Karachi (HRNW): Sindh Minister for Labour and Social Protection Saeed Ghani, along with Senator Waqar Mehdi, addressed a press conference and responded to statements made by Punjab ministers, highlighting Sindh government’s performance, healthcare facilities, financial matters, and political issues.
Saeed Ghani said that the statements made by Punjab ministers during their press conference suggested that they may never have visited Sindh. He stated that a delegation of young parliamentarians from Punjab had recently visited Sindh, met with the Chief Minister of Sindh, and remarked that Karachi was not the way it had been portrayed to them.
Commenting on discussions regarding Karachi Port revenue, Saeed Ghani said that ports fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, adding that criticism of port affairs was effectively a criticism of their own federal government.
Discussing Sindh’s healthcare sector, he said that people from Punjab also deserve better medical facilities and that healthcare services available in Sindh are open to everyone. He highlighted the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), saying that all major heart-related treatments are provided under one roof and that such a healthcare model is rare worldwide.
Saeed Ghani claimed that around 119,000 patients from Punjab had visited NICVD and received free treatment, adding that patients from Punjab also come to Sindh for heart transplant procedures.
Speaking about financial matters, the Sindh minister stated that the Sindh government collected Rs676 billion through its own resources, while Punjab collected Rs524 billion. He said that despite budgetary pressures, Sindh controlled its expenditures, whereas Punjab increased its spending.
He further stated that the Sindh government is constructing 2.1 million houses through its own resources and providing ownership rights to women, while Punjab is pursuing a policy of building houses through loans.
Regarding Karachi’s water supply, Saeed Ghani said that Karachi is the only city where drinking water is transported from a distance of 200 kilometres. He added that the Supreme Court had allowed the operation of seven water hydrants in the city.
On the issue of creating new provinces, he said that under the Constitution, the authority to establish new provinces rests with assemblies. He stated that elected representatives, rather than the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) alone, have expressed that there is no need for a new province. He also referred to a Senate resolution regarding the creation of provinces in Punjab on an administrative basis.
Discussing political issues, Saeed Ghani criticized past governments of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), electoral controversies, and political developments. He said political parties should review their own history before giving lectures on democracy.
He stated that PPP workers had struggled against dictatorships and made sacrifices. Referring to former Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he said that Bhutto refused to bow before authoritarian rule.
Saeed Ghani also made remarks regarding elections, public mandate, and political representation, stating that any attempt to undermine the public mandate would be resisted.
Speaking about Kashmir, he said that the PPP would continue playing its role for the rights, employment opportunities, and basic issues of the people of Kashmir. He stated that the fundamental issue in Kashmir is ensuring respect for the people’s vote.
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Important Note (Disclaimer)
This report is based on statements made by Sindh Minister for Labour and Social Protection Saeed Ghani during a press conference. Human Rights News Worldwide (HRNW) does not independently verify or endorse political claims or statements. The report is intended to present the views expressed by the speaker in an impartial manner.
