Karachi:
The president of the Popular Party of Pakistan (PPP), Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, strongly criticized the Federal Government for making unilateral decisions and warned that Sindh would address the courts if their rights and their fair part of resources are denied.
When heading to a meeting of the business community, Bilawal praised the public-private partnership model (PPP) as a reference point to boost economic growth and promote prosperity throughout the country and urged the business community to collaborate with the Sindh government to forge sustainable associations.
Bilawal said that the unilateral determination of electricity tariffs in Islamabad, without consulting the business community or the provincial government, was an important issue. Like the gas, he added, Sindh had been denied his legitimate part of the water.
“It is you, and I who takes the consequences of such policies,” he said. “They blatantly claim that the cargo zipper has been eliminated, however, many areas of the country still suffer up to 18 hours of power cuts. We have lost the confidence that we will once obtain reliable electricity from the federal government.”
When qualifying the shortage of water as a critical problem, Bilawal warned that he was not only Pakistan, but the entire world faced the threat of drought and hungry due to global warming. He also criticized the federal government’s decision to build six new channels on the Indo River.
“This [canals] The movement will worsen the water situation in the end areas of the tail, including Karachi, “Bilawal told the meeting.” To this day, not only the additional water has not been provided, but even the complete assigned participation has not been delivered, “he said., Referring to the provisions of the water agreement, 1991.
He said that when he opposed the new Indo channels, he was fighting for Karachi’s rights and defending the rights of his business community. “Karachi merchants, the people of Sindh and the entire nation should demand the implementation of the 1991 water agreement,” he emphasized.
While arguing the public-private partnership mode introduced by the provincial government, Bilawal said that Sindh was the only province in which numerous projects under this model not only operated successfully and generated income, but had gained international recognition.
“I want this public-private association to accelerate and advance,” he said. Referring to projects such as the Jhirk-Mulla Katiar bridge, medical care initiatives and Thar coal, said these were the main examples of good governance.
Highlighting the potential for the transformative impact of the public-private partnership mode, it asked the interested parties to propose “win-win projects” aimed at advancing green energy, the infrastructure update and the improvement of the services of the services of essential public services.
“I want to explore more winning opportunities of this nature, where the business community and the government of Sindh work together to serve this province,” he added. “Working together can lead to better results,” said the head of the PPP.
He said that in the case of the Federal Government that privatizes the electricity distribution companies (DISC), the Sindh government should take them under a public-private association, and added that the work had already begun in three projects and that more would begin projects in the next fiscal year.
Highlighting the energy sector, Bilawal said that no other province had both potential as Sindh. He said that solar and wind energy parks could be established in each division of the province. He emphasized the need for greater private investment in the solar and wind energy sectors of Sindh.
Bilawal appreciated the role of the business community in the development of Karachi and the country. He recognized the challenges faced by the business community, but pointed out a significant improvement in the city situation compared to the conditions prior to 2008.
Speaking about investment opportunities in the province, Bilawal said that Sindh had both coal and Saudi Arabia had oil. He stressed the importance of modern agriculture and invited the business community to associate with the Sindh government to promote intelligent agriculture.
“We want to introduce this initiative through collaboration between small farmers and the business community, so we can increase crop yields, using modern techniques,” he said, adding that with the support of global partners, the approach Sindh’s initial would benefit its farmers.
By emphasizing that the Government would completely support associations between small farmers and private investors, Bilawal said: “We can improve the agricultural sector and strengthen our economy through the development of solid infrastructure.”
Bilawal said that, being the most populous city in the country, Karachi had immense potential. He stressed that all problems related to the public services service faced by Karachi could be solved through public-private partnerships.
The president of the PPP also said that he was in favor of a welfare state, and therefore, “we need to generate taxes” and increase income. He criticized the current tax system, saying: “The way in which the fiscal system works, we can never succeed. Taxes have essentially become a form of extortion.”
He emphasized the need to introduce friendly tax reforms with businesses that would not hinder economic activity. He also pointed out that, although agriculture was already taxed, although at a low rate, the highest taxpayer of agricultural taxes in Sindh was none other than President Asif Zardari.
Bilawal emphasized the need to focus on increasing income and tax collection. Giving an example, he said: “When the responsibility of raising taxes on sales on services was granted to Sindh, we were committed to people and achieved record taxes.”
“We want to be your partners. We do not see each other as opponents but as allies. I am not here to play a short game; I am here for the long tickets. I plan to stay here, in this city, and work for its improvement.
He highlighted the PPP -led Government for the elimination of extortion and Karachi threats that allowed companies to operate peacefully. However, he acknowledged that there were still challenges, but reiterated his commitment to solve them.
He asked Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah to establish a special cell, who understood officials of the Department of Anti -Corruption and the Police to address the complaints of the Karachi business community. He urged entrepreneurs to inform that complaints and names of names involved, instead of making general accusations.
Addressing merchants, he said: “I have never demanded extortion or asked for donations. Tell me today if you have any complaint against me. Have I ever caused you any problem? So why would I want someone else to bother you? My my name or on behalf of my government? “
He mentioned that providing employment opportunities to his voters was part of his manifesto. In order for the public to have access to job opportunities, he said, it was essential that the country’s economy prospered and that the businesses of the merchant community flourish.
Idrees Gigi, Atif Ikram, Fawad Anwer, Sultan Alana, Arif Habib, Javed Bilwani, Zubair Motiwala and Akeel Karim Dhedhi also approached the meeting. The event was also attended by Tariqiram, Dewan Yousuf, Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah; Provincial Ministers Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Sharjeel Inam Memon, in addition to Nisar Khuhro, Senator Salem Mandviwala, Dr. Ikhtiar Baig, Murtaza Wahab and others.
