KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said that Karachi was the city of the navy and it had a long history as a port.

“I welcome you in the city of Navy and invite you to find out some time from your exercises and visit historical sites of the city,” he said while addressing a reception he hosted for the heads of foreign delegations taking part in the seventh edition of the multinational maritime exercise Aman-2021 here.

The reception was attended by the heads of 45 countries, Chief Secretary Mumtaz Shah, Inspector General of Police Mushtaq Mahar, Planning and Development chairman Mohammad Waseem, Commodore Shafaat Ali Khan and others.

The chief minister lauded the efforts of Pakistan Navy for hosting Aman-2021 in which 45 countries were participating. “I am glad to receive you [foreign delegation] here and feel proud to be the host of Aman exercise in the city of Karachi,” he said.

Mr Shah said that the province of Sindh was rich in resources which had one of the largest coal deposits in the world and vast renewable energy corridors to meet power requirements of the country.

Urges delegates to spare some time to see the sites in the metropolis

“If we use our fossil fuel and renewable resources to generate electricity we would become one of the few countries to export electricity,” he said.

The CM said that Karachi was generating around 70 per cent revenue of the country.

“It had some law and order problems in the 1990s but with the support of our people we have restored peace in the city and now it is thriving in all the sectors, including trade and commerce, social and educational, sports and recreational activities,” he said.

Mr Shah said that new industrial estates were being established near Karachi and other areas.

“We are also running various cadet colleges with the support of Pakistan Navy and Pak Army,” he said and hoped the naval exercises would be a great experience for all the 45 participating countries.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2021