KARACHI: Senior Sindh Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit, Sharjeel Inam Memon, announced that the Sindh Assembly will once again pass the bills that were previously returned by the Governor with objections. He stated that once the assembly approves these bills, they will be sent back to the Governor, and as per legislative protocol, they will be considered approved even if further objections are raised.
Government Lifts Employment Age Limit, Excluding CSS & Police
During a media briefing at the Sindh Assembly’s media corner, Memon highlighted that job restrictions had been in place for several years. Some individuals had taken the matter to court, prompting the Sindh government to introduce an age relaxation policy for job applicants. However, he clarified that this relaxation does not apply to CSS and police recruitment.
Sindh Takes Credit for EV Bus Service & Autism Centers
Sharjeel Memon criticized Punjab’s Minister for Information, accusing her of politicizing the recent Sehwan accident. He claimed her statements showed a lack of knowledge. He further refuted Punjab’s Chief Minister’s claims about launching the EV bus service and autism centers, asserting that these initiatives were originally introduced by the Sindh government.
Delay in National Highways’ Construction Blamed on Federal Government
Discussing infrastructure issues, Memon pointed out that the Sehwan and Sukkur-Hyderabad highways fall under the National Highway Authority (NHA) and are in dire condition, leading to frequent fatal accidents. He revealed that Sindh had allocated PKR 7 billion for these projects, yet no progress had been made. He held the federal government, particularly the PML-N, accountable for failing to complete these critical road projects despite being in power for the longest time.
PTI’s Leadership Under Fire
Memon also took aim at PTI leaders, particularly Barrister Saif, for making statements about PPP leaders Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He claimed that PTI was a disorganized party composed of members from various backgrounds and that their incarcerated leader, Imran Khan, was in jail due to the actions of his own team. He accused PTI of misleading the public, tarnishing Pakistan’s image internationally, and attempting to sabotage the country’s financial stability by writing letters to the IMF against loans.
Security and Governance Concerns in KP
Highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Memon said that police stations in the province are locked after 5 PM and that law enforcement is unable to function effectively. He recalled that during PTI’s 15-year rule in KP, the Army Public School (APS) massacre and the Bannu Jailbreak occurred. He accused PTI’s KP government of being more focused on attacking Islamabad than governing their own province. He further pointed out that the large number of people from KP seeking employment in Sindh is a testament to KP’s governance failure.
PPP’s Stand on National Politics
Sharjeel Memon reiterated that the PPP has never engaged in blackmail politics. He stated that PPP’s support for PML-N was not out of compulsion but a commitment to democracy and governance. He emphasized that the party was not seeking undue favors but was demanding Sindh’s rightful share in national projects, particularly the Hyderabad-Sukkur highway. He criticized the federal government for neglecting key infrastructure in Sindh while allocating funds for other projects across the country.
Sindh’s Airports & Economic Impact
Expressing concerns over Sindh’s declining air connectivity, Memon highlighted that several airports, including Mohenjo Daro and Shaheed Benazirabad, have been shut down, while Hyderabad Airport was already non-functional. He called on the federal government to prioritize these essential transport links, emphasizing that Karachi is the economic gateway of Pakistan and disruptions in its connectivity impact the entire nation.
PTI Urged to Fight Terrorism Instead of Institutions
Responding to questions about PTI’s ongoing political movements, Memon challenged the party to redirect its efforts towards combating terrorism instead of targeting national institutions. He pointed out that KP remains a hotspot for terrorist activities, and the provincial government should channel its resources into securing its citizens rather than engaging in disruptive politics.
Heavy Traffic & Supreme Court’s Role in Infrastructure Development
Addressing Karachi’s heavy traffic issues, he emphasized that being a port city, Karachi handles the bulk of the country’s transportation needs. However, a significant amount of Sindh’s collected tax revenue—PKR 180 billion—remains frozen due to Supreme Court cases. He urged the Chief Justice to allow these funds to be utilized for Sindh’s infrastructure development.
Illegal Parking Fees & Champions Trophy Security
Memon announced that all charged parking fees in Karachi have been abolished effective immediately, warning that any ongoing collections are now illegal. He also assured that the Sindh government is taking extensive security measures to ensure the successful hosting of the Champions Trophy, affirming that it remains a top priority.
With these strong statements, Sharjeel Memon reaffirmed PPP’s stance on governance, development, and political integrity, vowing to continue advocating for Sindh’s rightful share in national resources.
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