Imran accuses past rulers of patronising graft.

Byline: Imran Ayub

KARACHI -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday blamed corruption by the past rulers for economic woes of the country and assured leaders and legislators of his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and coalition partners Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan and Grand Democratic Alliance that his government would extend support to resolve the issues of Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

The prime minister spent a busy few hours in Karachi, where he held back-to-back meetings with the leaders of his party and allies, including those of the GDA that had defeated the Pakistan Peoples Party in the recent Larkana by-poll, but avoided to see Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah even in official meetings related to development projects in Karachi while blaming 'corruption' as the key reason that had deprived the people of the basic facilities of life.

Mr Khan landed at the old terminal of the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport in the afternoon and wrapped up his visit within a few hours before flying to Hub to address the inauguration ceremony of 1,320-megawatt China-Hub Power Generation Plant, the first power project under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and a joint venture between China Power and Hub Power Company.

Meets leaders of his party, MQM-P and GDA; no PM-Sindh CM meeting held

During the meetings and addresses on different occasions in Karachi and Hub, the PM was focused on his stance against corruption.

Reasons for the PM-CM distance were later gauged through official statements issued regarding Mr Khan's engagements in Karachi that quoted his strong position against corruption in Sindh while meetings with leaders of his party and those in coalition with his government at Centre.

Amid growing tension between the PTI-led federal government and the PPP-led provincial government it came with little surprise for many that the chief minister of Sindh remained absent from the scene during Mr Khan's engagements in the provincial capital in which he not only held political discussions but also chaired a meeting related to development projects.

Talking to the PTI legislators elected from Karachi, Mr Khan said the federal government was cognisant of the civic problems particularly relating to transport and waste management and was ready to play its role as per available resources. During the discussion, he pleaded the case of corruption and regretted Karachi's deteriorating situation.

'Unfortunately due to corruption, the people of Sindh...