KARACHI: The new chief executive of the Sindh province, Syed Murad Ali Shah, while delivering his maiden speech as the chief minister, has said that law and order, health services and education would be the top priorities of his government.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Murad was elected to the post on Friday by the Sindh Assembly, by getting 88 votes as compared to only three received by his opponent and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf contender Khurram Sher Zaman.
In his first address as chief minister he said, “I am focused and have clear targets to make Sindh safe, secure, healthy, wealthy and literate.” He said this while giving his policy statement just after his election as the new Leader of the House in the Assembly here on Friday.
Remembering his parents, Murad wished that his parents had witnessed that special moment. He said, “I know that they are around in spirit. My mother’s blessings and my father’s guidance have brought me where I’m today.” He added that he was committed to following the foot prints of his father Syed Abdullah Shah, who had also served as the Sindh chief minister.
The new chief minister said that he was missing his leader Benazir Bhutto, “Her constant presence in my life, her persistence guidance and her trust in me, as she made me a member of the central Executive Committee of PPP.” He said, “Benazir’s contribution to put democracy on track and to strengthen the democratic forces in a country where continuous undemocratic takeovers had weakened institutions, stand unmatched in history.”
He said, “As we enter into a new phase of governance, I feel strongly in continuation of policies with particular focus on three key areas. This first of these is law and order – without which no sustainable progress can be achieved. The second is healthcare – a basic right of every citizen and the third is education – which will be the most important investment in our future.”
Talking about law and order, he said “the role of all law enforcement agencies, civil and military, is truly commendable. However, much more needs to be done.” He said that his aim was to ensure that every citizen of this province must feel safe. “Every child that is born is healthy and every mother is strong enough to nurture her child. I see this province where parents would have no difficulty in educating their children and the young would be able to receive quality education and job opportunities according to their abilities.”
He urged everyone, right from the members of the House (Assembly) to the people belonging to various strata to come over to work for a stronger and healthy Sindh. “Alone we may go fast but together we will go far,” he quoted and urged upon everyone to come forward, not just in words but in actions to improve the situation. He invited everyone, “let’s work together for a cleaner Karachi, a greener Thar and a safer Sindh.”
He said that he might not be able to explain his programme in a single speech that he was delivering but his actions would speak for themselves. Appreciating the role of media, he said that the media had always worked to strengthen democracy. He hoped that the media would be highlighting the short comings of his government so that he could address them accordingly. “I assure you that I would be fixing the problems as you [media] would be pointing them out.”
He thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for their unflinching support and guidance. He also thanked his colleagues and lawmakers who posed their confidence in him. He also thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Muttahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) Chief Altaf Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League-F (PMLF) Chief Pir Pagara, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and Murtaza Jatoi as they had welcomed him. “I hope they would be supporting me in my services to the people of this province,” he hoped.
In his concluding remarks, Murad thanked the people of Sindh who had been the backbone of Pakistan People’s Party. “I remain committed to working ceaselessly for their betterment and hope to live up to their expectations,” he promised.
Earlier, during his election as the Sindh chief minister, the out-going chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was the first MPA who had cast the vote. All the lawmakers, including opposition members went to the seat of the newly elected chief minister and congratulated him on his success. Qaim while congratulating the new chief minister said that he (Myrad) was the son of his old friend Syed Abdullah Shah.
