BILAWAL BHUTTO ZARDARI ADDRESSES TRADERS IN KARACHI
Karachi ( Web News )
Chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, stated that the PPP government is in power in Sindh, and there is no need for anyone to engage in backbiting. He emphasized that if Karachi’s traders are no longer facing extortion, the credit belongs to the Sindh government and Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Speaking at a ceremony honoring the traders of Karachi, Bilawal Bhutto said that complaints regarding land grabbers are frequent, but there is no need for anyone to gossip about these issues, as the PPP government is in power in Sindh. He urged traders to openly express their issues and assured them that their problems would be addressed.
He added that if today factories and industries are operating without extortion, workers are not being forced into strikes, and businesses are running peacefully, then a small part of that credit also goes to the PPP. He also stressed that he has never asked any businessman for donations or extorted money. If there are any complaints, they should be directly communicated, and action will be taken.
Bilawal Bhutto further explained that PPP’s representatives win elections based on the party’s manifesto, and they aim to strengthen public-private partnerships in Sindh to complete large-scale projects. He highlighted that in the past, PPP has successfully completed health, Thar Coal, and construction projects using the public-private partnership model. He expressed pride that Sindh is the only province with a successful public-private partnership system, which has been appreciated globally. The PPP aims to serve the people of Sindh by partnering with the private sector.
Bilawal also addressed issues concerning the federal government, particularly regarding gas supply and water distribution. He stated that the Sindh government is entitled to its share of gas, which is its constitutional right. He mentioned that if the federal government does not resolve these issues through dialogue, the option of going to court is available. Water scarcity is another major issue, and he emphasized that Pakistan is not the only country affected by the global warming crisis that threatens droughts and famine.
He pointed out that Karachi’s population increases by 5,000 people every week, making it a challenge to provide adequate water. He stressed that despite the 1991 water accord, Sindh has never received its full share of water, and this issue needs to be addressed for the well-being of the city’s residents and businesses.
Bilawal also criticized the federal government’s decision to extract more canals from the Indus River, which would harm Karachi’s water supply. He said the PPP opposes such projects and fights for Karachi’s rights. He urged the implementation of the 1991 water agreement to ensure sufficient water supply for Karachi, advocating for desalination plants to address the water issue in the meantime.
He suggested that smart irrigation systems and corporate farming could be solutions to improve agricultural productivity in Sindh. PPP seeks to collaborate with the private sector to modernize farming techniques and increase crop yields. Bilawal emphasized that small farmers and the business community should be supported in this effort, which would lead to economic improvements in the province.
Lastly, Bilawal spoke about the importance of generating revenue through a fair tax system. He acknowledged the challenges with Pakistan’s current tax system, stating that taxes should not hinder business operations. He noted that in Sindh, the highest agricultural tax payer is Asif Ali Zardari and emphasized that the focus should be on increasing revenue through proper tax collection.
He concluded by stating that the PPP has successfully collected record taxes by engaging people without threats or arrests and that the party intends to continue supporting both the business and farming communities in Sindh.