Making departments fully functional is Sindh govt’s top priority: CM

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah elaborating priorities of new provincial government said that making all government departments and functionaries fully operational and responsive was the topmost priority of incumbent government while law and order, universal access to education and health facilities and other sectors of public welfare would be focused.

Addressing to meet the press and responding to queries of journalists, the CM termed the inefficiency and lethargic attitude of government departments and functionaries the core problem of not only Sindh but the entire Pakistan and said it should be rectified at the earliest.

He said no timeframe could be given for resolution of decades-old problems but it is sure that government and its efforts will be visible with tangible results.

The government has chalked out its plan of action for resolution of public issues and set a direction in the regard in a manner that nobody could deviate from it in future, he remarked.

The CM said he had spent his early childhood days in Hyderabad and he had memories of the city inscribed on his heart, so he decided to visit the city himself to take view of overall situation and issues being faced by the public.

The chief minister alone could not do anything unless he was supported and followed by cabinet members, bureaucracy and above all the masses.

For residents of Karachi, 19 development schemes under the package of Rs 10 billion were envisaged and 14 of them have been approved, he said, adding that tendering of the project would start next month and the same would be completed within four to six months.

Concerned department were given clear timelines and directed to initiate development schemes at the start of financial year as delay in the projects create enormous problems besides subsiding the benefits of the scheme, he held.

On a question regarding separation of executive and party offices, the CM said a committee was constituted in this regard by the PPP leadership which met party workers to acquire their will and the same was conveyed to the leadership. Decision of the PPP leadership would be final and acceptable to all, he said.

On a query about corruption and its links with the PPP, he said the perception had developed due to mass level contacts of the PPP as people come to the party ministers, elected representatives and office-bearers to get their different issues resolved and it created a misperception that they were also getting undue benefits out of it.

His government believed in deterrence to corruption and nepotism and all the cabinet members were conveyed directions of the party leadership in the regard, the CM said, and vowed that he would try to dispel the perception.

On a question regarding the National Finance Commission Award, he said the PPP had given 7th NFC Award based on multiple indicators criteria and initiated implementation but that award completed its term in 2015. The commission for 8th NFC award was constituted in April 2015 and different issues were assigned to separate committees. Sindh had completed its tasks and issues pertaining to the Council of Common Interests were sorted out and the Sindh government was ready to present its case appropriately at all relevant forums, he stated.

On a question regarding Rangers, he said the law and order situation had significantly improved in the province, particularly in Karachi, where terrorists taking advantage of its large population and diverse demography strengthened their networks. Civil and military forces have controlled the situation and destroyed their networks while for the purpose Rangers were assigned special powers which it was enjoying to date, he said, adding he believed that thorough success in maintaining peace could only be achieved when civilian forces had complete command on the situation.