KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister House officials informed on Sunday that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will arrive in Karachi today (Wednesday) alongside his party colleagues.
The port city’s first visit is scheduled to include discussions with friends on matters such as the future governor of Sindh and federal cabinet departments.
According to authorities, the prime minister would travel to Mazar-e-Quaid and hold a meeting on development initiatives at the Sindh Chief Minister’s residence.
“CM House has received an official letter for the arrival of the prime minister in the city after three years, thus the chief minister will proceed to meet him.” According to the chief minister’s spokeswoman, outgoing Prime Minister Imran Khan and his protocol staff used to visit the city without informing the chief minister, therefore the latter chose not to accept them.
According to a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) spokeswoman, the prime minister’s first visit will include the federal government-funded Green Line Bus Rapid Transit project, the K-4 water pipeline project, and a meeting with the business community.
During his visit, the prime minister will be accompanied by Khawaja Saad Rafique, Mifta Ismail, and Marriyum Auranzeb.
“All formal meetings will be held at CM House rather than governor house because incumbent governor Imran Ismail, who belongs to the PTI, has not yet departed his post,” a prime minister protocol staffer explained.
According to sources, the prime minister will also pay a visit to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM-P) headquarters in Bahadurabad to solicit support for his election as prime minister.
“The MQM-P has requested federal ministries as well as a governorship in Sindh. This matter is also anticipated to be discussed at a meeting between MQM leaders and the Prime Minister “According to sources familiar with the situation, the MQM-P has requested and nominated Amir Khan for the coveted office of governor of Sindh.
“During the prime minister’s visit, the issue of the Karachi package, the position of governor of Sindh, and federal cabinet members will be discussed with the PPP and MQM,” a senior PML N leader said, adding that nothing has been finalized and that all decisions will be made with coalition partners’ input.
“The PPP has requested for it, but it has not yet been formalized,” he added of Bilawal Bhutto’s reports as foreign minister.
According to sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would also address development plans for his NA 249 (West) constituency in Karachi, where he ran in the 2018 general election.
To read our blog on “Shahbaz Sharif, newly elected PM, has announced a large relief package,” click here.
