SUKKUR: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Wednesday criticised attempts to centralise provincial powers under the pretext of alleged governance failures, stressing that Tharparkar’s transformation post-18th Constitutional Amendment counters such narratives.
He reaffirmed that Sindh’s development proves provincial capacity and rejects ideas that all progress must be routed through Islamabad. He highlighted achievements in education, healthcare, and power generation through public-private partnerships as evidence of Sindh’s self-reliance.
He inaugurated the NED University-affiliated Thar Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology and the School of Modern Sciences in Tharparkar, describing the projects as a significant gift from the Sindh government to the local community.
He stressed that the development of Tharparkar, along with all other regions, is crucial for Pakistan’s overall growth and prosperity. He praised the people of Tharparkar for their steadfast support for the party and its leadership, noting the district’s development as a testament to the PPP’s commitment to the region.
The PPP chairman said Tharparkar’s progress is vital not only for Sindh but for Pakistan as a whole.
Highlighting Thar coal as a key asset, Bilawal noted that the resource has spurred both an economic and social revolution. “The Thar Coal Project has not only powered industrial cities like Faisalabad but has also facilitated the establishment of healthcare infrastructure, including dispensaries, BHUs, and hospitals, through the Thar Foundation in partnership with Indus Hospital,” he said.
He said the NED University campus in Tharparkar was a long-standing demand of the local youth, with work beginning in 2019, and confirmed that it would be upgraded to a full-fledged university before the end of the current government’s term. Bilawal praised the significant participation of female students and the enrolment of youth from Gilgit-Baltistan, underscoring the PPP’s commitment to inclusive education and women’s empowerment—a vision championed by Shaheed Benazir Bhutto.
The ceremony was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, Provincial Minister for Universities Muhammad Ismail Rahoo, members of the provincial cabinet, legislators, local government representatives, party officials, and other prominent figures.
