Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has strongly reacted to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman’s announcement of a sit-in scheduled for February 14, saying that elected representatives should work within the assembly instead of resorting to protests.
Speaking to the media during the inauguration of the anti-polio campaign in Karachi, the chief minister said Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman should either resign from his seat or take oath and participate in the Sindh Assembly.
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He added that political influence cannot be achieved through what he described as “small sit-ins”.
Murad Ali Shah said that those being referred to as an “Qabza group” were actually elected by the public through votes.
He stressed that if Hafiz Naeem wishes to challenge the government, he should first contest elections, win public support, and then raise issues through democratic forums.
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The Sindh CM made it clear that the provincial government has decided not to allow traffic blockages on Shahrah-e-Faisal or any other major roads of Karachi.
He said sit-ins create severe problems for citizens, especially patients, office workers, and students. Referring to a recent protest, Shah said Shahrah-e-Faisal remained blocked for four hours, which should not have happened.
He warned that any political party attempting to disrupt public life or harm Pakistan through campaigns would face legal action. According to him, maintaining law, order, and smooth traffic flow is a government priority.
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Commenting on local government elections, Murad Ali Shah pointed out that such elections have not yet been held in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He suggested that political parties should also raise their voices there once elections are conducted, instead of focusing only on Sindh.
