PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari assured traders of his unwavering support, pledging to address and resolve their ongoing challenges
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has responded strongly to the business community in Karachi, urging them to bring any grievances directly to him instead of seeking resolution from others. Speaking at an event in honour of Karachi’s traders, Bilawal emphasized that Sindh remains under PPP’s stewardship and assured the business community of his full support in addressing their challenges.
The PPP Chairman invited Karachi’s business figures to present their complaints about the Chief Minister, ministers, or bureaucrats to him personally, asserting, “There’s no need to seek resolution elsewhere.” He expressed confidence in the improvements in Karachi’s business climate, stating that the days of extortion and forced closures of industries were behind the city. He claimed that businesses now operate freely, without fear, and that workers are no longer coerced into participating in political rallies.
Addressing the traders directly, Bilawal Bhutto asked, “Have I ever caused you trouble? Why would I want you to face issues under my or this government’s name?” Bilawal also took the opportunity to criticize the federal government, especially for excluding Sindh from key policy decisions regarding energy tariffs and electricity supply. He lamented that important decisions were being made in Islamabad without consulting Sindh, leaving the province to deal with the consequences. Pointing to Sindh’s potential as an energy hub, particularly its vast coal reserves, Bilawal demanded affordable electricity for the people of Sindh, emphasizing, “Sindh has as much coal as Saudi Arabia has oil.”
The PPP chairman also addressed the federal government’s claims about ending load-shedding, challenging the idea by asking, “Tell me one city in Sindh where load-shedding has ended.” He reiterated that Sindh was pursuing its own power projects, independent of federal approval, due to the lack of progress from the center. Additionally, Bilawal highlighted successful public-private partnerships in Sindh that were generating profits and delivering tangible results.
Bilawal, however, made it clear that Sindh would continue to thrive under PPP leadership, reiterating his commitment to mutual collaboration for the development of Karachi and Sindh. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of working together to ensure the prosperity of Karachi and that Sindh leads the way in development.
