Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that this month the Bhutto Highway will be fully opened for the public. It will be connected to the M-9 Motorway, which will reduce citizens’ travel time by about an hour. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Sindh Senior Minister and Provincial Minister for Information, Transport and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon termed the Bhutto Highway project a “game changer” and said that it will significantly improve Karachi’s traffic and transportation system.
He said that a new road is also being constructed from Karachi Port to Taj Haider Bridge, which will further improve connectivity. He added that the Sindh government is continuously working to provide maximum facilities to the people and that several development projects of local bodies are underway in Karachi, with some stalled projects having also been restarted. He said that KMC and the Local Government Department are working together on major mega projects, while a modern BRT line is also under construction. He apologized to citizens for the difficulties caused by development works and said that large projects cannot be completed without temporary inconvenience.
He further said that during the President’s visit to China, a memorandum of understanding was signed regarding a desalination plant, under which a Chinese company will install a plant to make seawater usable. This project will help address Karachi’s water shortage. He also said that during the same visit, important agreements were signed for the livestock and agriculture sectors, which he described as a major diplomatic and economic success. According to him, the Chinese leadership also appreciated the Bhutto family era and the continuity of Pakistan-China relations.
Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the Sindh government is also taking steps to provide relief to the salaried class. He mentioned anti-drug operations and said that a notorious drug dealer has been arrested and negligent officials have also been suspended during the process. He said that drugs are a serious scourge destroying society and that the entire nation must play a role in eradicating them. According to him, the police are fulfilling their responsibilities and the law-and-order situation in slum areas has improved significantly, while transporters, according to him, enjoy relatively better protection within Sindh.
In response to a question, he expressed concern over rumors and fake news spreading on social media and said that some elements spread false information based on personal motives. He denied false news about former President Asif Ali Zardari and said that he is healthy and had visited China. Referring to the PECA Act, he said that the purpose of this law is to prevent fake news and propaganda so that misinformation in society can be curbed.
In response to another question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that, to his knowledge, no official announcement has yet been made regarding the 28th Constitutional Amendment. In response to another question, he said that Faryal Talpur is the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs and has directed strict action against drugs. He said that the Sindh government is taking effective steps for the complete eradication of drugs and is following a zero-tolerance policy in this regard. He added that all details related to drug cases are not always publicly disclosed in government meetings; however, the government is taking the issue seriously.
In response to another question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that the media enjoys relatively greater freedom in Sindh compared to other regions, while there are differing opinions from some quarters regarding extrajudicial killings. In response to another question, he said that if anyone has a complaint regarding the Public Service Commission, they should approach the relevant forum with evidence; the government will take action on every legitimate complaint. He clarified that if an officer’s son becomes an officer, it is not a crime, as every parent tries to provide better education and preparation for their children. If anyone suspects any irregularity, they should come forward with evidence, and action will be taken.
In response to another question, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said that every child of Pakistan knows who said “we will eat grass but make atomic bombs.” He added that Shaheed Benazir Bhutto gave Pakistan missile technology, and that the foundation of Pakistan’s nuclear program is the result of the historic sacrifices and efforts of the Pakistan Peoples Party leadership. He said all these steps were taken in the national interest of Pakistan.