Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, coordinator of the Awam Pakistan party, expressed a deep concern for the deterioration of the state of Karachi during an interactive session at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi on Wednesday.
Going to representatives and media students, Abbasi criticized the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP) for not solving basic civic problems despite maintaining power in Sindh during the last 17 years.
“After almost two decades in power, PPP has not yet addressed fundamental problems such as access to clean water. One has to leave the city center to really understand how private is Karachi,” said Abbasi.
The event presented a special session of questions and answers with students who involved with the former prime minister on topics ranging from governance and political reform to Pakistan’s future direction.
During the session, Abbasi raised concerns about the project of the new Channels of the Indo River. “This is not a new problem. I visited Sukkur in November, and people were already worried. The federal government has not clarified how these channels will affect the participation of Sindh’s water,” he said.
In addition, he criticized federal and provincial governments for their inaction and lack of transparency, and added that the public remains anxious while the media remain greatly silent. “PPP is now part of the federal government; they cannot dissociate these issues,” he added.
Requesting responsibility, he urged the Common Interests Council (CCI) to immediately convert these issues openly. “The more we delay, the more confidence we lose between the provinces. This lack of clarity is dangerous for the national unity.”
Speaking about regional tensions, the former prime minister condemned the recurring strategy of India to blame Pakistan for terrorist incidents to obtain a political advantage, saying that such tactics only serve to mask deeper problems.
Referring to a recent tragic event in Jammu and Cashmiro illegal Indians (Iiojk), he said: “More than 26 lives were lost. No one should be allowed to attack unarmed civilians.”
Abbasi also highlighted the internal security challenges of Pakistan and spoke about the continuous issue of missing persons. “To this day, the commission has not been able to document these individuals, and the government continues to hide the truth. We owe the nation to bring the facts to light.”
In the economy, he criticized the management of the government of inflation and agricultural policy. “The farmer is suffering. The acquisition of wheat has been poorly administered, and prices increase from RS2200 to RS4000 by Maund. If the farmer fails, the economy fails.”
He also pointed out the lack of transparency in public sector governance, saying that the National Office of Responsibility (NAB) has not been able to hold politicians and bureaucrats. “After 25 years, NAB still makes it seem that each politician is innocent. We need to ask how public officials allow their lifestyles.”
Touching the scarcity of electricity and infrastructure gaps in Karachi, Abbasi said: “This is a city where the use of electricity reaches its maximum point between 1 and 5 am until Karachi develops, the country cannot progress.”
He argued that the significant reforms of the three main political parties of Pakistan could promote national progress, but lamented their failure to address the real problems of the public. “Today, almost all opposition parties have a certain level of government, but none has emerged as a model to follow.”
On the issue of democratic values, Abbasi emphasized the need for an open political dialogue between politicians and the establishment. “We are still not adopting democratic norms. National problems must be discussed transparently with the public, not behind closed doors.”
He concluded remembering the problematic electoral story of Pakistan. “We saw that the country separated because the results of the elections were rejected. Each election has been tarnished by manipulation. I have played ten elections, not two were the same.”
Asking for responsible leadership, he urged ministers to take the initiative instead of trusting only in the prime minister for problem solving. “Good governance means assuming responsibility at all levels,” he added.
