Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said that no illegal immigrants, including Afghan refugees, should remain in the country.
He said the global principle is that when you go to any country, you must enter with a visa and leave when it expires.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Illegal Afghan immigrants in Pakistan are being repatriated. The vacated areas belong to the government and will be taken into its custody, he added.
He announced that the provincial government will expand the People’s Bus Service to more districts and launch additional routes for electric (EV) buses.
Sharjeel Inam Memon visited the Operations Command and Control Center of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority in Karachi.
During the visit, he inspected various sections of the center, where officials briefed him on its operations.
On the occassion speaking to the media, the Senior Minister said that the Operations Command and Control Center of the Sindh Mass Transit Authority is equipped with the latest facilities.
The People’s Bus Service, Green Line, and Orange Line are monitored from this center. The purpose of such operations, he said, is to make public travel safer and more convenient.
He said that the Green Line Bus Service was originally a federal project. When the Sindh government took over, the daily ridership increased from 55,000 to 83,000 passengers due to the government’s efforts. Since coming under Sindh’s control, more than 30,000 additional people are benefiting from the Green Line BRT.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the country’s first EV bus service is also monitored from the Operations Command and Control Center. The People’s Bus Service is currently operating in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad. “We plan to launch the People’s Bus Service in three or four more districts this year,” he said, adding that more EV buses and routes will be introduced to improve public transport facilities.
He also announced that double-decker buses will be launched this year for Karachi residents.
He said that the Transport Department’s priority is to provide the best travel facilities to every city and area. The Sindh government is providing subsidies to every passenger. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, the Chief Minister of Sindh, and the provincial government are all working to make travel more affordable and accessible.
He announced that the Sindh government will launch 500 additional EV buses for Karachi, Hyderabad, and other cities.
The top priority of the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership is to modernize the transport sector and provide maximum travel facilities to the public.
He said the Sindh government launched Pakistan’s first women-only Pink Bus Service, which was also the first of its kind in the region. Similar women-only Pink Bus Services will soon be introduced in other cities where Sindh government buses operate.
The government is also providing free EV scooters to working women and students. “Our goal is to provide all employed women and students across the province that hold a driving license and valid proof of employment or enrollment with free EV scooters,” he said.
He urged women and girls to obtain their driving licenses, noting that the Sindh government offers free driving training and licenses for women.
Employed women and students can fill out the form by visiting the iWorkforSindh.com website, which also provides access to both government and private job opportunities.
He said the government is working across all sectors to empower women and provide the best travel facilities. The launch of Pakistan’s first EV bus service also aims to protect the environment. “We are soon starting an EV taxi service and a Pink Taxi Service for women,” he said, adding that the Pink Taxi Service will be operated by female drivers to ensure women feel safe while traveling.
In response to a question, the said that works is underway to repair roads damaged by rain. “We are addressing issues on routes where vehicles are facing difficulties,” he added.
In response to another question, he said, “Buses are a necessity for our province. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strictly instructed that as many buses as possible should be launched. Buses will soon be visible everywhere. The Transport Department is working day and night.”
He also said that some projects are pending due to earlier difficulties caused by the rise in the dollar rate and construction material costs, which have now been resolved. “The construction of the most important part of the Yellow Line BRT, the Senator Taj Haider Bridge, has been completed. This state-of-the-art bridge will soon be opened to the public. Two phases of Shahrah Bhutto have also been completed, and the remaining work will be finished soon. The chief minister and the entire cabinet are working tirelessly,” he added.
When asked about the Pink Scooty program, he reiterated that all employed women and students across Sindh with a valid driving license will be given a free pink scooter.
On another question, he said that President Asif Ali Zardari has always prioritized supporting farmers and cultivators. “Because of certain policies and IMF restrictions, a support price for wheat was not fixed, and as a result, we now have to import wheat. This will cost billions in foreign exchange. If we don’t support our farmers, they will stop growing wheat,” he said.
He added that the PPP government in Sindh has always set a support price for wheat. “When President Asif Ali Zardari took office in 2008, Pakistan used to import wheat. After his tenure began, Pakistan became a wheat exporter. Why can’t we provide the same subsidy to our own farmers that other countries give to theirs?” he asked.
He demanded that the wheat rate be set at Rs 4,200 per 40 KG and that the quota be fixed so Pakistan does not need to import wheat, allowing farmers to grow it confidently.