Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the provincial government had invested over $1 billion in the development of Thar.
“This investment would give huge dividends to the people of Pakistan in the shape of 10,000 MW power generation in the first phase to meet the energy requirements of our domestic, industrial and commercial requirements.”
The CM revealed these details while addressing a 50-member delegation of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASPs) under training at Police Academy Islamabad. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal, IG Police AD Khwaja, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput and others.
The CM said that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto during her tenure in 1994-95 had decided to develop coal mining and install coal-based power plants but her efforts were shelved. However, she laid the foundation of the plan which her provincial government has taken up as her mission.
He said the provincial government had invested over $1 billion in the development of Thar under which road network, airport, water supply system through RO plants had been developed. A top class Marvi Lodges for investors have also been built there. Work on the Thar coal mining started in partnership with Engro Pakistan has achieved over 50 percent completion.
“Yes, had we ignored Thar, the future of Pakistan, we would have developed four Metros Bus projects in Karachi,” he said and added “We have secured the future of people of Pakistan by starting mining for power generation and inshallah the dream of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto would come true in 2019 when power generation start,” he said.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the provincial government had established a new vesta of working relationship with national and international partners. “We have constructed an important road, Hyderabad to Mirpur, Bridge on River Indus at Jhirk-Milakatiar and installed power plant on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode,” he said and added this partnership was developed further in different sectors such as health, education, agriculture and other sectors.
Replying to another question, the chief minister said that the health sector had improved in Sindh tremendously. “Our JPMC, NICVD, SIUT and various other institutions have achieved excellent services to ailing humanity,” he said.
Shah, to another question, said Karachi was one of the most troubled cities in the world. He added organised mafias had established their sway. Target killing, extortion, and terrorism were at their peak. He went on saying the police was demoralised because the policemen who had participated in clean-up operations were killed.
“We worked hard and improved the morale of the policemen by enhancing their salaries, tremendously increased compensation for shuhda families, launched a policy of continuing salary of policemen who lay their lives in the line of their duty.
On the profession side, Shah said that the police were given special trainings, and improved training systems at all the training institutes, made recruitment purely on merit. “Today our police is better institution and they have worked out most serious cases,” he said. He also lauded the services of Rangers and intelligence agencies for work hard to restore peace in the city.
He also said that in terms equipment, arms and ammunitions Sindh police are rich now. “They have GSM locators, they latest rifles, pistols, they have best vehicles, APCs and other gadgets,” he said.
Replying to a question, the Home & Agriculture Minister said that production of cane, wheat, cotton, dates and chilies had improved considerably. “We give special attention to the development of agriculture sector,” he said. The chief minister said the under training ASPs that their job was a challenging. Presently, Pakistan needs smart, efficient, dutiful and honest police officers.
Shah accompanied by provincial ministers, Jam Khan Shoro visited Rabiul Awal procession taken out at MA Jinnah Road. He said that his father, Abdullah Shah, former chief minister Sindh, used to attend the Rabiul Awal procession. He participated in the procession and then talking to media at Memon Masjid said: “The life of Holy Prophet (PBUH) is an example for humanity,” he said and added he taught us the lesson of living peacefully and respectfully with the people of other faiths and religions, he taught us to love youngers, respect elders and not to shed blood of others. “If we follow the teachings of Holy Prophet all the evils, bigots and extremism we are faced with would automatically vanish away from the society.”
Shah has directed all the deputy commissioners, divisional commissioners and secretaries not to leave their headquarters without the permission.
He directed his Principal Secretary Sohail Rajput to issue a circular and direct the DCS to seek permission from chief secretary through their commissioner for leaving the headquarters. Similarly, the commissioners would seek permission from the chief secretary while the secretaries would seek the permission of chief minister for leaving the headquarter.
He also directed the district administration to meet people of their area for redressal of their grievances. Shah condemned terrorists attack on Agriculture University, Peshwar as saying the terrorists were trying to kill people and destroy educational institutions but they would never succeed in their nefarious designs.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and prayed for early recovery of the injured. “We, the people of Sindh are with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and would never leave them alone at the time of need,” he said.
