Nasir Shah Slams 'New Province' Talk as Political Stunt
Jyoti Maheshwari
Karachi
Sindh Minister for Local Government, Housing and Town Planning, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has said that the talk of creating a new province is merely a political stunt and a sign of mental confusion. “If a new province is made, how many assemblies and how many new offices will have to be created?” he questioned. He said that Sindh has the most empowered local government system. Those who claim to be champions of democracy were the ones who suspended local bodies in the past, while we are further strengthening them.
He expressed these views while addressing a ceremony at the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) office on Saturday. He said that the Sindh government under the Pakistan Peoples Party will show real improvement. “We will work not only in Karachi but across the entire province,” he added. He acknowledged the poor condition of the city’s roads and said that development work on Karachi’s infrastructure is being carried out under the guidance and vision of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto.
He said that the provincial government receives only a small share from the federal government. “Does the federation have no responsibility towards Karachi? Yet political parties mislead the public by criticizing us,” he said. He urged that there should be no doubts about their intentions as they genuinely want progress.
He stated that action is taken immediately against any officer who is complained about. “There is no officer against whom action cannot be taken. If any officer considers himself too powerful, strict action is taken right away,” he said.
He said that the 27th Amendment is for the people of Karachi and the builders’ community. The amendment also includes measures for the welfare of the public. Karachi is the only city where people come not just to visit but to live and settle.
Referring to the Nasla Tower case, he said that the example is before everyone and the affectees are still suffering. “We even passed a bill to save Nasla Tower. We respect the courts, but everyone knows the kind of comments and judgments that came from the courts in the past,” he said.
Nasir Shah said that strict action is taken against officers when they are at fault. “We want genuine development work in Karachi. Policies and by-laws are being formulated. The kind of violations that happened here could never be imagined in Dubai,” he said. Matters related to land are being reviewed, and ABAD’s members will also be involved in these matters. “If anyone encroaches on land, it is usually some developer or builder,” he remarked.
He further said that Bilawal Bhutto’s vision is rooted in betterment and peace, and that the Chief Minister of Sindh is fully committed to advancing Bilawal’s mission. The construction sector is vital, as it provides employment to thousands of people. “We are making every effort to resolve the issues faced by ABAD’s members. The facilities they require will be provided. Some issues exist, but we will resolve them together,” he added. All resources will be utilized for public convenience, and ongoing schemes will be completed. Past illegal constructions are also being reviewed.
In response to a question, Nasir Shah said: “Our lives are dedicated to our country and our armed forces. Our military has given a strong response to India. The soldiers of the Pakistan Army are sacrificing their lives for our security.”
