Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, while inaugurating the newly completed mega project Shahrah-e-Bhutto in Karachi, announced three additional game-changing mega initiatives aimed at ensuring Pakistan’s sustainable economic development. These include the construction of the country’s first modern seaport at Keti Bandar under a public-private partnership model, the establishment of the Sindh International Financial Center, and the creation of a special defense production zone in Karachi to cater both to domestic needs and exports.
He also expressed hope and prayers for the success of the ongoing diplomatic efforts led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif aimed at ending the Iran war.
According to the press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, the PPP Chairman, while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Shahrah-e-Bhutto, said that whenever Karachi witnessed development, it was under PPP governments. “The number of projects completed from 2008 till today has no precedent in Karachi’s history. If you compare the development work carried out between 1947 and 2008 with what has been achieved during the PPP era, the difference is evident,” he added. Referring to major projects completed in the past, including Pakistan Steel Mills, Port Qasim, Shahrah-e-Faisal, and the Lyari Expressway, he pointed out that all these landmark initiatives were gifts of PPP governments. He said that Karachi has become the country’s most rapidly developing city because of the PPP, attracting people from across Pakistan who wish to settle here. “I can proudly say that Karachi is not only the commercial capital of Pakistan, but if this country has a healthcare capital, it is Karachi as well,” he added.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted the progress achieved after the 18th Constitutional Amendment, saying that after healthcare came under provincial jurisdiction, the Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (formerly NICVD) evolved into a globally recognized institution for providing free and quality healthcare. Rejecting what he described as baseless criticism by political opponents, he challenged them to see for themselves the condition of the NICVD before the 18th Amendment and compare it with the extensive cardiac healthcare network it has become today.
Chairman PPP said that he entered politics solely to fulfill the unfinished dreams and mission of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. He pointed out that during her tenure, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had announced the Karachi Special Package for the development of the metropolis, which included projects such as the Lyari Expressway and the Malir Expressway (Shahrah-e-Bhutto). “Today is therefore a proud day for the PPP, for every Jiyala of the party, and for me personally as the son of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, that we have fulfilled this dream by completing the Shahrah-e-Bhutto,” he said. He further expressed satisfaction that the project was completed under the public-private partnership model — a concept first introduced in Pakistan by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto herself.
Describing public service and resolving people’s problems as his responsibility, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari acknowledged that economic hardships faced by the people have intensified significantly. He said that the situation arising from the Iran war has imposed economic burdens on the people of Pakistan, just as it has affected people across the world. He warned that if the war situation does not come to an end, economic difficulties would increase further.He said that all those striving for a ceasefire and the establishment of peace are performing a noble service. Appreciating the ongoing efforts of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Prime Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif, and federal team for peace, he remarked, “We thank them because we, the people of Pakistan, are peace-loving people. Historically, we have stood against war, and the PPP has also always opposed war.” He expressed hope that the ongoing peace efforts would soon succeed, making it possible to ease the economic hardships faced by the people.
Chairman pointed out that despite limited resources, the Sindh government has introduced measures to provide relief to people facing economic hardships, including the Kisan Card and the Peoples Motorcycle Fuel Subsidy Program. He added that the provincial government is also preparing similar relief initiatives for fishermen in the near future.He said that while the provincial government does not possess enough resources to provide direct relief to every citizen, efforts are being made to create employment opportunities for the people.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the PPP has proven its ability to deliver. He said that instead of burdening the public exchequer, the Sindh government would form consortiums with the business community and successfully complete major development projects. He announced that new public-private partnership projects are being launched in Sindh, including the country’s first modern seaport at Keti Bandar in district Thatta — another dream project of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. He said that the Keti Bandar Port would transform the destiny of the coastal districts of Thatta, Sujawal, and Badin. To establish Karachi as a leading economic hub, he also announced the establishment of the “Sindh International Financial Center,” modeled after the Dubai Financial Center. “I promise that we will establish the Sindh International Financial Center,” he declared.
Chairman PPP further said that Karachi’s role in Pakistan’s defense production would also be expanded. Referring to last year’s war with India, he said Pakistan’s defense capabilities received global recognition, and various countries are now showing interest in Pakistani defense products. “Today, it is not ‘Made in India’ but rather ‘Made in Pakistan’ that is in demand in the global market,” he remarked.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari strongly criticized political opponents regarding Karachi, saying that “political orphans” have nothing to offer except baseless criticism against the PPP, and urged party workers not to pay attention to such criticism and conspiracies. “Whether the conspiracy is against this city, this province, or Pakistan itself, I will defeat it,” he vowed.
He said that no other city or province in the country enjoys the level of democracy that exists in Sindh, and that only the PPP demonstrates the political tolerance to endure such criticism because it considers criticism an essential part of democracy. He remarked that deliberate attempts are often made to malign Karachi in order to make certain conspiracies succeed. While acknowledging that Karachi undoubtedly faces challenges, he stressed that only the people of Karachi can resolve them. He further pointed out that political opponents sitting in cities where local government systems do not exist at all still question Sindh’s local government structure. He noted that neither Islamabad nor Punjab currently has a functioning local government system, while in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Imran Khan abolished the local government system after losing elections. “Yet despite the absence of local governments there, nobody says Lahore should be separated or made independent,” he added.
Chairman PPP further remarked that people would also question those who have remained “lifetime federal ministers” about what they actually delivered for Karachi despite being part of every government. He said the public would ask why they failed to build even a single hospital or road in Karachi during their years in power.
He emphasized that despite political differences, the PPP still invites everyone to work together for the country and its people, because this is not the time for internal conflict or the creation of further crises.
Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari appreciated the efforts of Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and his team for completing Shahrah-e-Bhutto, and expressed hope that the next phase of the project — linking the road to the port — would also be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Meanwhile, Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari formally inaugurated the 39-kilometer-long signal-free Shahrah-e-Bhutto corridor stretching from Qayyumabad to the M-9 Motorway in Karachi under the Sindh Local Government Department and the Public-Private Partnership Unit. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers, members of the assembly, and prominent business and social personalities were also present on the occasion in large numbers.relations between Pakistan and China.
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