Daily Times

KARACHI: “The spirit and unity shown by the leadership of the All India Muslim League on March 23, 1940, was unprecedented, and now, time has come for us to demonstrate the same kind of spirit and unity to steer the country out of different challenges,” Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed these views, talking to the media just after laying a floral wreath at the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Friday.

He was accompanied by his cabinet members.

Murad said that since independence the nation has seen various ups and downs, but its worst episode and challenge had emerged with the onset of terrorism. “The nation stood against terrorists bravely and demonstrated unprecedented spirit of unity and finally defeated them,” he said. This unity was the revival of the spirit that was inculcated on March 23, 1940.

“2018 is the year of general elections and the future of Pakistan lies in democracy. I urge the people to participate in the electoral process and elect their true representatives, particularly those who have served them and upheld their rights. We have to strengthen democracy and democratic institutions – that is what Pakistan Day demands of us,” he said, adding that in the struggle for Pakistan, the youth had played a vital role and now once again the youth needed to play their due role to strengthen democracy. “Our youth are our future and they have to play their role for development and prosperity of the country,” he maintained.

To a question, the chief minister said that revival of Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal was a good omen. “At the time of general elections such alliances are made, and this is their democratic right,” he said.

Murad said that PPP has served the people of the province. “We have revamped the road infrastructure in Karachi as well as all over Sindh. Sindh government has constructed bridges on River Indus, besides taking concrete measures for poverty reduction in the province and now we are going to generate electricity from Thar Coal by 2019,” he said.

“People of Sindh know who has served them better and I am sure they will be the best judge,” Murad concluded.

Earlier, Murad along with Governor Muhammad Zubair and cabinet members Manzoor Wassan, Sohail Anwar Siyal, Mumtaz Jakhrani laid a floral wreath on Mazar-e-Quaid and offered fateha.

Published in Daily Times, March 24^th  2018.