Central Information Secretary Nadeem Afzal Chan said that even ordinary rains had caused excessive water accumulation across Punjab and exposed the failures of the “Suthra Punjab” initiative. He stated that the damage was not due to heavy rainfall but due to the collapse of the sewerage system and poor planning, which resulted in losses worth billions of rupees for the people. Criticizing the Punjab Government’s priorities, he said irrigation was not on the government’s agenda. He added that the irrigation system developed during the British era was superior to the current system, and it had deteriorated due to lack of funding. On food security, Nadeem Chan said the PPP had repeatedly warned of a wheat shortage. He noted that Pakistan had achieved a wheat surplus only once, during a PPP government. “Check the price of bread in this country,” he said, adding that while the Federal Government had announced the purchase of 1 million tons of wheat, procurement from farmers was being ignored. He alleged that in Punjab, contracts for wheat procurement were given to 11 companies using public funds, and that police were being used in the process. He further claimed that wheat supplies from Kashmir were being blocked, while the people of Kashmir were in need of flour. Nadeem Afzal Chan challenged the government to review the condition of public schools in Punjab. He accused the government of failing to ensure transparent elections and good governance, and of copying policies without implementation. He questioned the ownership of the 11 companies awarded government contracts and said those who speak about the elite are correct. Speaking on Azad Kashmir, he alleged that PML-N candidates were involved in ballot stuffing in Kotli.
He said the PPP Chairman’s statement regarding representation for the people of Kashmir in Parliament was made in this context. “If there is any other solution for the right to self-determination and ownership, present it. We have come out to save the state. Do not wound the state further just to run your buses and planes,” he said. He added that if the administration was not used, people would not vote for a particular party. Referring to the PPP Chairman’s statement on Maulana’s remarks, he said “martyrs gave their lives, the elite consumed the benefits.” He alleged that administrative machinery had been used in these constituencies in the past. Sindh Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani said that firing was carried out by PML-N candidates during the AJK election campaign, in which some PPP workers were injured. He said the Election Commission’s role was not visible and alleged that sending buses before elections was an attempt to gain attention and votes. He criticized remarks naming two cities of one province, saying it had hurt the sentiments of the people of Sindh. “This is why people say that PML-N is not a federal party, it is a Punjab party,” he stated. Saeed Ghani said the PPP was contesting the elections as a political party despite past experiences, including the 1990 elections.
He expressed confidence that if the elections in Kashmir were held fairly, the results would be similar to those in Gilgit-Baltistan. He added that Kashmiris residing in Sindh and Karachi were aware of the facilities available there. He said the PPP was the only party protesting against India’s unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Our demand is that the treaty should be implemented and that each province should receive its due share of water as per the agreement,” he said. Spokesperson Sindh Govt Sadia Javed stated that no one was allowed to usurp Sindh’s water in the past and would not be allowed to do so in the future. She added that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had also protested for the rights of Sindh’s water. The PPP leadership expressed hope that the party would emerge victorious in the AJK elections.