KARACHI: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry once again lashed out at Pakistan People’s Party, saying that the Sindh’s rulers were responsible for what he dubbed as the province’s derelict condition.
Addressing a press conference in Karachi today (Sunday), the federal minister claimed that the Pakistan People’s Party was Sindh’s enemy and their days were numbered. “In Sindh, there is a dictatorship under the guise of democracy and that is why people here have been deprived of their rights,” he added.
Fawad Chaudhry further said that the funds given to the provincial government by the Centre ended up either in Dubai, Canada or Europe. He was alluding to money laundering cases filed against PPP leaders, including the party’s co-chairperson, Asif Ali Zardari.
“Under the 18th Amendment, it is the responsibility of the provincial government, and our responsibility ends after the release of funds,” he said, adding that Rs700-750 billion, excluding grants, had been allocated for Sindh in the budget for the fiscal year 2021-22.
He pointed out that the need was felt to monitor the expenditure of funds issued to the Sindh government and the federal government planned to do so through a third party.
“In the first phase, funds for projects under PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) will be monitored and this will be a big step towards giving relief to the people of Sindh,” he announced.
Talking about the electoral reforms, Fawad Chaudhry said that the government’s intention was to devise a mechanism trusted by all parties and no doubts were raised on election results.
“We have proposed 49 amendments in parliament for the purpose, but now, instead of discussing and giving their suggestions, the opposition has announced that it will call an APC (all parties conference),” he added.
The minister went on to say that on the one hand, the PPP portrayed itself as the champion of democracy and on the other, it was often the first one to oppose democratic ideas.
He also accused the party’s leaders, particularly naming Asif Ali Zardari, Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Faryal Talpur, of stealing water. “That’s why Sindh has opposed the Irsa’s (Indus River System Authority’s) proposal to monitor the inflow and outflow of water in the province,” he claimed.
Referring to the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), he said the opposition at the moment was weak and a blend of different ideologies, with the only objective of defeating Prime Minister Imran Khan.
“However, they can’t defeat Imran Khan like this. They will need to review their performance of the past years,” he added. He went on to hail the prime minister for having clear policies and improving the economy.
