PETARO: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership and other political figures are not afraid of accountability but they insist is that no one should be victimised on political grounds.

Due process of law must be followed in accountability, he stressed.

Mr Shah was speaking to the media after attending the 57th Parents’ Day of the Cadet College Petaro in Jamshoro on Saturday.

He told a questioner that he was invited to a meeting in Beijing on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) where he would discuss Sindh’s three approved projects -- the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR), Dhabeji economic zone and Keti Bander port.

Commenting on the crisis caused by gas closure, he said that under the Constitution, provinces had the first right on their respective resources. As such, Sindh should have first right on its gas production, he added.

The CM said that he had taken up the matter with the Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan in Karachi on Friday and was assured that provisions in the Constitution would be followed.

Earlier, speaking at the Parents’ Day programme as the chief guest, the chief minister appreciated performance of the college and observed that the institution had been maintaining high standards of discipline and quality education for 60 years.

Mr Shah expressed the hope that the issue would be resolved soon.

He announced an increase of Rs25 million in its annual grant from Rs75 million to Rs100 million next year.

He also announced a reward of Rs100,000 for cadet Aazar Jan who secured the top position in computer science in GCE O-Levels this year.

The CM congratulated ex-cadets Captain Izhan on winning the ‘Stick of Honour’, cadet Abdul Salam on winning the ‘Best in Academics’, award, cadet Mehboob Imdad for clinching the ‘Badge of Honour’, Ahmed Ali Kazi for getting the ‘Best Staff Officer’ award and Hafiz Khalid Majeed for grabbing the ‘Best Teacher’ award.

Welcoming the guests, college principal Commodore Mehboob Elahi Malik (SI-Military) presented the instiution’s annual report.

During the function, cadets presented march past and demonstrated their skills in PT, gymnastic, karate and horse-riding.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2018