Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Sindh president Haleem Adil Sheikh on Friday accused the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) of ruining Sindh during its 17 years of rule despite receiving over Rs30 trillion in budgetary allocations.
Addressing a press conference at Insaf House Karachi alongside PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar, General Secretary Arsalan Khalid and other leaders, Mr Sheikh alleged that more than Rs10tr had been lost to corruption and mismanagement under PPP governments. He said Karachi, which contributes nearly 97 per cent of the country's revenue, had consistently been denied its due share of resources.
"Karachi was entitled to Rs1,136 billion in development funds over the past 15 years but received only Rs200bn. The shortfall means the city has been deprived of Rs3.36tr, including Rs944bn in development allocations," he said.
Turning to the devastation caused by recent rains, he said at least 10 people had died and over 50 were injured since the Sept 8 downpour, while the overflow of Malir River, Thado Dam and Lyari River had submerged dozens of neighbourhoods. He recalled that in the Aug 19 rains, 19 people had died, thousands of vehicles were damaged and many settlements were left inundated.
Sheikh demanded Rs2 million compensation for each of the deceased, including five members of the Bheel community who drowned after Thado Dam's overflow, Rs500,000 for the injured, Rs100,000 for damaged cars and Rs10,000 for motorcycles. He also proposed a Rs200bn package for Karachi's rehabilitation, waiver of utility bills, emergency cash aid of Rs20,000 for daily wage earners and a survey of affected homes.
Criticising mega development projects, he claimed the Rs54.7bn Bhutto Expressway had a per kilometre cost higher than in Europe but collapsed even before its inauguration due to substandard construction. He said billions were wasted and demanded accountability. Similarly, he said, the Rs12.78bn New Hub Canal-meant to supply 100mgd water to Karachi-collapsed within a month of its launch. "Repairs will take months, but the government is misleading people by claiming restoration in 36 hours," he said, demanding a judicial inquiry into the project.
He further alleged that Rs43bn had been shown as spent on solid waste management, yet Karachi remained buried under garbage. He said 28bn rupees were misappropriated last year alone, with only half of the city's daily waste actually being collected.
Speaking about PTI founder Imran Khan, Haleem Adil Sheikh said the "people's leader" was imprisoned unjustly for two years without access to his physician but continued to inspire the party to stand by citizens. PTI Karachi president Raja Azhar accused the mainstream media of sidelining PTI and questioned the fate of 118 relief aircraft that arrived in 2022. He also criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for siding with PPP instead of playing its role as opposition.
General Secretary Arsalan Khalid added that even a light spell of rain was enough to paralyse Karachi due to negligence, pointing to lingering water in areas like Shafiq Colony and Madina Colony. He urged the city administrator to witness citizens' plight firsthand.
The press conference concluded with PTI leaders reiterating their demands for immediate relief for rain victims, release of Rs200bn for rehabilitation, and formation of judicial commissions on alleged corruption in mega projects.
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