Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, while addressing an important press conference in Karachi, paid tribute to the 13 soldiers martyred in Waziristan, stating that the nation will never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs. He said that terrorists are targeting our forces as proxies of enemy states, but our security forces are confronting the enemy on every front and inflicting irreparable damage upon them.
Speaking at the press conference on the leadership and foreign policy of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, he said that the way the Chairman presented Pakistan’s position at international forums, with the backing of the entire parliament, is a historic achievement. He added that during the recent Pak-India tensions, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto led an effective diplomatic campaign, exposed India’s false narrative, and successfully advocated for Pakistan at the global level. He also took a firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty, which was upheld by the International Court of Arbitration, sending a clear message to India that any unilateral action would be met with a strong response.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that keeping public relief in mind, the Sindh government increased the salaries of government employees by 12 percent for grades 1 to 16, 10 percent for grades 17 to 22, and raised pensions by 8 percent in the budget. He said this step is an effort to provide relief from inflation, in line with the directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari.
Speaking about Sindh’s development in the health sector, he said that people from Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are now coming to Sindh for medical treatment. To address the energy crisis, the Sindh government is providing free solar systems to millions of families, as institutions like K-Electric, HESCO, and SEPCO have completely failed, resulting in 18 to 20 hours of load shedding in many areas.
He said that government institutions are also being solarized, and the government’s priority is to provide alternative solutions to the public to cope with the energy crisis. He added that the Sindh Chief Minister is making efforts to order 1,000 electric buses this year to provide the public with environment-friendly transportation facilities.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that full attention is being given to the issues of drinking water and irrigation water across Sindh, while the Works and Services Department has constructed high-quality roads in all districts. However, he noted that the funds allocated for the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project are insufficient and not even adequate to initiate the project.
Talking about the security situation, he said that over the past month, the CIA Karachi arrested four high-profile “RAW” agents, while 27 robbers were killed in various operations. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) apprehended three terrorists belonging to a banned organization, one of whom is affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. In addition, 35 drug peddlers were also taken into custody. He said that the purpose of all these actions is to establish effective control over crime across the province.
In response to a question, he expressed regret that major media houses aired such news without verification. He clarified that no offer had been made by the federal government recently, nor is any such matter under consideration by the Pakistan Peoples Party. He further stated that no such invitation has been received, nor is the PPP recruiting any supporters. He emphasized that media houses should exercise caution and responsibility when reporting unverified news.
In response to another question, he said that PTI should act with maturity and patience and abandon the politics of negativity. He said that PTI did not have an election symbol and did not contest the elections as a political party. Even relief that was not requested was granted, the courts will function in accordance with the law and the Constitution. “If you are not participating in the elections, how can you expect to receive electoral benefits?” he asked. He urged Imran Khan to abandon negative politics and adopt a constructive political approach. He added that the PTI leadership is still making every effort to malign Pakistan both locally and internationally.
In response to another question, he said that a very tragic incident took place in Swat. The failure of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and the incompetence of the administration are undeniable. There was a significant loss of human lives, and it is unfortunate to use this tragedy as an opportunity for political point-scoring.
In response to another question, he said that US President Donald Trump’s meeting with Pakistan’s Field Marshal General Asim Munir is a welcome development and an honor for the entire nation. He added that this meeting has boosted the morale of Pakistan and its people, and that credit for this achievement goes to our armed forces.
In response to another question, he said that Shaheed Bibi had contested elections on 17 seats. Even today, whenever the survival, prosperity, and progress of Pakistan are at stake, the PPP will support those causes. However, where Pakistan’s interests are not considered, the Pakistan Peoples Party will maintain a clear, firm, and principled stance. He emphasized that numbers do not matter to them, and they do not engage in blackmail politics. Regarding the issue of canals, the PPP neither threatened to leave the government nor issued any other ultimatums; instead, the party worked to resolve this public matter through appropriate platforms. For the sake of Pakistan, they have accepted difficult decisions made by the federal government and have also supported tough measures related to the IMF issue.
Appreciating the performance of local government institutions during the rains in Karachi, he said that the mayor, deputy mayor, and staff remained actively engaged. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami is a defeated party; however, their opinions are respected.
He acknowledged MQM’s right to participate in politics and stated that if they engage in positive politics, the PPP would certainly appreciate it. He clarified that it is not their intention to denigrate any party and emphasized that the PPP has done the most for minority communities.