Confrontation should be avoided: PM

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that confrontation between the Sindh and the Centre and among the provinces should be avoided.

The PM announced Rs25 billion development package for Karachi and Rs5 billion package for Hyderabad for mega development projects and improving the civic infrastructure of the two cities.

The PM said that every possible cooperation would be extended by the federal government for development of Sindh.

The announcement to this effect came on Saturday evening during the PM’s interaction with the newsmen here at the Old Terminal of the Karachi Airport before his departure for Islamabad after wrapping up his daylong visit to the city.

The PM during his stay in the city visited the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, met a delegation of MQM-Pakistan, provincial leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, businessmen of the city, and later chaired a meeting on the law and order situation of the province.

Meanwhile, talking to newsmen, the PM said that the development package announced for Karachi would be used for the improvement of civic infrastructure, upgrading the industries, water supply schemes, and for doing similar projects for the city.

He said that a hospital and medical college would also be established in the University of Karachi. The PM said that under-development project of Green Line section of Rapid Bus Transit Service of Karachi would soon be completed.

He also announced a similar Rs5 billion development package for Hyderabad, which would be utilised for resolving civic problems of the city.

The Sindh governor will supervise the implementation of development packages in the two cities.

Abbasi said that lawmakers of MQM-Pakistan had voted him in election of the PM’s slot.

He said that his meeting with MQM-Pakistan delegation remained positive.

The PM said that he had also a good meeting with a delegation of businessmen as his government had the resolve to provide all facilities to traders for promoting investment. He said that exports of the country would be increased with the promotion of industries.

Abbasi said that the federal government in the current fiscal year had increased development budget.

He said that he would continue to serve as the PM till the time his political party had desired so. “Nawaz Sharif is still our prime minister, however, we have wholeheartedly accepted the decision of the Supreme Court regarding his disqualification,” said Abbasi.

He said that Nawaz Sharif had not been targeting any institution neither he had taken out the rally against anyone. He said that Nawaz Sharif had expressed his political views.

He said that public had given his response (to disqualification of Nawaz Sharif) by giving rousing welcome to Nawaz Sharif.

The PM said that the Sindh governor was neither doing any political work nor was interfering in the political matters of the province.

Abbasi said that the Sindh governor had been holding meetings for the sake of development and improving the law and order situaion of the province.

He said that Sindh Rangers had been doing its part for improvement of the city as the paramilitary force would continue with its work.

Responding to a question, the PM said that the federal government had been reviewing the bill passed by the Sindh Assembly to strike down the National Accountability Ordinance-1999 as the issue pertained to a federal law.

This issue had become sub-judiced as it was now better that the court would decide this issue, he said.

Earlier, PM Abbasi said that all political parties would be required to lend support to federal government for the complete restoration of the law and order situation in Karachi.

Meeting a delegation of the MQM-Pakistan at the Governor’s House, the PM said that policies of federal government would remain the same for peace in Karachi.

Abbasi said that he recognised the political mandate of MQM-Pakistan. He said that federal, Sindh governments and all political parties including MQM were required to work together for development of Karachi.

He said that mega development projects being carried out in Karachi with federal assistance would be completed at the earliest while more such initiatives would be launched for resolution of public issues.

Abbasi said that issues of MQM-Pakistan would be resolved within the ambit of the law.

On the occasion, chief of MQM-Pakistan Dr Farooq Sattar requested the PM to give permission to MQM for holding political activities while the party would be allowed to open offices in Karachi, Hyderabad, and other towns of the province.

The MQM leader also informed the PM about the issue of missing and imprisoned workers and supporters of the party.

He also complained about lack of powers and authority available to elected representatives and leaders of local government agencies in the province.

The PM while chairing a meeting on law and order said that targeted operation in Karachi should continue till achieving all its targets. He said that peace in Karachi should be maintained at every cost.

He said that law-enforcement agencies should conduct strict operation for eliminating the menaces of terrorist, militant organisations, extortionists, target killers, and street criminals.

He said that operation against criminal elements should be conducted on most indiscriminate basis regardless of their affiliation.

He said that law and order situation in Karachi had improved in last four years owing to steps of the government and sacrifices rendered by security agencies as confidence of the masses had been restored.

He said that security agencies should continue with their actions till permanent peace in Karachi.

He said that security agencies with support of intelligence agencies should ensure nabbing elements involved in creating law and order situation in the city.