Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has said that Pakistan is our identity and strengthening the country is the collective responsibility of all citizens.
He was addressing an Independence Day ceremony organised by the Kharoti Jirga in Manghopir. MNA Shahida Rehmani, MPA Ali Ahmed Jan, Khanzada Zaman Kharoti, Sardar Mirza Khan, Abdul Rehman Khan, Hafiz Sati, Ali Akbar, Nawaz Brohi, Siddiq Akbar, Abid Sati and a large number of elders, dignitaries and representatives of different sectors from the Kharoti community attended the ceremony.
Shah said August 14 was a symbol of the nation’s identity and freedom, adding that tribute must be paid to all tribes and communities that rendered sacrifices for the stability and progress of Pakistan.
He added that the Kharoti community had always played an important role in the stability and development of Pakistan. The Kharoti community was settled in large numbers not only in Balochistan but also in Sindh where they lived in Karachi, Sukkur and various other areas, he said.
The local government minister said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) did not believe in politics of division and discrimination, and instead believed in taking everyone along. He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari also pursued a policy of inclusive politics and believed in providing equal opportunities to all communities and sections of society.
Shah said Ali Ahmed Jan belonging to the Kharoti community was elected as a member of the Sindh Assembly on the PPP platform and also served as a minister in the Sindh cabinet. He said more talented and capable youth from the Kharoti community would be provided opportunities to come forward and play their role in political, social and developmental activities.
He said the government had never discriminated in development works on the basis of votes. Whether an area voted for the government or not, he said, it was the government’s responsibility to serve its people and provide them with basic facilities.
He assured the Kharoti community that measures would be taken to resolve the problems related to roads, water supply and other basic facilities in Manghopir, and incomplete development projects would also be completed.
Shah said the Sindh government had introduced various programmes for youth and businesspeople under which interest-free loans were being provided to help them establish businesses and create employment opportunities. He said members of the Kharoti community could also benefit from these government programmes.
He said creating employment and business opportunities for young people was among the government’s priorities. He added that the Sindh government would remain in contact with representatives of the Kharoti community for the resolution of their issues and would take necessary steps to address public grievances.
Speaking on the occasion, MNA Shahida and MPA Jan also highlighted the importance of national unity, development and prosperity on Independence Day. The speakers said Pakistan’s independence was the result of a historic struggle and sacrifices of the country’s founding generations, adding that protecting the country’s freedom, sovereignty, stability and progress was a collective responsibility.
A large number of elders, dignitaries and prominent personalities from different fields attended the ceremony. Participants expressed their resolve to play their role in the development, prosperity and stability of Pakistan.
Concluding his address, Shah said Pakistan belonged to all its citizens and everyone must rise above political, linguistic and regional differences to contribute collectively towards the country’s development and stability. He said, “Our only slogan is Pakistan Zindabad.”
