Sharjeel says Sindh budget will be ‘people-friendly’

Karachi
Sindh's budget for 2015-16 being announced on June 13 will have many mega development projects for the province, including Karachi, and will be a truly 'awam dost' budget.”
This was stated by Sindh Minister for Information Sharjeel Memon during a whirlwind tour of five under construction projects in the city on Sunday, including Mehran Underpass, Safoora Goth Chowrangi, Malir Halt and Jam Sadiq Ali Bridge. He was also accompanied by Minister for Finance Murad Ali Shah.
Memon claimed, “Development work done by the Pakistan People’s Party government this year in Sindh, as well as Karachi, is unprecedented.”
He added that although these five projects were inaugurated by him around two months back but achieved 70 percent completion due to round the clock working.
Replying to a question about the shadow budget presented by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, the minister remarked that he has not received any copy of such document, though, “I have heard of it through media.”
Memon added, “Now it is too late as the copy of the budget draft has been sent for printing a week ago.”
He disclosed that in the previous budget Rs 185 billion were allocated for development projects but the amount had to be reduced to Rs 165 billion as funds promised by the federal government were not received.
Sharjeel asserted that within one and a half years transport problem of Karachi would be resolved and about power crisis, he informed the media talks were underway with K-Electric over the issue and the government was trying its level best to resolve the problem.
Memon declared that the Mehran Underpass would be a Eid gift from the government for the people of Karachi.
He also disclosed that in the coming budget will have more mega projects regarding transport and solid waste.
Speaking on the occasion, Murad Ali Shah said in the coming budget such mega projects were being introduced that had never been presented before.
He denied reports that government had shelved various schemes and added that “Rather many new schemes are being introduced.”
Shah asserted that all out efforts were being done to resolve the civic issues of the people of Sindh.
Later, talking to The News Sharjeel said the PPP government will strongly oppose putting the Karachi police under an elected mayor or Nazim as “We want to give a free hand to police and depoliticise the force.
He was commenting on a query that MQM was demanding that to put Karachi police under the mayor or Nazim this time.
The minister stressed that police department should not be under a mayor or Nazim, however he claimed that the PPP would win elections in Sindh and Karachi will have a PPP mayor this time.
Sharjeel said during the period of former president Pervez Musharraf, police was under Nazim but the PPP would never allow this.
When asked that the local government elections’ date were scheduled on September 20 so did he have any apprehension about law and order situation.
The minister said the government would try its level best to provide complete and to hold election peacefully, adding that before elections all parties would be taken into confidence .
On a question about LB polls in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Memon said Imran Khan has miserably failed to give ‘new Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’ and writ of the government was not witnessed in the election process.
It may be noted the PPP and MQM had formed coalition governments many times in last 27 years but on one pretext or the other local bodies elections were not held.
Replying to the burning issue of water shortage in Karachi, Memon said the crisis situation has improved to a large extent and will improve further.
He asserted, “Things will improve gradually.”
When asked about the desalination plants in the city, Sharjeel said there would be no expenses from the government side on setting up desalination plants as “We would only purchase water from them.”
When asked whether these plants will resolve the water crisis, he replied to some extent.
Although, the minister did not elaborate on the subject like either the amount of rent or the water purchasing cost and just said, “The process is at a premature stage.”