- Advertisement -
KARACHI, Feb 24 (APP):Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah and Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal, addressing a joint press conference, highlighted Sindh’s vulnerability to climate disasters, stating that the province suffered the worst impact of the 2022 floods.
They stressed the urgent need for climate resilience, noting that coastal areas of Sindh are being eroded by rising sea levels. “To counter this crisis, we must implement Green Revolution 2.0,” Murad Shah and Ahsan Iqbal said.
Referring to Pakistan’s energy future, Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that Sindh has a 400-year coal reserve, which, in collaboration with the Sindh government, is being utilized to make the province an energy hub. He also announced that the Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway project will begin this year, along with the reconstruction of the Karachi-Hyderabad Motorway, making it more efficient for port connectivity.
Ahsan Iqbal expressed concern over Pakistan’s rising population growth rate of 2.55 percent, warning that if left unchecked, it could collapse the economy. He emphasized that developed nations, both Muslim and non-Muslim, have controlled their populations to achieve economic progress.
Referring to Pakistan’s economic history, Ahsan Iqbal said, “In 77 years, we have crashed three economic take-offs. Now, we are in our fourth attempt, and we are seeing progress.” He highlighted improvements in exports, energy, inflation control, and stock market indicators but stressed that Pakistan’s key to success lies in political stability. “Right now, we don’t need a political long march—we need an economic long march,” he stated.
He also praised the Sindh government for its full cooperation in national development projects and invited the private sector and civil society to join efforts for economic growth.
To a question, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to media freedom but warned against misusing social media for harassment and hate speech. “Freedom of expression does not mean harassing mothers and sisters online. Even in the UK, defamation can lead to a £50,000 fine within a month,” he said, recalling his own experience as a victim of violence with a bullet still lodged in his body.
Ahsan Iqbal acknowledged past injustices against Sindh during the PTI government and appreciated CM Murad Ali Shah’s data-driven approach in advocating for Sindh’s rights. “On Sindh CM’s request, we have included several Sindh projects in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP),” he said.
Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal stated that in every coalition government, differences arise, but they are also resolved. He assured that the alliance between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) is stable, as both parties have a mechanism to address concerns.
“There is no threat to the government’s coalition,” he emphasized, adding that a committee led by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar is actively maintaining communication between both parties. He also confirmed that the prime minister will soon convene the Council of Common Interests (CCI) meeting.
Ahsan Iqbal reassured that all provinces will receive their fair share of resources and that no province will be deprived of its rights by another. “Pakistan’s Situation Changed After May 9” He recalled that before May 9, no attacks on defense institutions had ever occurred.
Ahsan Iqbal said that money recovered in London was meant to be returned to the people of Pakistan, but instead, PTI returned it to the original thief. “Today, the entire PTI is defending that criminal,” he remarked, adding that PTI executed the world’s most transparent theft, leaving behind a complete money trail.
He concluded by accusing PTI of stealing £190 million from the public and then playing the victim, stating, “They give stolen public money back to the thief and then claim political persecution.”