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President Asif Ali Zardari has called for devising a comprehensive plan on a priority basis to prevent urban flooding in Karachi. He said that the Government of Sindh should adopt a sustainable and long-term strategy, based on international best practices, for effectively managing sewage and stormwater to save the Metropolitan City from urban flooding.

The President expressed these while chairing a meeting on saving Karachi from urban flooding and environmental degradation and promoting sustainable water resource development, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. Chief Minister Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Adjutant General Lt General Muhammad Asim Malik, Minister for Local Government Department of Sindh, Mr Saeed Ghani, Mayor Karachi, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, Chief Secretary Sindh, Syed Asif Hyder Shah, CEO Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Syed Salahuddin, Country Head Herrenknetch Pakistan, Col (r) Danyal Naveed Ahmed, senior government officials, and local and international water management experts attended the meeting.

The President was given a comprehensive presentation by international water and sewage management experts and proposed various solutions to address the challenges of urban flooding and sewage in Karachi on the pattern of the tunnel sewer systems of Washington DC, the London Super Sewer Project, and the Deep Tunnel Sewerage System of Singapore.

During the briefing, it was proposed that a network of small and large sewer tunnels under existing roads in high-flood zones of Karachi may be developed.  It was highlighted that underground tunnelling using modern techniques would not disturb the public, city traffic and land ownership. The experts informed that Karachi generated almost 450 million gallons per day (MGD) of sewage. They added that sewage and stormwater were collected in small and large open drains which fell into the Lyari and Malir rivers and were released untreated into the sea, polluting the marine ecosystem. It was further informed that the existing network of drains had limited capacity and absorbed around 50% of the rainwater under normal circumstances. The meeting was told that excess water was not absorbed by the system, causing urban flooding.

Speaking on the occasion, the President underlined the need for completing the feasibility study to control flooding in Karachi through tunnelling options within three months. He stated that Karachi and its coastal areas need to be made clean and brought at par with other Metropolitan cities of the world. He said that since the proposed project would have significant environmental impacts, therefore, Government of Sindh should approach international donors to seek environmental financing for the project. He said that the construction of the wastewater treatment system would also help supply treated water to Balochistan for agriculture, besides promoting the fisheries sector.

The President remarked that the city of Hyderabad was also facing urban flooding and sewage issues that also needed to be addressed on priority.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has paid glowing tributes to Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto on his 39th martyrdom anniversary.

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP emphasized the enduring legacy of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto, highlighting his revolutionary thoughts and unwavering struggle for democracy. He added that Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s legacy is a beacon of light. “Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto’s martyrdom day reminds us of the numerous sacrifices the Bhutto family has made for democracy in Pakistan,” he said.

He reiterated PPP’s commitment to the ideals Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto championed, affirming that the party will continue to strive for a robust democracy, equality, and a progressive society. “The dream of Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto was to see the establishment of a democratic, prosperous, and egalitarian society, and PPP remains dedicated to making this dream a reality,” he said.

This day serves as a reminder for all of us to uphold the principles of truth, justice, and righteousness, even in the face of adversity.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message on the Youm-e-Ashura, said that the sacrifices made by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions are a beacon of light for all of humanity, adding that their struggle against oppression and their commitment to uphold the values of Islam inspire us to continue our fight for justice, equality, and the protection of human rights.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called for unity among the Muslim Ummah and urged all communities to promote peace and harmony. He stressed the importance of rejecting violence and extremism, and instead, embracing the true spirit of Islam which teaches love, tolerance, and brotherhood.

In conclusion, the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari prayed for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the lessons of Karbala will guide us in creating a just and equitable society, where the principles of Imam Hussain (AS) are upheld and cherished.

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have affirmed the commitment to further expanding mutually beneficial cooperation in the areas of bilateral interest, especially energy, trade, connectivity, defence, and people-to-people linkages.

This was discussed during a meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and the visiting President of Azerbaijan, Mr Ilham Aliyev, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Welcoming the President of Azerbaijan, the President of Pakistan said that both countries enjoyed excellent relations and had a great scope of further improving ties in various areas of mutual interest. He underlined the need for more regular engagements between the people and businessmen of Pakistan and Azerbaijan to cement bilateral ties. He highlighted the importance of Gwadar port, saying that Central Asian Countries and Azerbaijan could benefit from it for promoting regional trade, connectivity and tourism, besides bringing shared economic prosperity to the region.

The President welcomed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Pakistan and Azerbaijan, adding that the MoUs would give a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in the fields of trade, commerce, tourism, mines and minerals, science and technology, law & justice, and culture.

The President highlighted that the East had the potential to lead the world towards prosperity. He added that Pakistan wanted to build a sustainable and result-oriented engagement with Central Asian Republics and Azerbaijan.

Speaking on the occasion, President Ilham Aliyev said that Pakistan and Azerbaijan enjoyed a high frequency of people-to-people exchanges and both the countries needed to promote business-to-business relations for enhancing economic relations. He stated that Pakistan and Azerbaijan could also explore the possibility of working together in the renewable energy sector.

Later, the President also hosted a banquet in honour of President Ilham Aliyev and his delegation, which was also attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, and journalists, at the President’s House. The President expressed his warm greetings for the people of Azerbaijan and reassured Pakistan’s unwavering support for Azerbaijan.

Message on the occasion of World Population Day on 11th July, 2024

On this World Population Day, we reflect on the critical importance of population dynamics in shaping our nation’s future. Population of Pakistan, counted as 241 million (Census-2023), is growing at a high rate of 2.55%. Our population is projected to reach 263 million by 2030 and 383 million by 2050. With the rapidly increasing population, it is imperative that we understand the profound impact that population growth has on our socio-economic development. Our young population, which constitutes the majority, is a vibrant and dynamic force that holds immense potential for driving our nation towards prosperity. However, to harness this potential, we must ensure that our youth have access to quality education, healthcare, and employment opportunities which are significantly affected by imbalance between the available resources and the size of our country’s population.

Pakistan faces significant challenges in managing its population growth, which directly affects our resources and public services. Despite being water-abundant at the time of independence, we are now one of the water-stressed countries in the world; our agricultural land is being converted into housing areas, threatening our food security and consequently affecting the nutritional status of our citizens especially children. This stark reality underscores the urgent need to address population growth through effective family planning and reproductive health services. Our total fertility rate and high maternal and infant mortality rates indicate that we must redouble our efforts to improve healthcare services, particularly for women and children. By prioritizing health and family planning initiatives, we can ensure a healthier, more sustainable future for the nation.

To foster an environment where every Pakistani can succeed, it is crucial to manage population growth by aligning our resources with the population size. The new national narrative of ‘Tawazun’ approved by all stakeholders, including  the Ulema, invites people to practice family planning voluntarily enabling parents to fulfill the fundamental rights of children. Achieving ‘Tawazun’ between population and resources ensures genuine prosperity. A well-balanced and sustainable population can drive economic growth, improve living standards, and alleviate poverty.

On this World Population Day, I urge all stakeholders, including government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to collaborate in addressing the population challenges we face. In this regard, I would like to highlight the critical importance of inclusive data in the realm of family planning. As we strive to improve health outcomes and empower individuals and communities, it is essential to recognize that data inclusivity is a cornerstone for informed decision-making and effective policy development. By capturing data that reflects the experiences of different genders, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, and abilities, we can work towards a future where everyone has equal opportunities to progress.

In this way, together we can achieve the vision of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed that she shared with the world community at International Conference on Population and Development Cairo 1994. She said, “I dream of a Pakistan, of an Asia, of a world where every pregnancy is planned and every child conceived is nurtured, loved, educated and supported.”

President Asif Ali Zardari has called for adopting a holistic approach and prudent  financial policies to put the country on the path of development. He said that different sectors of the economy, especially the agricultural sector, needed to be developed along modern lines. He added that the government was planning to tax agricultural income as per the International Monetary Fund’s conditions, however, the provincial governments would be leading the initiative to tax large land-holding farmers in accordance with their profitability and expenditures.

The President gave these remarks while addressing  the Professor Waris Mir Memorial Seminar, in Lahore, on Tuesday. A large number of journalists, academicians, political workers, and members of the civil society attended the event.

Speaking on the occasion, the President highlighted that the media had given power to the people by amplifying their voices, however, recent years had also witnessed a grouping in the media. He cautioned that a strong religious lobby in the world was manipulating and managing perceptions aiming to sow divisions in Muslim societies. He said that he was a supporter of the freedom of press and had always tolerated harsh criticism from the media. He said that societies needed to be careful against agenda-driven information. 

The President highlighted that one had to face trials and tribulations in life, however, one needed to stay steadfast in the face of challenges. He paid rich tribute to the political struggle and sacrifices of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for democracy, saying that Pakistan People’s Party had a history of facing pressures and  assassinations, however, continued its struggle for the cause of democracy in Pakistan. He said that assassination attempts and political pressures could not deter us from our mission as we firmly believed that life and death were in Allah’s hands.

The President also paid rich tribute to the services and contributions of Late Professor Waris Mir towards democracy and journalism. He also appreciated Faisal Mir and Hamid Mir for taking forward the legacy of their father.

Senior Journalist Hamid Mir, while speaking on the occasion, called for putting an end to the culture of political victimization and upholding the 1973 Constitution in its true spirit.

Senior Journalist Sohail Warraich paid tribute to the services of the late Professor Waris Mir for journalism and democracy. Appreciating the political wisdom and the reconciliatory role of the President, he said that the country was in dire need of political reconciliation and the President could play an instrumental role in addressing the political and economic issues faced by the country.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has directed immediate action to address the issues faced by Balochistan’s laborers. 

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP met with a delegation of labor leaders from Balochistan in Quetta today. The delegation was led by Haji Ramzan Achakzai, the Central Joint President of the All Pakistan Federation of Trade Unions and the WAPDA Labor Union. The delegation also included Muhammad Yar Alizai, Baqi Lehri, and Muhammad Qasim.

During the meeting, the PPP Chairman was given a detailed briefing on the issues faced by Balochistan’s laborers, especially miners.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari instructed the Chief Minister of Balochistan to establish an effective mechanism to directly address and resolve the issues faced by laborers promptly and efficiently.

On this occasion, Chief Minister of Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti, PPP Balochistan President Mir Changez Khan Jamali, MNA Ejaz Jakhrani, Syed Iqbal Shah, and other notable figures were also present.

According to a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, said that Pakistan has paid a huge price for toppling the elected government of the visionary leader Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. “This dark day in Pakistan’s history set our nation on a path marred by extremism, terrorism, and the scourge of Kalashnikov and drug culture—challenges we continue to grapple with today.” He emphasized that despite the immense suffering endured, there are still a few who are always ready to harm democracy.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted that the oppressive regime of General Ziaul Haq unleashed an era of unparalleled brutality against democrats, liberals, and true patriots of Pakistan. He added that pro-democracy Pakistanis were subjected to imprisonment, flogging, exile, and even execution. He noted that the youth of today cannot even imagine the difficult situations faced by the Jiyalas during that period. “Despite these heinous reprisals and the terror inflicted by an authoritarian regime, the resilient spirit of the Pakistani people, especially the Jiyalas (PPP’s unwavering activists), remained unbroken. They stood firm, fighting for the restoration of democracy with unyielding determination and courage,” he said, adding that if there is democracy in the country today, it is because of the sacrifices of PPP leaders and workers.

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari concluded by saying that as the nation remembers the sacrifices of those who endured immense suffering for the cause of democracy, we renew our commitment to upholding the values for which Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and countless others fought so valiantly. “Let us honor their legacy by continuing the struggle for a democratic, progressive, and just Pakistan.”

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has strongly condemned the tragic killing of two policemen in an attack on a check post in Kashmore-at-Kandhkot district.

In a statement issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the martyred officers and extended prayers for the swift recovery of the injured personnel. He emphasized that the sacrifices made by Sindh’s police officers and jawans in maintaining law and order are unparalleled and deeply appreciated.

Chairman Bhutto Zardari contacted Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and Provincial Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar to obtain details of the incident. He urged swift and decisive action against those responsible for this heinous crime, reiterating that both the PPP and its provincial government maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards any breach of law and order across Sindh.

Secretary Information Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Shazia Marri and senior parliamentarians Syed Naveed Qamar gave a press briefing after the Parliamentary Party meeting chaired by the Chairman PPP, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also accompanied the Chairman. 

Shazia Marri said that the members of the Parliamentary Party in the previous two meetings apprised the Chairman of the reservations they had regarding their constituencies. The PPP started engaging the government on those reservations. The Party leadership listened to the difficulties faced by the members who are responsible for their constituencies and conveyed the grievances of their people. In today’s meeting, senior PPP parliamentarian, Syed Naveed Qamar briefed the meeting on the PPP’s engagement with the government. 

Addressing the press briefing, Syed Naveed Qamar said that during the government formation after the election, an agreement took place between the PPP and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz. The agreement entailed that the PPP would vote for the PML-N’s candidate for prime ministership. The agreement between these two parties comprised 25 points. While some of the points were implemented, there was ambiguity regarding others. The two parties held several rounds of negotiations attended by the prime minister and Ishaq Dar on some occasions. We had reservations on the PSDP. 

In today’s Parliamentary Party meeting, it was decided to vote for the finance bill despite certain reservations, Naveed Qamar stated. If we do not vote for the budget, it would amount to dismantling the government and paving the way for instability in the country which the PPP does not want, Qamar said. The government now has numbers and this budget will go through. 

Syed Naveed Qamar said that we are anticipating that the points raised by the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the floor of the assembly will be accepted by the government. We will continue our discussion with the government.