‘Karachi will choose PPP if allowed to vote independently’

The Pakistan Peoples Party will emerge as the largest political entity of Karachi if this city's people are allowed to vote independently in the upcoming general elections.
This assertion was made by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a speech at the inauguration ceremony of the renovated Jahangir Park in Saddar on Sunday. The historic park, which has been renovated by the Sindh government at a cost of Rs200 million, was formally reopened after yesterday's event. Bilawal said such a park was a need of the hour and was a much appreciated effort undertaken by the Sindh government for the province’s youth.
Speaking of the renovation in terms of a step taken towards containing the threat of global warming, he said climate change has emerged as a problem in the entire world. “But the Sindh government has carried out a number of projects keeping in view this global issue; these include lining irrigation canals, making use of solar energy and other similar projects.”
Accompanying Bilawal, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while addressing the ceremony claimed work on the road leading to Garden area from Fawara Chowk would be completed before the start of the next year.
He said the city’s old areas were being restored to their past glory and the people of this city being provided with the best civic facilities. Murad acknowledged efforts of all officers and agencies that were a part of the park’s renovation project.
Spread over five acres, the park’s land was donated by Khan Bahadur Behramjee Jehangirjee Rajkotwala in the early 1880s. Named the Behramjee Park, the recreational facility was inaugurated on the eve of Nauroz in 1883; it later came to be popularly known as Jahangir Park.
The facility comprises an amphitheatre, aviary as well as a library. Two RO plants and a CCTV surveillance system have also been installed at the park. The park’s maintenance will be looked after by the Sindh government for the next two years through the project directorate.
Mayor not invited
Speaking to The News, Mayor Karachi Waseem Akhtar complained of not being taken on board for the renovation project. “The Sindh government is performing functions of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation as the Jahangir Park was inaugurated by the Sindh chief minister but the city’s mayor was not invited.”
He cited inauguration functions of the revamped Tariq Road and the University Road stating that all these functions are KMC’s to organise but the mayor was not contacted.
‘Children an asset’
In a statement issued on the eve of Universal Children’s Day, being observed on Monday (today), Bilawal said children are the most precious asset of our country as he urged both the state and parents to protect them and educate and train them as such that they grow up to have a positive influence on the nation’s future.
The PPP chairman said the party PPP has always taken revolutionary steps for the protection of children and launched anti-polio and other preventive vaccination drives in the country. “Sindh under PPP’s government is the only province where education up to Intermediate is completely free,” he added.
Bilawal said health and educational facilities for children needed to be improved countrywide. “Every Pakistani has to play their role to provide the best environment for children to grow into responsible citizens.”
He claimed that only would more legislative initiatives be taken, but the PPP’s manifesto for the 2018 general elections will also encompass key practical steps for children’s welfare.