KBD issue not more important than national unity: Murad

 Says MQM not being victimised; Sindh can guarantee solution to power crisis; wants NFC before Dec 31 

LAHORE: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has said Kalabagh Dam issue is not more important than Pakistan unity among the federation units. 

Flanked by PPP Information Secretary Qamar Zaman Kaira at ‘Meet the Press’ at Lahore Press Club Monday, Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah said elements behind putting the banners carrying provocative and threatening remarks in Karachi wouldn’t be spared. He also said the decision of demolishing the MQM offices wasn’t political but administrative, and encroachments would be removed at all cost from Karachi. Anyone crossing the deadline in Karachi would be dealt strictly and in accordance with law, the CM said.

He dispelled the impression that MQM is being politically victimized, while saying that every party had the right to do politics under constitutional ambit, but nothing against the country could be accepted or endorsed. 

The Sindh CM also said subversive elements could exist anywhere but no one could be allowed to sabotage peace of Karachi, adding Rangers and all other forces are working round the clock to maintain law and order situation. He said Karachi is a home to around 20 million people where problems had multiplied in recent years. He said the situation is improving and Sindh government is working to restore its beauty. 

Murad said he would consider his efforts successful when the civil forces would stand on their feet and restore peace of the city. Murad, who was on his first visit to Lahore since assuming the office of Sindh CM, said the committee constituted in Musharraf era had already declared the project unfeasible, whereas three provinces had passed resolutions against its construction. Therefore, he said, the inter-provincial harmony and unity is far more important than this dam. 

To a question, Murad stated the National Finance Commission should be announced before December 31 this year which otherwise would mean violation of constitution. He also said only Sindh could guarantee solution to the prevailing electricity crisis in the country and if Islamabad supported it, power could be generated through coal, water and wind. He said Sindh had coal reserves of Rs 185 billion through which 1000MW electricity could be generated before the 2018 elections. 

Regarding his immediate goals, he said education and health departments had been given deadline of one month to improve their working.  To another question, he said Asif Zardari needed permission from nobody to return to Pakistan, as he could be back in September or December as per his plan. 

  He also said Sindh needed cooperation of Punjab regarding the IT and forensic lab in the province, adding he had conveyed the Punjab CM that both the provinces should extend mutual cooperation. Murad also said he had invited all chief ministers and Azad Kashmir prime minister to discuss the core national issues.