<\/p>\n
\u2022 Teams up with GDA, secures MQM-P\u2019s assurances during his Karachi visit
\u2022 Pledges water, transport projects for metropolis if PML-N comes to power
\u2022 Dar says seat adjustments with other parties \u2018to be very limited\u2019<\/p>\n
KARACHI\/LAHORE: In a decisive push to forge an anti-PPP electoral alliance in its stronghold Sindh, PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif wrapped up his two-day Karachi visit on Friday after finalising a deal with the six-party coalition Grand Democ\u00adratic Alliance (GDA) and securing MQM-P\u2019s assurances for a long-term political partnership.<\/p>\n
Mr Sharif also pledged Centre-funded water and transport projects for Karachi, contingent on his party\u2019s victory in the upcoming general elections.<\/p>\n
During his multiple interactions with the media and addresses to workers and leaders, Mr Sharif refrained from directly naming individuals or parties. However, he pointed out on several occasions how Karachi\u2019s infrastructure \u201cwas ruined\u201d during the past 15 years and \u201cbad governance\u201d had turned the metropolis into \u201cworse than a rural area\u201d.<\/p>\n
On the second and final day of his visit, he also shared his plans for Karachi, where he wanted the Centre, along with provincial and local governments, to become actively involved in infrastructure building, establishing water supply schemes and introducing a modern transport system.<\/p>\n
He showed sympathy with the Urdu-speaking community, stressing that despite their \u201cgreat sacrifices\u201d to found Pakistan, they were still deprived of drinking water.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t want to accuse anyone, but this city wasn\u2019t given the rights it deserves,\u201d the former prime minister told reporters after meeting MQM-P leaders at their party headquarters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis city became home to millions who migrated to Pakistan after sacrificing their lives and wealth. Their women were humiliated [during Partition and migration] and they paid a huge price for creating this great country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it\u2019s a shame that the city, which now generates trillions for the national economy, isn\u2019t even getting drinking water. The roads and infrastructures are ruined. The buses plying here don\u2019t even meet the standards of those operating in rural areas,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Mr Sharif promised to turn around the situation with the help of his political allies, and for that, he vowed that the PML-N would come up with a comprehensive strategy, taking his partners MQM-P and others on board.<\/p>\n
Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of the MQM-P seconded Mr Sharif\u2019s views and said the two parties were enjoying coordination and harmony that had never been witnessed in the past. Their partnership, he said, would lead to a better future for urban Sindh and other parts of the province.<\/p>\n