Imran Ismail hints at special package for Karachi

Governor-to-be pledges to work with all political parties for Sindh

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Ismail, who has been nominated by the party chief, Imran Khan, for the post of Sindh governor, said on Sunday that Khan will announce a special development package for the port city immediately after taking charge as prime minister.

Ismail, in an exclusive interview with The Express Tribune, went on to say that the people of Karachi had given a clear mandate to PTI and they would see the port city change drastically. He added that he would not only work for Karachi, but for the entire province. "I will prove to be an active governor," he said, adding that he was ready to work with all parties. "It is our top priority to rid our society of corruption, he asserted.

As he arrived in Karachi, his first stop was at his central election office in PS-111, Defence Housing Authority, from where he had emerged victorious in the general elections. At the office, Ismail interacted with party workers, who congratulated him and presented him with bouquets of flowers.

Talking to media at the airport earlier, Ismail had promised to be an "active governor" and not to sit in one place. "I will bring a new trend for the development of the province," he said, adding that the PTI chief wanted to resolve issues being faced by Karachi.

Responding to questions regarding the Governor House, he said it would be turned into an educational institution. "I will lower the expenses of Governor House," he added. "Governor House is a historic building," he said, dispelling rumours that it could be demolished.

Ismail said that the name for the opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly had been finalised and would be announced by the party soon. "The leader of the opposition will be from PTI," he said. "Karachi has gone back 10 years," he remarked, referring to infrastructure and development. Third party audit of all projects of Karachi will be conducted, he pledged, adding that development wasn't possible without ending corruption.



 

Outgoing governor

Ismail's nomination for the governor's post follows the resignation of former Sindh governor Mohammad Zubair who had tendered his resignation to President Mamnoon Hussain on July 28, amid reports of his voicing of concern over the transparency of the July 25 general elections.

These reports were, however, rebutted by authorities who had claimed that Zubair, who had been a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz nominee, had resigned to make way for the PTI nominee to take his place.

Ismail will likely be inducted as the new Sindh governor after Imran Khan has sworn in as the prime minister. Only then can the PTI chief formally appoint Ismail as the governor.