KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has said that National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have no jurisdiction to conduct raids in Sindh. “It is an invasion and we are going to challenge it, he said.”
This he stated while talking to media in a FPCCI programme at FPCCI building on Monday. The chief minister said the executive authority of the federal government or officers of its agencies could not perform the functions of Sindh government in respect of criminal offences regarding corruption of provincial civil servants.
He further said that the Sindh government usually gives powers to the Rangers but “without asking the Sindh government, the NAB and FIA have been allowed by the Centre to conduct raids in provincial and local government offices, arrest officers and render the day-to-day working of the government paralyzed. I would not allow this. I consider it as an invasion,” he said categorically.
Replying to a question, the chief minister said the Supreme Court has fixed September 20 to conduct local bodies election. “But You would appreciate that the Sindh was the first province which enacted a local government law but elections could not be conducted as these were challenged in a court of law,” he recalled and added that “I would make it clear here that we would not go to extend the election date. We are ready and we would hold elections on September 20,” he said.
Replying to question regarding extending the powers of Rangers for another four months, the chief minister told journalists, “it is subjudiced between you and me.” When pressed for the answer the chief minister said “the question raised stands answered.”
Earlier, FPCCI Vice President Abdul Rahim Janu welcoming the chief minister said, “I must appreciate Syed Qaim Ali Shah that being captain of the operation in Karachi has restored peace in the city. This is not an ordinary job but it has cost lot of sacrifices of Sindh police and Rangers personnel,” he said and added that he was roaming in Saddar and Tariq Road along with his family during the last one week. This is a great work and peace has returned to the city after a long time.
The chief minister accepting the demand of the FPCCI directed KWSB to provide sufficient water to the SITE’s industrial areas at the earliest. “Water shortage is an overall issue of the city but we would definitely take necessary measures to facilitate the industrial area,” he said.
An FPCCI leader told the chief minister that they have a plot but Sindh building Control Authority (SBCA) was creating problems to construct the building. “We want to establish an Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) office there to boost our international trade,” said Abdul Rahim Janu. He urged the chief minister to direct the SBCA to solve their problem.
The chief minister issued directives to the SBCA to cooperate with FPCCI and resolve their issues with them so that an important organization could be housed there.
The chief minister on the pointation of the FPCCI said that he wants to start work on the second track of Lyari Express Way. “It is a very good project and would be beneficial for the smooth traffic of industrial area. But the federal government is not cooperating to release the funds. In the completion of left-over portion of Lyari Expressway there are issues of illegal occupation of government land where people have constructed multi-storey buildings. Now, they are demanding compensation. Over RS6 billion are required to provide compensation. This is a tragedy that the government is being forced to pay compensation to those who have illegally occupied government land,” he said.
He also said that the federal government is not giving due financial share to Sindh. “Sindh was given peanuts in Rs585 billion federal PSDP,” he said and added that Prime Minister is kind enough that he assured Sindh of giving a substantial amount for K-4 mega water project and for Green Line rapid bus transport (RBT).
Replying to different questions of FPCCI members, the chief minister said that his government is giving special attention to generate electricity from indigenous sources such as coal, wind and solar. “We are very serious and focused to solve energy crisis in Sindh by installing different plants on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.”
He formed a task force to solve environmental issues of industrial areas. “We have been given GSP plus status, so we have to come up to its standards,” he said, adding that the Taskforce on environment would be under Industries minister Ghulam Qadir Malkani and FPCCI representative Feroze Gulzar would be its valuable member who has a considerable command on the issue,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister, on the suggestion of the FPCCI members, also announced that the government will develop coastal areas of the province to improve tourism avenues. “Sindh government has established Coastal Development Authority and it has been entrusted with the task of development. I would personally monitor their work and your (FPCCI) more suggestions would be sought to make the coastal areas attractive, safe and secure areas,” he said.
He said that over Rs65 billion were being spent on the maintenance of law and order. “We have developed the capacity of police force by giving them special training and necessary equipments,” he said and added his government has also enhanced the compensation of the policemen who lose their lives in the line of their duty. It has been increased from Rs500,000 to Rs2 million,” he said. Syed Qaim Ali Shah also said that he had given cash prizes to secret agencies, policemen and Rangers for their excellent work. The FPCCI and Sindh government agreed to work out a proposal to provide scholarships to the children who embrace martyrdom while performing their duties.—INP
