Daily Times

KARACHI: New Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said in his maiden speech on Friday that law and order, health and education would be the top priorities of his government.

“I’m focused and have clear targets to make Sindh safe, secure, healthy, wealthy and literate,” he said in his policy statement after his election as new chief minister of Sindh.

Remembering his parents, Shah said he wished that his parents were there to witness this special moment, “but I know they are around in spirit. My mother’s blessings and my father’s guidance have brought me where I’m today.” He said that he might not be able to fill his father Syed Abdullah Shah’s shoes, but he was committed to following in his footsteps.

The new chief minister said he was missing his slain leader Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister and chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) who was killed in a bomb and gun attack on December 27, 2007. He said that Bhutto’s contribution to democracy and her efforts to strengthen the democratic forces in a country frequently run over by dictators were matchless. He thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for their unflinching support and guidance.

Shah said, “As we enter a new phase of governance, I strongly believe in continuation of policies, with a focus on three key areas. The first is law and order, without which no sustainable progress can be achieved. The second is health care, which is the basic right of every citizen and the third is education, which will be the most important investment in our future.”

Talking about the law and order, the new chief minister said, “The role of all law enforcement agencies, civil and military, is truly commendable. However, much more needs to be done.” He said his government would fight anyone posing a threat to Sindh or its people. He said it was his aim to give a sense of security to everyone living in Sindh. He said he would make sure that “every child that is born is healthy and every mother is strong enough to bring up her child”.

Earlier, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Khan Durrani presided over the assembly session and announced Shah’s victory in the election for Sindh chief minister’s office. Shah secured 88 votes, while 91 lawmakers were present in the House on Friday. PTI candidate for chief minister’s office Khurram Sher Zaman got only three votes against Shah.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz abstained from voting.