Sindh action plan back in Centre’s spotlight

Imran asks federal authorities to expedite work on development projects in the province

ISLAMABAD:

Prime Minister Imran Khan has decided to initiate an action plan in Sindh with the aid of federal government departments and directed the relevant authorities to speed up work on the projects under the Sindh package, including Karachi’s Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System.

The government has also decided to use the federal institutions to improve law and order situation in Sindh — where the PPP is in power — and to curb smuggling and trade of narcotics. The ruling PTI will also expand its political base in the province by inducting powerful political personalities in the party.

In a meeting with some lawmakers of Sindh — including both Members National Assembly and the provincial assembly — the premier on Wednesday reviewed the overall situation in Sindh particularly the law and order situation, the pandemic and the problems faced by the people of the province.

Read: Centre, Sindh in a bruising battle

Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Minister for Planning Asad Umar, MNA Ghaus Bakhsh Mehar and MPAs Ali Gohar Mehar and Safdar Abbasi were present in the meeting.

During the meeting, the premier ordered the relevant authorities to expedite work on the Sindh package as well as Green Line Bus Rapid Transit System of Karachi, said sources privy to the meeting.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on April 16 announced a massive Rs440 billion package for 14 under-developed districts of Sindh, and claimed that effects of the investment would be visible within a month.

The package envisaged construction of the Nai Gaj dam for the irrigation of 28,800 acres of land and the 306-kilometre-long Sukkur-Hyderabad motorway. Under the scheme, rehabilitation of 200,000 acres of land would provide livelihood opportunities for the people.

The package included gas supply to 160 villages and provision of 30,000 electricity connections annually. Improving power transmission to help reduce line losses and outages was also part of the scheme.

Under the package, the ratio of higher education in Sindh would be brought to 52 per cent. Moreover 14 passport offices would also be upgraded under the package.

The PML-N government in July 2014 announced the launch of the Green Line project to alleviate severe traffic congestion problems in Karachi. The project is still incomplete.

The premier also chaired a meeting of the Sindh Steering Committee to take stock of the administrative and political situation of Sindh and the dynamic role of the PTI in the province.

Read more: Sindh minister blames Centre for province’s woes

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, PTI Sindh leader Haleem Adil Sheikh, Saifullah Niazi, Aamir Kayani and Saifullah Abro attended the meeting.

The meeting agreed that the federal government must play an active role in eradicating smuggling, curbing narcotics and checking mismanagement in the province.

It was decided that the PTI will expand its political base in the province by inducting political heavyweights. The premier will also visit the province soon as the PTI also wants to form a government in the province after the next general election.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has accepted an invitation of the Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al Asoomi to address the forum, which is the legislative body of the Arab League. Imran Khan will be the first non-Arab to address the parliament.