KARACHI - Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said on Saturday that the verdicts of Supreme Court (SC) in the cases of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were comparatively positive, and it was Pakistan People Party (PPP) only which was always seen differently.

He was talking to media just after attending Kiran Sitara, a programme organised under the banner of ‘She Leads’ in connection with fight against TB.

Replying to a question about decisions of the Supreme Court in the cases of Imran Khan and Jahangir Tarin as well as in Hudebia Paper Mills case, the CM said that although he could not comment on the verdicts, “But I would like to say that the decisions are comparatively better for both, the PTI and PML-N, while there is a different yardstick for Pakistan People’s Party,” he said, and added “We always respect the court decisions.”

He said that the forthcoming general elections of 2018 would be the last elections for Imran Khan, because he was no more leader of the youth. “Oh yes, it is Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is a genuine leader of youth of the country,” the CM said, and added “Bilawal has the capability to steer the country out of the present crisis.”

Talking about the tragedy that took place at Army Public School, Peshawar, Murad said the smiles and fragrance of the children were still alive in his memories. “We cannot forget them, they were our future and their sacrifice was great in the sense that it had united the nation against terrorists,” he said.

Earlier, addressing the ‘She Leads’ conference’, the chief minister said that it was something to be pride of to be with 10,000 girl students. “I truly feel the positive spirit of optimism at this forum and we will need your youthful energy, creativity and passion to lead our country to a healthier future,” the CM said.

Murad further said that one in every three persons alive today was under the age of thirty, and around ninety percent of young people were living in developing countries, such as Pakistan. “I believe in your power to shape our future. Young people now and in the future would play a big role in how our world addresses challenges,” the CM said, and added “Only by ensuring opportunities that open the future to all young people do we create a better future.

He said the collaboration between the Indus Health Network, Interactive Research and Development, Department of Education Government of Sindh, and the Kiran Sitara programme, emphasised the importance of contributing to progress, particularly during times of change. “This approach is needed now more than ever,” he opined.

The chief minister said that the Kiran Sitara Adolescent Health and Leadership programme achieved by mobilising young girls at secondary schools. “By teaching adolescent girls the skills such as of communicating, negotiating, leading and combining that with basic health care directives, the Kiran Sitara was creating a network of social impact leaders,” he commented.

He went on saying that over the next decade and beyond, “If we are to solve the most pressing issues of our time, we can tap into the dynamism of this generation of leaders, for they have the potential to be the most creative forces for social change in the country. By empowering these girls, we can drive social progress in areas, including access to education, immunization programmes geared towards polio eradication, child marriage and other critical health and development challenges,” he said. Murad said that he was convinced that investment in education for girls and women was the key to the development across the society.

He was of the view that positive change was possible only if we acted together and acted now. “The problems we face are global, but they demand local solutions,” he said and added “The initiatives you undertake in your own community, from your homes to the classrooms are indispensable.”

It may be noted that the Kiran Sitara programme- part of ‘Aao TB Mitao’ is aimed at enhancing leadership skills of adolescent girls by providing trainings to boost their confidence, improve educational performance and ameliorate their communication competency.

Currently the programme is teaching young girls how to identify basic symptoms of TB and training them in sending people to key healthcare facilities for further testing.  By harnessing the potential of students as “Actors of Social Change”, this indigenous community outreach campaign is designed to increase uptake of screening and treatment services for a TB free Pakistan.

The chief minister said that the young people are some of the greatest change-makers and innovators we have. “A good leader is a good listener and a good leader is also a good follower,” he said and urged the young girls, “You must remember this as you assume a position of leadership, you are never too young to lead and never too old to learn,” he said, and added. “So put your remarkable energy, vision, and passion in the service of our people and planet. I count on you to build a more sustainable future for all of humanity.”