Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday addressed a public workers' meeting in Hyderabad, where he announced healthcare, infrastructure and education initiatives for the people of Sindh.

He was accompanied by Minister of Railways Saad Rafique and Sindh Governor Mohammad Zubair.

Counting off his 'achievements', the PM said: "You must remember the condition Pakistan was in when we came into power in 2013. Terrorists were running rampant in the country."

"Today, we have defeated them."

"People were afraid to visit Karachi a few years ago; now everyone goes there, people are unafraid."

"Pakistan is now at a stage where load-shedding has been greatly reduced; next year, we will say goodbye to this menace completely," the premier claimed.

Saying he came bearing "gifts" for the people of Sindh, the premier said: "Health cards are being provided all over the country, and they will be coming to Hyderabad too. They will allow people to avail medical services free of cost. You will no longer have to sell your houses for medical treatment," he said.

"Hyderabad will soon be among cities where good educational institutions and hospitals, industries and economic zones are found," the premier said, as he promised a new, international standard airport and Rs500 million for the development of the district.

He also promised electricity and gas to Sindh's villages.

"You will be able to travel from Hyderabad to Peshawar in one day on the motorway we are building. This is no small feat by any means," the PM said while discussing the development of a network six-lane motorways throughout the country.

He also announced a new train service, the Mehran Express, which will run from Karachi to Hyderabad and Mirpurkhas.

Concluding his speech, the PM announced a Rs1 billion fund for a government university to be built in Hyderabad.

The prime minister and the accompanying PML-N leaders were presented the traditional Sindhi ajrak and topi (cap) before they addressed the workers' convention.

Traders in the city had also prepared a gold 'crown' for the prime minister.

He is expected to also visit Jacobabad, Naushahro Feroze, Larkana and Tharparkar, but faces criticism for turning his attention to Sindh only in the last leg of his tenure.

Senior vice president of the party, Shah Mohammad Shah, has, however, rejected this criticism, arguing that Sharif has paid many visits to the province in the past.