Murad orders removal of roadblocks from outside CM House

Karachi 

Sindh’s newly elected chief minister, Murad Ali Shah, after assuming charge of his office on Saturday ordered the removal of barricades and roadblocks outside the Chief Minister’s House to facilitate commuters on Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road.

The concrete roadblocks and barriers on one side of Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road outside the Chief Minister’s House had been causing inconvenience to motorists and pedestrians especially during morning and evening rush hours.

The roadblocks on the street adjoining Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road will also be removed.

Whenever there is a security threat or a protest rally heading towards the Chief Minister’s House, the entire portion of the road is closed up till the traffic signal intersection in front of two five-star hotels.

The main road is closed with containers.

However, the new chief minister said that these road closures would be stopped.

Besides, he added, he would keep his security entourage to a minimum while travelling.

The new chief minister said he would avoid travelling during rush hours so that there was minimal disturbance of vehicular traffic.

In 2013, the Sindh High Court had directed immediate removal of roadblocks from the surroundings of the Governor’s House, the Chief Minister’s House, Bilawal House as well as all the consulates.

The court had observed that security concerns could not be a justification for blocking roads.

Authorities should provide foolproof security instead of closing roads and causing inconvenience to the public, the high court had said.