Murad asks British govt to take up Kashmir issue

CM requests new high commissioner for assistance with Sukkur Barrage renovation

KARACHI: The Indian government has unleashed state terrorism against the people of Kashmir, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah told the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Christian Turner, on Monday.

In a meeting with the newly appointed diplomat at the CM House, Shah urged the British government to force India to cease its atrocities against the people of Kashmir.

The chief minister said that the Indian government's hatred of Muslims could be assessed from its Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019, in which every foreigner was acceptable to it apart from Muslims. "Now the Indian authorities have initiated genocide in Kashmir and annexed it into their umbrella by withdrawing its special status," he maintained.

Talking to Turner, Shah called for the United Nations, the international community and international human rights watchdogs to become the voice of Kashmir's voiceless people and liberate them from the Indian state.

Meanwhile, Turner and the CM also discussed the rehabilitation of the Sukkur Barrage. Shah told the high commissioner that the barrage, which had been constructed by the British government in 1923, now needed substantial overhauling and renovation.

"We would be glad if the British government or any private British firm could assist the Sindh government in the rehabilitation of the barrage," he said. In response, Turner assured him that he would make efforts to support the provincial government in the matter. They further turned their attention to the education and health sectors, where the British government wanted to invest. The chief minister explained that the training of teachers, adoption of new teaching methods and improvement of textbooks were the main areas where they could work together, while the British envoy assured him of the British government's support in these sectors.

Deputy British High Commissioner Mike Nithavrianakis, principal secretary to the CM Sajid Jamal Abro and others also attended the meeting.

Capacity building

Meanwhile, a McKinsey and Company delegation, led by managing director Ozgur Tanrikulu, also visited Shah, agreeing to work with the Sindh government to improve textbooks and build capacity for teachers and hospital administration staff.

The chief minister directed the Sindh education and health departments to work with the company and chalk out a detailed plan for the implementation of reforms in both sectors. 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2020.