Shahbaz Sharif’s visit: As Lahore grapples with abduction, Punjab chief scrutinises Karachi
While Lahore’s security apparatus was being thoroughly criticised and questioned in the wake of the kidnapping of Shahbaz Taseer, the late governor Salmaan Taseer’s son, Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif held court at the Karachi Press Club to express his concern at the state of Karachi.
Sharif expressed a great deal of shock and horror at the security conditions in Karachi. “In the past three days I have met with businessmen, entrepreneurs and intellectuals.” Sharif said Karachi is the ‘gateway to and heart of Pakistan’ and pivotal to the country’s economy, and its problems needed to be resolved since this was “difficult, but not impossible”.
His solutions involve depoliticising Karachi’s police force, and conducting a “ruthless operation” against extortionists and criminals.
Sharif said his visit to Karachi was to meet citizens and understand their issues. “Lahore and Lyari, Gujranwala and Gwadar, Hazara and Hyderabad…. They all have intimate connections,” said Sharif, calling Karachi the ‘mother’ city that took in residents of its ‘brother and sister’ cities.
Sharif tried to create an air of camaraderie with the press corps, rattling off a few sentences in Sindhi with a reporter for a Sindhi television channel, and joking with others.
Even though the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) is not popular in Karachi, Sharif hopes to change that and acknowledges his party was not able to play an active role in the province.
His security detail comprised Punjab police officers, which a reporter questioned, asking if he did not trust the Sindh police. Sharif shot off his reply – “Of course I trust the Sindh police”.
As soon as the press conference wrapped up, Sharif, Sanaullah and their security detail – comprising men clad in suits – and a coterie of police vehicles, sped away in seconds.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2011.
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Yes, the younger Sharif was here to talk about terrorism in Karachi. He hosted an Iftar at the Pearl Continental Hotel, met with bereaved families in his PC Hotel room, had himself photographed with them, came to the Press Club with his Punjab bodyguards and then sermonized about how peace can come to Karachi! Is that not just brilliant? The PML (N) is a defunct party in all the nuances that the word 'defunct' denotes. It has no direction, no plan for the future and the upper chambers of its leadership is vacant. Why did he need to come all the way to Karachi? Mian Sahib the younger, should have instead called the victims' families to Lahore and met them in the CM House, the Press is everywhere so why the Karachi Press Club?
He is most welcome to Karachi and he is quite rational!!
@Babar: PML (N) is national party You got to be kidding us, or just fooling yourself!
Why despite his repeated rhetoric of good governance, Lahore or Punjab has failed to become second gateway to Pakistan. There is huge disparity between the revenue generated by the two cities. Karachi has been paying for the roads, palaces and luxuries of Raiwind.
PML (N) is national party. Its leader can go whereever they want. Is karachi no go area for punjabi's
Police and other law enforcing agencies shouldn't compromise in order to imposition of law it is essential for peace and security of the state.
Let the court to decide, don't interfere,why are challenging the writ of the state, do you know its result, vide the operation of clean up in Karachi and ;learn a lesson from it.
Qadri in jail,he is in waiting list, have to hear judgment of his fate.
Sulman Tasee in grave,have appearing in the court of God.
Supporters were in search of bargaining and the option which leading to compromise,there is only option they have adopted
According to my anxious consideration, forthcoming time will prove the fact.
The life,son of the slain governor is in danger it must be save at every cost,that is the duty of the federal and provincial government.
Oh yeah ... start the blame game.. thats all you can do now!!