| Meets allies during day-long visit to Karachi | Briefed on Karachi issues, promises to address public grievances
From Zeeshan Mirza
KARACHI: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Wednesday said that his government would request China to incorporate the Karachi Circular Railway project in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The prime minister, talking to the media after his meeting with Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah here, said initially, the Chinese government had hinted at including the KCR in the CPEC; however, he would take up the matter again.
During the meeting, they discussed the development projects including Karachi Circular Railway, drinking water supply and public transport system. The Sindh chief minister gave a detailed presentation on the development projects including water supply and transportation.
The prime minister assured the provincial government of all-out support of his government for the uplift of the port city.
He said the authorities concerned should strive to ensure the completion of the full project of drinking water supply within a couple of years instead of half, as had been targeted earlier.
He said besides Orange, Green and Red lines services, an air-conditioned bus service was also equally essential for the city for which the private companies could be engaged with the financial support of the federal and provincial governments.
During his day-long visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met coalition allies of his government including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P).
Television footage showed Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah receiving the premier upon his arrival in the port city for a day-long visit. This is Shehbaz’s first visit to the provincial capital of Sindh after he took oath as the prime minister on Monday.
PML-N Information Secretary Marriyum Aurangzeb said in a tweet that the newly elected premier conducted a meeting on Karachi and the economy during his flight to the metropolis.
The prime minister was accompanied among others by MNAs Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Marriyum Aurangzeb, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Maulana Asad Mehmood and Akram Durrani. Former finance minister and PML-N leader Miftah Ismail will also accompany him.
Soon after his arrival, PM Shehbaz, along with the leaders of allied parties, paid his respects at Quaid’s mausoleum. He also laid a floral wreath at the mausoleum and offered fateha. The purpose of the visit to the mausoleum is to reaffirm adherence to the principles laid down by the nation’s founder regarding the country’s progress and prosperity.
The prime minister thereafter visited the MQM-P’s Bahadurabad headquarters and met senior party officials. The MQM-P leadership congratulated the premier on his successful election and pledged to work with the federal government to ensure the welfare of the people and Sindh’s development, with a particular emphasis on Karachi.
The prime minister in turn appreciated the commitment of all allied parties to the welfare of the people. He also called for the timely completion of important development projects, including the Karachi Circular Railway and K-4 water project and announced a new university for the city.
