Rangers’ powers issue to be resolved in a day or two: Murad

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Rangers’ powers issue to be resolved in a day or two: Murad

KARACHI: Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah will consult his cabinet about the extension in the special policing powers of the Sindh Rangers and their stay in the province, a Sindh Chief Minister House spokesman said on Saturday.

A spokesman for the CM House said the chief minister had not yet taken any decision on signing or not signing the summary pending with him seeking extension in the special policing powers of the Sindh Rangers in Karachi under the Anti-Terrorism Act. 

“News reports making the rounds that the new Sindh CM has signed the summary to this effect are not true,” said the spokesman.

Later talking to newsmen after visiting the Mazar-e-Quaid along with his cabinet members, Murad Ali Shah said the issue of delegating special policing powers to the Sindh Rangers would be resolved soon.

The maiden meeting of the new cabinet was held late on Saturday evening with Syed Murad Ali Shah in the chair but as such the special powers issue was not discussed, said the spokesman.

The chief minister said former chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah had done some work on the summary.

“I will look into it either today or tomorrow and as such this issue would soon be resolved. They (the Rangers) are working with us and for us,” said Murad.

Replying to a question, he lauded the services and sacrifices rendered by the Sindh Rangers and condemned the attack on them in Larkana. 

Murad Ali Shah said he had directed the IGP to arrest the terrorists behind the incident. 

“I want to see the terrorists behind bars. The police action must be very visible in this regard,” he said.

The chief minister said over Rs49 billion of a development budget had been released by July 22 which was a record in the history of Sindh. 

“This shows how much attention I am giving to development.”

Murad said he had announced his priorities on the floor of the house in his first speech soon after taking the vote of confidence. 

“The priorities are the same — the best law and order, good education and best health services.”

Replying to another question, he said the new cabinet would perform well. “We all as a team would deliver; I assure the people of Sindh and also thank them for supporting the PPP,” he said.

Meanwhile, presiding over his first cabinet meeting at the CM House Saturday evening, Murad said there was a perception of corruption and bad governance in Sindh.

“We have to remove this perception collectively by establishing good governance; it is not a big deal, but we just have to be honest in our work and actions.”

He said there were some big challenges for his government - the foremost challenge was to remove the perception of corruption and bad governance in Sindh. 

“We are accountable to the people, we are accountable to our party leadership and on top of it we are accountable to Allah Almighty; therefore, our actions and performance must be transparent,” he said.

“If we work with dedication and honesty in the interest of the people of Sindh, nobody would raise his finger at us,” he said.

Syed Murad Ali Shah said merit in every sector was his top priority. 

“If you take decisions on merit it will brush aside all the wrong impressions and propaganda,” he said.

He assured all the ministers that he would delegate full powers to them and give them a free hand to perform in the larger interest of the province. 

“When I will give you a free hand, I will definitely expect the best results,” he said.

The chief minister directed his cabinet to visit police stations, hospitals, schools and other provincial offices and then send their findings/reports to the ministers concerned.

“This kind of collective effort would improve the performance of government departments.”

The chief minister urged all his cabinet members to be punctual in attending their offices and dealing with the public.

“If you start your day well on time, you will deliver better,” he said, adding that it had been his practice and experience.

He also directed all the ministers to ensure discipline in their departments. 

The cabinet members expressed their full confidence in the chief minister and assured him that they would follow his policies and guidelines. 

Earlier in the day, presiding over a meeting of secretaries and heads of government departments at the CM House, the chief minister gave his policy line which includes good governance, rule of law, merit-based transfers and postings and public-welfare oriented policies.

In his opening remarks, the chief minister said the secretaries and heads of departments were his arms and eyes.

“You have to implement the government policies and make them successful in terms of completing development projects on time and with the best quality,” he said.

The chief minister said his top priority was the right man for right job — this means there would be merit in each and everything.

“You (the secretaries and heads of departments) are the most experienced bureaucrats; I know most of you for the last eight years ever since I have joined politics. Most of you have worked with me and I know you are the best officers, therefore, I am expecting your helping hand for the reduction of poverty and unemployment,  providing the best education and health services.”

He said the people of Sindh always supported the PPP. “Almighty Allah has given me an opportunity. It is my main responsibility to repay them by giving them a safe and secure Sindh, good education and the best health services  for which your support is very important,” he said and urged them to “take care of my people’.”

- Originally published in The News

Originally published in