Devolution of powers played havoc with govt system: CM Sindh

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Friday said that the devolution of powers has played havoc with the established government system.

The chief minister while addressing a reception hosted for over one hundred industrialists said that some of the people still singing the songs of the devolution system seem to have forgotten what the system had done with Karachi and other cities.

CM Sindh said that the local governments had revenue powers, but instead allowed conversion of amenity plots into residential and commercial and encroachments appeared everywhere to the extent that even major drains in the city were turned into colonies.

He said an established and functional government system was changed rather than reformed. “We are still working to recover from the damages the devolution caused to the government system,” he said.

Talking about investment opportunities in Sindh, the chief minister announced that he was establishing one-window system to facilitate the investors.

“I believe the industrialists are partners of the government, this is why we have developed public private partnership concept and it is working successfully with your (businessmen) partnership,” he said

However, he said that they need to work hard to make the economy stable in Sindh and the country and work jointly to improve education and health services in the province.”

He highlighted the issues of rural area are water shortage to further boost the agri-economy, while their government is working on canal lining so that water losses can be reduced to bring more land under cultivation.

The chief minister spoke about some talk shows continuously criticising him for delay in completion of ongoing development projects.

“I get energy from their criticism and accelerate my efforts to make this city more developed and peaceful,” he said.

He announced that he was going to utilise Rs12 billion on different development schemes in the city and would complete them within six months.

He also criticised National Accountability Bureau for harassing government officers which is affecting their performance.

“Some institutions believing themselves as honest are considering others corrupt,” he said and urged them to stop this self-conceit in the interest of the development of the province and the country.

CM Sindh said that he was working hard to start Karachi Circular Railway project. He said that a CPEC joint working group will meet with Sindh government on Saturday and they would start work mega-project on the birth anniversary of Father of Nation Quaid-e-Azam on December 25.