Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon visited the office of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) in the Korangi area of Karachi, where he was welcomed by KATI President Ikram Rajput, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Junaid Naqi, Khalid Tawab, Zubair Chhaya, Faraz-ur-Rehman, and other office bearers. Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Sindh, Faraz Abid Lakhani, was also present on the occasion.
The meeting discussed in detail the issues related to industrial development in Sindh, improvement of the business environment, infrastructure challenges, transport facilities, and the problems faced by industrial zones.
Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon said in his address that the PPP-led Sindh government has made remarkable progress in every sector. He said that the country’s economy runs because of industrialists, and the government is committed to resolving their issues. He added that both the federal and provincial governments are moving in the right direction.
Memon said that last year, due to IMF restrictions, farmers could not be given support prices. However, on the PPP’s demand, the federal government fixed the wheat support price. He noted that when farmers receive fair prices, they are encouraged to cultivate more. He reminded the audience that Pakistan exported wheat for the first time during President Asif Ali Zardari’s tenure.
The senior minister shared that during his visit to China, President Zardari met leading industrialists and assured them that the government would provide free land to anyone establishing an industry – a key direction of the country’s investment policy. He added that the Khairpur Economic Zone has received an international award, proving the global recognition of Sindh government projects.
Speaking about the health sector, Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government has achieved several milestones in public service. The advanced CyberKnife treatment for cancer, which costs millions of rupees abroad, is being provided completely free of charge in Karachi. He said that the NICVD has set world records in cardiac surgery.
Recalling a personal experience, he said that once, when he felt chest pain at 4 a.m., he went to the NICVD, where, despite being a senior minister, he had to wait for his turn – proof that everyone receives the same standard of care.
He said that the Sindh government has set up NICVD container units in various areas to provide immediate and free treatment to heart patients. Similarly, free kidney and lung treatment facilities are available in Gambat. He added that if the Sindh government’s work in the health sector is compared with that of any other province, the difference is clear.
Discussing industrial development, he said that the Dhabeji Economic Zone had not received the attention it deserved earlier, even though it is located by the sea and has drawn strong interest from Chinese investors as part of CPEC. He said there were some issues with the BRT Red Line project, but the Sindh government addressed all objections through the grievance board. After the resolution, the government paid an additional Rs2 billion, and progress on the project is now underway.
He said that a 21-kilometer Yellow Line BRT track will be built, and KATI representatives will be formally included in the process to ensure transparency and consultation. He noted that Karachi’s rapidly growing population is a major challenge, but the government is developing modern transport projects with the city’s future in mind. The first eco-friendly EV Pink Bus was introduced by the PPP government, and new buses, including double-deckers, will arrive in Karachi next month.
He added that women working in industries will be provided free Pink Scooties to help empower them. He also noted that while some people criticize the Benazir Income Support Program, it remains the most effective means of providing relief to the poor. The world’s largest housing project is currently underway in Sindh, under which 800,000 houses have been built for flood victims.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that since 1985, a systematic conspiracy had been carried out against Sindh, with artificial riots created to cause instability and drive away investment. But now, the situation has changed, and Sindh is on the path of development. He said that taxpayers are the country’s most valuable asset, and the government will respect and prioritize their concerns.
He concluded by saying that “we have come as servants of the people, not as ministers,” adding that this philosophy of the PPP is the foundation of Sindh’s development.