CHIEF MINISTER SINDH MESSAGE

New Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah delivering his his maiden speech as a chief minister has said that law & order, health services and education would be the top priorities of his government. " I'm focused and have clear targets to make Sindh safe, secure, healthy, wealthy and literate." This he said while giving policy statement just after his election as new leader of the house in Assembly today. Remembering his parents, Syed Murad Ali Shah wished that his parents had witnessed that special moment, " but I know that they are around in spirit. My mothers's blessings and my father's guidance have brought me to where I'm today," he said and added that he might not be able fill his father Syed Abdullah Shah's shoes but was committed to follow where they tread. The new chief minister said he was missing his leader Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. " Her constant presence in my life; her persistence guidance and her trust in me as she made me a member of the central Executive Committee of PPP. He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto's contribution to put democracy on track and to strengthen democratic forces in a country where continuous undemocratic takeovers had weakened institutions, stand unmatched in history.

 

Syed Murad Ali Shah said "as we enter into a new phase of governance, I feel strongly in continuation of policies with particular focus on three key areas," he said and added "the first of these is law & order - without which no sustainable progress can be achieved. The second is healthcare- a basic right of every citizen and the third is education which will be the most important investment in our future," he said. Talking about law & order, the new chief minister said "the role of all law enforcement agencies, civil and military, is truly commendable, however, much more needs to be done," he vowed and said his focus would be to fight against anyone and anything that threatened to the security of this province and it's people. The new chief minister said that him aim was to ensure that every citizen of this province must feel safe. "Every child that is born is healthy and every every mother is strong enough to nurture her child. He also said "I see this province where parents would have no difficulty in educating their children and the young would be able to receive quality education and job opportunities according to their abilities.

 

He urged everyone, right from the members of the house {assembly} to the people belonging to various strata to come over to work for a stronger and healthy Sindh. "Alone we may go fast but together we will go far," he quoted a saying and urged upon every one to come forward, not just in words but in actions to improve the situation," he said and invited everyone "let's work together for a cleaner Karachi, a greener Thar and a safer Sindh." Syed Murad Shah said that he might not be able to explain his programme in one speech he was delivering but his actions would speak for themselves. Appreciating the role of media, the chief minister said that they had always worked to strengthen democracy. He hoped that medida would be highlighting the short comings of his government so that he could address them accordingly. "I assure you that I would be fixing the problems as you [media] would be pointing them out," he assured. He thanked PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari for their unflinching support and guidance. He also thanked his colleagues, MPAs, who posed their confidence in him. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also thanked prime minister Nawaz Sharif, MQM Chief Altaf Hussain, PML-F chief Pir Pagara, PTI chairman Imran Khan and Murtaza Jatoi as they had welcomed him. " I hope they would be supporting me in my services to the people of this province," he hoped. In his concluding remarks, Syed Murad Ali Shah thanked people of Sindh who have been the backbone of Pakistan Peoples Party. " I remain committed to working ceaselessly for their betterment and hope to live up to their expectations," he promised.

 

Earlier, Syed Murad Ali Shah contested election for the position of chief minister against PTI's Khurram Sherzaman in the assembly and secured 88 votes against three votes his opponent who bagged three votes. Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durani who conducted election and announced the name of Syed Murad as successful candidate for slot of chief minister Sindh. Out-going chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah was the first MPA who voted for Syed Murad Ali Shah. All the MPAs, including of opposition went to the seat of newly elected chief minister and congratulated him on his success. Out-going chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah congratulating Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he was son of his old friend Syed Abdullah Shah. Murad Ali Shah is the choice of party leadership and if the majority of the house. " Murad Ali Shah is hard working , I know his work and performance," he said. PPP parliamentary leader in Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro congratulating new Chief minister Syed Murad Shah said that it was not only his success but it was the triumph of PPP, it's leadership and people of Sindh. He lauded the struggle of out-going chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah for democracy. "I have the honour to be acquit with him from 1987 otherwise my association with him is too old. He taught me how to work in assembly," he said and added that he was his teacher. All the members of the house paid rich tribute Syed Qaim Ali Shah by thumping benches for few minutes. Speaker Sindh Assembly Agha Siraj Durani congratulated Syed Murad Ali Shah and lauded the services of Syed Qaim Ali Shah. " We would not let Syed Qaim Ali Shah to rest but would be taking benefit from his experience," he said. He also spoke about the history of Sindh Assembly which had passed resolution for Pakistan. Those who spoke, include Syed Sardar Ahmed, Rauf Siddiqui of MQM, Khurram Sherzaman of PTI, Ismail Rahul of PML-N, Earlier, Out-going chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and new chief minister Syed Murad Ali Shah hosted luncheon-parliamentary part meeting under Nisar Khuhro at CM House. Addressing the meeting Syed Murad Ali Shah said that he had lot of respect for Syed Qaim Ali Shah who happens to be his father's close friend and like his father. Lauding the role of Nisar Khuhro, Syed Murad Shah said that he was his teacher who taught him a lot when he returned to Sindh Assembly for the first time in 2002. He thanked all the parliamentary party members for supporting him. After lunch Syed Murad Ali Shah left CM House in a cavalcade for Sindh Assembly to attend special session convened to elect new chief minister.