Sindh govt confident of controlling street crime

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said his government, with the support of the people of Karachi, would take action against street crime and eliminate it from the city, thus restoring the writ of the government.

He said that authorities in Sindh have previously eliminated terrorism from this megapolis city and would also be able overcome the challenge of street crime. This he said on Saturday while talking to the media just after proposing Sindh PPP President Nisar Khuhro for the Senate seat which had that had fallen vacant after the disqualification of PTI leader Faisal Vawda by the Election Commission.

The CM said street crime had increased in the city due to the countrywide economic downturn, but being head of the provincial government, it was his responsibility to maintain law and order in the province. “I have made some changes in the city police and have guided them to take drastic measures to control law and order,” he said.

The CM added that the killers of journalist Athar Mateen would be arrested at the soonest. Shah said it was the police, who with the support of Rangers and other law enforcement agencies, crushed terrorists in this city. “They brought terrorism activities under control by rendering sacrifices in the line of their duty and now they are taking drastic measure to eliminate street crime,” he assured the people of Karachi through the media.

Universities Replying to a question about some recent incidents in different universities, the chief minister said he brought changes in the administration of two universities and more actions were being taken. “Our universities are important, and I will never allow deterioration of the educational atmosphere there,” he vowed.

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To another question, Shah said he talked to federal finance minister Shaukat Tareen against the deduction of Rs32 billion at source from Sindh’s share. “Mr Tareen was surprised when he heard that such a heavy amount has been deducted from the share of Sindh and he assured of resolving the issues,” the CM said. He added that matter would be discussed in the cabinet meeting to be held on Monday. “Action will be taken accordingly after these deliberations.”

Replying to a question about proposed amendments in the local bodies law, the chief minister said the commitments made with opposition parties such as Jamaat-eIslami, PSP and others would be fulfilled. “We will discuss the proposed amendment in the cabinet meeting on Monday and then refer the draft law to the assembly.” Talking about the long march, the CM said that it would start under the leadership of Bilawal Bhutto Zardari from Mazar-e-Quaid on February 27 and would reach Islamabad on March 8 where a public meeting would held on March 9.

“On the same date, PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro would return to the Senate in the election,” he assured. Khuhro’s nomination PPP nominated its Sindh chapter president Nisar Ahmed Khurho for the senate seat which fell vacant after the disqualification of PTI's Faisal Vawda. Khuhro, along with Sindh Chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and party leaders, filed his nomination form at the election commission office in Karachi on Saturday. According to the official schedule, the election for general seat will be held in the Sindh Assembly on March 9.

"The last date for the scrutiny of nomination papers is February 24 and the deadline for the withdrawal is March 4," the spokesperson for the election commission said. Shah proposed the candidatures of Nisar Khuhro and MPA Nida Khuhro, the daughter of Nisar Khuhro, and seconded the father’s candidature.

Former MQM MNA Khuwaja Sohail, who turned up to file his papers, announced withdrawing his nomination in support of Nisar Khuhro. He said Khuhro was a family friend and a senior politician; therefore, he was withdrawing his nomination. Since PPP has a majority vote in the provincial assembly, its candidate is likely to win the seat.