Punjab govt attempted to politicise Sehwan incident, alleges Sharjeel

Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that the bills on which the Sindh governor had raised objections would be passed again in Monday's session. Once the assembly passes these bills, they will be sent to the governor again, but will be considered approved, he said while speaking to the media at the Sindh Assembly media corner.

The minister said job restrictions had been in place for the past few years, with some individuals taking the matter to court. The Sindh government has now relaxed the age limit for jobs; however, this relaxation will not apply to CSS and police recruitment.

He said that the Punjab information minister attempted to politicise the accident in Sehwan, and her statement suggested a lack of awareness of the facts. He added that both the Punjab chief minister and the information minister make statements without proper research.

The Punjab CM claimed that they launched the EV bus service and established the first autism centre, but it is well-known that the Sindh government was the first to introduce the EV bus service and also built modern autism centres.

He said Sehwan Road and Sukkur-Hyderabad Road fall under the jurisdiction of the National Highway Authority. Human lives are lost daily on Sehwan Road, and despite the Sindh government providing seven billion rupees, the road has yet to be constructed. He blamed the PML-N federal government’s incompetence for accidents on national highways, emphasizing that the PML-N has held power in the federation the most, yet the incomplete roads reflect its failure. Memon said that when the Punjab information minister makes fiery statements, she should understand that if we respond, we will not lie — we will only speak the truth. He added that the PPP holds a genuine mandate in Sindh, and the people have recognized and appreciated its work. He further remarked that everyone is aware of their mandate and the level of their service.

He stated that PTI's Barrister Saif also made a statement regarding President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. He described the PTI as a party of opportunists, where individuals from various parties kept joining.

The senior minister said the PTI’s politics revolves around chaos and harming the country’s progress. According to him, not just Imran Khan but the entire PTI was involved in these actions. He also accused PTI members of writing to the IMF to block loans for Pakistan and of consistently criticizing the country and its institutions on social media.

Memon said that in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), police stations are locked after 5pm, and the police are unable to operate freely. He pointed out that the APS tragedy occurred during the PTI’s 15-year rule, and the Bannu jail was demolished under their watch.

He added that if the people of KP are coming to other provinces for employment, it is a clear indication of the KP government's failure to provide relief to its own people. In response to a question, Memon said the PPP has never engaged in blackmail politics. He clarified that the party did not support the PML-N out of enthusiasm but did so unconditionally to ensure the formation of assemblies and uphold democracy. Even now, he asserted, the PPP is not blackmailing anyone but is simply demanding the legitimate rights of its province.

He emphasized that Karachi is the gateway to Pakistan and that disrupting its operations affects the entire country. He questioned why funds could be allocated for other projects but not for the crucial Hyderabad-Sukkur Road. He pointed out that despite the Sindh government providing funds for Sehwan Road, the federal government’s incompetence has prevented its construction.

He stressed that these are legitimate concerns, not political point-scoring, as the goal is to provide relief not just to Sindh but to all of Pakistan. He also highlighted the closure of Sindh’s airports, including Mohenjo Daro and Shaheed Benazirabad, while the Hyderabad airport had already been shut down.