Shift focus from Imran to people’s problems, Bilawal to govt

KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Wednesday advised the government that it should divert its attention away from the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder Imran Khan and give due focus to the issues of people, adding that actions of Imran Khan don’t make a difference in the lives of people.

Speaking at the parliamentary party meeting of PPP held at the Chief Minister’s House, Bilawal said the people had become fed up with the politics of hatred and divide continuing in Islamabad. The truth is that the entire country has become dejected because of such politics.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari emphasized the need to prioritise resolution of problems faced by the people. “Why should we concern ourselves with what Imran Khan is doing?” he questioned. “He has his own legal matters to deal with.”

Bilawal complained that members of the Sindh cabinet had been showing slackness in discharging their duties though considerable time has passed since the conduct of general elections. He hoped the federal government would release funds for execution of various development projects in Sindh. He said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif should fulfill his commitments in this regard.

The PPP chairman unveiled a priority roadmap for his party’s provincial government in Sindh.

Outlining the key objectives for the Sindh government’s current five-year term, Bilawal emphasized the implementation of priority programmes, including solar energy initiatives, welfare of laborers, improvement in education, promotion of public-private partnerships in the mines and mineral sector, provision of modern and affordable transport facilities, improving law and order, rehabilitation of flood victims and immediate allocation of residential plot ownership rights to women of flood-affected families. Bilawal urged provincial ministers and legislators to maintain constant engagement with the public, stay relevant to their struggles and amplify their issues. He urged MPAs to ensure their attendance in the assembly and maintain constant contact with people of their constituencies. He said that to improve government’s performance, appointments and transfers of officers should be based on merit. Ministers and legislators should monitor the performance of officers. “If we want better government service delivery, we must give opportunities to capable officers. I don’t believe that development schemes or big projects alone win you support,” he stated. “I want my MPAs to stop the politics of transfers and postings.” He noted that infighting within the party had adversely affected the government’s performance. “I don’t want the delivery of services by the party and its government to suffer. I have always encouraged teamwork,” he said. “I have shared the five-year plan with the chief minister of Sindh, and its implementation is my top priority.”