Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that a major event held in Islamabad highlighted Pakistan’s global image and the significance of its green passport, strengthening the country’s positive perception internationally, while he also congratulated the president, Prime Minister, and Field Marshal on this achievement.
He added that Pakistan remains the only Islamic nuclear power and has also achieved success through the “Battle of Truth,” noting that Indian media appears to be under pressure following these developments.
Addressing a press conference at the Directorate of Social and Electronic Media Karachi, he said that an important meeting was held under the chairmanship of President Asif Ali Zardari, attended by all four provincial chief ministers, where key national and development issues were discussed in detail.
He stated that the Pakistan Peoples Party has always focused on public welfare and future planning, and that valuable data collected through the Benazir Income Support Programme is being used to launch a large-scale housing project aimed at providing homes to 2.1 million families.
He further said that the Sindh government has introduced the Benazir Hari Card, while BISP holds comprehensive data on individuals living below the poverty line, enabling better targeting of assistance.
Speaking on agriculture, he said that due to declining wheat cultivation, the Sindh government announced the provision of DAP and urea bags to farmers to encourage them, while medicines were also provided for rain-affected crops, resulting in a bumper wheat crop this year and sufficient availability.
He added that wheat harvesting has begun, and more than 300,000 small farmers have been given Rs 1,500 per acre as financial support to strengthen the agricultural sector.
On transport, he said that the Sindh government is providing subsidies in both public and private transport to prevent fare increases and provide relief to citizens, while financial assistance of Rs 2,000 per person is also being provided to 6.5 million motorcycle users through Sindh Bank.
He said that subsidies are also being extended to intercity and intracity transport, while the Pink Scooties initiative has been launched in Karachi, with training completed in Sukkur and Hyderabad, and distribution to begin soon.
He added that new routes of the Peoples Bus Service will soon be launched in Shikarpur, Sukkur, Khairpur, and Hyderabad to improve public transport facilities.
Sharjeel Memon said that the Sindh government’s top priority is to address issues across all sectors and provide maximum relief to the public, following the directives of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and President Asif Ali Zardari, with significant progress being made in the health sector.
On health, he said that polio remains a dangerous disease and can only be prevented through timely vaccination, and therefore a strong awareness campaign has been launched, urging the public to spread the message to ensure every child is protected.
Responding to a question, he said that the current situation has become a challenge for India, while Pakistan is strengthening its positive global role and improving its foreign relations to emerge as a dignified nation.
He emphasized that Pakistan seeks peace and is recognized globally as a peace-loving country that aims for regional stability.
In response to another question, he said that the federation and provinces are working together to promote Pakistan’s narrative globally, and Sindh’s first project “Mera Lyari” will be presented at the London Festival.
On fuel prices, he stated that increases or decreases are linked to global markets, and the government makes decisions based on international conditions, urging the public to understand these realities.
Concluding, he said that fare increases will not be allowed under any circumstances, transporters are in contact with the government, and authorities have been directed to ensure implementation of fixed rates to provide relief to the public.
