Daily Times

KARACHI: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday assured the residents of the city that he would extend his all out support for the development of Karachi.

He made these comments while speaking to the media after his visit to the MQM-Pakistan Bahadrabad office and ANP Mardan House.

“Karachi is the face of Pakistan, it is a great city. I vow to restore the glories of the city of lights.”

On the ongoing crisis of electricity in the city, he said K-Electric was responsible for the power crisis in the metropolis.

Shehbaz appealed to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to bring an end to load shedding in the city. He said, “the goal of zero load-shedding will be actualised in the month of Ramazan. I have clarified to the party leaders that I did not come to Karachi with any political agenda.”

The Punjab CM said he had not come to the city for political point scoring. He said joint efforts would be made for the development and prosperity of the country with mutual understanding.

This was his second visit in less than 15 days after being handed over charge of the PML-N’s presidentship.

Earlier in the day, he addressed several public gatherings in different places in the city.

Speaking at these gatherings, he promised Karachi residents to make the city free of load-shedding in Ramazan. He said, “Karachi is known all over the world and people across Pakistan come here to earn money and get education. We will bring Karachi back on track.”

The PML-N president said that Karachi had been treated unjustly in the past. “Those who treated Karachi unjustly should be held accountable. Nawaz Sharif gifted Green Line project to the megapolis, but it could not be completed to this date.”

Shahbaz paid tribute to the Rangers for improving the overall security situation of the city. He credited his elder brother and former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, with taking the decision to rid Karachi of militants.

“Nawaz Sharif took the crucial decision to restore security and safety in Karachi,” he said

Shahbaz criticised rival parties PPP and PTI, accusing them of being insecure.

During his stay in the city, the Punjab CM will attend a conference on CPEC.

Sindh governed by a party with an ‘artificial majority’

Speaking to the media during the Punjab CM’s visit, MQM-Bahadurabad leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the party in provincial government had ‘an artificial majority’.

He said PPP’s provincial government was engaged in political sparring over the power crisis.

Maqool requested to Shahbaz Sharif for announced a Karachi package and urged him to ensure that the Karahci mayor was appointed as focal person in the Governor House’s committee.

Published in Daily Times, April 23^rd 2018.