'Infrastructure development, poverty alleviation priorities of upcoming govt'

Murad Ali Shah says he intends to make Karachi one of the most beautiful cities

KARACHI: The new provincial government of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) will especially focus on development of infrastructure, poverty alleviation and improvements in health and education sectors, said chief minister-designate Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday.

He was talking to media personnel after offering Fateha and laying a wreath on the grave of the father of nation on the occasion of Independence Day. Several other PPP leaders accompanied Shah, including PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro, MPAs Sohail Anwar Siyal, Saeed Ghani, Imdad Pitafi, Qasim Siraj Soomro and others.

According to Shah, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had placed great responsibility on his shoulders by nominating him as the CM. "I am thankful to him [Bilawal] and other party leadership for their trust," he said, adding that he would serve the people of Sindh to the best of his abilities under the guidance of the PPP chairperson.

The CM-designate said he gave two packages to the provincial capital during his last tenure for development of road infrastructure and storm drains in the city. "Today, Karachi gives a different look and I will continue with my focus on the uplift of the city," he pledged.



Shah claimed that his last government restored peace in Karachi and made it the city of lights again. He added that in his new tenure he would make efforts to make the provincial capital one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

Shah vowed that his government would give equal attention to the development of every district and city of the province.

Responding to a question, he said people of Sindh had elected the PPP because it served them. "It is the PPP which has always fought for the rights of people of Sindh and it is the PPP which has always given employment opportunities to the people of Sindh," he said, claiming that the party brought reforms in health sector as well.

According to the CM-designate, unemployment was a major issue in Sindh and he intended to focus on creating employment opportunities in government and private sectors.

To another query, he replied that the last PML-N-led federal government announced Karachi Package of Rs25 billion but did not release even Rs25 till the end of their tenure.