–Murad Ali Shah says it’s not his job to provide records, JIT made unreasonable demand to submit 10 years’ record within two days
–Dispels impression that he was summoned by CJP, says meeting was held in cordial atmosphere
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday said that providing records to a joint investigation team (JIT) probing the fake accounts case was job of the departments concerned and not the chief minister, adding that the investigators had demanded 10 years’ record from the government which required some time to gather.
Shah was talking to media after his meeting with Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar at the Supreme Court’s Karachi Registry.
The chief minister said that it was incorrectly reported in media that he had been summoned. “The chief justice requested a meeting with me,” Shah reiterated, adding that meeting was not held over reported lack of cooperation by the Sindh government with the JIT investigating the mega money laundering scam.
Earlier this week, the head of JIT investigating the scam, Ahsan Sadiq, had complained to the Supreme Court that Sindh government was providing incomplete information in the case.
On Friday, the CJP asked the Sindh chief minister to meet him in his chamber despite assurances that the Sindh government was now cooperating with the JIT.
CM Shah said that he had told the chief justice that the JIT constituted in the money laundering case had sought a detailed record of 10 years, and the same was being provided to them, but it would definitely take some time.
Shah said that there were about 80 engineers in irrigation and works and services departments. “We asked all of them to provide the record of the contracts they have awarded during the last 10 years,” he said, and added that “of course, it is a time-consuming job to compile details of last 10 years and they are doing it.”
“JIT wanted the provision of such a huge record within two days which was impossible,” remarked the chief minister. He also said that the chief justice also appreciated the provincial government for providing the record to JIT.
Dispelling the impression that the court had summoned him, CM Shah said that the chief justice had only called him for a meeting, adding that the top judge himself said that the media had given a wrong impression. “My meeting with the CJP was held in a good atmosphere,” he said, and added that at the start of the meeting, Justice Nisar had congratulated him on his election as a chief minister for the second tenure.
He also congratulated him that people of Sindh had reposed confidence in the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
The Sindh CM also said that he was thankful to the CJP for listening to him on various issues such as JIT, health, Thar, dams, cleanliness and others, on which the wrong impression was being developed.
Shah said that he briefed the chief justice about his last 10-year experience with the conditions of Thar and the efforts he had made so far to improve life of the people.
The chief minister said that he also briefed the chief justice about health facilities established in Thar. “I have requested Justice Nisar to visit Thar with me and witness our efforts we have made for health, education, infrastructure, livelihood and for energy sectors,” he said, adding that he was happy that the chief justice had accepted his invitation.
Shah proudly said that the CJP appreciating his efforts said he had visited hospitals of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) but the hospitals of Karachi were much better than those of KP. “I have requested the chief justice to visit NICVD and he has kindly agreed to my request,” he said.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said that the Bhasha Dam project was actually conceived and approved by PPP government in 2010. “I have asked the chief justice to meet with ANG Abbasi, who has done a great work in the water sector,” he said, and added that once a meeting is held between them, a committee would be constituted to identify the quantum of water which could be brought in the system.
The committee would also explore ways and means for conservation of water.
CM Shah further said that the CJP had told him that lifting of garbage from the city was the job of government but he [the chief justice] had taken its notice just to nudge the authorities concerned and create awareness among the people about the problem.
To a question, the chief minister said that the policy and stand of PPP on 18th constitutional amendment was very loud and clear. “If anybody attempts to roll it back, it will not be an easy thing to do,” he said.
The provinces should be made more autonomous instead of making attempts to take away their autonomy, he added.
Talking about eviction operation in Pakistan Quarters, Shah said that the police had not consulted the district administration and coordinated with land department of the federal government before going for the operation. “I have ordered an inquiry into the matter and action would be taken accordingly,” he said.
Replying to a question the chief minister said that 4,600 schools with a good enrolment ratio had been identified for provision of basic facilities.
