The new chief executive of the province, Syed Murad Ali Shah, while delivering his maiden speech as a Chief Minister of Sindh, has said that law and order, health services and education would be the top priorities of his government.
“I am focused and have clear targets to make Sindh safe, secure, healthy, wealthy and literate,” he remarked.
The new chief minister said this while giving policy statement just after his election as the new leader of the house in Assembly on Friday. Remembering his parents, Syed Murad Ali Shah wished that his parents had witnessed that special moment, “but I know that they are around in spirit. My mother’s blessings and my father’s guidance have brought me where I’m today,” he said, and added he was committed to following the foot prints of his father Syed Abdullah Shah, the former chief minister of Sindh.
The new chief minister said he missed his leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. “Her constant presence in my life, her guidance and trust in me made me a member of the central executive committee of the PPP.”
He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s contribution to put democracy on track and to strengthen democratic forces in the country stand unmatched in history.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said: “As we enter into a new phase of governance, I feel strongly in continuation of policies with particular focus on three key areas. The first of them is law and order – without which no sustainable progress can be achieved. The second is healthcare- a basic right of every citizen and the third is education which will be the most important investment in our future,” he said.
Talking about the law and order, the new chief minister said the role of all law enforcement agencies, civil and military, is truly commendable, however, much more needs to be done. He said that his aim was to ensure that every citizen of this province must feel safe. “Every child that is born must be healthy and every mother should be strong enough to nurture her child. He also said: “I want see this province where parents would have no difficulty in educating their children and the young would be able to receive quality education and job opportunities according to their abilities.”
He urged everyone, right from the members of the House (Assembly) to the people belonging to various strata, to come over to work for a stronger and healthy Sindh. “Alone we may go fast but together we will go far,” he quoted a saying and urged everyone to come forward, not just in words but in actions, to improve the situation.” “Let’s work together for a cleaner Karachi, a greener Thar and a safer Sindh.”
Shah said he might not be able to explain his programme in one speech as his actions would speak for themselves.
Appreciating the role of media, the chief minister said they had always worked to strengthen democracy. He hoped that media would be highlighting the short comings of his government so that he could address them accordingly. “I assure you that I would be fixing the problems as you [media] would be pointing them out,” he pledged.
He thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for their unflinching support and guidance. He also thanked his colleagues, MPAs, who posed their confidence in him.
He also thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, PML-F Chief Pir Pagara, PTI Chairman Imran Khan and Murtaza Jatoi as they had welcomed him. “I hope they would be supporting me in my services to the people of this province.”
In his concluding remarks, Syed Murad Ali Shah thanked people of Sindh who have been the backbone of Pakistan People’s Party. “I remain committed to working ceaselessly for their betterment and hope to live up to their expectations,” he promised.
Earlier, Syed Murad Ali Shah contested election for the slot of the Leader of the House against PTI’s Khurram Sherzaman in the Assembly and secured 88 votes against three votes won by his opponent.
Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durani conducted the elections and announced the name of Syed Murad Ali Shah as successful candidate for slot of chief minister Sindh. The out-going chief minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, was the first MPA who exercised his right to vote.
All the MPAs, including those of the Opposition, went to the seat of newly-elected chief minister and congratulated him on his success. Syed Qaim Ali Shah also congratulated Syed Murad Ali Shah and said that he was son of his old friend, Syed Abdullah Shah.
