HYDERABAD: Sindh Minister for Jails, Works and Services Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s government had put names of Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh chief minister and his cabinet members on the Exit Control List (ECL) in an attempt to destabilise the Sindh government.

The minister told journalists at the annual intercollegiate debate competition at the Government College Kali Mori, which was part of the college’s centennial celebrations, on Wednesday that in addition to putting names on the ECL the PTI government had failed to release Rs98 billion which were to be transferred to Sindh.

He said that chief minister’s name was especially inserted in ECL because he was effectively pursuing Sindh’s projects in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. Murad Ali Shah was the only chief minister who went to China recently to discuss inclusion of projects for Karachi Circular Railway, Keti Bandar and establishment of special economic zone in Dhabeji and got positive response, he said.

“They don’t want PPP government to make progress (in the province) for which people had given them more seats in 2018 election,” he said, adding that he appreciated leadership of Grand Democratic Alliance for refusing to become part of any plot to dislodge Sindh government.

About local government system, he said the system should be empowered in real sense.

“LGs are third tier of the government and they must be made stronger. It will bring about positive change. In the next phase of LG election, local representatives will start getting more powers gradually,” he said, adding that rules were being framed at present to strengthen the LG institutions.

He said that Sindh government was ready for forthcoming Natio­nal Finance Commission (NFC) for which a committee had been formed by the federal government. The Constitution did not allow any deduction in province’s share in divisible pool; still PTI leaders kept talking about it.

He said that Sahiwal tragedy was regrettable but PTI people were themselves inviting controversies by issuing conflicting statements.

The minister promised that all requirements of the college, which was upgraded to university in October 2017, would be met.

The delay was caused by 2018 electoral process though PPP leadership remained sincerely committed to the establishment of this university.

He announced establishment of e-library at the college and promised that classes would commence soon and project director would be changed as pointed out.

Earlier, former MPA and the college’s alumni association president Abdul Rehman Rajput urged the minister to ensure that 32 rooms in the college’s hostel were vacated so that classes were started there.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2019