Former prime minister and Awaam Pakistan leader Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Wednesday claimed that Sindh’s failure to utilise its vast resources effectively is pushing the province, particularly Karachi, into a deepening crisis. He warned that if the status quo persists, the dream of development would remain elusive.
Speaking at a press conference on University Road in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Abbasi said that Sindh’s budget stands at approximately Rs3.6 trillion, yet citizens continue to be deprived of basic amenities. He asked where such substantial funds are being spent and who is accountable for their utilisation.
He claimed that corruption is rampant across the country, and that the tanker and hydrant mafia in Karachi is generating billions of rupees while residents’ homes are still not being supplied water. He said Karachi has effectively become the only major city in the world where water supply largely depends on private tankers.
He also criticised Karachi’s crumbling infrastructure, pointing out that roads are in disrepair, and major projects, such as the long-delayed works on University Road, remain incomplete even after five years. “If the government can’t even complete a single road, how will it resolve larger issues?”
Referring to rural Sindh, Abbasi said that conditions of other sectors in the province are equally alarming, with both education and healthcare systems in a state of neglect. Expressing concern over the poor state of schools, he stressed that providing basic human necessities is the government’s fundamental responsibility. He underscored that Karachi’s problems have nationwide implications, arguing that the country’s progress is closely tied to the city’s development. He said that empowering local governments and ensuring equitable distribution of resources are essential for addressing these challenges.
He also criticised federal economic policies, saying that decisions, particularly those related to fuel prices, are exacerbating public hardships, and so they must be revisited. Highlighting growing public disillusionment, he said that millions of young people have left the country in recent years, reflecting a lack of confidence in government policies. “If conditions don’t improve, this trend will only intensify.”
Referring to the National Finance Commission Award, he argued that provinces can no longer justify resource shortages, as adequate funds are available. “The real issue lies in priorities and intent.”
He called on the government to take immediate, practical steps to resolve the pressing issues facing the people of Karachi and Sindh, warning that failure to act can trigger an escalating public backlash.
