The Sindh government has launched a province-wide initiative to compile comprehensive data on women farmers as part of a broader plan to empower them economically and introduce targeted development projects, Senior Minister for Information and Transport & Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon announced on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference, Memon said the provincial government is taking practical steps to achieve economic self-reliance and stability, with special emphasis on supporting women associated with the agricultural sector.
“Regular data of women farmers across Sindh is being compiled so that facilities and incentives can be provided to them effectively and transparently,” he said, adding that new projects aimed specifically at uplifting women farmers would soon be introduced.
Referring to the cabinet meeting held a day earlier, he said that several important and people-friendly decisions have been taken. Among them is the establishment of the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority, a move he described as a milestone towards achieving provincial autonomy in the energy sector. The authority aims to strengthen Sindh’s capacity to regulate and develop its own power resources independently.
He also condemned the recent incident in Kohat, calling it highly deplorable. “Our youth are bravely fighting terrorists and making immense sacrifices for the peace and stability of the country.”
He said the government has taken key decisions to facilitate business owners and promote commercial activities. Traders would now be provided with all the required online facilities within a timeline of 10 days to streamline business processes and improve ease of doing business in the province.
He said a railway line is being laid up to Tharparkar to enhance travel and trade links, while the Sindh government has invested $1 billion in the Thar coal project to strengthen the energy sector. Overall, he noted, more than $8 billion have been invested in coal-based energy projects.
“The cheapest electricity in the country is being generated from Sindh coal,” he said, adding that power produced from these projects is being supplied to the national grid and benefiting the entire country.
Coal, he maintained, has emerged as a vital and effective source of energy in addressing Pakistan’s energy crisis, which he described as the country’s most pressing challenge. Responding to criticism of Karachi, he said that certain elements deliberately target the city without acknowledging ground realities. “Karachi has its own challenges, but it remains the backbone of the national economy.”
He pointed out that thousands of people arrive in Karachi daily from across Pakistan in search of employment and better health care. Nearly 50 per cent of patients in Karachi’s hospitals come from outside the city, with treatment costs amounting to millions of rupees borne by the Sindh government.
He highlighted that a liver transplant facility is now available in Gambat, while in the past patients had to travel to India for such a treatment. He noted that Karachi’s infrastructure faces extraordinary pressure due to its massive population, which he said can be compared to that of a country’s rather than a city’s.
Unlike Lahore, which has access to underground water, Karachi lacks such resources, leading to heavy reliance on water tankers that affect traffic and infrastructure, he pointed out. Despite these challenges, he said, the provincial government is taking serious steps to address the city’s problems. The chief minister is regularly holding meetings and personally reviewing progress on key projects.
He also said the Sindh police have killed 28 dacoits and secured the surrender of 187 others over the past two months, carrying out effective operations in the Kutcha area. He added that the Shahrah-e-Bhutto Highway project is in its final stages and is expected to be formally inaugurated in the first or second week of April.
Regarding infrastructure cess, he said the collected funds are being deposited with the Supreme Court and are not currently being received by the Sindh government. A committee headed by Mukesh Chawla has been formed to resolve the issue. On the Red Line project, he acknowledged that the provincial government has faced serious difficulties but made the assurance that concrete steps are being taken to overcome them. All ministers, mayors and deputy mayors are actively working to ensure progress.
Replying to a question about reports of an alleged meeting chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, he dismissed the news as baseless and sensational. “There was nothing of the sort in the meeting as is being portrayed,” he said, adding that the president, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Faryal Talpur regularly receive briefings and remain fully aware of Karachi’s challenges.
He said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leadership continues to fulfil its responsibilities and monitor developments closely. He claimed that while the federal government often seeks the PPP’s cooperation, its representatives in Sindh are conspiring against the provincial government. “We have asked our leadership to seek clarification from the federal government on this matter.”
In response to another query, he said snorkels and drones are being procured, and the rescue system is being integrated under a unified command structure to improve response to fire and emergency incidents.
He concluded by reiterating that despite numerous challenges, the Sindh government remains focused and committed to resolving Karachi’s issues and advancing development across the province.
