Sindh in talks with investors to run bullet train between Karachi and Sukkur: Sharjeel

KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister for Information Sharjeel Inam Memon has stated that global investors are interested in investing in various sectors in the province that would generate employment opportunities for the residents.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, he said government officials had met global investors who had expressed interest in investing in the agriculture, health, transport, and energy sectors.

Memon also announced the provincial government’s plan to establish a health city in Karachi that would include research laboratories and facilities for manufacturing medical equipment.

He claimed that foreign investors had pledged to invest one billion dollars in the medical sector alone, which included purchasing land in the Dhabeji Economic Zone and setting up industries. This project was likely to create 50,000 jobs for the residents of the area, he added.“No matter how much negative propaganda or conspiracies are spread, international investors remain interested in investing in Pakistan. Despite these challenges, foreign businessmen continue to have faith in the government and are prepared to invest in various sectors,” said the information minister.

He stated that foreign investors were also keen on investing in the agricultural sector, acknowledging that the prices of fertilisers, seeds and other inputs were very high, along with the cost of tube wells. “We aim to increase our agricultural productivity to match that of other nations. The Sindh government is working for people from all walks of life, and we have thoughtfully invited investors to come and invest here,” Memon remarked.

He explained that foreign investors had also shown significant interest in the energy sector. In addition to wind power generation, Sindh was producing electricity from coal, he said, adding that currently, coal offered the greatest potential for electricity generation, and the Thar region had one of the largest coal reserves.

The senior minister stated that foreign investors had also shown interest in investing in the transport sector. “Meetings with investors have been going on and another meeting is scheduled for Tuesday. We aim for these meetings to yield successful and beneficial outcomes for the common people, the country, the nation and the province of Sindh. In the transport sector, the Karachi Circular Railway remains our top priority,” he remarked.

He also talked about the government’s plan to introduce bullet trains between Karachi and Sukkur to make travel easier, more affordable and time-saving for the people. “I have proposed to investors to implement the bullet train project in two phases. In the first phase, the bullet train should operate from Karachi to Hyderabad, and in the second phase, it should extend from Karachi to Sukkur. Pakistan offers numerous investment opportunities, but unfortunately, our collective priorities often differ,” the information minister said.

He said the federal and provincial governments in Pakistan had not played the role they should have performed to ensure due observance of the motor vehicles fitness law.“Now, we are taking concrete steps to address vehicle fitness issues. Two mechanisms are under consideration: either implementing a public-private partnership model or outsourcing the process to groups equipped with fitness machinery. The Sindh government is evaluating both options. Previously, there were only two inspectors for vehicle fitness checks; now there are twenty-two, but even this number is insufficient to inspect the fitness of millions of vehicles,” he said.

He stated that it was the people’s right to breathe in a clean environment, and it was the government’s responsibility to ensure that right. He vowed that in the first step, the government would ensure 100 per cent fitness of all the government vehicles, followed by ensuring fitness of public and private transport.

“Forty additional bus stops for the Peoples Bus Service are being constructed in Karachi to ensure convenience for the public. I urge the people not to harass the bus staff, as the buses will only stop at designated bus stops,” he said.

Memon also highlighted the Sindh government’s efforts for promoting various art forms. “Art is a significant sector, but unfortunately, cinema halls are closing in our country, and talented individuals are not getting opportunities to showcase their skills. The information department of the Sindh government has established a board to provide opportunities for new talent in the field of art. This initiative aims to promote a positive narrative among the people,” he said.

He also disclosed that the Sindh government was going to reserve a special quota for children with disabilities in schools. “Special children will be admitted to all schools and should be integrated with general students. It is our collective responsibility to be good human beings and serve one another,” he said.

In response to a question, Senior Minister Memon stated, “The actions taken by the founder of the PTI to harm Pakistan have not been his own desire; he receives instructions from somewhere. He is willing to do anything that could harm Pakistan. During the sit-in, Imran Khan launched a civil disobedience movement and encouraged people to engage in money laundering instead of using banking channels to send money abroad. He also tore up electricity bills and incited people not to pay them, causing significant losses to Pakistan.”

He said, “They are not harming the government but the people. The money being spent on the sit-in could have been used for welfare work. Shutting down the country, putting pressure on the stock exchange, pressuring business circles, and discouraging international investors is a conspiracy.”

He further stated, “The founder of the PTI is also boycotting defence products on someone else’s instructions. He does not want any institution to remain stable. Initially, he tried to distort the image of the institution, politicize it, and spread venom against it on social media.”

In response to another question, he said, “If Faisal Vawda has said something, he must know what he’s talking about. He is a senator, a good man, and is involved in good politics. If he meets someone, that is his personal choice.”

In response to another question, he said, “If Maulana Fazlur Rehman has any grievances, he can address them with the government. Making and passing bills is the responsibility of the government.”

Answering a question, Memon said, “The best politician, the most mature, the most educated, and the youngest person in Pakistan who is worthy of the prime ministership is the chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He is young, has experience as a foreign minister, and possesses a progressive political mindset. The way he wants to end the politics of hatred and unite all of Pakistan is commendable. Bilawal Bhutto raised the slogan ‘Chuno Nayi Soch Ko.’ It would be good for Pakistan if Bilawal Bhutto Zardari becomes the prime minister of Pakistan as soon as possible.”