In a recent meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) expressed deep concerns about the halt of development projects in Sindh. These projects, worth billions of rupees and funded by the federal government, have been stalled due to the closure of the Pakistan Public Works Department (Pak-PWD).
The MQM delegation, led by Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, highlighted that nearly all federally funded infrastructure projects in Sindh have been affected, including Rs15 billion worth of projects approved for Karachi and Rs5 billion for Hyderabad. The closure of Pak-PWD has brought development work to a standstill, leaving many projects incomplete.
The government’s decision to abolish Pak-PWD, as part of its efforts to downsize state departments, has raised concerns about the impact on development projects and employment. The MQM suggested using the Sindh Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDC) to ensure continuity of projects, as Punjab has an alternate department to continue development work.
The MQM delegation also urged the prime minister to consider reducing electricity bills for ordinary citizens, even if it means shutting down government-owned independent power producers (IPPs). This move would provide relief to the people of Sindh, who are already facing economic hardships.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif assured the MQM delegation that addressing the issues facing Karachi remains a government priority. He added that national development initiatives are progressing rapidly in coordination with coalition partners.
The halt of development projects in Sindh is a concerning issue that needs immediate attention. The government must find a solution to ensure the completion of these projects, which are crucial for the development of the province.
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