PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif very rightly reached Karachi on a day-long visit on July 7, where he held meetings with Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah and Governor Kamran Tessori on the overall political situation and administrative affairs of the province. Upon his arrival at the Karachi airport, Sindh Governor and Chief Minister welcomed PM Shehbaz Sharif. The Prime Minister visited Mazar-i-Quaid, where he laid a floral wreath and offered Fateha. PM Shehbaz also met prominent personalities of the business community and a delegation of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce. It was premier’s first visit to Karachi since assuming the PM Office in early March.
After concluding his visit to Karachi, he arrived in Quetta on a day’s visit on July 8. Accompanying the Premier were federal ministers Jam Kamal Khan, Azam Nazeer Tarar, Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, Attaullah Tarar and Minister of State Ali Pervaiz Malik. During his visit, PM Shehbaz met the Balochistan cabinet and members of the provincial parliament. In a significant move, the Prime Minister announced an historic package aimed at the development and prosperity of farmers in Balochistan. This package is a joint effort by the federal and Balochistan governments to uplift the agricultural sector in the province. This overview of the visits of the premier to Karachi and Quetta is given just to make you understand the prevailing positivity and coordination among prime minister and chief ministers and governors of Sindh and Balochistan.
Premier’s visits to Karachi and Quetta reflect his priority concerns related to Sindh and Balochistan provinces. It is responsibility of the federal government to resolve issues of different provinces of the country. He soon needs to visit Peshawar, Gilgit Baltistan and AJK for the same high cause. National integration is the responsibility of the chief executive of the country. Prime Minister’s attention towards Sindh, Balochistan and other units of the Federation is need of the time. In polarized circumstances all the political leaders should join hands and end petty issues harming national integration. Political harmony, mutual tolerance and economic stability of the country may cement all the constitutional units. Following Shehbaz Sharif’s visits to all the constitutional units President Asif Ali Zardari should also pay visits to these constitutional units of the State. During visits to all the constitutional units, head of the federal government and head of the State should address issues and announce multiple developmental packages. This policy will definitely bring back the lost harmony and intolerance.
Federal and provincial governments have a crucial responsibility to address the hardships faced by the people. Citizens across the country cast their votes for various political parties with the expectation that their elected representatives will effectively tackle their concerns. It is essential for political leaders to concentrate on finding solutions to the nation’s problems. When leaders fail to address these issues, frustrated citizens may resort to protests, which can potentially destabilize the political system. To prevent such outcomes, Pakistan must swiftly transition into a welfare state. The Constitution of Pakistan, which safeguards the fundamental rights of every citizen, serves as a comprehensive national framework. It is imperative that all political parties, institutions and citizens adhere to the principles laid out in this unanimously agreed document to ensure stability and progress.
The federal government must announce local body elections in all constitutional units of the country. A strong, effective and operational local government system empowers the masses at the grassroots level. Democracy in the country can only be strengthened when local governments are established at the grassroots level. Development projects should be announced and supervised by these local governments. The President, Prime Minister, Governors, Chief Ministers, Ministers, and bureaucrats are assigned specific responsibilities under the Constitution and take an oath to uphold it. It is their primary duty to serve the people and address their needs effectively.
As the chief executive of the government, the Prime Minister must focus on addressing the issues of the masses and work diligently to rescue the country and its people. To maintain mutual trust, harmony and political stability, the Prime Minister and President should periodically visit the constitutional units of the state. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visits to Karachi and Quetta mark the beginning of this important initiative. I recommend that the Prime Minister and President visit all constitutional units on a quarterly basis. The country is currently grappling with terrorism, with Balochistan and KP being the most targeted provinces. In such circumstances, we can effectively combat terrorism through political harmony, tolerance and consensus. During Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visits to Karachi and Quetta, he was warmly welcomed by the Chief Ministers and Governors of Sindh and Balochistan, marking a positive and promising start. Political stability and harmony are crucial for fostering economic development in the country.
—The writer is author of several books based in Islamabad.
(naveedamankhan@hotmail.com)
