KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah today (Tuesday) lashed out at PTI-led federal government over alleged bias in allocating development funds, saying that “don’t make an East India Company here”.
Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said, “Don’t treat Sindh in this way and don’t create two Pakistans. We will no longer tolerate it, we will resist.”
He further said that the federal government was spending money on the provinces. However, he said, at least consult with the provincial government and look at the priorities. “We are the representatives, consult with us,” he added.
“It is not a good thing that you are going to union councils to make roads and drains under the prime minister’s programme,” he added. CM Murad also said that schemes were allocated in the PDSP without informing the province due to “pressure”.
“During one of the meetings, a gentleman said that their hands were tied due to pressure from MNAs and MPAs. This is contempt of court,” he said, adding that the Supreme Court had said funds could not be given to MNAs and MPAs.
The Chief Minister added that development funds should be given to the provinces so that they can address the needs of the people. “Many of the PDSP schemes are for south Punjab because they are facing issues there,” he added.
“They say they will give funds to the people of Sindh, not the government. Why is this only applicable to Sindh? They used to say Pakistan is one not two. Is this one Pakistan?” he added.
“I am elated when I hear about development in Punjab, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Spend as much money as you want in other provinces, but if you do that then give us more too,” he added.
Last week, the chief minister urged Prime Minister Imran Khan in a strongly worded letter to reconsider the proposed Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), terming it lopsided as it was “detrimental” to the interests of the people in Sindh. He had claimed that the province was treated with “abject bias” since the ruling PTI government had come to power.
A day later, federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar lashed out at Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah over his letter complaining about alleged bias in Sindh’s development, saying that the federal government will spend on the people of province — not the government.
Responding to the chief minister via a video address from Islamabad today (Sunday), the federal minister said, “I think the chief minister is confused because he is unable to distinguish between the people of Sindh and the government of Sindh.”
“The amount set aside for Sindh projects in PDSP 2021-22, which will be presented before the NEC tomorrow, is a record amount. Never before in Pakistan’s annual development programme have so many projects been set for Sindh,” he added.
