KARACHI/LARKANA - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Sunday met Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarian president Asif Ali Zardari in Dubai and discussed several issues including extension in the Rangers special powers.
Although the statement issued from the CM House regarding the chief minister meeting in Dubai did not include any information regarding extension in the Rangers powers; however, the official sources informed that the CM is likely to grant special powers to the Rangers on his return.
They said that the PPPP president had asked the chief minister to resolve this issue before the federal government could intervene into it; however, the extension would be limited to Karachi only.
A statement issued from the CM House regarding the Dubai meeting, stated that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah along with his cabinet members, including advisers and special assistants visited Garhi Khuda Bux and offered fateha at the Mazars of Shaheed Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Begum Bhutto, Shaheed Murtaza Bhutto and Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto and offered fateha.
He and his cabinet members also laid floral wrath on their graves. The purpose of the visit was to pay respects to their political leaders who sacrificed their lives for democratic rule in the country.
The chief minister just after returning from Garhi Khuda Bux flew to Dubai to call on PPPP President Asif Ali Zardari for making him Sindh Chief Minister. He thanked Mr Zardari for trusting him for such a position. The chief minister assured the party president that under his guidance he would establish good governance, serve the people of Sindh and strengthen party.
Meanwhile, the sources further informed that the PPP leaders including and former ministers in Qaim Ali Shah led provincial cabinet including Nasir Hussain Shah, Ali Nawaz Shah and Manzoor Wasaan had expressed reservations for not being included in the provincial cabinet.
Being summoned by former president Asif Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah left for Dubai on Sunday.
Talking to media here after visiting the mausoleums of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto in Garhi Khuda Bhuksh, the chief minister thanked the people of Sindh for supporting the PPP and assured that the government would address their problems. Accompanied by Nisar Khuhro and other party leaders, the chief minister laid floral wreaths at the graves of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto, Nusrat Bhutto and other members of Bhutto family and offered Fateha for the departed souls.
Murad vowed to improve governance, eliminate menace of corruption and terrorism and resolve issues of the people. He said that challenges are many but he was confident that with the support of the opposition, they would reach the destination. He said the overall law and order situation in Sindh is much better today than it was eight years ago which is a success of former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.
To a question, the chief minister said that he is not favour of protocol but security is needed.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that action would be taken against criminals wherever they are and the menace of terrorism will be eliminated. He said benefits of Operation Zarb-e-Azb would not be fully derived until the capacity of police is strengthened and enhanced. He said the police would have to be prepared to confront criminals and terrorists.
He said there is an impression of more corruption in Sindh but elaborated that it is not more than other provinces. He said the corruption existed even before the creation of Pakistan but assured that he would not allow corruption in the future.
The Chief Minister, wearing the cap of PPP flag colour with ZA Bhutto’s photo on the forehead, said he would work with all his cabinet colleagues to address the people’s problems.
Answering another question, Syed Murad Ali Shah said that schedule for elections of Mayors Deputy Mayors, and Chairmen of local governments has been announced and assured that they will get due powers to address the problems of the masses.
He said the issue of extension of powers of the Rangers would be settled very soon. He condemned Saturday’s blasts in Larkana in which a Rangers official was killed and three others injured. He said he visited the injured Rangers in Sukkur and inquired after their health.
