Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that terrorism has been eliminated from Karachi with the support of the people and law enforcement agencies.

While delivering his presidential address at Karachi Kings send-off ceremony at Naya Nazimabad on Sunday, he said that terrorism was an international issue and it was still prevalent in the world, including America.

“I am going to fulfil my promise I had made with the people of Sindh,” he said while referring to the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) final schedule to be played at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi.

Murad Shah said that best arrangements for the PSL final were being made. “I am working to bring back international cricket to Karachi and also working to promote hockey, boxing and other games,” he said

Referring to the ongoing uplift schemes in the city, he lashed out at the media, saying:

“Do whatever you want to but I will do my work and no one can stop me from doing this.”

“America and various other countries are still struggling against terrorism but with the grace of God we have eliminated it completely and are now working to restore peace in the city,” he said.

He lauded the services and sacrifices of law enforcement agencies, particularly police, Rangers and intelligence agencies for restoring peace in the city. “Now Karachi is one of the peaceful cities of the world and we are working day and night for its reconstruction,” he added.

Murad Shah lamented that the media was accusing the government of causing nuisance to the people by digging up all the roads in the city. “Yes, I have got them [roads] dug up because we are reconstructing them for you [people of Karachi]. We are not only constructing roads but laying new water supply and drainage lines,” he said, adding that it was not a simple task to replace more than 50-60 years old drainage system. The city would present a new look in May this year, he maintained.

The chief minister urged the media to support him in reconstruction of the city. “This city is one of the few best cities of the world in terms of its diversified population, sea ports, industrial hub, fish industry and to some extent agriculture, particularly the vegetables and fruits,” he said, adding: “The best characteristic of Karachi is pluralism, which is rare in the world. Yes, this sense of co-existence had dwindled down but now it was emerging again.

In the ceremony, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that Karachi Kings would show its real colour this year. “Sports is being promoted because of PSL and Karachi.”

Karachi Kings skipper Emmad Waseem said, “We are very hopeful that we will reach PSL final.”

Published in Daily Times, February 19^th 2018.