Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan as Governor Sindh - Pakistan

Dr Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan Monday resigned from the post of Governor Sindh. He has left for Dubai and his resignation yet to be accepted by the President of Pakistan. Speaker Sindh Assembly Nisar Ahmed Khoro took over as Acting Governor Sindh.

Governor Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan (born March 2, 1963) studied in the prestigious Dow Medical College, Karachi. As a student he had a penchant for politics and emerged as a prominent leader of a popular student organization, APMSO, a student wing of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). The MQM is the third largest political party of Pakistan and the second largest in Sindh, having representation in the Federal Parliament of Pakistan, the Sindh Provincial Assembly and the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly. The party enjoys a large following in all units of the federation because of its welfare-oriented egalitarian political manifesto impacted by Mr. Altaf Hussain, the populist leader of the toiling masses. After graduation, he remained the head of the Medical Aid Committee – poor patients' welfare entity of the party. Gradually, he became a front rank political figure of the MQM. On his return from almost ten years of political exile in London, he was appointed to the position of the Governor of the province of Sindh. Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan assumed the charge of his office on December 27, 2002 as the youngest Governor of Sindh. He is the longest serving Governor of any province of Pakistan since its inception in 1947. Earlier in 1990, he was the youngest Minister in the Provincial cabinet of Sindh, holding the portfolios of Housing and Town Planning. Subsequently, he was also assigned the additional charge of Environment and Public Health Engineering Departments.

DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS WILL COMPLETE ON SCHEDULED TIME. DR ISHRAT UL EBAD

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has said that development work on projects of city was going on as usual and they will be completed on scheduled time. Administrator Karachi is not being changed. Utility services offices are being established beneath the flyovers to provide timely and immediate help and services to citizens in case of any emergency or causality. Government has curtailed Development projects in the country due to present economic condition but nothing such has happened in Karachi. Local government election will be held after amendment in the local government rules with the consent of allied parties.

He expressed these views while talking to media representatives after inspecting the deelopment works of flyover being constructed near Lucky Star at Sharae Faisal on the night intervening Thursday and Friday.

EDO Works and Services Rasheed Mughal, EDO Municipal Services Masood Alam and other officers of city government accompanied him on this occasion.

Governor of Sindh said that though curtailment has been made in the development schemes due to financial condition of the country but the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan has directed to complete the ongoing development projects of Karachi on time. He said that the government would despite of financial constraints complete development projects within the stipulated time while it would also pay the dues simultaneously.

The Governor said that he has decided to visit the development projects without prior intimation and inspect the pace of work so that the project condition could be evaluated correctly.

He said that the development process will carry on and the government will initiate work on more projects so that the aim to solve the problems of citizens could be fulfilled and the citizens get the benefit of development works.

Replying a query Governor of Sindh said that change of Administrator Karachi was not under consideration. Regarding ongoing development projects of Corridor-IV he said that the flyover between Lucky Star and jinnah Hospital will be available for vehicular traffic within next 25 days while the flyovers at PAF Chapter Mehmoodabad and other projects will also be completed as soon as possible.

He said that the experts from both big ally parties of Sindh were presently considering improvement and amendment in the local government laws. There is not disagreement between both parties and only the suggestions are being considered. Local government elections will be held after amendment in the laws.

Governor said that Karachi did not have enough electricity however the problem was being solved with better management so that the citizens of Karachi could be saved from more problems due to shortage of electricity.

Anne W Patterson calls on Governor

US ambassador Anne W Patterson on Wednesday called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan at Governor House Karachi and discussed the issues of mutual interest with him. She expressed great sorrow over the Karachi bomb blast incident and arsons of markets, saying that American Business Council has announced the aid of Rs1billion for the rehabilitation of the affected people.
Governor praised the feelings of US envoy for the affected persons of the incident.

NETWORK OF ROADS AND FLYOVERS HELPED NATIONAL ECONOMY. GOVERNOR SINDH

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has said that the newly laid network of roads and flyovers by city government Karachi has besides reducing travel duration and making it convenient for citizens also proved helpful to national economy regaining its strength. Plot owners of Landhi Cottage Industrial Zone will now get alternate plots in Orangi Town Cottage Industrial Zone.

He expressed these views while talking to media representatives at Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone on Tuesday. Earlier Governor of Sindh along with City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated and laid foundation stone for three roads which have a collective cost of Rs.720million. City Government has constructed the road after cutting the hill to provide a new direct route between Orangi and North Nazimabad Town. Governor of Sindh also laid the foundation stone for two roads on which construction work has already been started. He also inspected the development works of Shahra-e-Qaddafi, Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone and Banaras Chowk Flyover during this visit.

Talking to media representatives, Governor Sindh further said that a total 4 thousand persons were allotted with plots in Orangi Cottage Industrial Zone through balloting in 1994 but they were not given possession of their plots due to unavailability of basic infrastructure including water and sewerage facility. City Government has besides carrying out other mega development works in the city also paid full attention on this cottage industrial zone and already 55 percent of infrastructure work has been completed while 3500 plot owners have also started building their factories in this zone.

Governor of Sindh said that cottage industry contributes 35 percent in the growth of any economy, however it was unfortunate that we did not encourage this industry and now I am sure that this industrial zone would begin production within a year.

He said that the owners of plots in this industrial zone are mostly belongs to lower and middle class who can’t afford to invest in big industries but can play vital role in the improvisation of national economy with their talent and products.

Replying a question Governor of Sindh said that with the rapid development process that happened in Karachi during last four years, everyone in Pakistan has this feelings that this process should continue and speed up further.

He said that considering this fact, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has given clear instructions that better strategy should be employed to carry on this development so that it could fulfill the basic aim of this process.

He said that the country was at large facing the menace of terrorism but the law and order situation in Sindh has been much better and the credit for this should go to Chief Minister Sindh and low enforcement agencies.

Replying another query Governor of Sindh said that the poor financial condition of country has also affected the city government in Karachi but City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal deserves all the praise for he did not let the development process to halt due to financial constraints.

He said that the federal and provincial governments have also supported the development process in Karachi.

Governor of Sindh said that it is the quality of a good manger to manage everything in all circumstances and Mustafa Kamal has this ability.

Earlier Governor of Sindh inaugurated the road which has been constructed by city government with an estimated cost of Rs280million. This one and half kilometer long road provides convenience to residents of Orangi and Baldia Town which has been constructed after cutting the hill. Governor Sind and City Nazim also laid the foundation stone of the road from Qalandria Chowk to Sakhi Hasan in North Nazimabad Town and from Qalandria Chowk kto Abdullah College with an estimated cost of Rs130million and Rs310million respectively.

Governor, City Nazim inaugurate CNG Bus Project

Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal yesterday inaugurated the CNG Bus Pilot Project at Surjani Town. The Governor inspected the CNG Bus Terminal and also traveled through a CNG bus on this occasion.
Earlier addressing the inaugural ceremony Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan congratulated the citizens of Karachi for getting another gift in the form of CNG buses. He also paid tribute to City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal under whose leadership the city government could perform such a marvelous work during the last four years.
He said that the City Nazim Mustafa Kamal has through his services proved that he is a true leader who has served the citizens with great fervor and spirit. Today, he has achieved another goal of providing the citizens with respectable and comfortable means of transport in shape of dedicated CNG buses.
The governor added that the city is most important part of the country while the City Nazim has ensured with his utmost dedication that the city must keep the wheels moving.
In his address, Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal appealed to the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and the Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani to help stop the bureaucracy at the federal and provincial level from creating impediments ahead of city’s development projects.
Kamal said further that hundreds of studies have been done so far but still the city is lacking its Mass Transit Program due to obstacles that the corrupt bureaucracy had always created.
Similarly, certain other viable public projects such as Bus Rapid System, Light Rail System and Circular Railway are still in pending.
He said that the CNG bus project is totally funded by City Government. Without taking even a single penny for the project from the federal or provincial government, we have spent Rs 250million on purchasing of these dedicated CNG buses while we have also allocated funds for purchase of another fleet of 100 buses in next budget, Nazim added.
Nazim Karachi said that in past diesel buses were introduced in Karachi by the name of CNG buses while we have completed all homework before starting the CNG bus operation. All required infrastructure was provided to these buses so that the project could be run smoothly and without any hurdle. He said.
Nazim Karachi said that it is hard for a city government to undertake a huge project like mass transit system. In all over the world the MST was done by the federal governments.
He however called it unfortunate that the city of Karachi despite of all the studies still deprived by the Mass Transit Facility.
He said that Karachi is the key city of Pakistan. It provides livelihood to labors from all over the country. We will continue development process in the city, he added.
The pilot project contains 50 dedicated CNG buses that would be plying on two routes initially. Two different manufacturers with 25 buses each have manufactured these CNG buses locally. The CDGK has already paid full cost of these 50 buses.
The purpose of plying dedicated CNG buses is to ensure most modern urbanized system of transport with complete self-esteem of the commuters. In this regard, the CDGK has already put to operate the e-ticketing facility, as there would be no bus conductor. The passengers should buy under self-service traveling coupons from e-ticket booths established at different locations on the prescribed routes. Provincial ministers, MNA, MPA, Town Nazims, DCO Karachi and other dignitaries were also present. (NC Report)

Sindh Governor not being changed: Malik

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said yesterday that Sindh Governor is not being changed and rumors in this regard are baseless.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani have also refuted the rumors about such a change, he said while talking to newsmen after having a meeting with Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan at the Governor’s House, here. During the meeting, the leaders discussed prevailing peace situation in the province, particularly in Karachi. “Sindh Governor Ishratul Ebad Khan is not being changed as he is standing with me,” Malik confirmed.
President Zardari and Altaf Hussain have contacted with each other and there is full understanding between them. “There will be zero tolerance of the government about target killings. Stern action will be taken if any kind of such incident happens, ” he warned.

Pakistan’s first multi-storey CDGK Parking Plaza inaugurated

By Sohail Rab Khan

KARACHI: Governor of Sindh province Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Karachi City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal inaugurated Pakistan’s first ever multi-storey CDGK Parking Plaza for vehicles in Saddar town yesterday.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony on this occasion Governor of Sindh Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan congratulated citizens of Karachi for completion of the project and also praised the efforts of City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal and his team for performing unprecedented and extraordinary development works during the last four years in Karachi.
The Parking Plaza was built at a cost of Rs 650 million and has 11 floors altogether in which seven floors are reserved for parking, two floors consist of Shopping Plaza while remaining two are consist of basement. 700 cars and 500 motorcycles can be parked in the said plaza at a time while the parking charges are very nominal i.e. only Rupees 20 for first three hours and then Rs. 10 will be charged for one hour. It may be mentioned here that the Parking Plaza has been made fully computerized with surveillance, video cameras have been installed at all major locations and the building is also equipped with heavy elevators and standby generator.
Replying to a question regarding care-taker administrator, Ebad said it is not necessary that the care-taker administrator be a government man, he could be from any political party, he added
Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal said that today is a good day for the public in Karachi and for all Pakistanis that Pakistan’s first ever car Parking Plaza has now been opened for public. He said that the City Government has made a plan under which the busy area of Saddar would be made pedestrian area on gradual basis.
Nazim Karachi said that with the completion of this project and development work around the CDGK Parking Plaza, the area of Saddar is now presenting a new and refreshing look.
He said that after the completion of corridor-III the motorists would have 18 kilometers of signal free journey from Saddar to Safora Goth, Malir Cantonment and even further 10 km to Tool Plaza at Superhighway. (NC Report)

Nazims should act to minimize fears of Talibanization: Dr Ishrat ul Ebad

Sindh Governor Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan has stressed upon the town Nazims to play their active role in apprising the international media about the dangers of Talibanization and acts of terrorism.
He said fears of Talibanization are being continuously presented in international media and said by being Town Nazims this fear of Taliban and terrorism at grass root level could be minimized.
This he stated while addressing the Town Nazims of the cities of Sindh. The city Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal also attended the meeting and appraised the development made in Karachi.(NC)

Evidence shows presence of Taliban in Karachi: Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan said that evidence of Taliban have been found in Karachi and the government is fully alive in this regard and it would not allow extremists and Talibanizaiton to reach Sindh province.
He said this while talking to newsmen at Air Base Faisal where a truck of goods was sent to Swat by Air force on behalf of Khadmat-e-Khalq Foundation here on Tuesday.
Governor made a humble appeal to well-to-do people to donate generously for IDPs, who were compelled to move from their houses after an operation is being conducted against Talibans in Swat, Dir and Buner.
He said that in the APC, all parties have expressed their complete solidarity with the government and endorsed the steps taken by the Army to eliminate Taliban.
Governor said that unity and solidarity is the need of the hour under prevailing situation and circumstances. He lauded the role of Air force in sending relief goods to the affected people.
He stressed that nation should show the spirit for IDPs as it had displayed in 2005 for quake affectees. He also lauded collaboration of Pak Air Force, PIA, Railway and other institutions for shipment relief goods to swat. He maintained that the government is making efforts to channelize shifting of relief goods to the people of the affected areas. He also hailed the performance of KKF in collecting relief goods.