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President for socio-economic uplift of Kacha Areas

Sukkur/Islamabad/Karachi, 24 June 2024: President Asif Ali Zardari has said that criminals of Kacha Area in Sindh, except hardened criminals, willing to surrender to the state should be gradually brought into the mainstream and rehabilitated to make them responsible and productive citizens of the country. He called for taking stern action against hardcore criminals involved in heinous crimes. 

The President further emphasised the need to improve the road, health, and education infrastructure of the Kacha Areas on a priority basis to improve the socio-economic condition of the people. He advised that a Qaumi Jirga, comprising of tribal chiefs, should be convened to engage and negotiate with the local population to bring normalcy, prevent crimes, de-weaponize and improve the security situation in the Area. 

The President expressed these views while chairing a meeting on the security/law and order situation in Sindh, at Sukkur, on Monday. 

Federal Minister for Interior, Mr Mohsin Raza Naqvi, MNA Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, Speaker Sindh Assembly Syed Waqar Qadir Shah, Senior Minister Mr Sharjeel Inam Memon, Minister Planning and Development Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, Minister Home, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Mr Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, Additional Chief Secretary Sindh Mr Muhammad Iqbal Memon, IG Sindh Mr Ghulam Nabi Memon, DG Ranger Sindh Major General Azhar Waqas, GOC 16 Div Major General Aamer Amin, and senior officials of the federal and provincial governments attended the meeting.

The President was briefed about the law-and-order situation in Sindh and the implementation status of the directions given during the last meeting held on 1st May 2024. He was apprised that the crimes and violence in Sindh, especially in Karachi and Kacha Areas, had witnessed a declining trend due to the effective strategy adopted by the police and Rangers. 

IG Police said that dacoit activities had been considerably reduced and no highways-related crime had been reported in the past two months. It was highlighted that targeted operations and installation of smart cameras had helped control crimes and identify and arrest criminals and their abettors. 

DG Rangers told the meeting that 133 joint operations had been conducted by the Sindh Police and the Rangers which led to the arrest of hundreds of dacoits and criminals. He stated that additional check posts had also been established in various parts of Kacha to control crime. 

The meeting was further informed that, on the directions of the President, the campaign against drug pedlars was intensified and, in this regard, 308 drug suppliers had been arrested, besides installing smart cameras to monitor the entry points of the province. 

During the meeting, the President said that the Government of Sindh should focus on raising a police force along modern lines to effectively meet the security challenges and requirements of the province. He underlined the need to strengthen the capacity of the Sindh Police by providing them modern equipment and weapons, adequate human resources, and logistics. He said that police officials should be incentivized enabling them to committedly discharge their duties. “We also need to encourage women to join Sindh Police”, he added. He stated that the welfare of the families and children of martyrs of Sindh Police should be ensured.

The President directed to expedite the upgradation of Sakrand Police Commando School as well as the provision of land for the establishment of Cadet College for Police. He added that selected students of the Cadet College would be educated and trained to join the Sindh Police. 

The President appreciated the performance of the Sindh Government, Police and Rangers in controlling crime and improving the security situation of the province. 

Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, addressing the National Assembly today said that it was an emotional moment for her to address the House that her grandparents, parents and brother have been a part of.

Bibi Aseefa said that she is grateful to Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, President Asif Ali Zardari, the senior leadership of the PPP and especially the residents of Nawabshah and the Jiyalas of the PPP who gave her the opportunity to represent them. She said that we find ourselves in yet another challenging situation. This year, the government presents its budget as the country is facing unprecedented unemployment, inflation, poverty, climate change and other catastrophes. We all, as citizens of this fine country had hopes and aspirations for this budget.

Addressing the Speaker of the National Assembly, Bibi Aseefa said that we envisioned a budget that had the needs of the people of Pakistan at its core. A budget prioritising the welfare of our farmers, labourers and working class was the need of the hour. We needed a budget that did not seek to benefit large corporations at the expense of the most vulnerable in our society, a budget which provided relief and redirected subsidies to the poor, farmers, labourers and the working class. We needed a budget that did not wish to make the rich, richer and the poor, poorer. We desired a budget which sought to lessen the gap of wealth inequality.

Bibi Aseefa Bhutto Zardari asked the Speaker whether the budget sitting before him truly incorporated the objectives that had been raised and if this is the budget that the people of Pakistan deserve. “The people of Pakistan deserve better Mr. Speaker, and we must work together to do better for our citizens”, Bibi Aseefa said. She said that in his recent address to the Parliament, the honourable President of Pakistan spoke on unity. That is the need of the hour at a time when divisive politics threatens to harm our nation, when the people are polarised in their ideals, beliefs and actions, when differences are weaponised and disagreements are settled with violence, it is imperative that we as elected members of this House rise above. Words like tolerance and acceptance must not be limited to speeches alone and we must practice what we attempt to preach. Together, we must reject the divisive politics. We must instead come together for the people and base our policies on their needs.

Together, we have to find a way to give relief to the people who are suffering fifteen hours a day without electricity in this sweltering heat. Load-shedding for more than fifteen hours in this heat is torture. We must find ways to help the farmer who nurtures his crop only to lose it in the floods, and who cannot find a buyer even when he has a harvest. We must strengthen the farmer who faces floods, storms and wrong decisions such as that of importing wheat. We must find ways to help the blue collared workers who have no job security, Bibi Aseefa said. She said that we must find ways to develop our human capital and provide relief directly to the poorest of the poor in this country. Only then, would we be doing justice to the work for which they have elected us for.

Bibi Aseefa expressed her hope to witness a new age and beginning in politics, which allows for us to work together for the prosperity and progress of the country and its citizens.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari  has extended his heartiest felicitations to all Pakistanis and the Muslim Ummah worldwide on the auspicious occasion of Eid ul Azha.

In a press release released by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP, in his message, emphasized the profound significance of Eid ul Azha: “Eid ul Azha, a time-honored celebration, symbolizes the profound values of sacrifice and selflessness. It is a testament to the enduring spirit of unity and the unbreakable bonds of brotherhood that bind us all. This holy festival calls upon us to embrace compassion and extend our hands to the deprived, dispossessed, and less fortunate among us.”

Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari highlighted that, in these challenging times, as our society grapples with the scourge of polarization, division and extremism, Eid ul Azha serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity. He emphasized that it urges us to transcend our differences and come together in the spirit of solidarity to forge a more harmonious and just world for everyone.

He further urged everyone to draw inspiration from the essence of this blessed occasion and commit to the principles of empathy and unity. “May the spirit of Eid ul Azha illuminate our hearts and guide us towards building a future where peace and brotherhood prevail,” he prayed.

Party leaders from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Multan called on Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari at Zardari House Islamabad on Thursday evening.

President PPP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Ali Shah Bacha, General Secretary PPP Shazi Khan Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, Farzand Ali Wazir, Najumuddin Khan and Humayun Khan met the Chairman PPP. They discussed party matters and political situation of the province.

The newly elected member National Assembly from Multan, Ali Qasim Gilani also called on Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

The former Chief Minister KP Mehmood Khan also called on Chairman PPP. The members KP Assembly Arbab Waseem and Iqbal Wazir, former member KP Assembly Nadia Sher, former ticket holder PTI Parliamentarians Ikram Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed Bacha and Provincial office bearers of PTI Parliamentarians Malik Abid Noor and Mian Syed Naeemkhani also met Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Mehmood Khan appreciated the role of Pakistan Peoples Party for stability and progress of the country.

After meeting the Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the former member KP Assembly Khalid Waqar Chamkani announced joining the PPP. 

The meeting of the parliamentary committee of Pakistan Peoples Party was held in the meeting room of the National Assembly under the leadership of the chairman of the party, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. Bibi Asifa Bhutto Zardari also participated in this meeting.

After the meeting, Member of National Assembly and Secretary Information of Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians, Shazia Marri briefed the journalists. In this meeting, the members of the National Assembly of the party informed the party leadership about their views and reservations.

Responding to the questions of the journalists, Shazia Marri said that the members informed about the problems of their respective constituencies. The attitude adopted by the federal government towards our members is causing problems to our members because the members are accountable to the people. Not giving relief to the agricultural class, difficulties in purchasing wheat etc. were discussed. We have to be accountable to our people when the farmer does not get relief in fertiliser, does not get relief on tractor and no one listens to the problems of electricity, then all these concerns are valid. No input from our party was taken in preparing the budget. Even in the federal PSDP, our opinion was not taken. We had tried to prevent this time from coming so senior members of our party approached the government but it did not yield any result and we did not expect that our voice would not be heard.

The National Economic Council was established after a long time, the meeting of which was held yesterday and the Sindh Chief Minister presented his case there, Balochistan  presented its case. The reservations of PPP are for the people of the entire country. We are a political party, we have an ideology and a manifesto and we wanted to give our input in light of that. So does this government want the PPP to protest? Does the government want us to express our displeasure on the floor of the National Assembly? Now it has to be seen by the government as it is in a responsible position. We did not expect this behavior from Shahbaz Sharif. If this attitude continues, we will go to our people. Our commitment is with solar energy and agriculture, with farmers, so tell us what we should do?

On the question whether PPP is parting ways, Shazia Marri said that you should ask this question to the government. We are having another meeting on Wednesday before the budget at 2.30 pm so we are giving the government another chance. We also have to look at our constituencies, the people and the implementation of our manifesto. She said that PPP is not going to be a part of the cabinet and PPP is supporting the government from outside for economic and political stability in the country. After the concerns of members, Chairman PPP will have to take a decision. The members of South Punjab also told the Chairman about the injustices done to them. The Chairman wants to address the concerns of the members. Time is with the government and now it is the responsibility of the government to address these concerns if it wants to retain the support of this large political party.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred the Award of “Nishan-i-Pakistan” upon Prince Rahim Aga Khan in recognition of his meritorious services and role in the development, progress, and betterment of Pakistan and its people, during a special investiture ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today. The ceremony was attended by ministers, members of Parliament, diplomats, and government officials.

The award was conferred on Prince Rahim Aga Khan in recognition of his leadership role in advancing path-breaking initiatives in Pakistan in commercial banking, microfinance, insurance, sustainable tourism, and the renewable energy sector through the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN). He has spearheaded the establishment of environmental stewardship policies and best practices to address climate change. The Network has also enabled access to financial services for nearly 50 million people in Pakistan.

Later, Prince Rahim Aga Khan called on President Asif Ali Zardari, in which the two discussed the role of the Aga Khan Development Network in Pakistan’s socio-economic development. Chairman HBL, Sultan Ali Allana, and senior government officials also attended the meeting.

The President was briefed about the role and development projects being undertaken by AKDN in various areas of the country. The President thanked Prince Rahim Aga Khan for visiting Pakistan and expressed the hope that he would frequently visit the country.

During the meeting, the President underscored the need to focus on the country’s educational development. He appreciated Prince Rahim Aga Khan for upholding the multi-generational legacy of the Aga Khan family which had enormously contributed to the socio-economic development of Pakistan.

The Prince thanked the President for conferring upon him the award of Nishan-i-Imtiaz.

President Asif Ali Zardari has underlined the need for focusing on the socio-economic uplift of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), adding that investment in GB would bring economic prosperity to the region.

The President expressed these views while talking to members of the GB Council, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and GB, Engineer Amir Muqam, Chief Minister GB, Mr Gulbar Khan, members of the GB Council, and senior government officials attended the meeting.

The delegation apprised the President about the developmental and financial needs of GB.

The President assured the delegation that steps would be taken to develop health, education and road infrastructure to provide basic facilities to the people of GB at their doorsteps. He highlighted the need to expand the airport in Gilgit, besides finding new ways and means for the development of GB. He said that GB was the gateway to China, having immense vast economic potential that needed to be fully capitalized upon for the people’s benefit.

The President informed the delegation that the issue of compensation to the affectees of the Diamer-Bhasha dam would be taken up at the appropriate forum.

The delegation told the President that the discontinuation of the Sehat Sahulat Programme was causing problems as the people of GB were unable to avail health insurance services.  

The President suggested that the Sehat Sahulat Programme could be included in the Benazir Income Support Programme so that the people of GB could avail of medical treatment.

The delegation thanked the President for taking interest in the development of GB and the resolution of its issues.

The President assured the delegation of his cooperation and support for addressing the problems of the people of GB.

President Asif Ali Zardari has emphasised the need for building “technology highways” in the country by enhancing students’ access to IT infrastructure, strengthening educational programmes, and equipping them with modern skills to help them fully benefit from the knowledge economy. He said that providing laptops to students would increase their access to education, bridge the digital divide, and equip them with technology skills to help them compete in the national and international job markets.

The President expressed these views while talking to Professor Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad, who called on him, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, today.

The Vice Chancellor of QAU briefed the President about the role of QAU in providing quality education, its educational programmes, and other administrative affairs of the University.

Talking to the Vice Chancellor, the President said that Pakistan was blessed with abundant human resources, which needed to be converted into a strength by imparting the latest education and skills to them. He highlighted that Pakistan needed to train and educate its human resources, which could be exported to foreign countries facing a shortage of trained professionals to help Pakistan earn foreign exchange.

The President stated that universities were pivotal in producing skilled professionals, who could fulfil local and international market needs. He remarked that Pakistan needed to focus on producing more professionals such as doctors, engineers, nurses, and teachers.

During the meeting, the Vice Chancellor informed that QAU was one of the top-ranking universities in Pakistan and was at 315th position in global rankings. He apprised that the QAU was focusing on research that could have a positive impact on society, adding that digitalization was the top priority of the University.

The President urged the need to further improve the quality of education, besides focusing on the character-building of students. He said that top position holders of QAU should be given Presidential Awards with cash to encourage students in their studies.

The President appreciated the role of QAU in Pakistan’s academic sector and assured the Vice Chancellor of his support in getting the financial issues of the University addressed by taking it up at the appropriate forum.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)  Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has highlighted the global environmental crisis, emphasizing that environmental protection and combating climate change are among the most significant challenges we face today.

 In a press release from Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP underlined the severe impact of environmental imbalances on Pakistan, marking World Environment Day. He noted that Pakistan ranks among the top countries suffering from the adverse effects of climate change, including floods, droughts, and extreme weather conditions.

 He mentioned that during his tenure as Foreign Minister, he presented Pakistan’s environmental case to the international community, stressing that Pakistan is doubly afflicted by climate change and climate injustice. He pointed out that Pakistan continually faces the repercussions of climate change, including floods, droughts, and extreme weather conditions.

 Chairman PPP reiterated that combating climate impact and protecting the environment are top priorities for his party, the PPP. He reaffirmed the party’s commitment to constructing homes for the victims of the devastating 2022 floods and supporting their livelihoods. The Sindh government’s initiative to build climate-resilient homes for two million flood victims stands as a model for the world, he said.

 Bilawal Bhutto Zardari asserted that development at the cost of environmental degradation is not true development. He said that environmental protection is a collective responsibility that spans countries, political parties, institutions, and individuals. “Let us all join hands to save this planet, which is the only home for us and future generations,” he urged.

 He also paid tribute to the organizations and individuals dedicated to environmental protection, recognizing their crucial contributions to this global cause.

Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of 13 miners in two separate incidents in Balochistan.

In a press release issued by the Media Cell Bilawal House, Chairman PPP conveyed his deepest condolences to the families of the 11 miners who lost their lives due to a gas leak inside a coal mine in the Sanjadi area. He also condemned the fatal shooting of two laborers in the Duki area and called for the immediate arrest of those responsible.

Chairman Bhutto Zardari voiced his concern over the frequent accidents and fatalities within the mining sector, emphasizing the urgent need for the Balochistan government to enforce stringent safety regulations to protect miners. He reiterated the PPP’s commitment to being a representative party for workers nationwide, dedicated to safeguarding their rights and welfare.