KARACHI: Sindh Minister Sharjeel Memon has accused the Punjab government of attempting to politicise the Sehwan accident. Speaking at a press conference here, he stated that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had ruled at the federal level more than any other party, and if roads remain incomplete, it is due to their incompetence.

He criticised Punjab's information minister for her remarks, saying that such statements will inevitably receive a response. He emphasised that Sindh will not spread falsehoods but will only present the truth.

He pointed out that Sindh was entitled to Rs 180 billion, which could be used to improve road infrastructure, but these funds remained frozen in the Supreme Court. He stated that while all of Pakistan's traffic uses Sindh's roads, the province is burdened without receiving the necessary resources.

In response, Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari hit back at Sharjeel Memon's remarks, stating that Sindh's leaders always take offence when confronted with the truth.

She accused them of habitually playing the provincialism card and highlighted that many major projects in Sindh are running with federal assistance. She claimed that Sindh's politicians frequently resort to aggressive statements, and when Punjab responds, they become defensive.

Bokhari criticised Sharjeel Memon for repeatedly bringing up the "uncle-niece" reference in political debates, calling it a political manoeuvre.   She asserted that while Punjab completed projects within a year, Sindh has been struggling with issues such as dysfunctional schools and inadequate transport for years. She challenged the Sindh government to compare its 16-year performance with Punjab's progress under Maryam Nawaz's leadership over just one year.

She also took a jibe at Sindh's governance, stating that a party that had failed to clean Karachi's garbage in 16 years should not lecture others. Concluding her remarks, she invited Sharjeel Memon to visit Lahore if he ever wished to see clean streets and well-maintained infrastructure.

Published in The Daily National Courier, February, 18 2025

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