisfy security needs.

“Did not happen. We have to try harder,” the president tweeted.

Responding to a Twitter user who pointed out some difficulties being faced by residents around his (Alvi’s) residence owing to security cover, the president said, “We should look into this too and not become a nuisance for my own neighbourhood where I have lived all my life.

“I do not begrudge security but when it becomes painful for the common man we should draw a line somewhere,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2018