KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that following the recent rains in Karachi, several “seasonal frogs” have emerged who are spreading false and baseless rumors in an attempt to mislead the public.
Speaking to the media at Mazar-e-Quaid on the death anniversary of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the chief minister said Pakistan is the outcome of Quaid-e-Azam’s tireless struggle. He stressed that the time has come to adopt Jinnah’s guiding principles of faith, unity, and sacrifice in order to transform Pakistan into a true Islamic welfare state.
Paying tribute to former prime ministers Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto, Murad Ali Shah noted that both leaders played an unforgettable role in strengthening Pakistan’s defense and advancing its nuclear program. He added that whenever India has shown aggression, Pakistan’s armed forces and its people have always responded with unity, which remains the country’s greatest strength.
The chief minister also condemned Indian atrocities in Kashmir and Israeli bombings in Palestine, saying that Israel, which targets innocent children and civilians, will ultimately fail due to the unity of the Muslim world.
Commenting on the ongoing flood situation, Shah said that many areas of Sindh have been badly affected, and the government’s top priority is to safeguard human lives and protect barrages and embankments. He urged residents of the riverine belt (katcha areas) to strictly follow government instructions to avoid loss of life.
He added that on the directions of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, emergency relief activities have already begun, while agricultural and environmental emergencies are being enforced. A flash appeal will also be launched at the international level to secure urgent aid.
Responding to criticism over urban flooding in Karachi, Murad Ali Shah remarked that “seasonal frogs” appear after every spell of rain, attempting to spread baseless propaganda and create political and ethnic divisions. However, he said, the nation has already paid a heavy price for such divisions and cannot afford them again.
He admitted that some shortcomings did occur, but insisted that the administration and elected representatives remained on the ground, fulfilling their duties during the crisis. Murad Ali Shah concluded by saying that the Pakistan Peoples Party would support every project that genuinely aims to resolve public issues and that the provincial government stands ready to back any non-controversial water-related initiatives.
