Old rhetoric: ‘Development of Karachi is govt’s first priority’

Information and LG minister claims KE is deliberately resorting to blackouts

KARACHI: The development of Karachi and the completion of its mega projects are the first priorities of the Sindh government, said Sindh information and local government minister Sharjeel Memon on Monday.

The Pakistan Peoples Party government is committed to making Karachi a ‘smart’ city like any other developed city in the world, he said. There is a sentiment that the federal government has completely disowned Sindh and is creating problems for the people, he added.

The minister was speaking to the media after the inauguration of a five-kilometre-long and 36-foot-wide road at Safoora Chowrangi that leads to alAzhar Garden, a residential compound for people belonging to the Ismaili community. The repairs on the roads were completed in 45 days after the government allocated Rs120 million, pointed out Memon.

Karachi blackouts

On the continuous blackouts facing the port city, Memon warned the management of K-Electric (KE) to improve their services and ensure power supply otherwise be prepared to go behind bars.

Memon cautioned the federal government, the Water and Power Development Authority and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority to change their attitude and policy towards Sindh and refrain from creating problems for its people. The PPP does not want to play politics of violence like Shabaz Sharif and still wishes to resolve all crises through talks, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2015.