• Sindh governor, CM, Karachi mayor, corps commander visit Quaid’s mausoleum to pay respects on his birth anniversary
• Murad expresses resolve to send all illegal immigrants back to their countries

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday urged Islamabad to build the M-6 Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway by using federal funds or the money came for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.

The chief minister stressed that it was not only beneficial for one province, but also vital for all commercial traffic from the seaport and industrial areas to the north.

Accompanied by Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori and members of the provincial cabinet, the CM while speaking to the media at Mazar-i-Quaid referred to “limited resources” of Sindh and challenges in financing large-scale projects independently.

He said his government had constructed some federal roads, such as the Karachi-Thatta dual carriageway, and provided 50 per cent of funding for Jamshoro-Sehwan Road.

“I am not suggesting this only because it’s in Sindh, but I believe that it will be beneficial for everyone across the country,” he said.

“Even a few days when I was in Lahore, the industrialists there approached me and urged me to construct the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway. It would facilitate our commercial traffic from the seaport and industrial areas to the north. It would boost our transport operation and commercial operations.”

In October, the CM had agreed to the federal government’s proposal to construct M-6 Motorway on a separate track from Karachi, instead of initiating it from Hyderabad to Sukkur.

The CM had given his nod after meeting Federal Communication Minister Aleem Khan who had proposed that the motorway might be started from Karachi via Hyderabad to Sukkur, instead of Hyderabad to Sukkur, to facilitate the port traffic also.

Earlier, CM Shah visited the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah to pay tribute to the father of the nation on the occasion of his 148th birth anniversary.

Upon his arrival, the CM was received by provincial ministers and the Sindh chief secretary.

During his visit, Syed Murad Ali Shah laid a wreath and offered prayers at the mausoleum to honour the father of the Nation.

He also penned his comments in the visitors’ book with a specific reference to the Quaid’s birth anniversary.

The Sindh governor also joined the CM and paid tribute to the Quaid. The governor also laid a wreath at the mausoleum and penned his thoughts in the visitors’ book.

The CM during his media interaction revealed that the federal government allocated Rs180 billion for development schemes in Sindh this year but criticised delays in fund disbursement. He noted that last year’s allocation had dropped to only Rs5bn to Rs6bn.

He also expressed concern about the federal government not convening meetings of constitutional institutions such as the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Discussing incomplete projects, CM Shah mentioned Jamshoro-Sehwan Road, which was approved in 2017. Despite Sindh contributing half of the funding to the federal government in April 2017, the project remains unfinished.

Regarding the issue of illegal immigration, the CM acknowledged unity between federal and provincial governments to deport illegal residents.

When asked about the murder of Zahid Mirani by an illegal Afghan resident, he recalled that during the previous government (PTI), a general amnesty was announced for Afghans, after which the Sindh government identified their criminal records and deported them.

“The Sindh government believes that the murder of an innocent person is the murder of humanity, and we have never allowed any killer to go unpunished,” he stated, adding, “Oppressors will face justice, and we share the sorrow of the victims.”

Speaking to the media, Governor Tessori acknowledged that Pakistan was going through challenging times, but he urged the people not to lose hope, assuring that the country would move towards progress.

He highlighted the continued growth of the stock exchange and the positive cooperation from countries like Iran and Türkiye.

The governor praised the role of Pakistan’s military, not only for safeguarding the borders but also for contributing to economic stability.

The governor commended the leadership of the Prime Minister and the army chief in the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), which he said was playing a crucial role in steering the country towards development.

Responding to a question about the situation in Parachinar, the governor stated that the issue would be resolved through consultation and dialogue.

Corps Commander Karachi, Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar also visited the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam.

He laid flowers at the tomb and offered prayers. He also signed the guestbook and paid tribute to the founder of Pakistan for his services.

‘Red Line delays’

Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab has said the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Red Line project has become a matter of embarrassment for the Sindh government.

He said that TransKarachi, which is executing the BRT project, was an independent entity and being the city mayor he was one of the members of its board.

“I will address this matter in the upcoming meeting of TransKarachi,” he told the media after offering prayers at the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on the occasion of his 148th birth anniversary.

The mayor was speaking against the backdrop of water shortages following multiple leakages developed in the water main on University Road due to Red Line.

He said that TransKarachi was given a no-objection certificate around two years ago and they were asked to consult the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation before carrying out any work.

He also announced that water supply from the new Hub canal would begin in August next year. The mayor highlighted Karachi’s significance as the birthplace of Quaid-i-Azam and the city where he is laid to rest. “Through his selfless leadership, Pakistan became an independent state. Jinnah faced every challenge in the Pakistan Movement with wisdom and foresight,” he remarked.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024