Ex-PM slams Sindh governance, questions use of Rs3.6tr budget

A sharp political exchange unfolded on Wednesday as Awam Pakistan Party chief and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi accused the Sindh government of severe mismanagement of resources, while the provincial administration strongly rejected his allegations, calling them politically motivated and misleading.

Addressing a press conference in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Abbasi said Sindh, particularly Karachi, was facing deep governance challenges despite a provincial budget of around Rs3.6 trillion. He questioned the utilisation of funds and asked who would be held accountable for the lack of basic services.

He alleged that Karachi's water supply system had been effectively taken over by tanker and hydrant mafias. He further pointed to University Road which had remained incomplete for years, and questioned how larger urban issues could be addressed if basic projects could not be finished.

Abbasi also highlighted poor conditions in rural Sindh's education and health sectors, stressing that the provision of basic services was a constitutional responsibility of the government. He said economic hardship and rising fuel prices were pushing more young people to leave the country, warning of worsening trends if governance did not improve.

Emphasising Karachi's importance to the national economy, he called for stronger local governments and fair distribution of resources, arguing that provincial funds were sufficient and the issue lay in priorities and governance.

In response, Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed dismissed Abbasi's remarks, saying he was attempting to "sell old criticism under a new political label." She urged him to focus on accountability regarding the LNG case instead of targeting Karachi.

Sadia Javed said Abbasi's comments were aimed at diverting attention from facts and accused him of political point-scoring. She defended the provincial government's performance, claiming that development work in Karachi under the Pakistan Peoples Party was visible on the ground.