KARACHI: Keeping in view the forecast of heavy rains in the metropolis from Sunday (today), Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Saturday visited different areas of the metropolis to inspect the repair works and cleanliness of major storm water drains.

He visited the KPT Nullah, Machhar Colony Nullah, Mahmoodabad Nullah, Picher Nullah as well as Urdu Bazaar, Burnes Road and other low-lying areas and gave necessary instructions to municipal officials.

Talking to media in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, he termed the drowning of a woman and her two-month-old son in Shadman Nullah ‘unfortunate’.

“You know we are faced with natural calamity and in such a situation, people should avoid going out,” he said and added he was not defending the incident, but it was time to protect the children and other family members by preferring to stay home.”

Terms drowning of woman, infant son in Shadman Nullah ‘unfortunate’

“We, being the heads of our families, must protect our families in natural calamities like situation,” he said and expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.

Mr Shah brushed aside the impression that the local government department had failed to drain out rainwater.

He said the rainwater was cleared when it had stopped raining and people of the city appreciated the government efforts.

He said that the local governments of the city had made necessary arrangements and measures to meet any eventuality due to downpour.

The chief minister said that the Sindh government was keen to hold the local government elections, but the Election Commission of Pakistan had postponed them without their consent.

“This is a baseless and unfounded allegation that the PPP and its government in Sindh had got the local government elections postponed,” he said.

He claimed that the next mayor of the city would be from PPP. The party leadership would decide as to who would be made the city mayor, he added.

Regarding the election of Punjab chief minister, he said that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was so scared of Asif Ali Zardari that they started crying foul when they see him meeting with political leaders.

“Had he [Zardari] indulged in horse-trading in Punjab, the PTI nominated candidate would not have bagged 186 votes. Therefore, the PTI leadership should apologise to Mr Zaradri.”

Published in Dawn, July 24th, 2022