Sharjeel claims drop in Karachi street crimes

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon. Photo: SCREENGRAB

KARACHI:

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon and Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar have inaugurated the Gul Plaza Bazaar at the Karachi Expo Centre to facilitate traders affected by the Gul Plaza fiery tragedy.

Upon their arrival, President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and head of the Businessmen Group, Zubair Motiwala, welcomed the guests. Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad also accompanied the ministers at the ceremony.

Speaking to media, Senior Minister Sharjeel said the stalls had been established with the cooperation of the federal and Sindh governments to provide temporary business space to shopkeepers affected by the devastating Gul Plaza blaze.

He expressed hope that efforts would be made to rehabilitate the affected shops by the next Eid.

He said the Karachi Chamber of Commerce had always stood by the trading community and had also supported victims of the Timber Market incident.

The provincial government, he added, had provided full support to the Gul Plaza victims and was continuing efforts to ensure the safety of traders and citizens despite what he described as negative propaganda.

The minister further claimed that incidents of street crime in Karachi had declined and expressed optimism that the city would soon emerge as a leading urban centre in the region.

Responding to a question, he said that despite political differences, the newly appointed governor was welcome and the provincial government would cooperate to move the country forward collectively.

Speaking on the occasion, Interior Minister Lanjar said unnecessary security duties were being withdrawn to improve police deployment, adding that the measures were particularly aimed at improving security management during Ramazan.

On his part, Motiwala acknowledged the support of Faryal Talpur and highlighted her role in assisting the Gul Plaza victims.