2025 to be year of progress, says Sharjeel

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has stated that the year 2025 will be a period of progress and positive developments in Sindh.

Speaking to the media at the Sindh Assembly’s Media Corner on Monday, Memon announced that the transport department was developing bus depots and significant development projects were in progress in Karachi and other districts of Sindh.

Following the inauguration by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the first phase of Shahrah-e-Bhutto has been opened for the public, he said, adding that additionally, work on the Yellow Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project was proceeding diligently.

It was anticipated that various sections of the Yellow Line BRT would be completed ahead of the schedule, Memon explained. He said the Sindh government planned to introduce double-decker buses for the citizens of Karachi this year. Additionally, an EV taxi service would be launched for the youth, with EV taxis made available to the public through easy installment plans.

He stated that the Sindh government had been undertaking large-scale road development projects across the province. Progress being made by the Sindh government in the health sector was unparalleled in Pakistan, he claimed, adding that rapid work was under way on the Hub Canal to address Karachi's water shortage.

Memon said journalists from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Islamabad had been invited to visit the Sindh government’s projects and likewise journalists from Sindh would also be given the same opportunity.

He also praised Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah for his commendable work in the energy sector. He said the Sindh CM had emphasised that efforts were under way on a desalination project to convert seawater into potable water for the people.

In response to a question, Memon stated that the CM had encouraged the entire business community to step forward and invest in various sectors. The Sindh government was in discussions with multiple companies to attract investment in Pakistan, he said. He, however, added that due to the IMF’s conditions, establishing new industrial zones was currently not feasible.

He said the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone was an excellent opportunity for domestic and foreign investors, traders and businessmen. He mentioned that Chinese investors had expressed interest in investing in the Dhabeji Special Economic Zone.

He added that the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, including Bilawal and Sindh CM, had made it clear that the PPP's stance on the issue of canals was firm. The PPP would not accept any canals on the Indus, he stated.

In response to another question, the information minister said an appropriate toll was imposed on all public-private partnership projects to ensure that investors who had partnered with the government could recover their investments.

Replying to another question, Memon said that not all the cases against Imran Khan were unfounded. He mentioned that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf founder took a watch from the Toshakhan, sold it, and falsely claimed that the proceeds were used to build a road.

Memon recalled that when an attempt was made to arrest Imran, police were attacked with petrol bombs, some of which were thrown from inside his house. He added that the PPP was in favour of talks, but emphasised that the purpose of such discussions should not be to avoid addressing serious crimes like those of May 9.