Governor’s office open to people of all political affiliations: Ebad

Karachi

Finally breaking his silence over Altaf Hussain's August 22 incendiary speech, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad vowed to redress issues being faced by every citizen, irrespective of his or her political affiliations. 

He was speaking at the Governor House following a city tour to assess sanitation measures taken on the first day of Eid-ul-Azha and the comments came in response to a media person's query regarding which faction of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement the governor would now be supporting. The question was a referral to the governor’s severed ties with the party through which he was elected the provincial governor. 

To another question of whether he visited MQM–Pakistan (MQM-P) chief Dr Farooq Sattar at the hospital where he was admitted following a car crash on September 11, the governor said he could not visit him but spoke to him over the phone.

However, briefing media personnel on the purpose of his tour of the city, he said he reviewed services of municipal agencies supposed to ensure sanitation in the metropolis.

According to reports given to Ebad, the number of citizens to have sacrificed animals on this year’s Eid had gone up by 15 to 20 percent than last year.

He said the municipal agencies were much more organised, speedy this year and had also used scientific methods to dispose offal of sacrificial animals, adding, that concerned citizens had regained confidence in the working of the provincial government and its agencies after a marked improvement in law and order situation in Karachi.

Ebad said the government got a chance to focus on development projects after peace was restored in the city.

He was accompanied by deputy mayor of the city Dr Arshad Vohra, city commissioner Ejaz Ahmed Khan and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation Director Municipal Services Masood Alam Rizvi during his visit to different parts of the city.

The municipal officials concerned informed the Governor that an increased number of people residing in districts East and Central sacrificed animals on this year’s Eid.

Earlier, Ebad offered Eid prayers at Bagh-e-Jinnah along with Acting President Raza Rabbani, Chief Secretary Sindh Muhammad Siddique Memon, deputy city mayor as well as the city commissioner.

In his Eid message, the governor congratulated the masses stating that the real essence of the occasion was to share the joy of festivities with the poor and the deserving.

Lauding sacrifices of law enforcement agencies’ personnel, Governor Sindh said it was due to their efforts that law and order situation of the city had visibly improved.

“The cooperation and support of common citizens in this regard was also very encouraging and appreciable,” he opined.

Ebad further reiterated the country’s resolve by stating that the entire nation was stood united against terrorists and had a strong resolve to eradicate the menace from the country.

Condemning suicide bomb attacks in Khanpur of district Shikarpur, Ebad commended the vigilance and alertness of the bravery security personnel, and also hailed the arrest of one of the bombers.