Haleem criticizes the PPP for the deterioration of Sindh despite a Rs30 trillion budget.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Haleem Adil Sheikh, the president of Sindh, on Friday charged the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) with devastating Sindh during its 17 years in power, despite having received over Rs30 trillion in financial allocations.

During a news conference at Insaf House Karachi, alongside PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid, and other officials, Mr. Sheikh asserted that over Rs10 trillion had been squandered due to corruption and incompetence under PPP administrations. He stated that Karachi, which accounts for around 97 percent of the nation’s earnings, has repeatedly been deprived of its rightful allocation of resources.

Karachi was allocated Rs1,136 billion in development funds over the past 15 years but received only Rs200 billion. The deficit has resulted in the city being deprived of Rs3.36 trillion, which includes Rs944 billion in development funds,” he stated.

Addressing the destruction wrought by recent rainfall, he reported that at least 10 individuals had perished and over 50 had injuries since the rainstorm on September 8, while the inundation of the Malir River, Thado Dam, and Lyari River had inundated other neighborhoods. He remembered that during the rains on August 19, 19 individuals perished, thousands of vehicles were damaged, and numerous villages were submerged.

The Sheikh requested Rs2 million in compensation for each deceased individual, including five members of the Bheel community who perished due to the Thado Dam’s overflow, Rs500,000 for the injured, Rs100,000 for damaged automobiles, and Rs10,000 for motorcycles. He also proposed a Rs200bn package for Karachi’s rehabilitation, waiver of utility bills, emergency cash aid of Rs20,000 for daily wage earners and a survey of affected homes.

He criticized large-scale infrastructure projects, asserting that the Rs54.7 billion Bhutto Expressway had a per kilometer cost above that of Europe, however it collapsed prior to its launch due to inferior building quality. He asserted that billions were squandered and called for responsibility. Likewise, he stated that the Rs12.78 billion New Hub Canal, intended to provide 100 million gallons per day of water to Karachi, collapsed within a month of its inauguration. “Repairs will require months; however, the government is deceiving the public by asserting restoration within 36 hours,” he stated, calling for a judicial investigation into the project.

He moreover asserted that Rs43 billion had been reported as expended on solid waste management, nevertheless Karachi continued to be inundated with refuse. He stated that 28 billion rupees were diverted in the previous year, while hardly half of the city’s daily waste was collected.

Regarding PTI founder Imran Khan, Haleem Adil Sheikh asserted that the “people’s leader” was unfairly incarcerated for two years without access to his physician, yet he continued to motivate the party to support the public. PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar accused the mainstream media of sidelining PTI and questioned the fate of 118 relief aircraft that arrived in 2022. He also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for siding with PPP instead of playing its role as opposition.

General Secretary Arsalan Khalid added that even a light spell of rain was enough to paralyse Karachi due to negligence, pointing to lingering water in areas like Shafiq Colony and Madina Colony. He implored the city administrator to observe the inhabitants’ suffering directly.

The press conference concluded with PTI leaders reiterating their demands for immediate relief for rain victims, release of Rs200bn for rehabilitation, and formation of judicial commissions on alleged corruption in mega projects.