Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Sunday urged opposition parties to avoid protest-driven politics and instead engage through parliamentary processes, underscoring that democracy must be safeguarded at all costs.
Speaking to the media in Karachi, Murad Ali Shah stated that calls for a wheel-jam strike had been widely rejected across the country, adding that Pakistan could not sustain disruptions such as shutdowns and strikes. He pointed out that commercial activities in the city remained uninterrupted, even on Sunday.
Highlighting the country’s resilience, the chief minister said Pakistan had overcome significant crises, including the catastrophic floods of 2022. He remarked that the vibrant events and activities currently taking place in cities were once considered unlikely, indicating that destabilizing actions were no longer acceptable.
Murad Ali Shah also encouraged political parties to concentrate on progress and stability. He recalled that despite the assassination of its leader in 2007, the Pakistan Peoples Party continued to move forward, adding that the party leadership had stressed the importance of preserving Pakistan and its democratic framework even during challenging times.
He warned that attempts to halt industrial and trade activities would harm the country’s economy, reiterating that protest politics was not the solution. “Opposition parties should come to the house and play their role constructively,” he said, adding that despite challenges, Karachi continued to progress.
The chief minister also spoke about recent fire incidents, saying concrete steps were needed to prevent such tragedies. He assured that the victims of the Gul Plaza incident would not be left alone and that the provincial government would provide full support.
Murad Ali Shah said surveys of buildings had been conducted to assess safety standards. He also acknowledged delays in the K-IV water supply project, stating that work on the project began 10 to 11 years ago and accepting responsibility for shortcomings rather than blaming others.
