Mayor Sukkur and Spokesperson for the Government of Sindh, Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh, stated that the baseless allegations, negative propaganda, and irresponsible statements made by certain political figures ahead of the Gilgit-Baltistan elections reflect a lack of public support and political uncertainty. He said that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan are politically aware and will make their decision based on performance, development initiatives, and public service rather than on accusations or divisive rhetoric.
Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh described the recent remarks made by PML-N leader Captain Safdar Awan as unfortunate, stating that insensitive comments about the people of Sindh, their culture, and traditions are unacceptable. He emphasized that while political disagreement is a fundamental aspect of democracy, respect for public sentiment, culture, and political decorum remains the responsibility of every political leader.
Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh said that Sindh is a land of love, tolerance, brotherhood, and hospitality.
Greeting guests with folded hands is a centuries-old cultural tradition and a symbol of respect.
To portray such gestures as weakness or political opportunism is tantamount to insulting the people of Sindh. He called upon Captain Safdar to offer a sincere apology for hurting the sentiments of the people of Sindh.
He further stated that if Captain Safdar genuinely wishes to understand the realities on the ground, he should visit Sindh, interact directly with the people, listen to their concerns, and witness practical politics firsthand.
Public service, he said, is demonstrated not through speeches but through consistent performance, commitment, and public trust.
Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh added that if Captain Safdar is truly confident in his political abilities, he should focus not only on political rhetoric but also on ensuring that the federal government fulfills its responsibilities.
The people of Sindh continue to face gas shortages, unannounced power outages, rising electricity costs, and an ongoing energy crisis-issues that primarily fall within the federal government’s jurisdiction.
He said that the federal government must take serious measures to address the challenges faced by the people of Sindh, particularly in Karachi and Upper Sindh. Bringing the Sukkur International Airport project to fruition, improving the national highways and motorway network, ensuring the timely completion of major water supply projects including K-IV, and providing adequate resources for Sindh’s development projects are among the federal government’s key responsibilities.
Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh noted that Sindh serves as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and therefore deserves fair treatment, equitable resource allocation, and priority consideration for its development needs, regardless of political differences.
He further stated that the performance of the Sindh Government speaks for itself.
Jinnah Hospital is among the country’s largest and most advanced healthcare institutions, while the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (SICVD) continues to provide free and quality treatment to millions of patients.
Housing projects for flood victims, billions of rupees in subsidies for farmers, solar energy initiatives, and mega projects such as Thar Coal are clear examples of public service and development.
Barrister Arslan Islam Sheikh concluded by stating that the Pakistan Peoples Party does not believe in the politics of hatred and division but rather in public service, democratic stability, and national unity.
He expressed confidence that the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as citizens across Pakistan, understand that public trust is earned through performance, service delivery, and tangible results-not political statements-and that they will make their electoral decisions accordingly.