Spokesman Report
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: 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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan (MQM-P) support in the National Assembly (NA) speaker election.PM Shehbaz Sharif held a meeting with MQM-P leaders during his visit to Karachi. The meeting was attended by Amir Khan, Aminul Haque, Farogh Naseem, Nasreen Jalil and others. Sources told ARY News that PM Sharif thanked MQM-P for supporting the opposition parties in the no-trust motion against the former premier. PM Sharif has individually thanked the lawmakers who cast their votes in the NA.
He vowed that the promises made with the MQM-P leaders will be fulfilled. He urged coordinated efforts between the Centre and the province for the development of Sindh province.
Shehbaz Sharif also assured MQM-P of its inclusion in the consultative process for Sindh development. He expressed hopes that MQM-P will continue to support the government in the upcoming elections for the NA speaker. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said that he hopes resolution of issues in Karachi and urban parts of the Sindh. The premier said that they wanted to establish a long-term working relationship with MQM-P.
Earlier, PM Sharif reached Karachi on a day-long visit and he paid his respects at the Mazar-e-Quaid and also visited Chief Minister House, the first visit by any prime minister after five years.
Shehbaz Sharif flanked by Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal and others landed at the Faisal Airbase in Karachi where he was welcomed by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, and leaders of the PML-N and MQM-P.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday chaired an urgent meeting on power and petroleum sectors with a focus on addressing the related challenges. The meeting was attended by MNA Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Miftah Ismael, and officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and the Ministry of Finance. Various issues including ensuring the availability of petroleum products and overcoming load-shedding of electricity came under discussion